March is littered with plays that are timeless, and Ohio State has had its share. From buzzer beaters to clutch defensive stands, the Buckeyes have been on both sides of elation and despair.
Just a few days before the Buckeyes take part in all the March Madness again, we reflect on some of the biggest plays of recent memory. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane with five of the best.
No. 5 – Greg Oden Block Against Tennessee (2007)
No. 1 seed Ohio State found itself down by 20 points earlier in the game against No. 5 seed Tennessee in a Sweet Sixteen matchup, but clawed its way back. With just 6.5 seconds remaining, point guard Mike Conley, Jr. hit the first of two free throws to put the Buckeyes ahead 85-84. He missed the second, and the stage was set.
The Volunteers’ Ramar Smith went end-to-end and flipped a shot up from the right side on the blocks that would most likely have gone down for a game winner. But Greg Oden — who had been saddled with foul trouble all game — came across the lane to help, elevated and just got a finger on the shot for a game-winning block. Ohio State survived and went on to eventually make it to the Final Four where it made an appearance in the national championship game.
Next … The Evan Turner miracle
No. 4 – Evan Turner Buzzer Beater vs. Michigan (2010)
Yeah it’s not the NCAA Tournament, but any time you can beat That School Up North in anything — especially in the postseason — it’s worth noting.
This one happened in the Big Ten tournament. Ohio State was the No. 1 seed and Michigan came in with a losing overall record and the No. 8 seed. Ohio State controlled the game until the Wolverines rallied to take a late lead when Manny Harris hid a fade-away in the lane to put Michigan up 68-66 with just 2.2 seconds left.
The game seemed over, but OSU inbounded the ball to Turner running a curl. He took a couple of dribbles past half-court and pulled up from almost 40 feet away and drained a three at the buzzer to give OSU the win 69-68, sending Michigan home deflated.
Ohio State went on to win the Big Ten Tournament and go into the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed. Watching this never gets old …
Next … A “crafty shot”
No. 3 – Aaron Craft Beats Iowa State (2013)
The last time Ohio State matched up against the Cyclones the Buckeyes were the lone remaining high seed in the West regional, facing off against an athletic and frenzied No. 10 seed Iowa State. The Cyclones used a run late in the game to overcome a thirteen-point deficit, and needed just one more stop to force overtime.
But Aaron Craft had other ideas. He dribble the ball to kill clock and give Ohio State an opportunity for the last shot. With time running down, and no other option available, he took a couple of burst dribbles to the three-point line and nailed the shot from the wing to seal the deal.
The Buckeyes would need another buzzer beater just one contest later, and eventually bowed out to Wichita State one game from the Final Four.
Next – LaQuinton Ross steals the show
No. 2 – LaQuinton Ross Breaks Arizona Hearts (2013)
It sure was good to be an Ohio State basketball fan during the peak of the Thad Matta era. The very next game after the Craft dagger, Ohio State found itself in a similar spot against No. 6 seed Arizona.
The Wildcats got out to a fast start, but Ohio State was able to reel them in and take a bit of control in the second half. But ‘Zona was able to tie it up on a fast-break three-point play by guard Lyons.
Enter LaQuinton Ross. With time running out, Aaron Craft dribbled right at the top of the key to draw defenders his way, then kicked a pass over to Ross who caught it in rhythm and drained the game-winning three-pointer with just 2.0 second left to give the Buckeyes the lead, and win, 73-70.
It wouldn’t be the only time a Thad Matta team would beat a Sean Miller squad in dramatic fashion.
No. 1 – Ron Lewis to the rescue
No. 1 – Ron Lewis Tests Gus Johnson’s Pipes (2007)
And … our No. 1 play in recent memory for the postseason goes to Ron Lewis. Poor, poor Sean Miller. His team’s have gotten bit by the OSU bugaboo more than once.
Greg Oden was on the bench most of the day because of foul trouble, and No. 8 seed Xavier played with heart and grit. The Musketeers seemed to have the game in control with an upset on the way late in the second half. Despite an OSU rally, all Xavier needed to ice the game was the second of two free throws with just 9.2 seconds left. But … the second one lipped out.
OSU would quickly get the ball down the court and dribble a pop-pass hand-off to Lewis who would rise up and nail a three-pointer well beyond the arc to send the game into overtime.
Mike Conley, Jr. would then take the game over in the extra session, and the Buckeyes would continue on a heart-racing journey to the Final Four — eventually appearing in the national championship game.
