COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State struggled to keep pace with No. 3 Michigan on Sunday afternoon, falling 82-61 at the Schottenstein Center in a rematch that looked nothing like the first meeting.
When the teams met earlier this season in Ann Arbor, Michigan pulled away late for a 74-62 win. This time, however, the Wolverines were in control throughout, building a lead as large as 21 points and never allowing Ohio State to seriously threaten in the second half.
Below are highlights from the postgame comments of Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler, senior guard Bruce Thornton, and senior center Christoph Tilly.
Jake Diebler
+ On how they look at Michigan and whether they view Michigan as a program Ohio State wants to emulate, Diebler said the focus is internal. “Everything we are doing right now is to be better at the controllables to make sure when we step foot on game day, we are at our best. That’s all we’re focused on. Michigan is a good team, I’m not trying to discredit them, but we are a good team. We were not a good team today.” The focus is on looking inside before looking outside, but the upcoming game against USC will be very important.
+ The fight in this game was personally disappointing to Diebler because he knows the importance of the rivalry, but they have to reflect on why they didn’t play at the level they are capable of and move on. “There wasn’t a lack of effort, but there was a major lack of physicality and attention to detail.” Ohio State had the physicality against Michigan the first time, and Michigan responded by hitting harder in this game.
+ The team will own what they didn’t do right. Their physicality wasn’t good enough, but they can diagnose that, control it, and fix it. “Good teams make you pay when those things are lacking.”
+ The coaches are looking at different lineups that could help improve rebounding.
+On the difference between the two games against Michigan this season and why this one was so decisive, Diebler said it came down to physicality and Michigan hitting threes. The Wolverines made nine threes in the first half, creating a double-digit deficit before halftime. Ohio State got some looks it wanted, but the ball became stagnant at times. They had chances to cut it to single digits but turnovers during those stretches were costly.
+ On the offensive struggles and shooting only 33 percent from the paint, Diebler said Michigan did things defensively to keep Ohio State out of rotation. They didn’t force things at the rim, but when they did, it led to transition opportunities for Michigan. In the first half, Ohio State didn’t fight hard enough to generate quality shots or force Michigan into rotation. “We didn’t make Michigan make enough decisions defensively.”
+ On Taison Chatman emerging off the bench, Diebler said he has played with strong offensive efficiency and wants him to stay aggressive and not pass up catch-and-shoot threes. Chatman is a good playmaker and reads the game well.
+ This loss counts the same as any other in Big Ten play, but it means a great deal personally to Diebler and the team. The result will linger with him, but he has to move on the same way he asks his players to. He loves the rivalry and fought hard to play Michigan twice, and he was disappointed they didn’t capitalize on the opportunity.
+ Michigan forced Mobley Jr. into the paint, and when he did find space, they crowded him with size and closed aggressively at the rim.
+ Diebler said his job is to figure out how to allow the team to play at its best more consistently. They have seen what this group is capable of, but they didn’t handle in-game adversity well in this one. Still, he said the team is resilient and will get back to work.
Bruce Thornton
+ On the talent difference between Ohio State and Michigan and Yaxel Lendeborg’s comments, Thornton said he doesn’t believe there is one, but Michigan was the better team on Sunday. “We let the small things affect us.” Offensive rebounds hurt, and Ohio State gave up too many of them. Communication has to improve, and once things snowballed, it got out of hand.
+ On being tied late in the first matchup but never leading in this game, Thornton said Michigan had 12 offensive rebounds in the first half. As a player, giving up that many… and allowing them to convert on even half, makes it hard to beat teams like that.
+ Size was a challenge on the offensive glass, and with Michigan having so many shooters, Ohio State was forced to pick its poison. Michigan gave itself extra chances to win by securing offensive rebounds and converting them.
+ On allowing wide-open threes, Thornton said it again came down to offensive rebounds and communication. The small breakdowns piled up, and the game slipped away.
+ On processing the rivalry loss and turning quickly to USC, Thornton said tomorrow is a new day. He didn’t come to Ohio State to lose and has worked too hard to let one game define him. “We didn’t show up today, but the sun will rise tomorrow.” He said he’ll move forward with urgency, knowing they have to win the next one.
+ Thornton said the team is capable of putting together wins. “I don’t care what anyone else says. I believe in this group.” He said he will address the team after a loss like this. They will understand what needs to change, and the next goal is winning tomorrow’s practice.
+ Thornton said he doesn’t judge Ohio State based on what Michigan does. “They ain’t us and we ain’t them.” His focus remains on his locker room and his team.
Christoph Tilly
+ On defending Aday Mara, Tilly said the matchup itself wasn’t the issue, but Mara made threes in this game and put together a strong overall performance. “He’s a good player.”
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Photo via Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
