Ohio State vs. Syracuse (Saturday 7:05)

• Fly4Fun

  

  OSU beat UC rather easily. There was a scare in the second half when UC made a run. But the Buckeyes won it with great defensive effort.
  
  Syracuse advanced by weathering a three point barrage from Wisconsin.
  
  Predictions, thoughts?
  
  Buford appears to be a complete headcase. Hopefully someone can get through to him or get him to stop thinking about it and just play.
  
  If OSU does lose to Syracause, is it a successful season? Or is it final four or bust. I remember in January and February a lot of people were calling an early exit, possibly even in the round of 32.
• Mulva

  

  Syracuse big weakness is defensive rebounding.
  
  If Sully and Thomas come to work on the glass, I like the match-up a lot. DT is going to have to step his D up though, because he'll likely be matched up with Fair or Joseph a lot of the time.
• SportsAndLady

  

  Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State
• robj55

  

  Have to get the ball to the free throw line area and let Thomas operate there. Take the mid range shot, kick to the corner for a 3 or work the high low with Sully. I like how we match up defensively against them.
• gerb131

  

  Need to stop leading by 13 and letting teams get back in it. Need to extend lead to 20 to put the Orange away
• hoops23

  

  SportsAndLady;1124860 wrote:Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State

  Because Syracuse is a terrible rebounding team. Sully and Thomas could eat up the glass. Our defense is pretty damn good as well.
• Cleveland Buck

  

  A lot will depend on the defense. Syracuse can't play much better than they did tonight. The Buckeyes will have to hold Syracuse under 60 to win if they don't get anything from Buford again.
• Classyposter58

  

  If OSU shoots well they've got a shot. That D could kill the Bucks though. Sullinger could very well have 40, they are not good inside at all
• hoops23

  

  I'll be worried if the Buckeyes are content on shooting 3's. If that's the case, Syracuse will win easily.
  
  Bucks have to attack the zone, have some sets for Sully and Thomas near the FT line and go to work.
  
  Also, Buford can't be retarded.
• Pick6

  

  Sully will get abused by Cuse's second string center. He has went up against superior big men in the Big East than Sullinger did in the B1G.
  
  /thread
• centralbucksfan

  SportsAndLady;1124860 wrote:Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State

  How so? Who is going to match up with Sully and Thomas? OSU is a very good offensive rebounding team. 'Cuse is a poor rebounding team.
  If OSU plays defense like they are capable, consistantly, they will be right where the need to be.
  
  I think it will be a great game. They will have to play well, no doubt. 'Cuse has a very good team. But very beatable.
• centralbucksfan

  hoops23;1124874 wrote:I'll be worried if the Buckeyes are content on shooting 3's. If that's the case, Syracuse will win easily.
  
  Bucks have to attack the zone, have some sets for Sully and Thomas near the FT line and go to work.
  
  Also, Buford can't be retarded.

  
  If you look back over the season, OSU has done a nice job vs zones this year. Thomas at the high post, Sullinger down low. 'Cuse matches up, and leaves that middle open. Obviously, OSU will have to knock down some outside shots. But I don't expect them to all of a sudden to start burping up 3's when they haven't done so all season long.
• killer_ewok

  

  Buford is my main worry. If Buford is knocking down shots...the Orange are in trouble. If he goes 3 for 17 from the field....the 'Cuse is in business. Syracuse has won a lot of games this season getting dominated on the glass. It would help if they didn't get slaughtered on the boards Saturday but I think that they will be okay if OSU struggles from the perimeter.
  
  OSU, and specifically Buford, vs. the zone will be key. Thomas on the glass and from the outside could hurt the Orange too. Should be a good game.
• killer_ewok

  

  centralbucksfan;1124879 wrote:How so? Who is going to match up with Sully and Thomas? OSU is a very good offensive rebounding team. 'Cuse is a poor rebounding team.
  If OSU plays defense like they are capable, consistantly, they will be right where the need to be.
  
  I think it will be a great game. They will have to play well, no doubt. 'Cuse has a very good team. But very beatable.

  
  Christmas and Keita have played well since Melo has been out. Hasn't been as big of a drop off as I expected.
• centralbucksfan

  killer_ewok;1124887 wrote:Buford is my main worry. If Buford is knocking down shots...the Orange are in trouble. If he goes 3 for 17 from the field....the 'Cuse is in business. Syracuse has won a lot of games this season getting dominated on the glass. It would help if they didn't get slaughtered on the boards Saturday but I think that they will be okay if OSU struggles from the perimeter.
  
  OSU, and specifically Buford, vs. the zone will be key. Thomas on the glass and from the outside could hurt the Orange too. Should be a good game.

  There is no question Buford takes OSU to another level when he is on. But right now, Thomas has taken up much of what Buford was doing early. Then last game, Craft stepped up offensively. Tonite Smith had 15. Other guys have taken it upon themselves to step up lately.
  So even if Buford has YET another off game, OSU has weathered that storm lately. But ur right, it should be a great game. Good to see two teams that haven't played eachother in a long while.
• gerb131

  

  That was the quietest 15 ever from Lenzelle.
• killer_ewok

  

  I posted this on the other thread....Last time these teams matched up OSU beat Syracuse in the preseason NIT and I believe it was during Koufos and Flynn's frosh seasons.
• reclegend22

  

  Who does Len Elmore want to win? Lol. STFU.
  
  If Florida loses because of an inadvertent elbow I'm not watching the rest of that region.
• killer_ewok

  

  reclegend22;1124907 wrote:Who does Len Elmore want to win? Lol. STFU.
  
  If Florida loses because of an inadvertent elbow I'm not watching the rest of that region.

  
  Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.
• Ironman92

  

  Anyone know what kind of defense Syracuse might play?
• Ironman92

  

  killer_ewok;1124909 wrote:Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.

  
  Except for when he talks.
• reclegend22

  

  killer_ewok;1124909 wrote:Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.

  Lol as an ACC fan boy do I know that is true. Unfortunately, I appear to have ventured into the wrong thread. Ha.
• killer_ewok

  

  Ironman92;1124911 wrote:Anyone know what kind of defense Syracuse might play?

  
  You can never be too sure....but my best guess would be the 2-3 zone.
  
  Just a hunch. I'll be shocked if I'm right.......
• killer_ewok

  

  Ironman92;1124912 wrote:Except for when he talks.

  
  Sign language, bitch.
• Ironman92

  

  Buford must go 14+ for a Final 4 berth