02/02/2013 - Ohio State Report Card

No complaints from me.  If I had an issue, it was the start of each half.  We need to do something to get the juices flowing earlier and maintain it the full game.

As always, well done with the report card.  Can't argue with much, but there are a couple things that stand out to me.

1.  Rebounding, especially the offensive rebounding number, to me is a little misleading.  We missed an awful lot of shots, and that probably inflated that number some for us.  It would be much more impressive if we weren't shooting 37%.

2.  I think that the time for moral victories has passed, and I don't mean this as an indictment against this team or this coaching staff, in fact it is quite the opposite.  The expectations going into the season were to just play out the string, next year was the one we should be focusing on.  But, as the season has worn on, I see a team that has proven they can actually compete with the elite in this league (which is de facto the elite in the country), and we really should expect a win every time out.  So should our team.  Just playing hard and just showing signs of improvement should not be enough.  Expect anything less than a win, and the guys are cheating themselves, and we as fans are cheating ourselves as well.  I am pissed tonight, I'm sure coach is pissed, I have no doubt the team is pissed.  I want to see them take their frustrations out on Penn State next week.

Otherwise, pretty spot on.

Good report card. Loved the fight in the team. I think Rivers is the most improved player on the roster over the course of this season. Put another 10-15 pounds on him and he will make another leap next year. Loved his aggressiveness in the second half.

As always, well done with the report card.  Can't argue with much, but there are a couple things that stand out to me.

 

1.  Rebounding, especially the offensive rebounding number, to me is a little misleading.  We missed an awful lot of shots, and that probably inflated that number some for us.  It would be much more impressive if we weren't shooting 37%.

 

2.  I think that the time for moral victories has passed, and I don't mean this as an indictment against this team or this coaching staff, in fact it is quite the opposite.  The expectations going into the season were to just play out the string, next year was the one we should be focusing on.  But, as the season has worn on, I see a team that has proven they can actually compete with the elite in this league (which is de facto the elite in the country), and we really should expect a win every time out.  So should our team.  Just playing hard and just showing signs of improvement should not be enough.  Expect anything less than a win, and the guys are cheating themselves, and we as fans are cheating ourselves as well.  I am pissed tonight, I'm sure coach is pissed, I have no doubt the team is pissed.  I want to see them take their frustrations out on Penn State next week.

 

Otherwise, pretty spot on.

Agreed, '9er

Good report card.  I was really impressed with the effort we put in for most of the game tonight.  We stayed in a game where we were totally outmanned by working harder than OSU.  Unfortunately - at the times when they did decide to play defense with intensity we really struggled to run our offense and get open looks.  Of course, that is pretty much the story of our season - at least in the Big 10 games.

Was really pleased to see you give David Rivers the POG.  I thought that same thing but did not know if he would get the nod because others had bigger numbers.  Still I thought the 2nd half of this game was the best half David has played at NU.

The reoccurring problem of the season is the ALL TOO COMMON slow starts in the beginning of each half.

The rebounding totals were OSU 9 and NU 2 after about 5 minutes gone in the first half. We were about 9 points down...if you could take that stretch away... NU outscores them the rest of the game.

But they do not let you ignore the hole you dig yourself  to get out of.

If you are not ready to play...you PAY.

How does TM get these guys to come out in top form instead of needing time to slowly blossom...again?

Why do we tend to have one guy go for a shot and then by the time the ball leaves his hand everyone else is always on their way down to the other end? Seems we might draw a few more fouls if we were in there scrapping for more shots around our hoop. Or can someone explain why our opponents get more shots at the line. Can't all be put on the official. No excuse for letting our opponents get to the line 28 times to our 5.

Not much to say about the game other than we played pretty well considering our talent and the competition.

Good report card.  I was really impressed with the effort we put in for most of the game tonight.  We stayed in a game where we were totally outmanned by working harder than OSU.  Unfortunately - at the times when they did decide to play defense with intensity we really struggled to run our offense and get open looks.  Of course, that is pretty much the story of our season - at least in the Big 10 games.

 

Was really pleased to see you give David Rivers the POG.  I thought that same thing but did not know if he would get the nod because others had bigger numbers.  Still I thought the 2nd half of this game was the best half David has played at NU.

Especially considering Rivers didn't hardly play at all (7 min) in the first half.  Wish the great ship Almeida had not picked up that 3rd foul against lil' Craft in the 1st half, because his presence clearly affected the ballgame for NU's better.

Dylan Talley cross over that knocked over OSU center Amir Williams

Dylan Talley cross over that knocked over OSU center Amir Williams

 

This is epic.  I'd rank it up there with Caleb's alley oop dunk against Illinois as my favorite B1G moment!

Why do we tend to have one guy go for a shot and then by the time the ball leaves his hand everyone else is always on their way down to the other end? Seems we might draw a few more fouls if we were in there scrapping for more shots around our hoop. Or can someone explain why our opponents get more shots at the line. Can't all be put on the official. No excuse for letting our opponents get to the line 28 times to our 5.

The first half I noticed the total lack of rebounders on offense when we shot other than when Almeada came in.

Good report card.  I was really impressed with the effort we put in for most of the game tonight.  We stayed in a game where we were totally outmanned by working harder than OSU.  Unfortunately - at the times when they did decide to play defense with intensity we really struggled to run our offense and get open looks.  Of course, that is pretty much the story of our season - at least in the Big 10 games.

 

Was really pleased to see you give David Rivers the POG.  I thought that same thing but did not know if he would get the nod because others had bigger numbers.  Still I thought the 2nd half of this game was the best half David has played at NU.

 

Especially considering Rivers didn't hardly play at all (7 min) in the first half.  Wish the great ship Almeida had not picked up that 3rd foul against lil' Craft in the 1st half, because his presence clearly affected the ballgame for NU's better.

Two of Almeada's fouls were totally bogus. He simply stood his ground and got hammered by the offensive player and because he doesn't have any acting ability and doesn't flop, he always get two or so bogus fouls.

It was nice to see Benny Parker take it to the rack a few times. Where has that been all season? You won't get any calls unless you attack the rim, hence the giant foul disparity. Passing the ball around the perimeter until the clock winds down, so Dylan or Ray can jack a hurried three gets you what we saw. 

Dylan Talley cross over that knocked over OSU center Amir Williams

 

...but it would have been even better IF Dylan knocks down the completely open shot...

It was nice to see Benny Parker take it to the rack a few times. Where has that been all season? You won't get any calls unless you attack the rim, hence the giant foul disparity. Passing the ball around the perimeter until the clock winds down, so Dylan or Ray can jack a hurried three gets you what we saw. 

I actually thought Parker had a pretty decent game.  He was way more aggressive on offense and didn't get beat as often on defense.  I'm still frustrated by the loss.  This team has had so many winnable games with just making a few more plays or hitting a few key shots down the stretch.