Potential fatigue could be looming over Buckeyes

INDIANAPOLIS - The minutes are starting to add up now. The physical toll may become a factor.

Ohio State will play for the Big Ten tournament championship this afternoon at 3:30.

Thad Matta, the Buckeyes coach, said he'll know if his team has anything left, physically and mentally, at about

3:31.

The Bucks are not your normal national power. They are not deep. They have five guys who can play with anybody and a sixth man, 6-foot-9 senior Kyle Madsen, who Matta seems to be more comfortable with these days, maybe by necessity as opposed to by choice.

But that's about it.

William Buford played all 50 minutes yesterday in an 88-81 double-overtime win over Illinois. So did David Lighty. Evan Turner, of course, would have done the same except he was disqualified for the final minute with five fouls.

Those 50 minutes followed a full 40 in Friday's quarterfinal thriller against Michigan.

"I love it," Lighty said. "This is what we dig down for."

He might have gotten at least a little argument from Buford, the Libbey High product, who had nothing left in the tank when the final horn sounded.

Buford had been getting attention from the OSU trainers during OT timeouts after cramping up in the huddles.

Buford was brought to the postgame press conference and played it down when asked if he was worried about tired legs.

"No, not at all," the Toledoan said. "You know, I was a little tired and fatigued at the end, but tomorrow is a new day. I'll just give my body some rest tonight and that'll be it."

A few minutes later, Buford and Turner were dismissed from the lectern to return to the locker room. On his way down the steps, Buford's left leg cramped up and Turner grabbed him under one arm. A few steps later his right leg cramped up and Turner eased him to the floor. Lying there, Buford's stomach cramped. When last seen, he was receiving attention and treatment in the Indiana Pacers' training room at Conseco Fieldhouse.

During 18 regular-season conference games, the Buckeyes had four players average 35 or more minutes per game. They also averaged 58 of the team's 68.5 points per game.

The quarterfinal game against No. 8 Michigan was not a good omen for the top-seeded Buckeyes. They were hoping for a blowout that would have allowed their starters to get off the floor. Instead, it took Turner's dramatic, desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer to keep OSU's title drive in gear.

Then came yesterday's grueling, frenetically paced fray with the Illini. It was a tremendous game. Words don't do it justice. Ohio State scored 20 straight points over one stretch. Turner and Buford combined for 53 points and 20 rebounds. And, still, the Buckeyes needed double overtime to win.

"You're dead, you're tired," said Lighty, who produced two huge late baskets after Turner fouled out. "You just have to keep playing [and] you just have to find a way."

It didn't help Ohio State's cause that Purdue rolled over and played dead in yesterday's second semifinal. Minnesota led by 30 points with 9:00 to play and Gophers' coach Tubby Smith, whose team was playing its third game in as many days, was able to sub liberally in a 69-42 win. Minnesota needed overtime Friday night to upset Michigan State, but its five starters played an average of only 22 minutes against Purdue.

Maybe it will make a difference today, maybe it won't.

It may be a natural presumption that Turner led the Buckeyes in minutes-played this season. And, if not him, you'd probably guess Buford or Lighty. In reality, Jon Diebler led the way, averaging 38.1 minutes per game in Big Ten play.

"Obviously, your body won't be as fresh as you want it to be," Diebler said looking ahead to today's game. "That's one thing I'm sure a lot of people will worry about. But this is for a championship. If you're mentally strong you can overcome [fatigue,] and I think we are."

Contact Blade sports columnist

Dave Hackenberg at:

dhack@theblade.com

or 419-724-6398.