PJ Hill and his spark to the Ohio State basketball team.
On Sunday afternoon The Ohio State men's basketball team suffered a tough loss to Illinois losing 70-68. This was their 3rd straight loss. If I had to find a gem in this whole mess that is Ohio State basketball, it would have to be PJ Hill.
PJ Hill is not the best player. If Anthony Crater had not left early, who knows how many minutes of action PJ would get. (By the way Crater if you had stayed, you'd be starting right now. Not sitting on the bench waiting for next season to play while off the court getting caught with you know what. Just thought I'd let you know.) PJ only averages 13.8 minutes and 1.9 ppg. But there is something about PJ. I honestly believe that he gives 110% everytime he is on the floor. If the other players would give as much intensity then I don't think I'd be sitting here writing about how frustrating this team is.
I was listening to The Big Show on 97.1 The Fan yesterday and Chris Spielman said something interesting. Right before PJ Hill hit that 3 pointer on Sunday, he turned to the crowd and let them know that he was going to hit that 3. And after it happened he high fived the crowd and ran back to get on defense. This confidence coming from him? Maybe I'm being a little crazy or delusional right now but this team needs a player to get in the face of other teammates when they mess up. And PJ Hill needs to be that player.
Don't laugh at me. No other player seems to be wanting to take on this role. Evan Turner is suppose to be the leader but I don't see him doing it. David Lighty can't leave the bench and run on the court to yell at someone.
PJ Hill also needs to start. Stop laughing at me. I'm not saying that he is the better player but Jeremie Simmons hasn't been doing anything lately and he needs to get a fire lit under him. This could do it.
Tonight this team faces a Penn State team that is not the same Penn State team that when you played them you could pretty much chalk up as a win. This is a new Penn State team that went to East Lansing and got a W. As a fan, I'm going to need PJ Hill out there bringing spark to this team that is not usually seen when he's on the bench. Let's hope the other players get behind that spark and make fireworks happen.