Returning from the glitz and glamour of Madison Square Garden, the Ohio State men’s basketball team returns home to the Schottenstein Center to play the Lipscomb Bisons.
The Buckeyes return from New York City with a split in their games against two ranked teams, the North Carolina Tarheels and the California Golden Bears, in the 2K Sports Classic.
Lipscomb brings an 0-3 record to Columbus. Having given up 92 points to Tennessee Tech in its last matchup, Bisons coach Scott Sanderson points to his team’s defense.
“We can talk and analyze it and turn it upside down, but the bottom line is that we are not good enough defensively,” Sanderson said.
OSU (3-1) will look to build upon its play in NYC and ride the momentum that two good showings against Top 15 teams provided.
“It was a great win for the team and a great win for the program and it gives us good momentum,” junior guard Evan Turner said about the Bucks’ 76-70 win over Cal. “It has been a good stretch of games. I’m just trying to play hard.”
Turner continues to score points and grab rebounds at an electrifying pace. The California game marked the fourth straight game in which he has posted double digits in both points and rebounds. OSU coach Thad Matta knows that a balanced team is best, but also understands when it is time to ride his best horse.
“He is a guy we have to lean on at times to kind of carry us through,” Matta said of Turner.
Working center Dallas Lauderdale and his injured right hand back into the lineup has also proven a benefit to the team. Lauderdale scored eight points and had seven blocked shots against the Golden Bears.
“Dallas has been inching his way back in,” Matta said. “He gives us a different look both offensively and defensively.”
OSU will tune up for next week’s Big Ten/ACC Challenge tonight against Lipscomb and Saturday against St. Francis University.
