Friday, March 09, 2007

Liveblog: Michigan vs. tOSU, Big 10 quaterfinal, 2nd half

The 2nd half starts with Greg Oden assuming control. A quick hoop, and 3 blocked shots in the 1st 1:30. He's a a man amongst boys, which makes you wonder why he doesn't take control more often.

17:34 left, tOSU up 6. Erin reports Michigan needs Courtney Sims more involved. I guess Michigan wants even more turnovers. Just sayin'...

Oden hits a pretty banked in hook, Lavin does his Bill Rafterty impression! "The KISS!" Not bad...

tOSU with another hoop. Just like that, Michigan is down 10. A TV TO allows Amaker to save one of their own. 42-32 with just under 16:00 to go. Damn. Damn. Damn.

Oden back on the bench, has 10 and 4.

Michigan has missed their last 6 shots, so Sims takes it to the hole, and gets fouled. Splits them, now down 9.

Bucks hit a trey. Lavin says it's just a matter of time... But Abram replies in kind, O'Brian states the obvious that it was really needed. No kidding...

Lavin compares Conley the senior to Chicago gangsters. Ok, sure...

Michigan with a trey, the bucknuts counter with 1 from the line after a Michigan foul. Buckeyes up 7.

Oden causes a miss at the Wolverine end, but the Buckeyes throw it away, Wolverines back with another 2. Lead is down to 5! Sims gets an Oden elbow to the neck, has to take a seat to recover. 46-41, 11:30 to go, TV TO.

Amazingly, Michigan is still in the game, thanks to tOSU NOT playing like a 1 seed. I'll admit that Michigan is playing more like a NCAA team today, which is encouraging after yesterday's debacle. Then we see why Michigan is still in the game, the WWLiS tells us that the maize and blue have a +20 rebounding margin. No, that's not a mistake, Michigan is dominating the boards.

tOSU gets 4 straight VERY easy points. back up by 9. A good call by Amaker in asking for a TO immediately. 11:00 to go.

Sims tries a spin move, Oden doesn't even leave his feet, sticks one huge hand on the ball, and get the held ball call. Wow...

Jerret Smith gets Conley on the offensive foul to stop a fast break. Can Michigan get back in it? Smith with the trey! 6 point game. Nice sequence for Smith.

Another rebound for Michigan, and Matta gets T'ed up! He's not too happy, if you read his lips... After Harris with the 2 freebies, it's 4 point game with 9:00 left!

Oden causes Sims to get his 4th personal. Why tOSU doesn't get him the ball every possession...

Speaking of which, Oden with the and one. Now 52-46 tOSU. But Abram responds with a 3! O'Brian is impressed with the Wolverines. So am I...

Lavin uses this years buzz word, "Signature win," saying Michigan needs one. No shit, Sherlock...

Just then Oden gets another hoop, and converts the 3 point play. O'Brian states the blatantly obvious, "They can't control him!" Why Oden isn't getting 20 shots a game is a mystery. 55-49, 7:00 left.

Michigan is dominating the boards, but are only shooting 36%.

Oden gets another hoop, and the board on the other end. He's imposing his will on the game. The bucknuts are getting him the ball every time down the floor. Silly strategy, getting your best player the ball...

10 point game, and Oden goes to the bench. There's under 6 minutes left in Michigan's season.

tOSU's Hunter with the big alley oop slam! Michigan's down 11. It's not looking good, as Michigan turns over the ball once again. tOSU only has 4 turnovers, Michigan is in double digits. That's the story of the game right there...

O'Brian clues us in to the fact that most people in Michigan's basketball program felt that they needed to win the Big 10 tournament, as that was the only way they could get in the NCAA's. They best start praying to the basketball Gods, otherwise known as the NCAA selection committee.

tOSU turnover! Harris is going in for the easy, easy lay in hoop...And loses the ball out of bounds. AAARRRGH.

3:19 left, 10 point game, is this season over?

Woo! Petway with the big slam over Oden! 8 point game, 2:22 left. Michigan is hanging around.. But a quick foul, Conley coverts 2. back to a 10 point game. woo...

Dion Harris missed a 3 ball, he's now 1-12 from the floor. Oden get the board while Sims gets his 6th personal. Sims finishes 2-9 from the field. A combined 3-21 from 2 of your best players?

A minute left, tOSU up 11. This game, and season, is officially over.

Michigan, rather than delay the inevitable, just lets tOSU run clock. 72-62 tOSU is your final score. The buckeyes move on to the semis.

The Wolverines go home to wait for their now annual NIT invite.

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