Monday, April 02, 2007
IN ACTION: OSU vs. Florida
By John Chandler
ATLANTA - Tonight, inside the Georgia Dome, there's a score that needs to be settled. Ohio State, the #1 ranked team in the country, faces Florida, the #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They can't share the trophy. Ohio State's football team discovered that back in January.
There's a buzz in this place as Ohio State enters, single-file, onto the court behind the familiar O-H-I-O flags that you see on the field at Ohio Stadium after a touchdown. Appropriate, for as the flashbulbs pop, this event has the feel of a football game. Big crowd, big stage, bigtime talent...this championship game even has the feel of a classic.
A few pregame observations, if you will:
* Haven't seen a smile cross the face of a Buckeye since they left the lockerroom. That's good.
* Greg Oden needs to let loose tonight. No holding back because of the hand, nor the fouls. Oden needs to channel that 'tude he copped with Jamar Smith at the end of the Tennessee game, and Joey Dorsey before the Memphis game.
* Ohio State's fans are loud... Florida's are LOUD.
* Gator chop or O-H-I-O? Like that's even a question.
* Somebody cranked the audio a little too loud in this joint. My eardrums haven't taken this kind of abuse since I last paid the Cavs a visit at the Q.
Tip Time
Joakim Noah wins the opening tap from Greg Oden, and they're off... just like Ron Lewis's ill-advised attempt at a three from the top of the key seconds into Ohio State's first possession. Now that's pacing yourself.
Mike Conley scores the first two fo the game on a transition layup, but Taurean Green responds with a quick three. Watching these two will be fun. Conley just drove the baseline and hit Ivan Harris for a wide open three from the top of the key. What a great pass. Told you so.
Lewis is struggling, again, forcing a turnover right into the hands of Lee Humphry for an easy transition two, then got faked out of his sneakers by Green. Oden was there to disrupt the shot.
Oden put Chris Richard on a swivel, finishing with a soft left handed touch for a 9-5 lead. No holding back on that shot, that's for sure.
Now They're Cook-in'
The chemistry between Oden, Conley, and Daequan Cook cannot be understated. Cook has been relatively brutal this tournament, but checked into tonight's action with a smart cut to the hoop after reading Oden's eyes. Good look from the big man, too. Daequan tends to play better after hitting his first shot. Then again, who doesn't?
He's Tall
Joakim Noah is listed at 6'11" but standing next to Oden, he's sure looks even with the 7-footer. I heard Noah doesn't want to play center in the NBA (also heard he's already picked his agent) so he's trying to keep it under the 7 foot mark. If I'm a pro GM, I'm thinking he's a little lanky to play in the post, but he sure is active...yeah, active is the word. Although Cook thought Noah was a little more like "annoying" given the way his mouth runs during the game.
Raising Arizona
A fan behind me just said the first 7 minutes of the game were the Ted Ginn kickoff return, with the Gators taking a 17-11 lead on a Walter Hodge three point play. Sorry, dude, don't think this one's headed to 41-14 territory.
10:00, 1st half: Florida 20, Ohio St. 13
ATLANTA - Tonight, inside the Georgia Dome, there's a score that needs to be settled. Ohio State, the #1 ranked team in the country, faces Florida, the #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. They can't share the trophy. Ohio State's football team discovered that back in January.
There's a buzz in this place as Ohio State enters, single-file, onto the court behind the familiar O-H-I-O flags that you see on the field at Ohio Stadium after a touchdown. Appropriate, for as the flashbulbs pop, this event has the feel of a football game. Big crowd, big stage, bigtime talent...this championship game even has the feel of a classic.
A few pregame observations, if you will:
* Haven't seen a smile cross the face of a Buckeye since they left the lockerroom. That's good.
* Greg Oden needs to let loose tonight. No holding back because of the hand, nor the fouls. Oden needs to channel that 'tude he copped with Jamar Smith at the end of the Tennessee game, and Joey Dorsey before the Memphis game.
* Ohio State's fans are loud... Florida's are LOUD.
* Gator chop or O-H-I-O? Like that's even a question.
* Somebody cranked the audio a little too loud in this joint. My eardrums haven't taken this kind of abuse since I last paid the Cavs a visit at the Q.
Tip Time
Joakim Noah wins the opening tap from Greg Oden, and they're off... just like Ron Lewis's ill-advised attempt at a three from the top of the key seconds into Ohio State's first possession. Now that's pacing yourself.
Mike Conley scores the first two fo the game on a transition layup, but Taurean Green responds with a quick three. Watching these two will be fun. Conley just drove the baseline and hit Ivan Harris for a wide open three from the top of the key. What a great pass. Told you so.
Lewis is struggling, again, forcing a turnover right into the hands of Lee Humphry for an easy transition two, then got faked out of his sneakers by Green. Oden was there to disrupt the shot.
Oden put Chris Richard on a swivel, finishing with a soft left handed touch for a 9-5 lead. No holding back on that shot, that's for sure.
Now They're Cook-in'
The chemistry between Oden, Conley, and Daequan Cook cannot be understated. Cook has been relatively brutal this tournament, but checked into tonight's action with a smart cut to the hoop after reading Oden's eyes. Good look from the big man, too. Daequan tends to play better after hitting his first shot. Then again, who doesn't?
He's Tall
Joakim Noah is listed at 6'11" but standing next to Oden, he's sure looks even with the 7-footer. I heard Noah doesn't want to play center in the NBA (also heard he's already picked his agent) so he's trying to keep it under the 7 foot mark. If I'm a pro GM, I'm thinking he's a little lanky to play in the post, but he sure is active...yeah, active is the word. Although Cook thought Noah was a little more like "annoying" given the way his mouth runs during the game.
Raising Arizona
A fan behind me just said the first 7 minutes of the game were the Ted Ginn kickoff return, with the Gators taking a 17-11 lead on a Walter Hodge three point play. Sorry, dude, don't think this one's headed to 41-14 territory.
10:00, 1st half: Florida 20, Ohio St. 13
Posted at 6:07 PM
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