Solidfying Seed

Jon Diebler dialed up and drilled devastating downtown deliveries as Ohio State lit up Illinois 73-57 in Columbus on Tuesday. The Buckeye win guarantees them at least a share of the Big 10 crown and solidified them a number one seed in the conference tournament. Diebler knotted seven 3-pointers during his 21 point scoring night. Diebler seems to rumble and rise to the occasion behind the arc whenever he faces the Illini. He hit six 3-pointers on OSU’s Valentine’s Day rout of Illinois. Amazingly, he didn’t take a shot inside the rainbow last night. Diebler made 7 of his 14 from downtown to create the total of 21. The Value City Arena fans mobbed their beloved Buckeyes after the Illini annihilation. The conference title marks the third one in five years for Ohio State, and third in six seasons for coach, Thad Matta. It was the school’s 18th overall title.
Four Buckeyes reached double digits as OSU won their fourth straight game and 13th of their last 15. William Buford bucketed 17 points, Evan Turner turned in 16, and David Lighty collected 15 as the Buckeyes rolled over 18-12 Illinois. Illinois took an early 19-13 lead on four 3-pointers. The home team soon took over, leading 28-21 with seven minutes remaining in the half. Illinois rallied to close within a basket at the two minute mark before Turner drained a jumper. Diebler followed suit with his fifth 3-pointer of the half to give the Bucks a 37-33 advantage at the break. Each team made six shots from the arc during the first half. DeMetri McCamey had four for the visiting Illini. McCamey finished with an Illini team high, 18 points.
Ohio State opened the second half and extended their lead to eight. Lighty deposited five straight points during a fourth period OSU run as the junior began slashing the Illinois defense. The Illini cut the margin to four points with ten minutes remaining in the game before Lighty struck again. The Bucks pushed their edge up to eleven with just over nine minutes left on the clock. Brandon Paul scored 11 points in 18 minutes for the visitors. Mike Tisdale added ten in the loss. The Illini made 80% of their baskets from the charity stripe, but McCamey and Tisdale fouled out in the second half. Illinois was unable to overcome the loss of their two consistent shooters. The Buckeyes put the game out of reach in the final seven minutes. Lighty scored eight of the first ten points on a 17-6 decisive OSU surge. A nine day rest and top seed in the Big 10 tournament are OSU’s rewards. Next up for the Buckeyes will be the winner of the number eight and nine seed first round game at Conseco Fieldhouse March 12.

Parting Points: A song from a band straight out of Ohio State-“Shatter” by OAR