Indiana-Ohio State basketball game hinges on 'D' - Louisville Courier-Journal

INDIANAPOLIS â€" Indiana University and Ohio State are the top two teams in the Big Ten in scoring offense, both averaging better than 78 points per game.

But the key to today’s rematch will clearly be which team can play better defense.

And both IU coach Tom Crean and Ohio State’s Thad Matta have had plenty of film to show their teams the past few days about what not to do.

On Tuesday, the No. 5 Buckeyes were lit up by Brandon Paul and Illinois 79-74 at the other Assembly Hall. Paul had 43 points, and Illinois shot 60 percent from the field, including 61 percent from 3-point range, hitting 11 of 18.

The situation was about the same Thursday in Bloomington when No. 7 IU dropped a 77-74 decision to a Minnesota team that entered the game 0-4 in the Big Ten. The Golden Gophers shot 50 percent and came up with 16 offensive rebounds.

That leads to today’s reality: One of the top seven teams in the nation is going to leave the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, with two straight losses and will slip in the rankings. Two weeks ago, Indiana (15-2, 3-2 Big Ten) defeated Ohio State (15-3, 3-2) 74-70 at Assembly Hall.

Now comes the much-anticipated rematch.

Both coaches said that “awareness” as something their teams need to focus on to get losses this past week out of their systems.

“We just had a lack of awareness defensively,” Crean said after the Minnesota loss. “Communication, weak side, ball side, challenging shots, blocks out, the awareness never got where it needed to be until the end of the game.

“Teams that take the next step totally get that defense is what comes first in every situation. The best teams gain confidence from their defense, not the other way around.’’

It hasn’t been a big problem for the Buckeyes, at least not before the Illinois game. Ohio State ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring defense. Indiana, however, ranks 10th.

Matta said Ohio State’s problems against the Illini were similar to that of IU’s against Minnesota.

“When we do the things we’re supposed to do, we’re pretty effective defensively,’’ Matta said. “For whatever reason the other night we didn’t have great communication or guys that were connected out there, and that’s what you’ve got to have.’’

Matta said defending Indiana takes teammates committed to supporting each other.

“Guarding the basketball, positioning, our defensive pressure, our defensive awareness, those are all important things,” Matta said. “We need to get the support where we need the support, and more importantly ... awareness and understanding what needs to be done.”

The Jared Sullinger-Cody Zeller matchup will be a big one again. In the first meeting, Zeller was limited to 21 minutes because of foul trouble and fouled out with 2:24 to play. He scored 14 points. Sullinger had 15 points and nine rebounds in 29 minutes.

“We have to be more active on defense, and our communication level has to go up,” IU junior forward Christian Watford said. “I think they will try and pound the ball inside, but we also know they have so many players who can hurt you.

“Our team defense is what has gotten us to where we are right now, and that has to continue.”