Max Schuman, Assistant Sports EditorFebruary 10, 2016 • Men’s Basketball With Northwestern riding high and holding a 48-39 lead with a little more than 10 minutes to go against Ohio State, the Buckeyes settled into a two-thirds-court press, hoping to force the Wildcats into turnovers that could fuel a comeback. Six NU turnovers and a game-ending 32-15 Ohio State run later, the Cats (16-9, 4-8) were left searching for answers to opposing pressure after a disheartening 71-63 loss in Columbus. NU ran out to a 33-26 lead after the first half despite eight turnovers, limiting damage by preventing easy fast-break baskets off live-ball turnovers. But it was only a matter of time before the long, athletic Buckeyes (15-10, 7-5) found their stride and turned defense into offense, with the dam finally breaking in the second half. Coach Chris Collins said Ohio State’s move to a press led to the game slipping away from his team. “We had some critical turnovers; I thought (the press) sped us up a little bit,” Collins said. “(It) ignited their crowd and got them going.” First, senior guard Tre Demps turned the ball over on two straight possessions, turning into a quick floater in transition for Buckeyes forward Keita Bates-Diop and a breakaway dunk for Buckeyes guard JaQuan Lyle that cut the Cats’ lead to 48-47 with 8 minutes and 33 seconds left to play and forced Collins to call a timeout. Demps had the dubious honor of leading the Cats in turnovers against the Buckeyes with four. On top of struggles with ball security, NU’s initial attempts to break Ohio State’s 1-2-2 press seemed odd, with the team stationing sophomore forward Gavin Skelly in the backcourt as an outlet for sophomore guard Bryant McIntosh instead of a more seasoned ball-handler. Demps said the decision was an intentional attempt to give him a chance to make plays against a scrambled defense once the press was broken. But the move bit the Cats with 8 minutes and 22 seconds remaining, as Skelly dribbled into trouble and had a crosscourt pass stolen by Buckeyes guard Kam Williams, although Ohio State failed to capitalize on the ensuing possession. Collins said NU knew Ohio State had the press up its sleeve and had prepared for it, but said execution in a game atmosphere is different than in practice. …
Continue Reading: Men’s Basketball: Northwestern struggles with Buckeye press in second-half collapse
