Some quotes from all the Big 10 head coaches from the weekly Big 10 teleconference

[bac2therac]

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-about-potential-nit-bid-ohio-states-struggle


STEVE PIKIELL, RUTGERS

• Pikiell called Ohio State a "terrific program" and Matta a "terrific coach."
• Ohio State beat Rutgers 70-64 on Feb. 8 in Columbus: "They're different and we're a little bit different too from that last time we played."
• Pikiell called the Big Ten "awesome" and from top to bottom as competitive as any other conference in the country: "Really challenging schedule we've been through with a new team."
• "We've improved and one of these days, we're going to put it all together in a game."
• Pikiell said Ohio State "always has a lot of good players" and Marc Loving "always scares" him: "It's not just one guy. It's a collection of guys ... They all cause different problems for us.

 

[goru7]

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-about-potential-nit-bid-ohio-states-struggle


STEVE PIKIELL, RUTGERS

• Pikiell called Ohio State a "terrific program" and Matta a "terrific coach."
• Ohio State beat Rutgers 70-64 on Feb. 8 in Columbus: "They're different and we're a little bit different too from that last time we played."
• Pikiell called the Big Ten "awesome" and from top to bottom as competitive as any other conference in the country: "Really challenging schedule we've been through with a new team."
• "We've improved and one of these days, we're going to put it all together in a game."
• Pikiell said Ohio State "always has a lot of good players" and Marc Loving "always scares" him: "It's not just one guy. It's a collection of guys ... They all cause different problems for us.

One way to improve our chances of beating Ohio State woulld be to guard the heck out of Cam Williams. Last year he hit like 5-6 threes that buried us and this year had his best or one of his best games scoring 20 points plus the dagger 4 point play. He came into that game really struggling not scoring double figures in 4-5 previous games. We have to shut him down completely. Mike Williams has to get the assignment and handle him with no help because Loving and Tate and Lyle and the new guard they are playing Jackson can all hit threes and Tate and Their big guy will be a load down low..We will have our hands full and they are a very talented team that has under achieved this year but if we shut down Cam Williams and his threes it gives us a better chance to win.

 

[bac2therac]

One way to improve our chances of beating Ohio State woulld be to guard the heck out of Cam Williams. Last year he hit like 5-6 threes that buried us and this year had his best or one of his best games scoring 20 points plus the dagger 4 point play. He came into that game really struggling not scoring double figures in 4-5 previous games. We have to shut him down completely. Mike Williams has to get the assignment and handle him with no help because Loving and Tate and Lyle and the new guard they are playing Jackson can all hit threes and Tate and Their big guy will be a load down low..We will have our hands full and they are a very talented team that has under achieved this year but if we shut down Cam Williams and his threes it gives us a better chance to win.

if I recall the first game it didnt start out pretty, did RU come back a bit toward halftime? Then OSU went on a run that gave them a double digit lead and it looked like game over? Not sure on the details. RU really fought and played great D forcing turnovers to get back into the game...I think Thiam had 10 points and Nigel was a no show. I think we did a big reversal in rebounding from the first half of the game to the 2nd.

 

[goru7]

if I recall the first game it didnt start out pretty, did RU come back a bit toward halftime? Then OSU went on a run that gave them a double digit lead and it looked like game over? Not sure on the details. RU really fought and played great D forcing turnovers to get back into the game...I think Thiam had 10 points and Nigel was a no show. I think we did a big reversal in rebounding from the first half of the game to the 2nd.

Actually game was close most of the game. In first half we started up 4 and went down by 11 with about 10 to play and then last 10 minutes of half down between 6-8 and down 6 at the half. Second half game was close down 4-7 first 10 minutes . Then a 1 point game 56-55 at the under 8 timeout at 6:30. Then Corey hit Issa for a wide open three that he missed and Kam Williams came back and hit a three to up lead to 4. It was nip and tuck and we tied it twice and then Corey fouled out on the controversial charge call, but team battled back to tie with 1:09 left until the 4 point dagger. Kam Williams had 23 points , his season high, and killed us. We shot 4-17 from three and 10-18 from the line, 55%, and they were 5-12 from three and 19-25 from the line, 76%. As long as we guard the three especially by Kam, it will go to the wire. Then it is the same old song, "Can we close"?

 

[bac2therac]

OSU built the lead to 41-29 in the first few minutes, they were on the brink of putting the game away at that point. First half was up 27-16. Credit RU for coming back both times when they could have rolled over. RU fought but did they ever get a lead, always playing from behind. Going to need to do better in this game. I think RU controlled the pace in the 2nd half of the game. OSU can score and if the game is in the 70s forget it, RU has to keep the pace down in the 60s and preferably the 50s

 

[mikefla]

The fact that we are even talking about beating OSU is a HUGE indication we have improved.

You can BET Coach P is having the same thoughts and will have the guys prepared.

beating OSU would be HUGE,,,and next up i think is Northwestern..
another team we went down to the wire with !!!!

 

[RUBand]

I would love to see us win our first two games here, and this is very possible

 

[Knightmoves]

Any win in the conference tournament is a huge win for Coach Pike and the program.

Needless to say, we need to shoot well to play well today. Bookies have OSU -7.5

 

[RUJMM78]

Any win in the conference tournament is a huge win for Coach Pike and the program.

Needless to say, we need to shoot well to play well today. Bookies have OSU -7.5

The Star Ledger had a pregame analysis showing the scoring averages of the top 6 player averages on both teams.Ohio State has a 65-55 point scoring average advantage which follows your comment that Rutgers must shoot well to play well.

 

[wheezer]

someone posted elsewhere that one of Ohio states best players was hurt and limited to 16 minutes play, in the last game with them.... we have to balance that against Sanders
being in foul trouble and his time and effort thus limited

hopefully we are in it to the end.... I feel we can do it.

 

[RUChoppin]

- Can we hit our FTs?
- Can we avoid long scoring droughts?
- Can we hit some outside shots to keep the defense honest?
- Can Gettys be effective against Trevor Thompson without fouling?

Excited about this game, and think we're going to be in it to the end. Need to get positive answers for the above questions, though.