Men's Basketball
Buckeyes Grind Out Ugly Win Over Delaware State
By John PorentasThe best thing you can say about OSU's 60-44 win over Delaware State is that the game is over, nobody got hurt, and nobody fell into a boredom-induced coma. We won't go into the worst things you might say about the game, or maybe we will.
Jeremie Simmons lays the ball in against Delaware State
Photo by Jim DavidsonDelaware State Head Coach Greg Jackson said after the game his gameplan did not include any thought of actually winning the game, but rather just keeping it close. At worst, that seems to be at total odds with the whole idea of competing, but Jackson didn't see it that way.
"I think the only chance we probably had to beat this team for them not to show up," said Jackson.
"We were out-manned, out-talented across the board. To even be in the ball game is a tribute to this (Delaware State) team.
"The only plan we had was to come in here and limit their possession and keep them out of transition. We don't have the talent that they have," Jackson said.
The Hornets did exactly as they were coached. They milked the shot clock on every possession, five times milking it until it was actually dry resulting in shot clock violations. It made for a slow, boring basketball game.
"Everybody wake up," said Thad Matta in greeting the media in the post game interview session.
"That was one of the most unique basketball games I've ever seen in my time of coaching."
"Unique" may be a little kind. It was just plain not fun to watch, even if you are a fan of the winning team.
"No question. I apologize. I don't have anything to do with it," said Matta about the way the game was played.
"(Delaware state was) Maybe the most disciplined basketball team I've ever seen in my life to stay with that.
"Down 12 with eight minutes to go, I would have had a hard time in that one as a player. It was a great gameplan on their part, no question about it," Matta said trying to be diplomatic about the game plan that resulted in the uglyfest.
Despite scoring just 25 points in the first half the Buckeyes held an eight point lead at 25-17 at the intermission. Each team got up just 21 shots in the half. Ohio State made 10 of theirs, Delaware State just eight. The Buckeyes made three threes, the Hornets just one. OSU also outscored Delaware State 2-0 from the free throw line as the Hornets' passive style of play resulted in no free throw attempts for them.
The Buckeyes tried to speed up the game in the second half with some pressing and trapping, but it didn't seem to matter much. Delaware State was content to continue to play slow, use clock, and just keep the game as close as they could. The game played out, the final horn sounded, and the ugliest game in a long, long time was finally out of it's misery, also ending the misery of the people in attendance that had spent good money to sit through it.
The Buckeyes were were led by William Buford with a game-high 18 points. Buford also registered a game-high six assists. David Lighty added 12 and Dallas Lauderdale 11 for the winners. Frisco Sandidge led DSU with 13 points.
Game Notes
* With a game-high 18 points against Delaware State William Buford has now led the team in scoring in three of the four games since the injury to Evan Turner.
* With six assist against Delaware State William Buford has tallied 24 assists in the four games since the injury to Evan Turner. In the seven games prior to Turner's injury Buford had 24 total assists.
The-Ozone Mall
Interesting, Fun companies with interesting, quality products - and the-Ozone gets a piece of the action!
Donate by Check :
Ozone Communications
1380 King Avenue
Columbus, OhioHelp us bring you more Buckeye coverage. Donate to the-Ozone.
Click here to email this the-Ozone feature to a friend...or even a foe.
Return to the-OZone Front Page
(c) 2009 The O-Zone, O-Zone Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, rebroadcast,rewritten, or redistributed.