Four Factors: Ohio State vs. Florida

Any Buckeye fan who witnessed Tuesday’s battle between Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida would be the first to admit that throughout the game, there were many mixed emotions running through the veins of Buckeye Nation.

First, it was the nerve racking fear that this team isn’t as good as we projected it to. After back to back threes early from Bradley Beal and Erik Murphy, it looked like it was going to be a long night. The Gators controlled the pace of the game for the first six minutes and were on point with taking the perimeter shot out of the ballgame. The also found a way early to keep Jared Sullinger out of the picture.

It looked like it was going to be a long night.

Then the Buckeyes settled down on the court, and it looked like we had a battle on our hands. Settling in, the Buckeyes battled back via the free throw line. It looked like we had a back and forth game between outstanding guards. But when you play an up-tempo style, especially against a sound defensive backcourt, you’re going to turn the ball over. As the first half winded down, there seemed to be a turning point where the Buckeyes started clicking on both sides of the basketball. Jared Sullinger
broke free from the double team and took over with five minutes to go. To get his team back in the lead, Sullinger stole the basketball, dropped two free throws on a drive to the hoop, and then sunk the dagger from the baseline with two defenders in his face. Going into the half it felt like Ohio State had reached a level that matched last year’s squad.

Five minutes later, the Buckeyes had built a ten point lead and didn’t look back. William Buford found his touch in the second half, scoring ten of his 21 points by either the open jumper in space, or driving to the hoop and getting to the line. That’s when you could start to sense that the talent on this team could take them even further than last year. It’s just going to take some time to adjust.

See the 8 point barrage by Kenny Boynton to end the game as proof. Holding a solid lead, the Florida sharpshooter hit back to back threes after going to the line and dropping two freebies. You can guarantee against Jackson State, closing the ballgame will be the number one priority.

Game Notes:

• Jared Sullinger’s turnaround jumper was beautiful, but was there anyone else besides me screaming at the television to pass it to Shannon Scott wide open at the top of the key? Scott delivered the ball the Sullinger in the paint, then stood wide open and watched as the big man worked his magic. I love Sully’s range and his lack of fear in using it, but at points it worries me that he is going to fall in love with it. I might be going crazy, but taking that shot and making it was a huge momentum shift — the biggest in the game. But if he bricks that shot, it might of had the same effect the other way. Thoughts?
• 8 Man Rotation — We finally got a good feel at what rotation we should expect early in the season. This bench is going to stay at seven for the most part, with Ravenel spelling the forwards and Sibert at the 2/3. Shannon Scott will back up Craft at the point, but at this point it looks like the only way he’ll see the court is with a big lead or if Craft is in foul trouble. The starting lineup should remain — F Sullinger F Thomas G Buford G Smith Jr. G Craft
• Guards are a Guardin’ – When it was made clear that Lenzelle Smith Jr. was going to get his shot at the shooting guard position, my first concern was his ability to keep up with faster guards on defense. Against the mix of guards for Florida, he really showed his on the ball prowess and why he was thrown right into the fire.  We knew what Aaron Craft brings to the table, but consider this. The combination of Kenny Boynton, Irving Walker, and Mike Rosario were held to a total of just 16 points in the first 39 minutes of play. That’s huge in a game that spotlighted some of the best guards in the country.
• Clean the Glass — The Buckeyes really struggled rebounding the basketball on both sides of the floor on Tuesday. The Gators got 10 second half chances on the offensive side and out rebounded Ohio State 34-25, while shooting 44% compared to Ohio State’s 47%. Who would of thought that William Buford would grab more boards than Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes would have won? A lot of that had to do with the 2:1 ratio in turnovers (16/7).
• Raving about Evan’s Role — One of the biggest things I took from Tuesday’s game was Evan Ravenel’s play. He was a big disruptor on the defensive end and held his own without Jared Sullinger in the lineup.  Going 3-3 from the field doesn’t hurt either. It gives Thad Matta the ability to stretch out his lineup a bit with him in there.