On a day when former Ohio State and Butler head coach Thad Matta was honored at halftime for his illustrious career with both programs, the Buckeyes and Bulldogs settled things on the court with Ohio State coming away with an 82-73 victory in the final exhibition tune-up for both teams ahead of the regular season. Matta, who amassed 502 career wins, including 337 at Ohio State, was recognized for his contributions to both programs before the Buckeyes closed out the afternoon with a win.
Ohio State controlled much of the game, building a nine-point advantage in the first half before making another push after the break. A 12-0 run midway through the second half helped the Buckeyes stretch their lead to 17 and put them in position to close out the victory. Butler, however, refused to go quietly, mounting a furious 11-point rally over just over two minutes late in the game to cut the deficit to six, however the Bulldogs could get no closer, as Ohio State answered each challenge down the stretch to preserve the nine-point win and head into the regular season on a positive note.
Ohio State finished the afternoon shooting 50% from the floor, including 9-of-22 from beyond the arc, while taking advantage of its opportunities at the free-throw line by converting 21-of-24 attempts. The Buckeyes also showed good ball movement, recording 14 assists on 26 made field goals. Butler struggled to find its shooting touch, finishing at just 38% from the floor and 11-of-38 from three-point range, while managing only 8-of-12 at the stripe. The Bulldogs did have the upper hand on the glass, out rebounding Ohio State 42-33, while both teams struggled with ball security, committing 16 turnovers apiece.
Amare Bynum led the Buckeyes with 23 points and a team-high six rebounds, while John Mobley Jr. added 17 points. L.J. Smith contributed 12 points, all in the first half, and Justin Pippen finished with 10 points while knocking down eight of his nine free-throw attempts. Butler was paced by Jalen Jackson, who poured in a game-high 27 points, while Treyson Anderson added 17 and Eduardo Klafke chipped in 15 in the Bulldogs’ nine-point defeat.
1st Half
Butler came out of the gate with the early advantage, outscoring Ohio State 7-2 over the opening four minutes as the Buckeyes struggled to find their offensive rhythm. Ohio State’s lone basket came on a John Mobley Jr. score in the paint, with the Buckeyes missing six of their first seven attempts from the floor, including all three tries from beyond the arc.
Coming out of the first media timeout, Amare Bynum provided a spark with a deep three-pointer from the top of the key to trim the deficit. After Butler answered with a basket in the paint, L.J. Smith connected from the right wing to pull Ohio State within one. The Bulldogs briefly regained momentum with an old-fashioned three-point play, but Smith answered with another triple to keep the Buckeyes within striking distance. Ohio State then seized control as Curtis Givens found Ivan Njegovan for a dunk in the middle of the lane before knocking down a three-pointer of his own. The back-to-back scores capped an 8-0 Buckeye run, giving Ohio State its first lead of the game at 16-12 heading into the under-12 media timeout.
A Butler triple was answered by another Smith three and after the Bulldogs scored at the rim, Mobley buried a three and Bynum followed with a dunk, splitting defenders for an electric slam. Butler answered with a 7-0 run to re-tie the game before Bynum put it on the floor and got to the rim for a dunk to put Ohio State ahead 26-24 at the under 8 media timeout.
A pair of Butler threes bookended an Andrija Jelavic trip to the free-throw line, where he split his attempts, giving the Bulldogs a three-point advantage. Jelavic answered with a bucket to trim the deficit, but Butler responded on the other end. Justin Pippen then took advantage of an opportunity in transition, scoring off the glass while drawing contact. He converted the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play and tie the game. Just before the final media timeout of the half, Anthony Thompson attacked the rim and scored through contact, drawing a foul in the process. With the under-4 media timeout approaching, Ohio State had regained the lead at 34-32.
Coming out of the timeout, Thompson completed the three-point play at the line to extend the advantage. Bynum followed by spinning through the lane and finishing at the rim, but Butler answered with back-to-back baskets to keep the game within reach. Mobley then jumped a passing lane for a steal and quickly fed Bynum ahead for a layup. After a Butler miss, Smith connected from beyond the arc to stretch the lead, and the Buckeyes added another big play when Mobley buried a corner three following a Bulldog turnover. The back-to-back triples helped fuel an 8-0 Ohio State run before Butler stopped the surge with a pair of free throws.
Following another Butler turnover, Ohio State called timeout with just 3.3 seconds remaining in the half. The Buckeyes inbounded beneath their own basket, giving Mobley one final opportunity to add to the lead, but his long runner from just behind the center circle struck the front of the rim as the horn sounded as Ohio State headed to the locker room with momentum and a 45-38 advantage.
Ohio State put together an efficient offensive first half, shooting 55% from the floor and knocking down 8-of-14 attempts from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes also did a good job sharing the ball, recording 11 assists on their 17 made field goals. Defensively, Ohio State held Butler to 45.5% shooting overall and 5-of-14 from three-point range. The Bulldogs controlled the glass, however, holding a 19-14 rebounding advantage, while both teams struggled to protect the ball. Ohio State committed eight turnovers, while the Buckeyes forced Butler into 10.
L.J. Smith led the way for Ohio State with 12 points, connecting on all four of his three-point attempts, while Amare Bynum added 11 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting performance. John Mobley Jr. chipped in eight points as the Buckeyes built their seven-point halftime lead. Butler was paced by Jalen Jackson, who led all scorers with 16 points, while Treyson Anderson added 11 to keep the Bulldogs within striking distance heading into the second half.
2nd Half
Butler opened the second half with a pair of free throws, but Ohio State quickly responded as Mobley scored from the floor before Bynum knocked down two free throws to stretch the Buckeye advantage to nine. The Bulldogs answered with four straight points, only for Thompson to settle things momentarily with a 15-foot jumper from the left elbow.
Butler continued to chip away, scoring five consecutive points to pull within two and put the pressure back on Ohio State. Bynum responded by splitting the defense with his scoring, knocking down a pair of free throws before converting in transition through contact. The ensuing trip to the line gave the Buckeyes another opportunity to extend the lead, and at the under-16 media timeout, Ohio State held a 55-49 advantage.
Coming out of the timeout, Bynum converted the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play and extend the Buckeye advantage. Jelavic followed with an offensive rebound and putback to add to the lead, but Butler answered with a three to cut into the deficit. Lee Aaliya then knocked down a pair of free throws to keep Ohio State ahead before a Buckeye turnover gave the Bulldogs another opportunity. Butler capitalized, connecting from beyond the arc to trim the margin to five. At the under-12 media timeout, Ohio State maintained a 60-55 lead, but the Bulldogs were beginning to build momentum.
Mobley attacked off the dribble and finished at the rim to extend the Buckeye lead. Following a Butler turnover, Mobley again got to the basket, this time scoring through contact and converting the ensuing free throw to complete the three-point play. Givens split a pair at the line before Bynum knocked down two more free throws, prompting Butler to call timeout with 8:13 remaining and Ohio State leading 68-55.
Coming out of the timeout, the Buckeyes forced another turnover and capitalized on an extra possession following an offensive rebound. Jelavic finished with a turnaround in the paint to add to the lead, and after another Butler turnover, the game reached the under-8 media timeout with Ohio State in control at 70-55. The Buckeyes had put together a 10-0 run to create some separation.
Pippen attacked the rim out of the timeout and drew a foul, calmly knocking down both free throws to extend the advantage. Butler finally ended the Buckeye surge with a runner before adding six more points to cut into the deficit. With the Bulldogs gaining momentum, Jake Diebler called timeout at the 4:55 mark as Ohio State’s lead had shrunk to 72-63.
Following a Buckeye miss, Butler appeared to benefit from a missed offensive foul call and capitalized with a three to move closer. After both teams came up empty on their next possessions, Mobley took matters into his own hands, pushing the ball coast to coast for a layup to halt an 11-0 Butler run. The timely basket steadied the Buckeyes heading into the final media timeout, with Ohio State holding a 74-66 advantage.
Butler scored at the rim to cut it back to 6 before Bynum buried a left corner three to answer. Butler came right back with a three of their own, but a pair of Pippen free throws kept Butler at arm’s length with just under 2 minutes to play. A pair of Butler free throws cut the lead back to 6 and after a Jelavic miss from deep in the paint, Butler went the other way with a minute to play but stepping out of bounds while catching an inbounds pass, the Bulldogs turned it back to the Buckeyes. Butler began playing the foul game, putting Pippen back on the line where he split the pair. After a wild shot clanged off target for the Bulldogs, Pippen was fouled in the front court and this time he knocked down two. A long Butler miss was rebounded by the Buckeyes who dribbled out the clock in an exhibition win.
Game Wrap
There was certainly plenty to like about Ohio State’s performance in its final tune-up before the lights come on for real a week from Monday. The Buckeyes showed an ability to attack the rim, convert open looks and take advantage of their opportunities at the free-throw line. They played an aggressive, physical brand of offensive basketball that consistently put pressure on the defense and rewarded them with trips to the stripe, where they converted 21 of 24 attempts. The perimeter shooting was also encouraging, as Ohio State knocked down nine threes while shooting 50% from the floor overall. For a team looking to establish offensive consistency early in the season, there were plenty of positive signs to build upon as long as they take quality shots.
The transition game was another area that stood out, particularly given the emphasis on turning defense into offense heading into the season. Ohio State consistently looked to push the pace, capitalize on opportunities in the open floor and put pressure on Butler before the Bulldogs could get set defensively. The Buckeyes ultimately outscored Butler 23-6 in transition, a significant advantage that highlighted the potential of this team’s athleticism, length and ability to create scoring opportunities in a hurry. With multiple players capable of getting out and running, Ohio State has the potential to make transition offense a major part of its identity this season.
On the other side of the equation, however, the rebounding remains a work in progress, and the defensive glass is an area that needs immediate attention. While Butler won the overall rebounding battle 42-33, the more concerning number was the Bulldogs’ 19 offensive rebounds. Allowing that many second-chance opportunities is simply too much, particularly against a team that shot just 38% from the floor. Ohio State did a reasonable job contesting shots, but failing to finish possessions by securing the rebound allowed Butler to generate additional opportunities and remain competitive. The Buckeyes will need to be more physical, improve their positioning and show greater urgency when the ball comes off the rim if they hope to limit those opportunities against higher-level competition.
The rebounding concerns, combined with 16 turnovers, create a couple of potential trouble spots as the regular season approaches. Too many unforced giveaways can negate the benefits of an otherwise efficient offensive performance, while failing to secure defensive rebounds gives opponents extra possessions that can quickly change the momentum of a game. Those issues become even more significant against teams with the talent and experience to capitalize on mistakes. Ohio State won’t have much time to work through those growing pains, either, with a talented BYU team awaiting in the opener and a road trip to UConn coming just two weeks into the season. Both matchups will provide an early indication of where the Buckeyes stand and how much progress they have made in addressing those concerns.
Overall, there is plenty to like about this team’s potential, particularly its depth, length and versatility on the perimeter. The Buckeyes have multiple scoring options, the ability to play with pace and enough athleticism to create matchup problems at both ends of the floor. The challenge now is turning those individual strengths into a more consistent team performance, particularly when it comes to rebounding, ball security and defensive execution. The final exhibition offered encouraging signs of what this group can become, but it also served as a reminder that there is still work to be done. With the regular season right around the corner and a challenging schedule waiting, Ohio State will need to build on the positives while addressing its shortcomings in a hurry.
Box Score
*Official statistics provided courtesy of Sidearm Stats.
Ohio State will tip it up for real on Monday, November 2 in Salt Lake City, facing #25 BYU to open the season. Tip time is scheduled for 9pm EST with television coverage provided by FS1.
-Jason Harris