By Matt McCoy

**To listen to Thad Matta's post-Purdue comments click HERE:

Basketball sure is easier when the ball goes through the hoop. Ohio State won at Purdue Tuesday night 74-64, hitting 56 percent from the floor...significantly better shooting than in the 19 point loss to Illinois when the Buckeyes made only 33 percent.

Deshaun Thomas scored 22, hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range, and Aaron Craft found his offense. Saddled with foul trouble, Craft played only four minutes and had only two points at halftime but scored 13 more points in the second half. His 15 points were the most for Craft since he scored 18 in the third game of the season against Washington.

"I was so excited for him to see the ball going in," Coach Thad Matta said. "I'd love to have that every night but it's funny, he's really been shooting the ball well (in practice) the last couple days."

Craft was 6-for-7 from the floor and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. With Craft out for most of the first half, Shannon Scott was key to the win as well, with five points and five assists in the first half, when the Buckeyes built up a 39-29 lead. For the game, the bench scored 21 points, including 11 by Evan Ravenell.

The game also featured, another highlight reel dunk by Sam "Slam" Thompson. With Ohio State leading 17-11, Thompson drove baseline and threw one down over Purdue 7-footer A.J. Hammons. Once again, Thompson's high-wire act was one of ESPN's "Top Plays." If you missed it...enjoy.

Matta Milestone

The victory at Purdue was the 100th in the Big Ten for Thad Matta. Since Matta arrived at Ohio State in the 2004-05 season, he has more league victories than any other coach. Wisconsin's Bo Ryan is second with 98 and Michigan State's Tom Izzo is third with 93. Matta's current record is 100-41, good for a .710 winning percentage. 

Since Matta became the Buckeye coach, Ohio State also has more overall wins than any other Big Ten program. The Buckeyes have 233 victories dating back to 2004-05. Michigan State is second with 217.

Otterbein over Alabama?

Who says Alabama is the best team in college football? It's actually a local team. That's right, Otterbein! I had this e-mailed to me by my former co-worker and proud Otterbein graduate Dan Watson. The Cardinals have a legit claim that they could be the Crimson Tide. It's a little convoluted, but you can follow the path. Go Cards!