Ohio State vs. Syracuse (Saturday 7:05)

• killer_ewok

  

  redstreak one;1125073 wrote:A number 1 that has played well for the year, but then lost a key piece but still winning and in the Elite 8. Versus a number 2 that started out hot, cooled a little then picked it back up at the end of the year and in the Elite 8. It should be a fun game to watch, but a hard game to watch if the Bucks settle for the perimeter. Thomas is custom made to bust a 2-3 zone from the high post, IMO. Soft touch and a good jumper, with Sullinger roaming the low post, that is how you beat the 2-3. Wisky did it for 35 minutes, then when the game got to the end they tried pick and roll? LOL
  
  Syracuse if they win I wont be shocked no matter the score and the same for the Bucks.

  
  Once Melo was ruled out for the NCAA's...I figured Syracuse wouldn't make it past the Sweet 16 so I'm pleasantly surprised. Prior to that...I was expecting them to make it to the Final Four.
• vball10set

  fwiw...from Brandon Castel on Ozone

  Sullinger just told me he was dealing with Plantar fasciitis earlier in the year, but he is feeling great now.
  Sullinger said the plantar fasciitis and back problems bothered him during the regular season.
  

• sleeper

  

  killer_ewok;1125086 wrote:Once Melo was ruled out for the NCAA's...I figured Syracuse wouldn't make it past the Sweet 16 so I'm pleasantly surprised. Prior to that...I was expecting them to make it to the Final Four.

  Already building in the excuses. Don't worry, you can always bandwagon Kentucky once Syracuse loses, like half the country.
• centralbucksfan

  SportsAndLady;1125009 wrote:Syracuse plays a 2-3 zone, they don't "matchup" 1 on 1 lol so I really can't answer who will matchup with Sully and Thomas.
  
  OSU can grab as many offensive boards as they want, but if you don't have shooters, you aren't going to beat Syracuse unless the Orange are cold and it becomes a low scoring game (which I could see OSU winning then).
  
  I think this is going to be the best Elite 8 matchup. 2 very, very good teams w/ NBA talent everywhere.
  
  I'll take Boeheim over Matta, even though I was shocked to hear this is the first Elite 8 for Boeheim since their '03 title year.

  Well no F'ing shit sherlock about playing straight up, 1 on 1. But its not like the ball wont' go into the post against the backline. And when it does, I don't feel 'Cuse, or many for that matter, matchup with Sully and Thomas.
  
  As far as the Matta/Boeheim comment, again, players play the game. Its going to come down to who is making shots, executing, turnovers, etc. The usual things.
  
  Its obviously hard to argue against Boeheim. He is a hall of fame coach with a title to his name. And I'll probably catch all kinds of shit for saying this. But I have watched 'Cuse play for close to 30yrs. They have had as MUCH TALENT as anyone in the country over the past 30yrs. Guys like Rony Seikaly, Sherm Douglas, Pearl Washington, John Wallace, Billy Owens, to name just a FEW. He has had a LOAD of talent over the years. I firmly believe, if they had played a MM defense, he would have multiple titles. His teams over the years, except for his title team, were known for grossly underachieving in the NCAA. And MANY of those players went on to not be very successful at the NBA level. And I believe its because they never learned to play defense or get much better because of the zone.
  This zone is good, but its known because coaches have rarely played this much zone, as Boeheim has, for 30some years. Its the ONLY freaking defense he plays. I personally think its way overrated. He has long athletes who take up space and obviously, that helps. But again, I have been, and always will be a person who believes the best defense is MM. I like how some coaches mix things up. And the zone can be a nuetralizer if you have a team that just can't match up with the other teams talent. Although with shot clock and 3pt shot in this day and age, that helps against a zone. But I feel in the long run, you win with a strong aggressive MM defense. I am not saying Boehiem is a bad coach. He isn't. But agian, I really believe the guy should have more titles when see all the talent he has had in MANY years at 'Cuse. Just my two cents.
• se-alum

  

  Bottomline, Buford has to show up. It negates the inside advantage for the Bucks if 'Cuse can pack in their zone. On the other side, 'Cuse won't get the penetration they did against Wisky, so they'll have to hit some outside shots. Should be a great game.
• centralbucksfan

  se-alum;1125401 wrote:Bottomline, Buford has to show up. It negates the inside advantage for the Bucks if 'Cuse can pack in their zone.

  I had thought that a while back. But now Thomas and others are taking up that slack. Craft, and last nite, Smith stepped up. OSU has been able to win with Buford not playing well. Last nite, he may have had his worst game ever at OSU. OSU cruised. Yes, 'Cuse is better than UC. And IF Buford plays well, he takes them to another level. But I am confident, OSU can still win if Buford is off.
  Personally, I feel this game is going to be won and lost with the OSU defense. Except for the start of the second half, OSU played exceptional defense. If they can sustain that vs 'Cuse, I like OSU chances.
• killer_ewok

  

  sleeper;1125357 wrote:Already building in the excuses. Don't worry, you can always bandwagon Kentucky once Syracuse loses, like half the country.

  
  Bwahahaha. Trust me, no excuses here at all. Just saying my expectations changed after that but it's no excuse. If Syracuse loses it's because OSU is the better team that day. That's all that matters.
• killer_ewok

  

  centralbucksfan;1125390 wrote:Well no F'ing shit sherlock about playing straight up, 1 on 1. But its not like the ball wont' go into the post against the backline. And when it does, I don't feel 'Cuse, or many for that matter, matchup with Sully and Thomas.
  
  As far as the Matta/Boeheim comment, again, players play the game. Its going to come down to who is making shots, executing, turnovers, etc. The usual things.
  
  Its obviously hard to argue against Boeheim. He is a hall of fame coach with a title to his name. And I'll probably catch all kinds of shit for saying this. But I have watched 'Cuse play for close to 30yrs. They have had as MUCH TALENT as anyone in the country over the past 30yrs. Guys like Rony Seikaly, Sherm Douglas, Pearl Washington, John Wallace, Billy Owens, to name just a FEW. He has had a LOAD of talent over the years. I firmly believe, if they had played a MM defense, he would have multiple titles. His teams over the years, except for his title team, were known for grossly underachieving in the NCAA. And MANY of those players went on to not be very successful at the NBA level. And I believe its because they never learned to play defense or get much better because of the zone.
  This zone is good, but its known because coaches have rarely played this much zone, as Boeheim has, for 30some years. Its the ONLY freaking defense he plays. I personally think its way overrated. He has long athletes who take up space and obviously, that helps. But again, I have been, and always will be a person who believes the best defense is MM. I like how some coaches mix things up. And the zone can be a nuetralizer if you have a team that just can't match up with the other teams talent. Although with shot clock and 3pt shot in this day and age, that helps against a zone. But I feel in the long run, you win with a strong aggressive MM defense. I am not saying Boehiem is a bad coach. He isn't. But agian, I really believe the guy should have more titles when see all the talent he has had in MANY years at 'Cuse. Just my two cents.

  
  I don't 100% agree with all of that but you made some good points and stated your case there. Fair enough.
• centralbucksfan

  killer_ewok;1125411 wrote:I don't 100% agree with all of that but you made some good points and stated your case there. Fair enough.

  As I said, its hard to argue a hall of fame coach with a national title. Also wonder how the hell he got such a hot wife when they show her on TV! He isn't the most attractive guy! lol
• killer_ewok

  

  centralbucksfan;1125446 wrote:As I said, its hard to argue a hall of fame coach with a national title. Also wonder how the hell he got such a hot wife when they show her on TV! He isn't the most attractive guy! lol

  
  Yeah, Julie is pretty fresh.
• vball10set

  killer_ewok;1125450 wrote:Yeah, Julie is pretty fresh.

  
• hoops23

  

  She shoulda had breast implants to match the surgery she's had on her face.
• killer_ewok

  

  hoops23;1125452 wrote:She shoulda had breast implants to match the surgery she's had on her face.

  
  Still smashable.
• killer_ewok

  

  centralbucksfan;1125390 wrote:Well no F'ing shit sherlock about playing straight up, 1 on 1. But its not like the ball wont' go into the post against the backline. And when it does, I don't feel 'Cuse, or many for that matter, matchup with Sully and Thomas.
  
  As far as the Matta/Boeheim comment, again, players play the game. Its going to come down to who is making shots, executing, turnovers, etc. The usual things.
  
  Its obviously hard to argue against Boeheim. He is a hall of fame coach with a title to his name. And I'll probably catch all kinds of shit for saying this. But I have watched 'Cuse play for close to 30yrs. They have had as MUCH TALENT as anyone in the country over the past 30yrs. Guys like Rony Seikaly, Sherm Douglas, Pearl Washington, John Wallace, Billy Owens, to name just a FEW. He has had a LOAD of talent over the years. I firmly believe, if they had played a MM defense, he would have multiple titles. His teams over the years, except for his title team, were known for grossly underachieving in the NCAA. And MANY of those players went on to not be very successful at the NBA level. And I believe its because they never learned to play defense or get much better because of the zone.
  This zone is good, but its known because coaches have rarely played this much zone, as Boeheim has, for 30some years. Its the ONLY freaking defense he plays. I personally think its way overrated. He has long athletes who take up space and obviously, that helps. But again, I have been, and always will be a person who believes the best defense is MM. I like how some coaches mix things up. And the zone can be a nuetralizer if you have a team that just can't match up with the other teams talent. Although with shot clock and 3pt shot in this day and age, that helps against a zone. But I feel in the long run, you win with a strong aggressive MM defense. I am not saying Boehiem is a bad coach. He isn't. But agian, I really believe the guy should have more titles when see all the talent he has had in MANY years at 'Cuse. Just my two cents.

  
  Here's the part I take issue with....you named some great college players that played there but how many times has Boeheim had teams with multiple stars? I mean, I know the guys around Wallace on that 1996 national runner-up team but you probably couldn't name them. Todd Burgan, Jason Cipolla, Otis Hill, Lazarus Sims were a few of the main guys on that team with Wallace. I'd say coaching that team to the final was pretty impressive.
  
  Has he had underachieving teams at times? Yes. However, while he's had quite a few stars not many were on the same teams together and no way have they had as much talent/depth year in and year out as the UNC's, Duke's, Kentucky's and even Uconn's of the world. There have been plenty years when Jim has done a great job with limited talent/depth.
  
  I can only speak for the last 22/23 years so before that you may have a point but since I've been watching college hoops....Boeheim's teams aren't regularly loaded.
• Footwedge

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

  Maybe because Ohio State is favored by 3 points?
• Big Gain

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

  Ohio State obliterated the UC zone.
• Hb31187

  

  Big Gain;1126044 wrote:Ohio State obliterated the UC zone.

  Syracuse Zone>UC Zone
• wildcats20

  

  Big Gain;1126044 wrote:Ohio State obliterated the UC zone.

  lol.
• vball10set

  Hb31187;1126077 wrote:Syracuse Zone>UC Zone

  ya' think? :rolleyes:
• karen lotz

  

  Big Gain;1126044 wrote:Ohio State obliterated the UC zone.

  
  Tell uz moar.
• sportchampps

  UC did beat Cuse a couple weeks ago as well
• centralbucksfan

  Who beat who when really doesn't matter at this point in time. This should be a very good game. OSU will have to knock down some outside shots. As you would against ANY zone you play. OSU will have to stay in front of 'Cuse on defense and not allow them to get to the rim.
  I honestly see this game as a toss up. Even as an OSU fan, I don't feel comfortable saying who is going to win this game. 'Cuse has shown the ability to win tight games. OSU has shown some very good toughness this past few weeks as well. Both teams have been tested in the NCAA.
  As in any big game, its going to come down to the little things, executing, turnovers, rebounding and FT. I hope the officials let them play.
  Should be a fun game!
• killer_ewok

  

  centralbucksfan;1126100 wrote:Who beat who when really doesn't matter at this point in time. This should be a very good game. OSU will have to knock down some outside shots. As you would against ANY zone you play. OSU will have to stay in front of 'Cuse on defense and not allow them to get to the rim.
  I honestly see this game as a toss up. Even as an OSU fan, I don't feel comfortable saying who is going to win this game. 'Cuse has shown the ability to win tight games. OSU has shown some very good toughness this past few weeks as well. Both teams have been tested in the NCAA.
  As in any big game, its going to come down to the little things, executing, turnovers, rebounding and FT. I hope the officials let them play.
  Should be a fun game!

  
  Well said.
• Midstate01

  

  ccrunner609;1126131 wrote:OSU gets beat tonight and it will be the lack of bench that does it

  
  Thanks for the input. Good luck to duke tonight as well
• Midstate01

  

  You've said osu would lose like 20 times this year. Just gtfo.