Two big men equal two big problems

Like eighth graders bullying first graders at recess, Ohio State University's big men dominated undersized IU inside. The Buckeyes, led inside by sophomore Terence Dials and senior Velimir Radinovic, outscored the Hoosiers 40-16 in the paint and were the go-to guys down the stretch in OSU's 59-56 win Saturday night at Assembly Hall.\nThe pair both earned double-doubles. The senior Radinovic poured in 23 points along with 10 rebounds, while the sophomore Dials chipped in 16 points and 10 boards.\nRadinovic said he and Dials were able to take advantage of IU's lack of inside presence.\n"They were definitely undermanned (Saturday night)," he said. "They lost Kline to a knee injury, so we were able to go inside, and our guys were great in finding us throughout the whole game. We were just able to capitalize on those looks."\nThe pair took turns capitalizing, as Dials did the majority of his damage in the first half, scoring 11 of his 16. Then Radinovic scored 19 of his 23 in the second stanza. Dials was aided when senior center George Leach picked up his second foul with 12:15 still left before the break.\nLeach did not return until the beginning of the second half, as IU shifted to a zone defense to counter the Buckeyes' size advantage.\nWhile the zone was successful at times, Dials and Radinovic kept pounding away.\nIU coach Mike Davis said the sight of opponents' big men having big nights is nothing new to him.\n"We haven't stopped anyone in the paint all year," Davis said. "Everybody we play has a career night against us in the post. It's the same thing."\nThough Dials and Radinovic were having career nights, IU still led 51-48 with 3:44 left after a Leach basket. Then, OSU coach Jim O'Brien made what proved to be a game-winning decision: continue to go inside to either Dials or Radinovic, whichever one was being guarded by the undersized A.J. Moye.\nDials said they definitely tried to isolate Moye.\n"He's the shorter big man," Dials said. "We knew we had the advantage. I did a great job in the first half, and then (IU) started doubling. Then, Velimir had an awesome game in the second half. He played probably his best game ever. When you have that combination, it's going to be tough to stop us."\nIncluding the zone, the Hoosiers tried different defensive strategies to slow down the pair, including double-teams.\nLeach said the team can't use their lack of size as an excuse. \n"That's all it is -- effort," Leach said. "If you put in the effort, they won't be as successful. If you don't put the amount of effort that should be put out, then of course they're going to be successful. \nRadinovic and Dials had seven of the Buckeyes' last 11 points, with OSU sophomore J.J. Sullinger adding the other four, including the go-ahead basket on a pull-up jumper with 15 seconds remaining.\nFollowing a timeout, Moye's attempt at a game-winning three bounced off the front iron, and Dials jumped and grabbed the rebound cradling it in his arms.\nFor OSU, it was a fitting way to end it -- with the ball in the hands of one of its two biggest contributors.\n-- Contact sports editor John Rodgers at jprodger@indiana.edu.