The Ohio State basketball team was crushed after losing to Nebraska by three points at home. It was a chance for them to get a resume-boosting win for the NCAA Tournament, something they have precious few of. Instead, it was another heartbreaking loss for the Buckeyes.
Yet, the Ohio State Buckeyes refuse to be deterred after another close loss. In a late-night battle against Oregon, which is the first of two out on the West Coast, Ohio State showed some fight. More than that, they showed what they can be when they play with high effort.
The Buckeyes used a 21-0 run in the second half to take down the Ducks 72-62. Why this game matters for fans is that the effort this team played with made the difference. They fought hard for rebounds, got deflections and steals, and ended up with a solid win.
How the Ohio State basketball team can build on its win vs. Oregon
Another thing to be proud of was the scoring balance. It wasn't just Bruce Thornton carrying the load as he normally does. Six players scored at least nine points in this game, and all five starters were in double-figures. Having that balance is key to the Buckeyes winning games in Big Ten play.
Rebounding was a big thing for the Buckeyes, as well. They out-rebounded the Ducks by 10. If they can replicate that kind of effort on the boards on a nightly basis, they become a much harder team to beat. Having 13 offensive rebounds is something they need to continue getting.
Another win at Washington would give them two road wins in a row in the Big Ten. That's a solid streak. A volume of wins is what the Buckeyes are looking for in conference play, so they have a shot to end their NCAA Tournament-less streak.