**Not Their Valentine? … It was a stressful Saturday evening for the Good Ship Matta at Value City Arena as the host Buckeyes dropped a troubling 58-48 decision to Michigan State, allowing the Spartans to join the Bucks atop the Big Ten with six games left in the regular season.

Thomas drew some ire during the loss to Michigan State.

The Buckeyes shot 26.4 percent from the floor – their worst shooting percentage at home in at least 15 years. Needless to say with all of those missed shots, there was some frustration in the OSU huddle. According to a source that was nearby that huddle, the players were barking at each other early and often.

It was a rough day for Deshaun Thomas, who made only 2 of 12 shots and got beaten defensively time and again. During one timeout, Aaron Craft said something to Thomas about his “effort.” William Buford (who was having his own issues) came to Thomas’ defense. Somewhere in there, somebody told somebody else to “shut up.” But Jared Sullinger ended the debate when he emphatically got behind his longtime bud Craft and what he was saying. Whether this means some factions are forming or not, it was clear the offense had no flow vs. MSU as the Buckeyes were held 29 points below their season scoring average.

One courtside observer lauded Craft for his all-out effort at both ends. But he said the Buckeyes probably got bad marks from the officiating crew of Ted Valentine, Mike Kitts and Lamont Simpson for complaining throughout the game about calls made (and unmade). Valentine came over at one point and told one assistant (believed to be Jeff Boals) “no more” and even assessed a bench warning to the Buckeyes. Valentine also spent one timeout airing out assistant Dave Dickerson for OSU’s non-stop chatter.

Ohio State has been a top-five fixture all year. And, even though that won’t be the case at least for a week or two, it’s important to note this was just the 11th home loss in 146 home games under Thad Matta. It’s on Matta and his aforementioned Big Four to pull this thing together. With four road games in the final six, that won’t be easy, though.

**Doubting Thomas? … At the Touchdown Club of Columbus banquet on Saturday night top Ohio seniors and juniors were honored ...

*Who else attended that had some interesting things to say?

*Which prominent Buckeye defensive player commented on the rumor he is injured?

*Which Buckeyes can expect to hear their name called on draft day and when?

*Is the clock ticking for Malik Zaire?
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