PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – If D’Angelo Russell really has played his last collegiate game, it’s not the way Ohio State wanted to send him out. The standout freshman struggled to find his shot, scoring just nine points as the 10th-seeded Buckeyes lost 73-58 to second-seeded Arizona in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. “Unfortunately, it was kind of one of those days for him,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. The Buckeyes gave the Wildcats all they could handle in the first half, even with Russell – a likely NBA lottery pick – in a shooting funk. Sam Thompson had 18 points and Shannon Scott scored 10 for Ohio State, which led by six points early on but never could match Arizona’s size. The Wildcats won the rebounding battle 43-26, packing the paint and using their length to reel in Russell. Russell made just 3 of 19 shots after going for 28 points in Ohio State’s overtime win over VCU in its tournament opener. He added seven rebounds and six assists – including a dazzling, cross-court, no-look pass during a fast break – in what was probably his last game for Ohio State. Russell wore a bandage to cover the five stitches he received above his left eye after taking an elbow in Thursday’s contest. And he spent the final minutes on the bench listening to Arizona’s fans chant “U-of-A!” “I would say they played great D on a few of them, but a lot of them were great shots. I just missed,” Russell said. Russell declined to say whether he will declare for the NBA draft, as most expect him to do…
Continue Reading: Russell struggles, Ohio State loses 73-58 to Arizona
