Time to scrap the zone defense
Right: E-Turn shoots over Durrell “I Love Zone Defenses” Summers in Ohio State’s 78-67 loss to Michigan State. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
The rock group, Led Zeppelin, had a song entitled “Communication Breakdown.” Ohio State’s theme song against Michigan State on Sunday should be called, “Defensive Breakdown.”
After watching the seventh-ranked Spartans shred the Buckeyes’ 3-2 zone defense to a tune of 78-67 in front of only the second sellout at Value City Arena, it’s time for Ohio State head coach Thad Matta to switch back to man-to-man.
Michigan State has a very good inside-out game where they have players who can post up and score inside, while having several sharpshooters who can knock down the three. And the Spartans got too many open looks against the Buckeyes.
Another problem with the zone defense is rebounding on the defensive end. Ohio State gave up 16 offensive rebounds to Michigan State, which is way too many. It’s hard to get a body on someone when you are guarding an area, not a person.
I realize, though, that playing man-to-man defense may be a bit difficult now. Ohio State was gassed at the end of the game since the bench is depleted with injuries to David Lighty and Nikola Kecman, as well as the transfer of of Anthony Crater. So even if Matta can’t scrap the zone completely, at least switch it up from time to time.
I still can’t believe that after 12 home games, it was only the second capacity crowd of the season. That’s pathetic in itself.
Things were looking good for Ohio State after they jumped out to a 24-11 lead with 7:24 left in the first half after Evan Turner drained a jumper, though it was all down the proverbial toilet for the Buckeyes after that.
OSU was able to cling to a 31-26 advantage at the intermission break, but Michigan State chipped away at Ohio State’s lead and claimed it for good when Michigan State’s Goran Suton scored on a 14-foot bucket that put the Spartans ahead 52-50 with 10:52 remaining to play.
Matta used just seven players against Michigan State, and were visibly spent in the waning moments of the game. Four of those scored in double figures with Turner leading the way with 19 points. Jon Diebler and B.J. Mullens each chipped in an even dozen, while William Buford added 11.
For Michigan State, Durrell Summers scored 26 points and Kalin Lucas contributed 20 as Suton added another 13 points for the Spartans.
The biggest keys to the game were these: While Ohio State was able to hold the Spartans to just 37.1 percent (10-of-27) shooting in the first half, MSU was a solid 60.0 percent (18-of-30) from the field in the second period.
The Buckeyes on the other hand, shot rather well from the floor, going 23-of-42 (54.8 percent). Notice, though, that Michigan State took 15 more shots than Ohio State. That’s due to the fact that OSU had just three offensive rebounds all game. Three. No, that’s not a typo. It was one-and-done all day long for Matta’s cagers. Overall, Ohio State was outrebounded 35-19.
Up next, the Buckeyes’ host “The School Up North,” Wednesday night. Tip-off at Value City Arena is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and it will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
