The basketball Buckeyes continued their march toward an NIT bid last night as they dropped a 71-70 decision, at home, to a Penn State squad that came in to Columbus with a 1-6 conference record. The upset halted an 80-game home winning streak against unranked foes dating back to December 27, 2008 against West Virginia.
The loss snapped Penn State's 18-game losing streak against Thad Matta and lowered Ohio State's league record to 3-5 with back-to-back roadies against Wisconsin and Iowa just over the horizon.
On the bright side, the Buckeyes extended their lead as the nation's worst team at converting layups in traffic and did manage to place three guys in double figures paced by 16 from LaQuinton Ross, who also led the team with seven caroms.
In defeat, the Buckeyes turned it over just eight times and converted a solid 79% from the stripe (23/29) but connected on only 38% from the field including 31% from distance. Beyond the pain of watching Ohio State try to score in the halfcourt against a 2-3 zone, it's frankly shocking just how lifeless this team looks on defense at times. Transition defense continues to be an issue as guys like Amir Williams loaf down court allowing easy buckets, opposing guards aren't having much trouble penetrating into the lane and Ohio State continues to get beat on the glass.
At this point – and it really doesn't feel like an overreaction – one has to wonder if that was the worst loss of the Matta Era and if this team truly is on the verge of a total collapse that will end its streak of five straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
I'm not ready to throw in the towel just yet but I'd feel a lot better if this team would consistently give the type of effort we've come to expect from Matta's teams at the defensive end especially with the knowledge it's going to be a colossal struggle on offense.
BUCKEYE ON BUCKEYE CRIME. Because I feel compelled to remind you that some Buckeyes can indeed shoot, here's Evan Turner dropping in a buzzer-beater to defeat Jared Sullinger and the Boston Celtics last night in the (TD) Garden:
The game-winner gave Turner 16 points on the night to go with a team high eight dimes and six rebounds as he posted a +21 on the night. In case you haven't been paying attention, The Villain is having an outstanding season with averages of 18.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Sullinger led the C's with 24 points and 17 boards and is quietly averaging 12.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game for the bottom-feeding Celtics.
There's a Red house over yonder...
DIFFERENT GUY, SAME BOW TIE. The Lantern reported last night that current University of California Irvine chancellor Michael Drake will be named the next president of The Ohio State University.
The Columbus Dispatch also reported Drake will be introduced to the Board of Trustees later today. Drake, a Stanford alumnus, will take over in June and become the first black president of Ohio State and its 15th overall.
A guitar-playing president who loves to rock the bow tie, Drake teaches a class on 60's music and its impact on the Civil Rights movement.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, Irvine ranks as the 14th best public university in the United States, two spots ahead of Ohio State.
No word yet on if Urban Meyer will have the power to fire Drake should it become necessary.
HELP IS ON THE WAY. While the basketball Buckeyes could be on the verge of bottoming out in 2014, the struggles should be short-lived as Matta welcomes a consenus top-five class this fall lead by five-star prospects D'Angelo Russell and Keita Bates-Diop.
Yesterday, Russell, the crown-jewel of the group, was named a McDonald's All-American and will team with Matta dream-target Myles Turner on the East squad for the April 2nd contest.
Russell, a 6'5" combo guard, should make an immediate impact for the Buckeyes next season if for no other reason that he can shoot the basketball. Likewise, Bates-Diop is a guy who can fill it up from anywhere on the floor and while he'll need to bulk up to play the three, scouts rave about his basketball IQ which is another trait the current Buckeyes sorely lack.
Basically, hang tight diehard OSU hoops fans. If things don't straighten out this season, at the very least next year's group will be a lot more exciting to watch.
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