Saturday, March 31, 2007
Final Four: Gameday Arrives
By John Chandler
ATLANTA - I sprang up and out of bed early this morning, like a kid on Christmas Day, full of energy. Sure, it could've been the daily gallon of coffee catching up with me. But it's Gameday. The wake-up call is on the money. The air is crisper. The eggs are fluffier. Today, it's all business.
And that should suit Ohio State just fine.
The silliness of yesterday's shootaround at the Georgia Dome has subsided. No more questions for Greg Oden about Roy Hibbert, spring break, Roy Hibbert and... Roy Hibbert.
The only true answers will come this evening, at 6:07 PM, in Atlanta.
Listen to the talk around town and you'll hear all about Georgetown, the favorite. Many of the "experts" are picking the Hoyas to knock off the Buckeyes.
Here's how I see it:
Big Tickets:
I might be inclined to believe that the $450 price tag I'm hearing about for a ticket to today's game is worth it. How often is college basketball treated to a matchup of talented 7-footers? Yes, Oden vs. Hibbert is reaching the point of over-saturation. It's more hyped than Trump vs. McMahon, but then, this is the Final Four. When you credential 1600 members of the media, this kind of hype happens.
Many think Oden and Hibbert will cancel each other out. I think this is the very kind of matchup that will bring the real Oden out. Can he handle the 7'2" Hibbert? History may lean towards no, given the fact that Oden's struggles tend to come against bigger frontcourts. Georgetown's trifecta (Green, Ewing, Hibbert) present a wall of an obstacle, just waiting to frustrate Oden. But Oden hasn't lost a postseason game since his freshman year in high school (25 straight), a stat that has nothing to do with coincidence. I think this is Oden's ballgame. It's his chance to size up to the biggest opponent he's ever faced, and Oden's not one to come up short.
On Guard
Forget the big men, Ohio State will likely win this game with guard play. Can Ron Lewis stay hot? Can Mike Conley stay smooth? Can Daequan Cook stay awake? The Buckeyes have the more potentially talented lineup, though freshmen are always wild cards. How will they handle the pressure? So far, relatively well.
Expect Conley to be the difference in this game. His feel for running the point is the stuff you cannot teach. He's a natural.
Lewis and Jamar Butler have carried the Buckeyes through slow first half starts in the NCAA Tournament so far, and their experience has been huge for Ohio State. But, as Chuck Kyle at St. Ignatius always likes to say, once you get a few more games under your belt you can call yourself experienced.
Eyes On The Prize
The potential for a matchup with Florida in the championship game on Monday looms over this Final Four weekend like an albatross. Fans are looking ahead. Media are looking ahead. Ohio State needs to be careful of looking ahead. It's only human.
Prediction Time
Oden edges Hibbert, and the Bucks edge the Hoyas 74-69.
Buckeye Nation, remember to check www.newsnet5.com for live blogging during Ohio State's matchup with Georgetown this evening.
ATLANTA - I sprang up and out of bed early this morning, like a kid on Christmas Day, full of energy. Sure, it could've been the daily gallon of coffee catching up with me. But it's Gameday. The wake-up call is on the money. The air is crisper. The eggs are fluffier. Today, it's all business.
And that should suit Ohio State just fine.
The silliness of yesterday's shootaround at the Georgia Dome has subsided. No more questions for Greg Oden about Roy Hibbert, spring break, Roy Hibbert and... Roy Hibbert.
The only true answers will come this evening, at 6:07 PM, in Atlanta.
Listen to the talk around town and you'll hear all about Georgetown, the favorite. Many of the "experts" are picking the Hoyas to knock off the Buckeyes.
Here's how I see it:
Big Tickets:
I might be inclined to believe that the $450 price tag I'm hearing about for a ticket to today's game is worth it. How often is college basketball treated to a matchup of talented 7-footers? Yes, Oden vs. Hibbert is reaching the point of over-saturation. It's more hyped than Trump vs. McMahon, but then, this is the Final Four. When you credential 1600 members of the media, this kind of hype happens.
Many think Oden and Hibbert will cancel each other out. I think this is the very kind of matchup that will bring the real Oden out. Can he handle the 7'2" Hibbert? History may lean towards no, given the fact that Oden's struggles tend to come against bigger frontcourts. Georgetown's trifecta (Green, Ewing, Hibbert) present a wall of an obstacle, just waiting to frustrate Oden. But Oden hasn't lost a postseason game since his freshman year in high school (25 straight), a stat that has nothing to do with coincidence. I think this is Oden's ballgame. It's his chance to size up to the biggest opponent he's ever faced, and Oden's not one to come up short.
On Guard
Forget the big men, Ohio State will likely win this game with guard play. Can Ron Lewis stay hot? Can Mike Conley stay smooth? Can Daequan Cook stay awake? The Buckeyes have the more potentially talented lineup, though freshmen are always wild cards. How will they handle the pressure? So far, relatively well.
Expect Conley to be the difference in this game. His feel for running the point is the stuff you cannot teach. He's a natural.
Lewis and Jamar Butler have carried the Buckeyes through slow first half starts in the NCAA Tournament so far, and their experience has been huge for Ohio State. But, as Chuck Kyle at St. Ignatius always likes to say, once you get a few more games under your belt you can call yourself experienced.
Eyes On The Prize
The potential for a matchup with Florida in the championship game on Monday looms over this Final Four weekend like an albatross. Fans are looking ahead. Media are looking ahead. Ohio State needs to be careful of looking ahead. It's only human.
Prediction Time
Oden edges Hibbert, and the Bucks edge the Hoyas 74-69.
Buckeye Nation, remember to check www.newsnet5.com for live blogging during Ohio State's matchup with Georgetown this evening.
Posted at 9:03 AM
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