Ohio State outmuscles Michigan basketball team in second half for 64-49 victory
Michigan's Trey Burke, right, drives to the basket against Ohio State's Aaron Craft during the first half of the Buckeyes' 64-49 win Sunday in Columbus, Ohio.
AP Photo
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Michigan basketball team entered Columbus on Sunday looking to stay in first place in the Big Ten Conference.
The homestanding Buckeyes wanted no part of letting it go.
No. 4 Ohio State battered 20th-ranked Michigan inside throughout the final 20 minutes and used a 14-2 second-half run to pull away from the Wolverines, 64-49, at Value City Arena.
"They were physical with our whole team," Michigan senior captain Zack Novak said. "We didn't make hits (in the paint), we didn't play like we needed to."
Michigan (16-6, 6-3 Big Ten) falls to third place in the Big Ten, with Ohio State (19-3, 7-2) sitting alone in first and Michigan State (17-4, 6-2) in second.
OHIO STATE 64, MICHIGAN 49
TOO STRONG
First place was on the line and sticking with a theme over the past two seasons, Ohio State refused to give it up. The Buckeyes (19-3, 7-2) bruised Michigan (16-6, 6-3) in the paint, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds, scoring 16 second-chance points and 30 points in the paint. Lenzelle Smith Jr. finished with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, eight of them on the offensive glass. It was Ohio State's 38th-straight home win, and sixth consecutive win over Michigan.
FREE THROW DIFFERENTIAL
With three minutes to play, the foul shooting numbers read: Ohio State 13-for-16, Michigan 0-for-0. The Wolverines didn't attempt a free throw until Tim Hardaway Jr. was given a pair of charity shots with 2:33 left to play. Ohio State finished 15-for-18, Michigan 3-for-4. Fouls were relatively even, though, Michigan had 16, Ohio State 13.
BURKE’S HOMECOMING
Freshman point guard Trey Burke received a mixture of boos and cheers when he was announced in front of his hometown Columbus crowd. He finished the day with 13 points, five assists and five turnovers in 39 minutes. Ohio State point guard Aaron Craft ended his night with seven points, four assists and two turnovers.
QUOTE
“We’ll be looking forward to that. But, like I’ve said before, we circle every date on the calendar.”
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Ohio State has won 38 consecutive home games, and it has beaten Michigan six times in a row.
The Wolverines got 15 points and five rebounds from Tim Hardaway Jr., but had no answer inside against the bulked-up Buckeyes.
For the game, Ohio State out-rebounded Michigan 38-29. The Buckeyes grabbed 14 offensive rebounds on the afternoon, and outscored Michigan 20-12 in the paint after halftime. In addition, OSU held a 16-7 edge in second-chance points.
Ohio State also out-shot Michigan at the foul line 18-4, with the Wolverines not getting a free throw attempt until the 2:34 mark of the second half.
"Defensively, I thought we had a great strategy," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "Their offensive rebounding (hurt us).
"Had we stood in there (a few times) and taken a charge instead of backing away, or hitting someone legally and boxed out, it could've made a huge difference in this game."
Michigan freshman point guard Trey Burke, a Columbus native, ended his homecoming trip with 13 points, five assists and five turnovers.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. paced four Buckeyes in double figures with 17 points and 12 boards, while Deshaun Thomas finished with 12 points and five boards for first-place Ohio State.
"It beats second (place), I do know that," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "It's such a long season, and we've got to keep the focus on us."
Michigan matched Ohio State punch for punch over the first 20 minutes, leading by as many as five and holding a 19-15 edge after a Blake McLimans 3-pointer with five minutes to go before halftime.
The Buckeyes did take a lead into the locker rooms, though, as a late William Buford triple made it 24-21 OSU at the break.
Ohio State began to stretch its legs early in the second after a pair of free throws from Smith finished an 8-0 run to give the Buckeyes their largest lead of 34-26.
Michigan had an answer, scoring seven straight in less than two minutes, pulling within one after a Burke triple made it 34-33 with 15:40 to go.
From there, though, it was all Ohio State.
The Buckeyes pounded the ball inside, using offensive rebounds and second chances to rattle off a 14-2 charge, opening their largest lead of the game at 48-35 with 10:50 left.
Michigan was able to whittle the lead to seven after an inside bucket from Jordan Morgan with 5:40 to go. The Wolverines had a chance to cut it to five a possession later, but Morgan was stripped on a putback attempt, resulting in an inside hoop from Thomas, followed by a breakout dunk from Sullinger to push the lead back to 11.
The Wolverines got no closer.
"We could've kept them off the boards better than that," Burke said. "They had about 14 offensive rebounds, Lenzelle Smith was on the boards and got to the free throw line.
"We didn't box out like we know how to."
Michigan finished the game 19-of-53 shooting with 13 turnovers, while the Buckeyes shot 23-of-54 with 11 turnovers.
Sullinger was limited to five first-half points, but finished the game with 13 points and five rebounds.
Morgan finished with eight points and five rebounds for Michigan.
The Wolverines' short stay in first place is now over, but all is far from lost.
Michigan will look to get even with Indiana at Crisler Center on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., Big Ten Network) before traveling to East Lansing for a return game against Michigan State (1:05 p.m., CBS) on Sunday.
From there, the Wolverines welcome Ohio State back to Ann Arbor for a primetime matchup on Feb. 18.
"We'll be looking forward to that," Beilein said of the return game against OSU. "But, like I've said before, we circle every date on the calendar."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
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Comments
Pablo
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
We believe this belongs in the Sports section.
ChelseaBob
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
Does anyone know what that exchange between ref (Valentine I think) and Beilein was about? Beilein was pointing and yelling about a call, and ref came over and grabbed his arms and shoved them down. I couldn't believe it. It looked like an assault. Later the ref came back over and said something, looked like an apology. Big Ten needs to review that film. That ref should be finished. Most coaches would have lost it then. Good self control JB.
garrisondyer
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 4:57 a.m.
Ouch. That's how the game goes when one team flat out refuses to rebound the basketball. Wish it had been the other way around, though.
boo
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
the problem with this team is they are not physical enough. I thought the 2-3 zone was a good strategy. But you still have to rebound. Either way, if we were more physical, we had a chance. But to rely on 3 pt shooting to win is going to be tough.
Albee Macaw
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.
ARMANI REEVES commits to THE OSU. I think the last tome michigan landed a recruit was summer of 2011. The Urbanator is on a seek and kill. GO BUCKS.
Albee Macaw
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 4:24 a.m.
Hookemhorn at 10:44 PM on January 29, 2012 This comment is hidden because you have chosen to ignore Hookemhorn . Show Details Michigan had no problem with Urban in 2007 when they beat him and that was with Vanilla Lloyd as coach! Even with all of the convicts on Urban's team! Now he's under the NCAA microscope at Ohio, so he won't be able to recruit those convicts as easily. You saw his last season at Florida and what their record was! Also Hoke had no trouble dismantling that Ohio team this past season! So really, no Michigan fan is scared of Meyer! Chris Rainey's stalking arrest is the 30th at Florida during Meyer's tenure, more than one for every two wins. Note: that's documented "arrests" not including "incidents" or "situations." For comparison, "The U" has had one player arrested in the past four years. I live in San Diego and actually know some of the SDSU football players. All they can say is what a loser JOKE is because he did not even have the decency to tell them in person he was leaving. Real class act. Why is that Harbaugh and Miles gave you the shaft and you had to settle for a 500 coach like JOKE? Yet OSU gets one of the most successful winning coaches in history. Pretty sure you have lost 7 of 8 in football and I lost count in basketball. I saw where you commented about OSU recruiting in basketball. Uh they got Mr. Indianapolis and Mr. Georgia plus Sully last year. They need no recruits as 11 of their team members are freshman or sophomores. Scary huh/ Not like those slow white nerds your team puts on the court. Oh I am white but these guys are pathetic. I also see The Urbs recruiting class is third in the country and the JOKE is fallen below it. Trust me after watching JOKE out here he is way out of his league. Hell he barely beat an assistant coach last year.
Albee Macaw
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
Hookemhorn Urban will be The RR of Ohio! Trust me no Michigan fan is nervous about Urban! Yes like if your school would have landed the coaches they wanted like Harbaugh or Miles instead of the Joke any THE Ohio State fan would not have been concerned? Do the people up North not realize that Joke is like a junior high school coach com pared to the Urb? Guy has one descent year after being a below 500 coach and he is the next Woody Hays. People are delusional.
Hookemhorn
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 3:44 a.m.
Michigan had no problem with Urban in 2007 when they beat him and that was with Vanilla Lloyd as coach! Even with all of the convicts on Urban's team! Now he's under the NCAA microscope at Ohio, so he won't be able to recruit those convicts as easily. You saw his last season at Florida and what their record was! Also Hoke had no trouble dismantling that Ohio team this past season! So really, no Michigan fan is scared of Meyer! Chris Rainey's stalking arrest is the 30th at Florida during Meyer's tenure, more than one for every two wins. Note: that's documented "arrests" not including "incidents" or "situations." For comparison, "The U" has had one player arrested in the past four years.
Hookemhorn
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:39 a.m.
Some people need to do some basic researching before they post!! Michigan has a Top 5 recruiting class for basketball and Ohio is no where to be seen!! Yeah, fire coach Beilein who has gotten this team into 2 out of 3 tournaments after we hadn't been in years! Brilliant!!! Thad Matta isn't winning National Championships either!!
Joe Kidd
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:21 a.m.
I watched this game and was very frustrated. My wife came down and asked me who I was yelling at. I am very impressed that Michigan is 16-6 and 6-3, much better than previous years. But I just do not think you can win with an offense that relies so much on three point shots. I saw many instances of players dribbling into a crowd of OSU players and turn over the ball. I saw off balance shots. I see Jordan Morgan open a lot on pick and rolls, but no one can get him the ball. I see picks set where the defensive player is not picked. Very few fast breaks. No rebounding. No players follow their shot after they shoot. I think they could have won this game with a little more fundamental basketball.
Jaxon5
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
The truth is... under Matta, OSU is a serious contender for the Big 10 title 5 out of every 7 years. Historically, Michigan is a serious contender once every 20 years, finishing second in 1993-1994. The next highest finishes were no higher than 4th place, and most finishes were in the bottom half of the conference. I believe things are looking up. Last year, 4th place. This year, hovering around 4th place. Next year is our year.
Engineer
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:02 a.m.
When will Mr Brandon tire of losing to OSU? JB has failed to put a competitive team on the floor. With the Michigan brand behind the coach at Michigan there is no excuse for Thad Matta to out recruit JB every year. Mr Brandon please fire up the jet soon!
Hookemhorn
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
Yeah, Michigan should just hire Ellerbe back!
Albee Macaw
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 1:19 a.m.
Now that is an old fashion beat down. Hell the guard for THE Ohio State University practically out rebounded and definitely out played your team. Your team has and plays w/ no heart. Get used to it. The Urban decade is about to start. Go Bucks.
GoBlue2009
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
I think the "decade" will last about two years before he retires again. Go Blue!
Hookemhorn
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
Urban will be The RR of Ohio! Trust me no Michigan fan is nervous about Urban!
cutty240
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 12:25 a.m.
I've seen a couple of comments by fans on Big Body Rebounding.Coach B doesn't care about rebounding.He cares about the 3 point shot first and foremost.He doesn't like Turn-Overs at all either.He likes to Pass the other Team to sleep,then backdoor them.He likes to use the just about the whole shot clock,to make the other Team make a mistake.But he doesn't care about rebounds,like most Coaches do.Coach B is a very different Basketball Coach.
Wally the Wolverine
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
We were dominated today, plain and simple.
OSUbeBetter
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
1 of the 2 teams on the court today didn't bring a competitive game.......... Any guesses?
vi4mi4
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
..have to make the other team pay for bad defensive rotation OR take the ball to the cup.. when the offense works you have to MAKE open shots.. well, its grimey time from here on out.. Go Blue! v
umstudent_osufan
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
8 of 9 in basketball & 7 of 8 in football, GO BUCKS!!
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
I hate to see trolls on our site. But we are the worst offenders so I guess that's fair.
81wolverine
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.
Michigan isn't a big enough or athletic enough team to beat TSIO at Columbus unless we hit a lot of three's. Boxing out a team like that is easier said than done when you're running basically a 4-guard offense a lot of the time. Then, when Morgan gets in foul trouble - forget it. McLimans and Smotrycz play way too soft to stop Ohio down low. Their offensive rebounding was a killer for Michigan today. There were too many possessions where Ohio got 2nd and 3rd shots as well as easy putbacks. Next year, Michigan will have much more size and athletic ability that will enable us to compete with teams like Ohio much better. But, the rest of this year is going to be a struggle for Michigan unless they rediscover their 3 point mojo.
maizenbluedoc
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Michigan will not beat teams like OSU until they get a "wide-body" who can bang under the basket. Rebounding was bad, particularly when shooting 3's and missing. Alsmost certain score at the other end.
Hookemhorn
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
Mitch McGary.
aarox
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
It's been this way since Beilein started here. This is his game and I don't expect it to change anytime soon. Still, you are right.
catfishrisin
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:04 p.m.
Another game, another win for The Ohio State University. OSU must have cheated...oh wait this is basketball can't use that excuse.
jeff blue
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
We do have to stop projecting a whining image. People on the oustide call us EXCUSE UNIVERITY. And do we want some cheese with our wine? Mchgan fans need to be first class all the way -- of course ther s home cooking and that is one more thng to overcome, if you are leaders and best.
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:23 p.m.
*yet
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
we need to back off on accusing others.. we are home to the fab five, the rr chronicles, and other told and untold peccadillos. I am told we are one of two big ten teams that allow felons on the gridiron. I don't know if this is true but I've posted the question on AA and nobody has refuted it yer. just my $0.02
jim goodman
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
2 stats that are very glaring are the offensive rebounding and the fouls. The rebounding is Michigan has a sever lack of big men and the fouls are good ole home cooking by the refs. It happens all over in every sport and even when Michigan is at home the get the benefit of it. Until the refs stop acting like pansies it will continue.
aarox
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 1:32 a.m.
if that's what it takes to be a Michigan Man, count me out. :)
rightmind250
Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
AArox, You don't sound like a true "michigan man". You should whine and make excuses when you team gets thumped. Blame it on the refs, Gholston, momma, anybody. Come On, Man.................
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
@maizeenbluedoc - you are spot on. neither team did anything spectacular or anything to prove the experts wrong. this was a kind of ho hum game from that perspective
maizenbluedoc
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
Amazing stat: OSU was a 14.5 point favorite, and they won by 15.
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:01 p.m.
I don't subscribe to the good ole home cooking theory. Fouls were 16 to 13. We shoot from outside so we have less shooting fouls.
jeff blue
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 8:50 p.m.
Hi Nick, Good article -- I saw the game in the same lght. Our zone defenses were pretty good, but we did NOT box out for rebounding. That is a fundamental problem with the zone. I saw Indiana lose to Wiscy. Indiana is a very winnable game for us. JEFF
aarox
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 8:43 p.m.
Good summary Nick. We didn't set the world on fire and neither did TTDS. Both teams made a lot of mistakes. In the end, the pundits were right for once. Vegas said OSU by 14 and they were right. I know folks are complaining about the refs, but the stat that stood out to me was not the number of free throws, but that 25 of 53 shot attempts were 3-pointers. Hard to get to the line that way. We need to find a way to convince our opponents we can play the whole court.
maizenbluedoc
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.
Obviously, taking the ball to the basket doesn't fit into Beilein's game plan.