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2008 Big 10 Tournament

osugrad21

Capo Regime
Staff member
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Big Ten tourney not lacking in intrigue


March 12, 2008
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The most important early game pits fifth-seeded Ohio State against No. 4 Michigan State in a Friday quarterfinal, a rematch of the Buckeyes' 63-54 victory Sunday in Columbus.The general opinion is that Ohio State needs a win to secure the conference's fifth NCAA tournament bid. Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana and Michigan State head to Indy assured of invitations.
''They're playing for a lot, but we're playing for a lot,'' Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Monday. ''They're playing for (an NCAA) spot, but we're playing for our pride. Sometimes I'm not sure which one's bigger. Right now, I feel it's our pride.''
Ohio State coach Thad Matta neither agreed nor disasgreed.



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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Ohio State Buckeyes[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Coach: Thad Matta, fourth season (100-34 at Ohio State and 202-65 in eight seasons overall). [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Overall record: 19-12. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Big Ten record: 10-8 (Fifth). [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Rankings: The Buckeyes are not nationally ranked. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]He's the man: Jamar Butler, 6-1, Sr., G (14.6 ppg., 6.0 apg.). [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]What to like: Butler and 7-0 freshman center Kosta Koufos (13.7 ppg., 6.8 rpg.) are a handful. The duo is ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, in the league in scoring. Butler also leads the conference in assists and free throw percentage (.940), while Koufos is second in blocks at 1.84 per game. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Why to worry: Home wins over Purdue and Michigan State to close out the regular season helped soothe what had otherwise been a rough stretch. The Buckeyes went just 2-5 in February, enduring a four-game losing skid during that span. They also needed overtime to hang on to beat the Boilermakers on March 4. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tournament prediction: Bounced in the quarterfinals.
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It's official, I have been granted a vacation day for this Friday. I shall drink beer and watch the game. The last two games I drank beer and we won. Hopefully the trend continues. :cheers:
 
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Best Buckeye;1114746; said:
The first Game today is at noon. Iowa Vs Scum
PS and the Illini at 2:30
Minn and NW at 5 pm

Anyone rooting for any team in particular?

Iowa... just because they are playing scUM :biggrin:

I honestly don't care a whole lot but of the six teams playing today I think Minnesota has the best chance at getting to the semi-finals (would play Indiana tomorrow if they win).
 
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Dispatch
Big Ten tourney roundup: Minnesota rallies to oust Northwestern

Friday, March 14, 2008 3:07 AM



From wire reports



Minnesota 55, Northwestern 52 -- Lawrence Westbrook scored 11 of his career-high 17 points in the second half yesterday, and Minnesota rallied from a 16-point deficit to beat Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten tournament.

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