Azubuike24;711292 wrote:Kentucky and OSU is an intriguing match-up because both teams are very similar.
If only Enes Kanter was eligible, it would change the dynamics of the game to probably an NCAA final. Kanter and Sullinger at the Nike Hoops Summit last year, Kanter dominated, but Sullinger is a hell of a player and that would be fabulous. Breaking down the match-ups, I'd say it would be like this:
Jared Sullinger > Josh Harrellson - the biggest mis-match on the court
Terrence Jones > Dallas Lauderdale - Not as big of a disadvantage as Sully vs Harrelson, but close
Darius Miller = David Lighty - Different styles, but very similar roles on their respective teams
Brandon Knight > William Buford - Very close, but I'm not sure anyone on OSU can match Knight
Jon Diebler > DeAndre Liggins - Liggins is the best defender Diebler will see all year, but production-wise, it's Jon
Doron Lamb > Aaron Craft - Very, very slight edge to Lamb, but both probably 2 of the top 5 sixth men in the country
The difference for Ohio State is after the top 6 and Sullinger. Jared creates a different dimension that Kentucky could have advantages at every other spot and it would probably be equal. However, Ohio State also gets an advantage for DeShaun Thomas off the bench, and Kentucky can't match anyone like that coming off the pine.
That is where OSU's advantage is. They are a legit 7 deep, Kentucky is only 6. Both teams have other guys who can play sparingly, but for breakdown purposes, it's 7 vs 6. Sullinger is also against UK's biggest weakness, interior defense. Outside of that, it's actually a very intriguing game because neither team turns the ball over, both teams force other teams into turnovers, both teams shoot the ball lights out from behind the arc and both teams have plenty of pure talent.
I'm personally hoping the game happens.
I think Brandon Knight should be compared to Aaron Craft and William Buford compared to Doron Lamb. I know Craft is the 6th man, but he's the PG and he would be on Brandon Knight all game, and vice versa. With that, it would be Brandon Knight > Aaron Craft by a decent amount, and William Buford > Doron Lamb by a slight amount.
Also, I have a TON of UK friends and actually work in Kentucky, so this is a nightmare game for me. If Ohio State would lose to UK I would never hear the end of it. This was really the only matchup I did not want to see for OSU because as you said, Kentucky has a lot of talent and they're a similar team. I think Ohio State is the better team, but that doesn't mean a win in March.
