Thursday, March 15, 2007
SECOND HALF: OSU VS. CCSU
By John Chandler
Media food is awful. My apologies to the fine Kentucky folks here at Rupp, I know the truth is hard, but so is the salisbury steak. Or whatever that was crystalized to my plate. And with that, back to the basketball. Please.
It's clear Jamar Butler wants to put this thing away. Two big three's to start the second half say so, and Butler has 15 points at the 16:35 mark.
16:09 to play: Greg Oden sighting. Oden stretched for a rebound of a miss, then just purely out muscled his defender for three the old fashioned way. The dude's game is all business--and let me stress the business side of things. There's talk around the media tables (OK more like wishful thinking) of Oden returning for a second season. What? Are these people crazy? Sure, the big kid is enjoying college life, as demonstrated by his hearty "O-H" after cutting down the Big Ten nets last Sunday. But folks, remember, money talks. How could you fault him for turning pro when scouts are just foaming at the mouth over him? Look, I know career-ending injuries are slim, but so is the window of opportunity to go first in the draft. Yes, a little more seasoning couldn't hurt. But neither could a pro contract.
Ohio State is comfortably ahead 57-34, but a quick tip of the cap to overmatched Central Connecticut State. They have managed to get physical with Oden and prevent him from causing much trouble. Oh sure, he's out-muscling Devil defenders in the post at moments, but he's had to fight through a lot of contact to do so.
Actually, despite the lopsided score, this game is not all pretty. No, really, I'm serious. The Buckeyes' reliance on shooting three's remains a weakness, or more to the point, a crutch. I know Oden's drawing bodies in thepost, and the logical thing to do is hoist up triples (OSU hit 7 of 12 three's in the first half). But Mike Conley brought up a good point yesterday: the three can't just be the go-to shot. They have to work the clock, and feed the animal in the post. It's a criticism we've heard throughout the season, and it's hidden when the three's are falling. They are tonight, but I wonder about the rest of the tournament.
At the 10:00 mark of the 2nd Half: Ohio State 58 CCSU 41.
We'll peak ahead to the next round in a bit.
Media food is awful. My apologies to the fine Kentucky folks here at Rupp, I know the truth is hard, but so is the salisbury steak. Or whatever that was crystalized to my plate. And with that, back to the basketball. Please.
It's clear Jamar Butler wants to put this thing away. Two big three's to start the second half say so, and Butler has 15 points at the 16:35 mark.
16:09 to play: Greg Oden sighting. Oden stretched for a rebound of a miss, then just purely out muscled his defender for three the old fashioned way. The dude's game is all business--and let me stress the business side of things. There's talk around the media tables (OK more like wishful thinking) of Oden returning for a second season. What? Are these people crazy? Sure, the big kid is enjoying college life, as demonstrated by his hearty "O-H" after cutting down the Big Ten nets last Sunday. But folks, remember, money talks. How could you fault him for turning pro when scouts are just foaming at the mouth over him? Look, I know career-ending injuries are slim, but so is the window of opportunity to go first in the draft. Yes, a little more seasoning couldn't hurt. But neither could a pro contract.
Ohio State is comfortably ahead 57-34, but a quick tip of the cap to overmatched Central Connecticut State. They have managed to get physical with Oden and prevent him from causing much trouble. Oh sure, he's out-muscling Devil defenders in the post at moments, but he's had to fight through a lot of contact to do so.
Actually, despite the lopsided score, this game is not all pretty. No, really, I'm serious. The Buckeyes' reliance on shooting three's remains a weakness, or more to the point, a crutch. I know Oden's drawing bodies in thepost, and the logical thing to do is hoist up triples (OSU hit 7 of 12 three's in the first half). But Mike Conley brought up a good point yesterday: the three can't just be the go-to shot. They have to work the clock, and feed the animal in the post. It's a criticism we've heard throughout the season, and it's hidden when the three's are falling. They are tonight, but I wonder about the rest of the tournament.
At the 10:00 mark of the 2nd Half: Ohio State 58 CCSU 41.
We'll peak ahead to the next round in a bit.
Posted at 5:14 PM
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