OSU’s Smith torches Hoosiers for career high in IU loss

Ohio State had four starters that were ranked in the top 100 in CBSSports.com’s Preseason Top 100 College Players.

Lenzelle Smith, Jr. was not one of them.

The sophomore guard — who came in averaging 5.2 points per game — scored a career-high 28 points to lead the Buckeyes past the Hoosiers 80-63 Sunday at Value City Arena.

“Much like (senior guard) Matt Roth was for us last week, Lenzelle Smith, Jr. went above and beyond what he usually does,” IU Coach Tom Crean said. “He averages two field goals made and four field goals attempted, and today, he was 10-of-12. He was a huge, huge difference in the game.”

Like Roth, Smith caught fire from beyond the arc. Smith was 4-of-5 from 3-point range to head the Buckeye attack.

Crean chalked up Smith’s ability to take over to Ohio State Coach Thad Matta’s game plan.

“Smart coaching by them. Lenzelle’s averaging four shots a game. Look it up,” Crean said. “He really played well and played well at our place, too.”

Smith’s only double-figure scoring game in his career coming into Sunday also came against the Hoosiers. On that night, Smith had a then-career high 12 points in IU’s 74-70 win Dec. 31.

“Throughout the other game I just saw my man leave me,” Smith said. “This game I capitalized off of that, and we were able to get some easy buckets.”

But Sunday, Smith reached that mark midway through the first half.

Smith had already scored 18 points by halftime to pace the Buckeyes to a 35-14 lead. It was a fast start for a player who hadn’t practiced until Saturday due to strep throat.

“When I got back yesterday, we had some different sets that were specifically for the guys leaving me (open),” Smith said. “It turned out to be good.”

IU junior guard Jordan Hulls, who had the duty of guarding Smith for much of the first half, said containing him was a tall task.

“Guys get hot, knock down shots, get their confidence, and we just have to adjust,” Hulls said. “That’s part of basketball, and that plays into the defense and toughness factor, as well.”

IU tried switching defenses throughout the second half, but could not keep the Buckeyes within arm’s reach.

Even after halftime adjustments, Smith was still able to rattle off 10 second-half points to keep the Buckeyes’ double-digit lead throughout the second half.

Sophomore forward Jared Sullinger, who IU held to two first-half points, said when a player gets going like that, the best thing to do is to keep feeding him.

“I kept finding him,” Sullinger said. “He came to the sideline after the pull-up transition shot and said, ‘My bad, guys.’ I said, ‘Hey, you’re open, so keep shooting.’”

The 28 points by Smith was the largest offensive outburst allowed by the Hoosiers this season.

Crean said Smith’s performance is exactly the reason why the Buckeyes are capable of playing deep into March.

“They could win the National Championship with that,” Crean said. “That’s what it comes down to because that’s what they had last year. They had five guys that could score at any given point. That’s why we went to the zone a little bit earlier. You’ve got to play Ohio State’s system. You’ve got to play their personnel, and you’ve got to play the momentum they can create because of how many guys can make plays.”