NCAA Sweet 16: (2) Ohio State vs. (6) Tennessee

• wes_mantooth

  

  Try it again.
  
  Keep it to game talk and not pissing matches. Most posters don't wanna read through 2 pages of bullshit to get to one "game" post.
• wildcats20

  

  Maybe we should wait until the day before the game then??
• wes_mantooth

  

  Nah, but no need to read more posts about Kansas on here....there are about 400 other threads on here for that.
• CinciX12

  

  Can we talk about Kansas State?
  
  So where were we with this thread, the last discussion I remember about the game is that some thought Tennessee was a tough match up for OSU.
  
  I think OSU wins by 4, and has their heart attack before playing and eventually losing to Michigan State. Mark it down.
• Writerbuckeye

  

  MSU may not win its game against Northern Iowa -- so I wouldn't be so quick to say they're on their way to the Final Four. Losing Lucas is their death knell, I'm afraid.
  
  The winner of UT and OSU is most likely going to be headed to Indianapolis.
• wildcats20

  

  I agree, but no one better sleep on UNI.
  
  And not just because they are on this Cinderella run, they are a damn good team.
• ytownfootball

  

  UNI is tough because they don't give up anything easily, really tough defensively.
  
  I agree with Writer, Sparty without Lucas is most likely done.
• wildcats20

  

  Exactly, I really don't see Sparty beating UNI let alone the Bucks without Lucas.
  
  Then again, I'm not sure if the Bucks will beat Tennessee. As it will be their toughest game to date in the tourney. If they beat Tennessee, they will make the Final Four.
• Upper90

  Yeah, losing Lucas sucks for them.
  
  As far as this game, I feel, from an unbiased point of view, OSU could win pretty big. Tennessee is due to not show up for a game. They're so hit/miss.
• ytownfootball

  

  Saw some PTI today, Wilbon picks OSU to win it all, T Korn has them in his top three. I'm optimistic but I have yet to convince myself like it appears some have that the Bucks can win it all.
  
  Really amazing considering where most Buckeye fans felt they would be at the start of the season, even moreso considering ET's injury. The Buckeyes are a tough team to defend, their (for the most part) unconventional lineup gets other teams out of doing what they are used to doing typically on defense. I guess this is what hold back my belief they can win it all, I'm not used to their unconventionality either.
• wes_mantooth

  

  wildcats20 wrote: Exactly, I really don't see Sparty beating UNI let alone the Bucks without Lucas.
  
  Then again, I'm not sure if the Bucks will beat Tennessee. As it will be their toughest game to date in the tourney. If they beat Tennessee, they will make the Final Four.

  I agree with all of this. Tennessee is a matchup nightmare for OSU. They are long and athletic. I am hoping Tennessee does one of there no show games.
• wildcats20

  

  That's my biggest fear with Tennessee, the athletes they have. But like said before, athletes don't make a better team.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Yeah, but I worry that they can wear down OSU with that athleticism. I would like to see someone helping Turner handle the full court man to man that he will face the entire game.
• wildcats20

  

  Turner's right to left hand behind the back dribble will get ripped all day against Tennessee. They are too aggressive for that, he needs to get his head up and find a teammate down court; it will be there.
  
  2 Cities is going to have to play HUGE IMO; stay out of foul trouble against Chism and Williams and dominate the boards.
• centralbucksfan

  How is Tenn a nightmare matchup for OSU? Seriously, please explain? Last I heard...GT was a nightmare matchup because of their size and athleticism. Seems that every team OSU plays, is a bad matchup for OSU. Florida State was huge, athletic..OSU spanked them....MSU was going to kill OSU on the boards....OSU outrebounded them. Seriously, I think its comical. If you know basketball, its OSU who is one of the toughest matchups for ANYONE in the country. A 6'7" PG , who just happens to be the best player in the country...rarely does anyone have anyone to matchup with Turner. Then you have 3 other long, athletic perimeter players capable of shootings outside, and getting to the rim. OSU is the matchup nightmare for other teams fellas.
  On top of that, Tenn struggles offensively. They play pressure defense...which quite honestly, doesn't worry me as OSU will drive it down their throats to the rim. Once they loosen them up, it will open up the outside.
  OSU has faced about every kind of lineup, every defense you can imagine to this point. Some of you make it sound like they are playing some undefeated team in Tenn. Tenn is a quality team. But if OSU plays their game, do what they have been doing...they are the better team and will come away with a win. Quite honestly, I was more worried about GT then this game.
  
  As for MSU...I think they have enough to worry about before even thinking of a matchup with OSU or Tenn.
• ytownfootball

  

  The same argument was levied against the Bucks and GT. What happened? GT got in foul trouble early. I don't really see this being much different, though I know UT is probably better.
• wes_mantooth

  

  lol..I know you are OSU homer, but I am just saying that Tennessee will be tough for them to matchup against. I think OSU will win(I am a buckeye fan), but I can also take off my scarlet and grey glasses and look at a game objectively. GT was a bad matchup, but foul problems...which OSU caused by going at the big guys, neutralized that problem. I have all the faith in Matta that he will have a good game plan to help neutrlaize the problems that Tennessee presents.
• wildcats20

  

  As far as coaching goes, I give a big edge to Thad in this game as well as last. I'm not really "worried" about Tennessee, more just stating the obvious.
• centralbucksfan

  wes_mantooth wrote: lol..I know you are OSU homer, but I am just saying that Tennessee will be tough for them to matchup against. I think OSU will win(I am a buckeye fan), but I can also take off my scarlet and grey glasses and look at a game objectively. GT was a bad matchup, but foul problems...which OSU caused by going at the big guys, neutralized that problem. I have all the faith in Matta that he will have a good game plan to help neutrlaize the problems that Tennessee presents.

  THink what you will. I am just stating the obvious. Everyone is talking as if Tenn is this and that. I think they are a fine team, and a team capable of beating OSU. But OSU is the better team...and I don't think there is any question to that. IF OSU plays as they have...I am confident they will win. If they don't play well...well, then Tenn could absolutely beat them. Thats all I am saying. If thats considered a homer...so be it. This homer as been pretty much on the mark with OSU since the season has started. And I never expected OSU to be this good, nor in this kind of position at this time of year.
• wes_mantooth

  

  I don't disagree that OSU is the better team. And coaching wise, Matta is head and shoulders above Pearl. I would feel much more comfortable if the bucks had a decent pg to take some pressure off of Turner....or at least one that Matta had faith in playing some.
• Upper90

  It all depends on which Tennessee shows up (I still think they're due for an off day), but if they show up on their game, I don't think OSU could survive a start like they had against GT.
• Scarlet_Fever

  

  Upper90 wrote: It all depends on which Tennessee shows up (I still think they're due for an off day), but if they show up on their game, I don't think OSU could survive a start like they had against GT.

  I think this is the Key. If OSU plays their best game and Tenn plays there best OSU will win. The Bucks have played sloppy in the first two games. Especially against GT. Poor ball protection and poor shooting. I don't think they can come from behind if they let it get out of control early. Although they did in 2007.
• centralbucksfan

  wes_mantooth wrote: I don't disagree that OSU is the better team. And coaching wise, Matta is head and shoulders above Pearl. I would feel much more comfortable if the bucks had a decent pg to take some pressure off of Turner....or at least one that Matta had faith in playing some.

  I wish OSU had a 7'1" dominating center as well. But guess what, they don't. No offense, but we are 35+ games into the season....every team wishes they had something they don't.
  This OSU team has exceeded any expectations I ever had for this season. I am quite confident in their abilities as well as Matta managing this team. Every team has weaknesses...anything can happen on any given day at this point in the season. The best team doesn't always win in a one and done game of such.
  There are many things I like about this OSU team. But the thigns that stick out more then anything...is their composure, as well as their ability to win games even when they are not at their best. Their defense is very underappreciated as well. Matta ability to mix in the MM with some zone worked well last game..and we might see this again. This OSU team is VERY versitle on both ends of the court. They can play half court, and their transition game is very good as well. They do many things, very well when other teams tend to have do one or two things well. This is why OSU is a difficult team to matchup with on both ends.
• wes_mantooth

  

  Yeah, I understand that you have to play with what you got and no one(especially this year) has zero weaknesses. I will always question their depth, but maybe it will never catch up with them....it hasn't yet.
• Azubuike24

  

  The winner of this game is the overwhelming favorite to make the Final Four. I'm certain of that. I'd love to see UNI/UT or UNI/OSU, either one would be fine. However, I see UNI's run ending after they beat MSU.