Another snow driven weekend through the Big Ten saw Purdue, led by the explosive emergence of freshman E’Twaun Moore, maintain the unremitting pace set by Bo Ryan’s steely Badgers to stay atop the conference heap. Penn State showed heart in State College against a Michigan State team struck with a bout of malaise and whistles. And Ohio State found itself impotently watching a basketball revival in Iowa City.
Imposing Their Will
On January 9 in Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes (15-7, 6-3) embarrassed Iowa (11-12, 4-6) by 31 points in a game that wasn’t that close. Twenty-five days later in Iowa City, an evolving Hawkeyes team demonstrated numerous lessons learned en route to a 53-48 win over the Buckeyes. Without regard to the reactionaries in Columbus yapping about preparedness, team effort and focus, Iowa earned its win.
The gradual development of Iowa over the past two months from forlorn losers to cohesive team is the clearest indication that Todd Lickliter’s coaching mantra has reached his charges. Faced with the pressure of a close game on Saturday, Iowa played with confidence, purpose and poise. In victories over more talented teams like Ohio State and Michigan State, the Hawkeyes have found the dividend in Lickliter’s teaching that no longer makes them an easy mark.
Against Ohio State and as they’ve been doing nearly all season, Iowa controlled the pace of the game and to a man played consistent defense. With only nine turnovers and Tony Freeman’s defense on Jamar Butler, Ohio State had only one true option, the post where they possessed a considerable advantage in talent.
Giati Ohio State?
But with under four minutes to play and the outcome in the balance, Thad Matta substituted freshmen John Diebler for Kosta Koufos despite the seven-footer having scored the team’s last four points. Presumably, the substitution was not made for defense and, since Diebler hadn’t made a shot, his help on offense was dubious. In the end, Koufus took a seat on the bench not to return while the Buckeyes continued to jack three pointers, eventually going 3-21.
When it’s so abundantly obvious that Thad Matta’s teams, year and year out, are perimeter-oriented to a fault, a big man with talent and a desire to get better is making a mistake coming to Columbus. The team has little regard for a post player’s value, endlessly putting up the white flag on any effort to get the ball to the post despite crystal signs of its effectiveness. It was again painfully apparent on Saturday against Seth Gorney and company. So Kosta, why Ohio State?
Stand Up Lion
After four games, it’s possible Penn State (11-10, 3-6) has circled the wagons and decided to salvage their season without their best player, The Tweener that Roared, Geary Claxton. When Michigan State (19-3, 7-2) surmounted a ten point lead in the second half of Saturday’s game in State College, eventually taking the lead on a basket by Kalin Lucas, the Lions, led by frosh Talor Battle and Stanley Pringle, refused to roll over winning 85-76. It’s been a tough row without Claxton, but in a victory over fellow Land Granter Michigan State, but off this win, Penn State has a chance to rebound at the turn of the Big Ten season.
Blow Me A Whistle
In a signature article, Zebras on Cialis, Hoopraker pointed to the serious and legitimate concerns related to Big Ten officiating that anyone who has witnessed a Big Ten game in the flesh can understand. In a game where four Spartans fouled out, Saturday was an colorful illustration of officials literally pirating the game’s final seven minutes where all of Penn State’s final 20 points came at the line. At the least, that’s a rarity.
Two More Down
This may be Purdue’s year. Another great week as Matt Painter’s Boilermakers (17-5, 8-1) survived a near miss in Mackey against that pesky Iowa team and, despite the best efforts of Brian Randle, took one at Illinois (10-13, 2-8). And bad news for the rest of the conference as Purdue unveiled yet another weapon in their cupboard, a dominant game by freshman guard E’Twaun Moore.
A Collection of Parts
In Madison, a pure team effort by Wisconsin exposed IU as the DJ/EJ show, a collection of individuals and not yet a team. No doubt, DJ White’s decision to return for his senior year and his dominant performance on the court can be pointed to as reason to give him the nod at the turn for player of the year. Still, IU ran into a team in Madison that put on a clinic and in the process, dismantled the IU mystic.
If IU has designs on laying deep into March, players other than EJ and DJ will need to participate and most importantly, their Coach will need instruct it. So far, Sampson has basked in the glow of his two stars but such glory is superficial; IU needs substance.
February Bracket
The fine folks at the Double A Zone will be live blogging a mock Selection Sunday on Wednesday and Thursday at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis. Take a peek at the process behind the process and they’ll even welcome comments.
