Ohio State vs. Syracuse (Saturday 7:05)

College Sports 678 replies 12,438 views
Fly4Fun's avatar
Fly4Fun
Posts: 7,730
Mar 22, 2012 11:58pm
OSU beat UC rather easily. There was a scare in the second half when UC made a run. But the Buckeyes won it with great defensive effort.

Syracuse advanced by weathering a three point barrage from Wisconsin.

Predictions, thoughts?

Buford appears to be a complete headcase. Hopefully someone can get through to him or get him to stop thinking about it and just play.

If OSU does lose to Syracause, is it a successful season? Or is it final four or bust. I remember in January and February a lot of people were calling an early exit, possibly even in the round of 32.
Mulva's avatar
Mulva
Posts: 13,650
Mar 23, 2012 12:01am
Syracuse big weakness is defensive rebounding.

If Sully and Thomas come to work on the glass, I like the match-up a lot. DT is going to have to step his D up though, because he'll likely be matched up with Fair or Joseph a lot of the time.
SportsAndLady's avatar
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Mar 23, 2012 12:03am
Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State
robj55's avatar
robj55
Posts: 9,511
Mar 23, 2012 12:03am
Have to get the ball to the free throw line area and let Thomas operate there. Take the mid range shot, kick to the corner for a 3 or work the high low with Sully. I like how we match up defensively against them.
gerb131's avatar
gerb131
Posts: 9,932
Mar 23, 2012 12:05am
Need to stop leading by 13 and letting teams get back in it. Need to extend lead to 20 to put the Orange away
hoops23's avatar
hoops23
Posts: 15,696
Mar 23, 2012 12:05am
SportsAndLady;1124860 wrote:Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State
Because Syracuse is a terrible rebounding team. Sully and Thomas could eat up the glass. Our defense is pretty damn good as well.
Cleveland Buck's avatar
Cleveland Buck
Posts: 5,126
Mar 23, 2012 12:06am
A lot will depend on the defense. Syracuse can't play much better than they did tonight. The Buckeyes will have to hold Syracuse under 60 to win if they don't get anything from Buford again.
Classyposter58's avatar
Classyposter58
Posts: 6,321
Mar 23, 2012 12:06am
If OSU shoots well they've got a shot. That D could kill the Bucks though. Sullinger could very well have 40, they are not good inside at all
hoops23's avatar
hoops23
Posts: 15,696
Mar 23, 2012 12:08am
I'll be worried if the Buckeyes are content on shooting 3's. If that's the case, Syracuse will win easily.

Bucks have to attack the zone, have some sets for Sully and Thomas near the FT line and go to work.

Also, Buford can't be retarded.
Pick6's avatar
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Mar 23, 2012 12:11am
Sully will get abused by Cuse's second string center. He has went up against superior big men in the Big East than Sullinger did in the B1G.

/thread
C
centralbucksfan
Posts: 5,111
Mar 23, 2012 12:11am
SportsAndLady;1124860 wrote:Can't see how you can like this matchup for Ohio State
How so? Who is going to match up with Sully and Thomas? OSU is a very good offensive rebounding team. 'Cuse is a poor rebounding team.
If OSU plays defense like they are capable, consistantly, they will be right where the need to be.

I think it will be a great game. They will have to play well, no doubt. 'Cuse has a very good team. But very beatable.
C
centralbucksfan
Posts: 5,111
Mar 23, 2012 12:13am
hoops23;1124874 wrote:I'll be worried if the Buckeyes are content on shooting 3's. If that's the case, Syracuse will win easily.

Bucks have to attack the zone, have some sets for Sully and Thomas near the FT line and go to work.

Also, Buford can't be retarded.

If you look back over the season, OSU has done a nice job vs zones this year. Thomas at the high post, Sullinger down low. 'Cuse matches up, and leaves that middle open. Obviously, OSU will have to knock down some outside shots. But I don't expect them to all of a sudden to start burping up 3's when they haven't done so all season long.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:15am
Buford is my main worry. If Buford is knocking down shots...the Orange are in trouble. If he goes 3 for 17 from the field....the 'Cuse is in business. Syracuse has won a lot of games this season getting dominated on the glass. It would help if they didn't get slaughtered on the boards Saturday but I think that they will be okay if OSU struggles from the perimeter.

OSU, and specifically Buford, vs. the zone will be key. Thomas on the glass and from the outside could hurt the Orange too. Should be a good game.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:17am
centralbucksfan;1124879 wrote:How so? Who is going to match up with Sully and Thomas? OSU is a very good offensive rebounding team. 'Cuse is a poor rebounding team.
If OSU plays defense like they are capable, consistantly, they will be right where the need to be.

I think it will be a great game. They will have to play well, no doubt. 'Cuse has a very good team. But very beatable.

Christmas and Keita have played well since Melo has been out. Hasn't been as big of a drop off as I expected.
C
centralbucksfan
Posts: 5,111
Mar 23, 2012 12:18am
killer_ewok;1124887 wrote:Buford is my main worry. If Buford is knocking down shots...the Orange are in trouble. If he goes 3 for 17 from the field....the 'Cuse is in business. Syracuse has won a lot of games this season getting dominated on the glass. It would help if they didn't get slaughtered on the boards Saturday but I think that they will be okay if OSU struggles from the perimeter.

OSU, and specifically Buford, vs. the zone will be key. Thomas on the glass and from the outside could hurt the Orange too. Should be a good game.
There is no question Buford takes OSU to another level when he is on. But right now, Thomas has taken up much of what Buford was doing early. Then last game, Craft stepped up offensively. Tonite Smith had 15. Other guys have taken it upon themselves to step up lately.
So even if Buford has YET another off game, OSU has weathered that storm lately. But ur right, it should be a great game. Good to see two teams that haven't played eachother in a long while.
gerb131's avatar
gerb131
Posts: 9,932
Mar 23, 2012 12:23am
That was the quietest 15 ever from Lenzelle.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:26am
I posted this on the other thread....Last time these teams matched up OSU beat Syracuse in the preseason NIT and I believe it was during Koufos and Flynn's frosh seasons.
reclegend22's avatar
reclegend22
Posts: 8,772
Mar 23, 2012 12:28am
Who does Len Elmore want to win? Lol. STFU.

If Florida loses because of an inadvertent elbow I'm not watching the rest of that region.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:29am
reclegend22;1124907 wrote:Who does Len Elmore want to win? Lol. STFU.

If Florida loses because of an inadvertent elbow I'm not watching the rest of that region.

Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Mar 23, 2012 12:29am
Anyone know what kind of defense Syracuse might play?
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Mar 23, 2012 12:29am
killer_ewok;1124909 wrote:Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.

Except for when he talks.
reclegend22's avatar
reclegend22
Posts: 8,772
Mar 23, 2012 12:30am
killer_ewok;1124909 wrote:Len Elmore is ALWAYS right.
Lol as an ACC fan boy do I know that is true. Unfortunately, I appear to have ventured into the wrong thread. Ha.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:30am
Ironman92;1124911 wrote:Anyone know what kind of defense Syracuse might play?

You can never be too sure....but my best guess would be the 2-3 zone.

Just a hunch. I'll be shocked if I'm right.......
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Mar 23, 2012 12:31am
Ironman92;1124912 wrote:Except for when he talks.

Sign language, bitch.
Ironman92's avatar
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Mar 23, 2012 12:32am
Buford must go 14+ for a Final 4 berth