Life Without Turner Begins With a Loss For Buckeyes

Written By: Glenn S. Moore

For the first time in sixteen years, a ranked, power-conference team dared to take on Butler on their home court in Hinkle Fieldhouse. In the end, two lessons were learned. One, the No. 20 Butler Bulldogs beat their first ranked opponent this season and for No. 15 Ohio State Buckeyes, life without star player Evan Turner could be a rough road.

The Bulldogs led by as many as 17 in the second half and held off a late charge for a 74 – 66 win. The last time they beat a top-15 team at home? An upset of then No. 11 Indiana in 1993.

Gordon Hayward scored 24 points and Willie Veasley had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs (7-3), who had lost to Minnesota, Clemson, and Georgetown this season.

“This games don’t really mean anything for us, because we’re worried about March,” Hayward said. “But it’s good for us, and we like the challenge.”

Turner, the Buckeyes (7-2) leader in scoring, rebounds, and assists, will be out two months after falling after a dunk and injured his back in the Buckeyes’ previous game against Eastern Michigan. P.J. Hill, Turner’s replacement in the starting lineup, finished with no points, one assist and one rebound in 14 minutes. Ohio State’s coach Thad Matta was so worried about his lack of depth he employed a zone for most of the first half against a team who loves to pass and shoot.

“We’ve got to continue to learn and play smarter,” Matta said, “because Evan is a guy who does so much for you.”

Matta thought he might be without starting guard William Buford on Saturday as well. In an dribbling drill Thursday, Buford’s back tightened up and he fell to the floor. He received heating treatments on the bench during timeouts and managed to play all 40 minutes, scoring a team-high 20 points.

Don’t tell the Butler Bulldogs this was an upset though. But without Turner, Ohio State looked liked the mid-major, with only one starter standing taller than 6-6. The Buckeyes were out-rebounded 40-27, including a 15-5 edge on the offensive glass.

David Lighty chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, as the offensive ran through the junior swing-man.

The Buckeyes next game is against Presbyterian on Wednesday in Columbus.

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