Buckeyes trying to shake off recent embarrassment
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The word kept coming up again and again as Ohio State players spoke about their most recent outing: Embarrassing. That’s how Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Sam Thompson repeatedly described the 18th-ranked Buckeyes’ effort, mindset, defense and overall performance in Sunday’s 71-49 trashing at Wisconsin on Sunday. Smith said it appeared the Buckeyes felt they could just roll out of bed, warm up a little bit and manhandle the Badgers in Kohl Center, where they lose about as often as coach Bo Ryan cracks a smile. Now a bewildered coach Thad Matta is expecting Ohio State (18-7, 8-5 Big Ten) to regroup and play much better when it hosts another enigma of a team, Minnesota (18-8, 6-7), on Tuesday night in a game which could have major ramifications come tourney time.
No. 11 Ohio State holds off Nebraska 63-56 (The Associated Press)
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Ohio State opened a 15-point lead with 9 minutes left and still had to hold off Nebraska. Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 21 points and the 11th-ranked Buckeyes found themselves in a tight game down the stretch before warding off a late Cornhuskers surge in a 63-56 victory Saturday night. ”We have to find a way to correct that,” Ohio State guard Aaron Craft said. ”But you’ve got to give them a lot of credit, too. They really picked up their intensity, especially on the offensive boards, and we didn’t get adjusted to it. But you’ve got to be happy with a road win in this league. We found a way to stay on top and finish with a win.” Ohio State (17-4, 7-2 Big Ten) led 53-38 after a pair of free throws by Craft with 9:05 left. Nebraska (11-12, 2-8) then made its comeback, outscoring …
Thomas has 20, OSU hands Michigan 1st loss, 56-53 (The Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Thomas had 20 points and scored the first and last baskets in a 16-0 first-half spurt and No. 15 Ohio State beat second-ranked Michigan 56-53 on Sunday, probably denying the Wolverines their first No. 1 ranking in more than 20 years. After Trey Burke , who led the Wolverines (16-1, 3-1 Big Ten) with 15 points, hit a 3-pointer to open the game, the Buckeyes took the lead for good although there were many nervous moments by the finish. Burke had a shot to tie the game with 17 seconds left, but it rattled around and out. Lenzelle Smith Jr. then hit two foul shots with 12.7 seconds left and Aaron Craft added two more to seal the outcome for the Buckeyes (13-3, 2-2). The loss also prevented Michigan from setting a school mark for fastest start. The 1985-86 team had also opened with 16 wins. Down 21 in the first half, Michigan kept chipping away. The Wolverines switched defenses, causing the Buckeyes problems with matchup zones. With just over 11 minutes left, Burke …
Video: Buckeyes roll past Long Beach State
Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 14 points and recorded nine assists as No. 7 Ohio State defeated Long Beach State 89-55.
Ohio State tops Michigan, remains tied for first in Big Ten
Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 17 points and had a career-high 12 rebounds as No. 4 Ohio State flexed its muscle inside to beat No. 20 Michigan 64-49 on Sunday, keeping the Buckeyes in a first-place tie in the Big Ten.
Ohio State tops Michigan, remains in tie for first place in Big Ten
Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 17 points and had a career-high 12 rebounds as No. 4 Ohio State flexed its muscle inside to beat No. 20 Michigan 64-49 on Sunday, keeping the Buckeyes in a first-place tie in the Big Ten.
Ohio State has too much muscle for Michigan
With first place in the Big Ten on the line, No. 4 Ohio State played a physical second half and pulled away from No. 20 Michigan, 64-49, Sunday afternoon at a packed Value City Arena. Ohio State's Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Jared Sullinger had 13 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 15 points and Columbus native Trey Burke 13 for Michigan.
No. 4 Ohio State beats No. 20 Michigan 64-49
Call him a Lenzelle-of-all-trades. Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored 17 points and had a career-high 12 rebounds as No. 4 Ohio State flexed its muscles inside to beat No. 20 Michigan 64-49 on Sunday, keeping the Buckeyes in a first-place tie in the Big Ten. “Quite honestly, with this team we sort of need a jack-of-all-trades,” Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said.
Ohio State men's basketball's Lenzelle Smith Jr. can score, but defense keeps him on court
Lenzelle Smith Jr. got a late start in making his mark at Ohio State, but defense has given him the chance to show what he can do.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. powers Ohio State in blowout win against Indiana
OSU sophomore guard Lenzelle Smith Jr. dribbles in a game against Indiana Jan. 15. OSU won, 80-63. By all accounts, sophomore guard Lenzelle Smith Jr . is the Ohio State men's basketball team's fifth man.
