'Bout time we started this up again. Some new pics of "The Vault" (Pinnacle Bank Arena) in Lincoln. On schedule to open next fall.
Ask Penn State, Indiana, and Illinois. They were 3 of the 4 conference games that we won last year. The other was at Iowa.
Caught a few minutes late in the OSU v Washington game today...what a horrid telecast. It was the finals of the Hall of Fame Tipoff or something, held in an arena named for a casino, I think. It was on ESPN2, there was zero atmosphere, empty seats everywhere, uninspired action, and the announcers, whoever they were, were terrible. It was hard to hear what they were saying, and a lot of it did not seem to have much to do with the game. I can understand a small crowd far from where the finalists were from, but it could just as easily been the season finale between two 6-23 teams, it was that bad.
The "benefits" from these pre-season tournaments, IIRC, are that they only count as one official game and you're usually good for one game on national TV, if not more. Then again, ESPN2 on Sunday at 4:30 PM is basically as buried as much as possible. Maybe the payday was good? At least it gave New England-based OSU fans a chance to see their team in person.
Virtually all of the preseason tournaments, unless they're held outside of the continental US (notice the crowds in Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Maui are all pretty good), are sparsely attended. Even the ones at Madison Square Garden or the new Barclays Center. It's just always been that way. And it's only gotten worse as the NCAA has constantly inched the start of the season forward over the last 10-15 years. As a die-hard myself I love hoops in early November, I'm positive the coaches love it and you know the kids themselves are itching to get started, too. But fact is, only the die-hards and fans of the blue bloods are really thinking about hoops at all in November. The main reason I love all of these tournaments is because it represents the best shot most of the mid-majors will have of getting signature W's for their tourney profiles come March. Anyway, as for yesterday's broadcast, that was former Va Tech head coach and crybaby extraordinaire Seth Greenberg as the analyst. It was only just his first or second game as a commentator, you could tell he is still figuring it out. He is a great personality though, knows the game inside and out, and has won at programs where it's nigh on impossible to win (USF, VT). Once he finds his sea legs behind the mic, he is going to be very, very good. Maybe not Steve Lavin good, but very good nonetheless.
OSU shoots 33% and 28% (Craft plays awfully) and only loses by 5 to Duke @ Cameron. That's a "good" of a loss as you can get in my opinion for a unknown team for the Buckeyes.
As poorly as they played, they were up by 6 or more most of the game. The B1G is going to be fun to watch this winter!
It was certainly a winnable game but the point guards let the team down by rushing shots without passing. I remember 3 straight possessions where Scott and Craft dribbled up court and shot without another player touching it. All 3 shots were early in the clock and misses. If OSU had been more patient and worked the ball around better we probably would have won.
Totally. And what was weird was that Scott was almost too eager (I still can't believe how many shots he attempted last night) and Craft was clearly too tentative or hesitant. Craft was constantly stopping short and pulling up for half-hearted floaters where he would normally attack the rim. Go right at Plumlee and put him in foul trouble, but maybe he thought he wouldn't get the calls since it is Duke, after all.
OSU has a practice session against Nebraska to open Big 10 play. Shocking to see that super fit athlete from Nebraska get hurt earlier in the game.
I've really been trying to watch OSU this year but haven't made it through a game yet. Basketball isn't really doing it for me anymore. I use to love college hoops but not so much anymore. Maybe this will change when March Madness starts but I haven't cared much at all this year. I'm actaully surprised the NBA still brings in the money it does. I don't know anyone that actaully watches their games. I mean other than highlights I haven't even seen Lebron James play a game.
Nebrasketball holding their own against Michigan; only down by five at the half, they are playing solid defense.
#Nebrasketball!!! This might be our high point of the season. We're not getting blown out. It sucks being the basketball equivalent of Indiana football.
