By Zac Jackson
FOX Sports Ohio
March 1, 2011
Tuesday night was Jon Diebler's turn.
The aftermath of the splash -- more accurately, the 10 long-distance splashes -- Diebler provided is this: Ohio State is No. 1 again because, while nobody navigates a season this long without a few bumps, the Buckeyes are still the nation's most complete team.
They're hard to guard, and their experience is tough to match. Every discussion about the No. 1 seeds for the NCAA tournament starts with Ohio State and then turns into an argument.
Tuesday night was Penn State's Senior Night and the Nittany Lions' last chance to make the big tournament; sure, it was just Penn State, but it had trap written all over it. Instead it was a laugher.
The final was 82-61. It wasn't that close.
Diebler (15) and William Buford (10) combined for 25 points by halftime; Penn State had 18. By the time the home team reached 25 points, it was almost five minutes into the second half and the spread was an insurmountable 19.
Diebler missed his first 3-point try and made his next nine. He finished with 10, matching the Big Ten record. Even Penn State's student section gave him a standing ovation for his 30-point night.
When he had eight, one short of his personal school record, he passed up a look because Aaron Craft had a better one. That says it all about this Ohio State team on the night of its 28th win, one that clinched a share of the Big Ten crown but really stamped the Buckeyes as legit contenders to win the title they really want.
That wasn't only in how the Buckeyes handled the stage, but in the help Diebler got from his teammates. Buford finished with 21 points. Jared Sullinger had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Aaron Craft had five points, six assists and five steals. They shared the ball. Until it was a total blowout, they defended.
And they found the guy with the hot hand. Diebler was 10-of-12 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Next up is Wisconsin, the team that handed Ohio State its first loss of the season and knocked it from No. 1. At stake is an outright conference title and the right to retain No. 1 in the final regular-season polls. Tactically, the challenge will be to slow Jordan Taylor and get Diebler going again. Wisconsin will certainly defend him with much more passion and energy than Penn State did.
The Buckeyes have other weapons, enough to keep them playing for another month. And if the shots keep dropping, it will be a month to remember.
