hoops23;582900 wrote:No, actually, I'd prefer him to become even more aggressive.

This is the kind of win that builds team character. Nothing was really going for OSU tonight, yet they battled through it and still prevailed with a 14 point win on the road against a solid FSU team.

You can tell that FSU was 'up' for this game.

As Wes said earlier, OSU played like crap, but were still able to come away with a pretty convincing W.

The one thing that I was frustrated about, was the lack of movement on offense, specifically by Sullinger. There is no way he should have been denied the ball so often. Somebody, whether he or the ball handler, has to find a way to get him more touches inside.

Opposing teams are going to study this, and while most don't have the size or athleticism that FSU does, they will employ that into their defensive gameplan. OSU has to do a better job with entry passes.

The only way you get him more touches is to shoot better from the outside. FSU played a big behind him and fronted him with a wing (almost impossible to get him the ball) and even if you do get it to him he won't be able to do anything anyway. You must make them pay by hitting the 3 ball and OSU was not able to do that last night. I thought OSU played ok considering how athletic Florida State is and as was stated FSU is a very good and very physical defensive minded team. (great experience for the young guys)

0311sdp;583507 wrote:The only way you get him more touches is to shoot better from the outside. FSU played a big behind him and fronted him with a wing (almost impossible to get him the ball) and even if you do get it to him he won't be able to do anything anyway. You must make them pay by hitting the 3 ball and OSU was not able to do that last night. I thought OSU played ok considering how athletic Florida State is and as was stated FSU is a very good and very physical defensive minded team. (great experience for the young guys)

Let's not forget that the refs basically turned a blind eye to any contact inside. If you got mugged while they blocked your shot, too bad. It was one of the worst officiated games I've seen in a while, so kudos to those officials for making me think the Big Ten guys actually do a good job.

Also, Ohio State's offense wasn't that bad. The shots simply didn't fall. Most nights, Diebler makes close to half of his shots, and so does Lighty. Both those guys had really off shooting nights, and while some of that can be attributed to FSU's defense, not all of it can. Diebler had at least 5 totally open looks at the basket and his shot simply didn't go it. Lighty also missed a couple bunnies.

I'm not concerned at all with how this played out. It gave OSU great experience playing in one of those very frustrating type games, and they came out of it with a win, all the time showing great poise when it would have been very easy to "fall apart".

Another odd stat in the box score - OSU normally has a ton of assists. Last night only six. Things just weren't working last night. Some of it was great D and shot blocking by FSU and some was missing open shots after having been set up well. I'm betting six will be a season low in assists for this entire season by a long shot.

At least FSU also only had six assists. This total of 12 is unbelievable for a 40 minute game.

Damn if this was football, OSU's win at Florida wouldn't look all that great anymore. The Gators go down to UCF tonight 57-54, behind Marcus Jordan's 18.

thedynasty1998;583103 wrote:Didn't get to see the game, but the only comment on here I have a problem with is saying, "OSU hasn't lost, so why mess with things". I don't have a problem with the starting lineup, but just because they haven't lost a game yet doesn't mean you don't try to improve things and work on different lineups. Maybe they try Craft at PG and see if they can get a better start? Why not try it. They have plenty of games going forward to experiment with different things, so we will see if Matta thinks it's worth changing anything.

Ohio State has gotten off to a good start in every game.

If you start Craft and he comes out for blow who plays the point?? BUFORD! So WTF difference does it make? If Craft starts, Buford will still play the point the same number of minutes.

Laley23;583312 wrote:I didnt hear a thing Digger, or anyone said last night, I watched at a bar. I can see with my own two eyes how pathetic the offense that FSU was running. It was extremely undisciplined and a bunch of get the ball and look to score. If you get cut off, throw up a bad shot or pass. It, unfortunately, reminded me a lot of Indianas offense the last few years.

As for OSU only giving up 43 pts a game...I have no clue where you get that unless we are gonna count exhibitions.

FSU actually got some great looks from 3 off of their defense and had some run out opportunities and still only managed 44. It was terrible offense.

OSU on the other hand looked great on offense. They worked their sets, and got the ball down low. Just that FSU has tremendous athletes and swatted away everything they put up.

The 43 PPG average was said by someone on the ESPN panel, if not Digger someone else.

Big Gain;584104 wrote:The 43 PPG average was said by someone on the ESPN panel, if not Digger someone els.

Ok well they were wrong. Its closer to 54.

The bottom line. On the road in teh ACC, against a very good defensive team. Poor officiating. No Ohio State player had a good game and they still win by 14. Ohio State lead by as many as 16, FSU never got closer than 7. Ohio State lead by double figures 75% of the game. No one on the Ohio State team showed an iota of being uptight. There was not a second in the game where I felt as though Ohio State wasn't in complete control.

I can't remember the last time an Ohio State team rebounded like this one.

Big Gain;584085 wrote:Ohio State has gotten off to a good start in every game.

If you start Craft and he comes out for blow who plays the point?? BUFORD! So WTF difference does it make? If Craft starts, Buford will still play the point the same number of minutes.

I'm sure at some point you've played or coached organized basketball, so you would know that some players play better when they're in a comfortable role. To me, Buford hasn't been the player so far I thought he would be this year, and I tend to believe that starting the game at the point, and not having a true pg in there to get him the ball where he's comfortable has hurt him. I realize that OSU is #2 in the country and playing well, but there's no reason to not at least see if a change here or there doesn't make you better, and this is the time of year to do it. Maybe I'm completely wrong, and it wouldn't help anything. I'm just a fan of having a true PG on the court that can get you open looks early.

se-alum;584702 wrote:I'm sure at some point you've played or coached organized basketball, so you would know that some players play better when they're in a comfortable role. To me, Buford hasn't been the player so far I thought he would be this year, and I tend to believe that starting the game at the point, and not having a true pg in there to get him the ball where he's comfortable has hurt him. I realize that OSU is #2 in the country and playing well, but there's no reason to not at least see if a change here or there doesn't make you better, and this is the time of year to do it. Maybe I'm completely wrong, and it wouldn't help anything. I'm just a fan of having a true PG on the court that can get you open looks early.

Well, you can want what you want...but if you have been watching Matta coached teams since his days at X, and his 6 seasons at OSU...then you would know that this change isn't going to happen. Unless forced to by injury, suspension or whatever...when has Matta ever messed with a starting lineup once he established one? To my knowledge, I am not sure he has.
Again, most coaches are about develping a comfort level with a team so that players understand their roles. They know coming into practice, going into a game, what is going to be expected of them. There is a lot to be said for players being comfortable and knowing their roles. I think Matta is at that point with this team and I honestly don't expect to see any kind of major changes.
I would assume, with no question, that Matta has been working in this kind of thing since he knew Turner was leaving. I am sure he has groomed Buford for this role since last spring. I highly, highly doubt, with things going well, he is going throw months and months of work out the window. I just don't see it, nor is that something Matta has done in the past. I think Buford is comfortable doing what he is doing and I think Craft likes coming off the bench currently.
Do I think Buford is better off the ball? Absolutely, no question. I'll be the first to admit I was surprised he was put at the PG position. But I happen to think he is handling it pretty well at this point. It will make him a better player overall.
I'll tell ya what I told Dynasty about Diebler, this isn't about what I think should happen. Its about what I know of Matta and how he will go with it. So we may as well accept it and let it roll.

se-alum,

You fail to answer the pertinent coaching questions posed, that Matta has already asked of himself and is satisfied with the answers he as arrived at.

1) How many minutres/game should a Freshman PG(Craft) play in a difficult and physical Big Ten game?
2) If Craft needs a blow or gets in foul trouble who plays the point?
3) Who comes out of the game when Craft enters the game at the first TV timeout?
4) Since the Ohio State TEAM has not had a problem at the start of games, why make a change for change sake?
5) Is it more important for Craft to be on the floor when there is 40 minutes to play, OR is it more important to have Craft on the floor at other MUCH more important junctures of the game?
6) Is it more important to be concerned how an entire TEAM functions or just one player?
7) If you REALLY think Buford has some psychological issues, have you REALLY thought out why those issues exist?
8) This question might help you with #7. Since YOU think Buford has mental problems are they because he must play 8 minutes at PG to help the TEAM, OR because he's trying WAY WAY to hard to impress NBA scouts?
9) Since YOU think Buford's psyche is affected by playing PG for the first 4 minutes of a game, have you considered how out of wack Buford might be if wasn't a starter? .

Big Gain;585307 wrote:se-alum,

You fail to answer the pertinent coaching questions posed, that Matta has already asked of himself and is satisfied with the answers he as arrived at.

1) How many minutres/game should a Freshman PG(Craft) play in a difficult and physical Big Ten game?
2) If Craft needs a blow or gets in foul trouble who plays the point?
3) Who comes out of the game when Craft enters the game at the first TV timeout?
4) Since the Ohio State TEAM has not had a problem at the start of games, why make a change for change sake?
5) Is it more importand for Craft to be on the floor when there is 40 minutes to play, OR is it more important to have Craft on the floor at other MUCH more important junctures of the game?
6) Is it more important to be concerned how an entire TEAM functions or just one player?
7) If you REALLY think Buford has some psychological issues, have you REALLY thought out why those issues exist?
8) This question might help you with #7. Since YOU think Buford has mental problems are they because he must play 8 minutes at PG to help the TEAM, OR because he's trying WAY WAY to hard to impress NBA scouts?
9) Since YOU think Buford's psyche is affected by playing PG for the first 4 minutes of a game, have you considered how out of wack Buford might be if wasn't a starter? .

LOL....please quote my post where I said Buford had "mental problems" or "psychological issues"? I'll be waiting.

LOLOLOLOL You're the one saying Buford playing PG the first 4 minutes of a game is the reason he's "not playing well", "not comfortable", "can't get going early". I don't know of any physical problems Buford has below the neck that could cause the problems you perceive he has. The only physical issue Buford could have above the neck to cause the problems you claim he's having would be a severe concussion. He hasn't had one. Therefore, the only other possiblity must be a mental problem, even your claims sound like psychological issues.

Why didn't you answer the questions?? Don't be afraid, they're questions coaches ask themsleves all the time. Could it be that if you did they'd prove you're idea of few minute change in Matta's player rotation is silly at the best?

Give it a try, take up the challenge, don't just wander off the court meekly and silently.

ALL of us are STILL waiting for YOU.

As you can probably tell, Paladin (Big Gain) thinks Matta, or any head coach for that matter, never does anything wrong. We are not allowed to question or comment on any decision he makes.

Also, you'll NOTICE that he LIKES to type like THIS. You know, something only NEOPHYTES do.

1) How many minutres/game should a Freshman PG(Craft) play in a difficult and physical Big Ten game? Wouldn't have to play anymore minutes. 30 is fine.


2) If Craft needs a blow or gets in foul trouble who plays the point? Buford

3) Who comes out of the game when Craft enters the game at the first TV timeout? Lauderdale, not sure why you are asking this though?

4) Since the Ohio State TEAM has not had a problem at the start of games, why make a change for change sake? Opportunity to be even better. Never settle. You should always look at where you MAY be able to improve.

5) Is it more important for Craft to be on the floor when there is 40 minutes to play, OR is it more important to have Craft on the floor at other MUCH more important junctures of the game? Didn't know Craft couldn't be on the floor during important junctures if he started?

6) Is it more important to be concerned how an entire TEAM functions or just one player? Team, obviously. Another pointless question.

7) If you REALLY think Buford has some psychological issues, have you REALLY thought out why those issues exist? Never said he had psychological issues. Being comfortable in a certain role is normal for every human being

8) This question might help you with #7. Since YOU think Buford has mental problems are they because he must play 8 minutes at PG to help the TEAM, OR because he's trying WAY WAY to hard to impress NBA scouts? It's not so much playing PG, it's the fact that there's not a PG in the game to get him the ball in the right spots. Buford isn't good at creating his own shot.

9) Since YOU think Buford's psyche is affected by playing PG for the first 4 minutes of a game, have you considered how out of wack Buford might be if wasn't a starter? . Why would he not start?

When I coached in a system ran by one of the best coaches in Ohio HS basketball history. We
used what we called the 4 minute system. First 4 minutes of the game, 4 minutes before halftime, 4 minutes after halftime, and last 4 minutes of the game. These are what we considered the most crucial times of the game. If you win these time blocks, you win the game. These were the times we wanted our best players on the floor. So this has always been my philosophy, and you know what, we don't have to agree on it.

You are acting like I'm attacking Matta and saying he's a bad coach, which couldn't be further from the truth.

Why waste time even discusing this Craft/Buford issue? Matta isn't going to change the lineup. You can take that to the bank right now. I'd be willing to lay down a $100...any takers?

He might not change, but it has made for some good discussion actually. All posters have made some valid points on the issue.

I understand not changing what has worked, but this isnt college football, so I dont think it is bad to switch it around and get even better if you think it might. Matta may or may not think Craft starting does that or he may or may not feel the risk of tampering is worth it. Either way, it is up for debate.

Laley23;587503 wrote:. Either way, it is up for debate.

Only with certain fans it is. As I said, when things are going well, and Matta has planned/worked for this for months...he isn't going to, nor should he make a change at this point. And he won't. Been watching him closely for 6yrs..its not like him to do so.

centralbucksfan;587569 wrote:Only with certain fans it is. As I said, when things are going well, and Matta has planned/worked for this for months...he isn't going to, nor should he make a change at this point. And he won't. Been watching him closely for 6yrs..its not like him to do so.

That may be, but my point is that doesnt make it right or the posters who question him wrong.

That doesn't make the posters right and Matta wrong. If you were going to bet a large sum of money, would it be on Matta or internet chat room nobodies?

Laley23;587603 wrote:That may be, but my point is that doesnt make it right or the posters who question him wrong.

When your 6-0 and ranked #2 in the country..at this point it certainly does.

It'd be nice if posters could discuss things without certain other posters coming on here and basically telling us were dumb for doing it.

Makes me want to LOL.

Jester;590138 wrote:It'd be nice if posters could discuss things without certain other posters coming on here and basically telling us were dumb for doing it.

Makes me want to LOL.

I agree. Makes me LOL when people question the coach of the #2 ranked team in the country who happe to be playing pretty darn good basketball this early in the season. But sure, lets change things up! Comical!

centralbucksfan;590349 wrote:I agree. Makes me LOL when people question the coach of the #2 ranked team in the country who happe to be playing pretty darn good basketball this early in the season. But sure, lets change things up! Comical!

Who gives a fuck if we question him? The whole point of an internet forum is to discuss whatever the hell we want. Get over it old man.

centralbucksfan;590349 wrote:I agree. Makes me LOL when people question the coach of the #2 ranked team in the country who happe to be playing pretty darn good basketball this early in the season. But sure, lets change things up! Comical!

Thats the luxury fans have. We can question if something would make them better. Matta himself really cant/doesnt want to risk screwing with something successful for fear it will cost him. We dont have to worry. What the hell is wrong with thinking starting a PG would help the team versus not starting a PG?

Matta doesnt know everything there is to know about basketball and doesnt always make the right decisions. This could be or could not be one of those times. To simply dismiss the thought because OSU is ranked #2 is dumb.