I know this game should be a gimme, but nothing is ever easy for Chris Holtmann. Let us not forget last year how we blew our chances to possibly win a share of the B1G by getting our asses kicked by a moribund Maryland team, losing at home to the worst team in the conference Nebraska, and then blowing a huge lead against Michigan who was without their best player and their damn head coach. NOTHING is ever easy with this coaching staff.
Blowing the Purdue/Maryland/UNC games are killer because you're going to have to steal some roadies or you're going to end up 10-10 in conference with an 18-13 record, which would be highly highly disappointing with this roster. Then again, maybe it's some crazy plan to get an 11-seed and avoid playing a 2 seed in the R32. Holtmann out here playing chess baby lol
I expect a win tonight...but it will be a struggle. If we lose this game....yikes.
I have yet to forgive Minnesota basketball for 1972. With Key out and the youth of this team it could be interesting. A win is a win no matter how close which I feel will happen. GO BUCKS.
The B1G did very little to Minnesota in terms of discipline. It ruined Fred Taylor as a coach, he never had the same love of the game after that. It also essentially ended a promising NBA career for Luke Witty.
Brawl is a bad description of a totally surprise ambush. I've still never seen anything so bad in a sport as that viscous attack. It effectively ended Luke Witte's NBA career before it started and pulled Fred Taylors heart from coaching.
Bill Mussleman and the Gophers hosted Fred Taylor's Buckeyes. The refs lost control of the game early; near the end the Gophers basically started a brawl that put three of our guys in the hospital. They were literally stomping our guys, their fans were throwing shit at the people helping our injured players. The brawl started when Minnesota's Corky Taylor helped Luke Witte to his feet and kneed him in the balls. Baseball HOF Dave Winfield was on the Gopher hoops team and was a key participant. It was kind of a precursor to Malice at the Palace but could have ended in death considering the small number of security and law enforcement present, which was typical back then.
If you have a CML card you can go to the library website and access the Columbus Dispatch digital archives (full scans of each issue from September 1985 on back). Luke Witte was very forgiving even though the incident cost him a chance at the pros. Minnesota insisted our guys started it with cheap shots near the end of the first half and, as far as I can tell, have remained unrepentant individually and collectively. The Big Ten didn't do much either, although it was before my time and I've probably forgotten a lot of what I read when I looked it up a few years ago.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the game tonight. Go Bucks!
I vividly remember that incident (started with Ron Behagen kneeing Luke Witte in the groin)., Bill Musselman, coach of MN at the time was a neighbor of mine when he lived in Ashland, OH coaching the AU Eagles.
"We're going to give the ball to dumb-ass and grind meat"--Woody Hayes
Musselman was responsible for that. He had a sign put in the locker room that said 'Losing is worse than death because you have to live wit it". He stirred the crowd up before the game and fired them and his team going into the half.
Even though Minnesota isn't good, and we are at home, this feels like a swing game in the season. If we can get a comfortable win, get some confidence back and get Zed healthy, we have the talent to make a run in March. But if we lose this game, we are closer to being a bubble team then we are a realistic threat to do anything in the dance.
I do like the attitude of the players. No one is afraid to shoot and everyone wants to be great. We need some balls to bounce our way so we can get our swag back.
If we lose this game, we are closer to being out than in. I'm not panicking yet. I think this is a talented squad and they will turn it around. But ultimately due to the missed opportunities and inconsistencies, we are once again going to be around a 7-8 seed in the tourney, unless something surprising happens.
Agree completely with your sentiment, but more along the lines of I wouldn't bet on any OSU basketball games that take place after the calendar turns to the new year. They've actually been okay in January the last 2 seasons and have been absolutely dreadful at the end of the regular season. Most Holtmann teams usually have one god awful stretch that bombs their B1G and NCAA tournament seeding. I feel like this years team is on pace to spread the failure out - There won't be a 2 week stretch where they forget how to tie their shoelaces, but we will arrive at the same destination anyway. The paths to mediocrity are many!
The problem this year is if they do embark on an epic losing journey, they don't have the non-con wins to balance it out. If you do nothing but compare rosters, the path to 21-10 (13-7) is out there, but based on past and present evidence that's wishful thinking sadly.
Back half of the schedule is much tougher than this early January schedule. This is a must win and I don't expect it to be close....but sometimes we play down to the competition.
Damn, I thought i was a pessimist at times. This board is ridiculous. Let's let the season play out before proclaiming their demise. Admittedly, there are some weak areas and of course lack of size is one,which accentuates the loss of Key. But when Key comes back and we win a few of these close games, we should be a team capable of winning a few in the big dance.
"We already make a Doritos for women. They're called Doritos."
My pessimism comes from the coaching staff, not the players. I would take our roster over any in the league, even Purdue.
It also comes from the fact we are currently 10-5 overall, 2-2 in conference play with 8 home games and 8 road games to go. We should be 12-3 at worst. If you can't steal any on the road you gotta go perfect at home to achieve 18-13...you don't have any really good non-con wins, so you're flirting with disaster. They put themselves behind the 8-ball, to say the least.
Ohio State should be able to beat this Minnesota team but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose this game tonight. They did lose to last year's bottom feeders Nebraska and Penn State and lost to a Dickinson less SCUM squad in Schottenstein Morgue (Center).
Not a betting man, but if I were, I'd take MN to cover the 15 (assuming Key is not playing) and take the over because neither team is very good defensively. Looking for something like 79-71 good guys.
This offense is sad. Every possession is iso ball or post up down low. Holtmanns lack of energy on the sidelines and in the huddle makes it easier to see why this team plays so flat at times.
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I know this game should be a gimme, but nothing is ever easy for Chris Holtmann. Let us not forget last year how we blew our chances to possibly win a share of the B1G by getting our asses kicked by a moribund Maryland team, losing at home to the worst team in the conference Nebraska, and then blowing a huge lead against Michigan who was without their best player and their damn head coach. NOTHING is ever easy with this coaching staff.
Blowing the Purdue/Maryland/UNC games are killer because you're going to have to steal some roadies or you're going to end up 10-10 in conference with an 18-13 record, which would be highly highly disappointing with this roster. Then again, maybe it's some crazy plan to get an 11-seed and avoid playing a 2 seed in the R32. Holtmann out here playing chess baby lol
I expect a win tonight...but it will be a struggle. If we lose this game....yikes.
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
Guaranteed loss after another second half collapse. Good news is, will put us closer to the end of the Holtmann era.
I don't always finish my sentences but when I do
Losing to Minnesota would certainly be a leap in the wrong direction lol
But you know what coach would say in the post game presser...."Minnesota is the best team ranked between 190 and 195 in KenPom history"
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
Called it
I don't always finish my sentences but when I do
It is the mustiest of must win games. Can't lose at home to the bottom of this league.
I have yet to forgive Minnesota basketball for 1972. With Key out and the youth of this team it could be interesting. A win is a win no matter how close which I feel will happen. GO BUCKS.
Please , do tell what happened in 1972
I’m a history nerd I’d love to know
The B1G did very little to Minnesota in terms of discipline. It ruined Fred Taylor as a coach, he never had the same love of the game after that. It also essentially ended a promising NBA career for Luke Witty.
Could never forgive Dave Winfield.
Luke WittyLuke Witte............fixed it for you..........Saban on a cart eating cold pizza
thank you
Just you tube Ohio state vs Minnesota brawl 1972. Baseball HOFer Dave Winfield should have been put in jail after what he did.
Brawl is a bad description of a totally surprise ambush. I've still never seen anything so bad in a sport as that viscous attack. It effectively ended Luke Witte's NBA career before it started and pulled Fred Taylors heart from coaching.
Tom
Bill Mussleman and the Gophers hosted Fred Taylor's Buckeyes. The refs lost control of the game early; near the end the Gophers basically started a brawl that put three of our guys in the hospital. They were literally stomping our guys, their fans were throwing shit at the people helping our injured players. The brawl started when Minnesota's Corky Taylor helped Luke Witte to his feet and kneed him in the balls. Baseball HOF Dave Winfield was on the Gopher hoops team and was a key participant. It was kind of a precursor to Malice at the Palace but could have ended in death considering the small number of security and law enforcement present, which was typical back then.
If you have a CML card you can go to the library website and access the Columbus Dispatch digital archives (full scans of each issue from September 1985 on back). Luke Witte was very forgiving even though the incident cost him a chance at the pros. Minnesota insisted our guys started it with cheap shots near the end of the first half and, as far as I can tell, have remained unrepentant individually and collectively. The Big Ten didn't do much either, although it was before my time and I've probably forgotten a lot of what I read when I looked it up a few years ago.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the game tonight. Go Bucks!
How Sports Illustrated covered the game
https://vault.si.com/vault/1972/02/07/an-ugly-affair-in-minneapolis
I vividly remember that incident (started with Ron Behagen kneeing Luke Witte in the groin)., Bill Musselman, coach of MN at the time was a neighbor of mine when he lived in Ashland, OH coaching the AU Eagles.
"We're going to give the ball to dumb-ass and grind meat"--Woody Hayes
Musselman was responsible for that. He had a sign put in the locker room that said 'Losing is worse than death because you have to live wit it". He stirred the crowd up before the game and fired them and his team going into the half.
Even though Minnesota isn't good, and we are at home, this feels like a swing game in the season. If we can get a comfortable win, get some confidence back and get Zed healthy, we have the talent to make a run in March. But if we lose this game, we are closer to being a bubble team then we are a realistic threat to do anything in the dance.
I do like the attitude of the players. No one is afraid to shoot and everyone wants to be great. We need some balls to bounce our way so we can get our swag back.
If we lose this game, we are closer to being out than in. I'm not panicking yet. I think this is a talented squad and they will turn it around. But ultimately due to the missed opportunities and inconsistencies, we are once again going to be around a 7-8 seed in the tourney, unless something surprising happens.
I wouldn't bet on any OSU basketball games in January. The track record is not good at all.
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
Agree completely with your sentiment, but more along the lines of I wouldn't bet on any OSU basketball games that take place after the calendar turns to the new year. They've actually been okay in January the last 2 seasons and have been absolutely dreadful at the end of the regular season. Most Holtmann teams usually have one god awful stretch that bombs their B1G and NCAA tournament seeding. I feel like this years team is on pace to spread the failure out - There won't be a 2 week stretch where they forget how to tie their shoelaces, but we will arrive at the same destination anyway. The paths to mediocrity are many!
The problem this year is if they do embark on an epic losing journey, they don't have the non-con wins to balance it out. If you do nothing but compare rosters, the path to 21-10 (13-7) is out there, but based on past and present evidence that's wishful thinking sadly.
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
agreed...
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect - Woody Hayes
I wonder if Key is out for the season, Holtmann using "Regular Progress" and back "Realitively Soon" is from the Coach Day book on injury reports.
Sani
Let’s hope they don’t Press!
Back half of the schedule is much tougher than this early January schedule. This is a must win and I don't expect it to be close....but sometimes we play down to the competition.
Go Bucks. Please.
Damn, I thought i was a pessimist at times. This board is ridiculous. Let's let the season play out before proclaiming their demise. Admittedly, there are some weak areas and of course lack of size is one,which accentuates the loss of Key. But when Key comes back and we win a few of these close games, we should be a team capable of winning a few in the big dance.
"We already make a Doritos for women. They're called Doritos."
Hard to be upbeat after witnessing TWO games down the drain because of bonehead coaching.......but I'll try.......
Saban on a cart eating cold pizza
My pessimism comes from the coaching staff, not the players. I would take our roster over any in the league, even Purdue.
It also comes from the fact we are currently 10-5 overall, 2-2 in conference play with 8 home games and 8 road games to go. We should be 12-3 at worst. If you can't steal any on the road you gotta go perfect at home to achieve 18-13...you don't have any really good non-con wins, so you're flirting with disaster. They put themselves behind the 8-ball, to say the least.
"We didn't play with enough force tonight"
Ohio State should be able to beat this Minnesota team but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose this game tonight. They did lose to last year's bottom feeders Nebraska and Penn State and lost to a Dickinson less SCUM squad in Schottenstein Morgue (Center).
BuckeyeYankee
Not a betting man, but if I were, I'd take MN to cover the 15 (assuming Key is not playing) and take the over because neither team is very good defensively. Looking for something like 79-71 good guys.
Almost to halftime and they are losing WITH Key in the game.
You WIN with people.
WW Hayes
OSU losing at the half 37-35
You WIN with people.
WW Hayes
This offense is sad. Every possession is iso ball or post up down low. Holtmanns lack of energy on the sidelines and in the huddle makes it easier to see why this team plays so flat at times.
O-H...I-O!