INDIANAPOLIS -- Age doesn't matter after a loss like that. \nWhen Rod Wilmont's last-second shot clanked off the iron and fell into the hands of the Buckeyes, the emotions were too much for men and children alike. Wilmont needed to be scooped up off the floor by his coaches and teammates as he buried his face in his jersey -- overwhelmed by the weight of 40 hard-fought minutes seeming to fall squarely on his shoulders.\nJust minutes later IU head coach Mike Davis needed to detour his route to the locker room in order to console his youngest son Antoine who sat weeping in his mother's lap.\nNeither a 7-year-old boy nor his 22-year-old idol could stay strong at a moment like that. \nBut the reality of the situation is far more reassuring than the image of streaming tears. This game doesn't fall solely on the shoulders of Wilmont -- he was actually the Hoosiers' best player. The season is not over. And more likely than not, this kind of loss probably helps IU's tournament seeding more than it hurts it.\nYes, a win would have been nice. But this team is going to the tournament. The only question remaining is where, and as what seed?\nNow on to the game log.
PREGAME NOTES: IU fans were a little more prevalent today, probably gobbled up all those tickets the Illinois fans were scalping last night ... Yesterday Marco said he was happy for Terence Dials winning Big Ten Player of the Year, I have a feeling today he is going show what he really meant to say, "I am better than him." ... There may not be two more similar teams in the Big Ten than these two. One giant, freakish human being in the post, and four quick, mid-sized shooters surrounding them. \n
FIRST HALF
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4:19 p.m. -- A shade more than four minutes have passed, and the Hoosiers are back to their typical selves -- no points. Only difference between now and earlier in the season is at least they play some defense. But don't let that fool you into thinking Ohio State only has six points because of stifling D. The Buckeyes, untrue to form, have missed multiple open jumpers already. That won't continue, IU needs a spark as Allen and Wilmont substitute into the game. Maybe one of them can help. \n
4:25 p.m. -- Maybe? Wilmont just tied the game by himself. A skying layup gives IU its first points of the game, and then two threes from the same spot on the floor tie things up at eight. Killingsworth and Dials return to the game at the 12:04 mark with IU trailing by two points, 12-10. \n
4:35 p.m.-- Yes it has been quiet for ten minutes, but Vaden finally makes himself heard with a three and a foul. A two point deficit becomes a two-point lead just that easily. And Vaden is one of those players that you don't want to get into a groove. Let's keep an eye on his shot selection for the rest of this half. \n
4:41 p.m.-- Strickland hits a clutch three in the depth of another IU drought. The shot clock was low and he just pulled up right over Dials for three. IU leads 19-16. On another note, the officiating today couldn't be more opposite than yesterday. Five total fouls have been called with a shade more than five minutes left in the half. \n
4:46 p.m.-- Well it's a good thing I didn't eat breakfast because the referees just made me eat that last post. They've called six fouls in the five real-time minutes since I last posted. \n
4:54 p.m.-- Matt Sylvester looks like a My Buddy doll. Only taller. \n
Halftime: IU -- 26, OSU - 25 \n
FIRST HALF AT A GLANCE: The Hoosiers displayed the biggest difference between now and earlier in the season. Not their defense, not their rebounding, but their ability to play without Marco Killingsworth. Davis has said all season that IU goes where Marco takes them, but for the final eight and a half minutes of the half, Marco got comfortable on the end of the bench with two fouls. And for the last couple minutes Robert Vaden was the tallest Hoosier on the court. Nonetheless, IU kept pace with Ohio State behind several timely threes from Vaden and Strickland. This team is 1,000 times more versatile than it was two months ago. \n
DIFFREENCE MAKER: There is, of course, the obvious foul situation of Dials and Killingsworth. Both enter the half with two, the first to four loses. But the real difference may come from the Buckeye's ability to shoot the long ball. They shot 2-13 in the first half, complete with two shots that drew nothing but air. That's not like them, and more than likely, it won't continue. IU can't afford to relinquish as many open looks as it has thus far unless the team plans on shooting 70 percent. \n
HALFTIME
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5:11 p.m.-- Four words that may have changed the life of everyone that stuck around during halftime: San Francisco Red Panda. Conseco Fieldhouse was literally holding its breath as almost everyone was on their feet for a five-foot woman on top of a seven-foot unicycle. From atop the giant unicycle she then took five salad bowls, balanced them on her right foot, and flipped them all perfectly on top of her head. I'll take that over an alley-oop any day.\n
SECOND HALF
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5:16 p.m.-- J.J. Sullinger just nailed two consecutive wide-open threes. This is one of those "hate to be right" moments. \n
5:21 p.m.-- It seems like Killingsworth has hit the back rim with every single shot he's taken today. He's 2-12 right now with four points. If the basket was moved back four inches it seems like he would be 10-12 with 24 points. OSU leads 34-30. \n
5:26 p.m.-- J.J. Sullinger has scored all 13 of the Buckeye's points this half. After an IU timeout he gets into a little bit of a mid-court stand off with Wilmont a couple other IU players. A CBS instant replay just showed Earl Calloway lay a fat elbow on Sullinger's face after the last basket. Sullinger has to sit because he's bleeding. I guess that's one way to stop him, but this game might turn ugly because of it. \n
5:36 p.m.-- Marco and Vaden both take to the bench to rest up for a final charge. The key here is to not let Ohio State distance themselves too much in the process. They currently lead by seven, 43-36. \n
5:37 p.m.-- Or not. Marco just returned. \n
5:28 p.m.-- And as the Buckeyes extend their lead to a game-high nine points, here comes Vaden. Quick inbound layup by Strickland makes it 45-38. \n
5:46 p.m.-- Ohio State misses another open three. This door won't stay open much longer. IU needs to start taking advantage. 5:50 left on the clock and finally Wilmont grabs an offensive rebound for IU, getting fouled on the put back attempt. 30 second timeout by Davis, realizing this game needs to get close -- now. OSU leads 47-40 pending Wilmont's free throws. \n
5:51 p.m.-- Marco is called for an offensive foul jockeying for position. That's four for him. Decision time for Davis with four minutes left. It looks like he's leaving his horse in the race. \n
5:52 p.m.-- Earl Calloway is having, arguably, his best game as a Hoosier. He just scored consecutive baskets, this time getting fouled in the process. But his six points are nothing compared to the six assists and eight rebounds he has right now. That's not a typo, Earl Calloway has eight rebounds. Sean Kline is in to assure Marco of floor time to end the game, and Calloway's free throw just tied the game at 47. \n
5:57 p.m.-- Vaden is on the floor after rolling his ankle on Dials' foot. The crowd begins chanting "Robert Vaden" as Kline and Kyle Taber help him off the court. Killingsworth is back in the game. Vaden doesn't even bother with the bench and heads straight to the locker room. That is never good. \n
6:00 p.m.-- Steal by Strickland and Marco on a picture perfect defense of a pick and roll. Wilmont makes it pay off on the other end with a strong drive to the basket. \n
6:02 p.m.-- Ohio State's Foster misses a three, but the rebound falls back to the Buckeyes. The ball just seemed to tease A.J. Ratliff, floating right by him and back to OSU. Matta calls time with 48 seconds remaining, IU leading 51-50. \n
6:04 p.m.-- My Buddy just squeezed himself through traffic for a wide open lay up. Davis calls timeout with 25 seconds remaining, the Hoosier trailing by one point. "My Buddy, My Buddy… My Buddy and me!" I'm going to hate that song forever if IU looses this game. \n
6:07 p.m.-- Killingsworth had a look, and it seems to hit every inch of the rim before falling out. Wilmont scraps for the offensive rebound and gets a picture perfect shot that, again, bounces around before falling out. The junior played harder than maybe anyone today, and now he's sobbing in the free throw lane. Nobody ever wants to see that. Tough loss, but at least the tournament doubts can be put to rest. Next stop -- hopefully someplace warm. \n
Final score: OSU-52, IU-51
