(6) THE Ohio State vs. (11) Dayton, Thurs 3/20, 12:15p ET, CBS

[calibuck]

First of all, let me apologize to the Buckeye Faithful for hoping that the Buckeyes lost in the semi's, to give them an extra day of rest. Had I known it would have been against Meatchicken, I mighta rethought it. However, they did get the days rest, and tOSU tired out the Michigan people to get whacked by MSU, who tOSU had beaten by a few points just a couple of days earlier. Thus goes the brutal B10. I'm frightened of Dayton because of the chip on their shoulder. Same as Indiana in football, these were the kids that tOSU didn't recruit, and want to prove something, especially Seibert and the kid from NOrthland. Also, reading what other posters have opined, tOSU isn't very good defending the shot off the dribble (reference Michigan game), so maybe that extra day of rest will help them step it up.

Looking at the regions for the dance, it seems like the schedulers went to great pains NOT to include more than two conference opponents in each region, which is much better than we had several years ago (seem to recall 3 or 4 B10 in same region), in order to have more inter-conference match-ups, so tOSU has to be a bit happy. Heck, everyone in this tournament can ball, just some of them have three guys that are players, and some have only two. Very few have all 5 who are top-flight players.

Always excited for March Madness, best time of the year with basketball, the Masters, and the opening of baseball season. Go Bucks. One last hurrah for Craft & Co.

 

[cincibuck]

Pitt came into UD Arena at #6 and got spanked by 30 in 2008 I believe. When UD has been able to get a good game scheduled, they have taken care of business more often than not.

Which is probably a good reason that bigger schools use when deciding not to schedule them. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, but some damnations look better on your resume.

 

[Zurp]

OSU should not have lost to Penn State twice.

I don't like to do this, but FIFY.

 

[buckeyesin07]

I went to the OSU-Dayton NIT game a few years back at the Schott (the year OSU won the NIT). Obviously, OSU won, but it really was an electric environment--there were a ton of Dayton fans there. That Dayton team was better than this Dayton team, and that OSU team was worse than this OSU team. Not saying it's a sure OSU win on Thursday by any means, but that was a very good Dayton team, and the two teams were very similar in talent level that year.

 

[Tlangs]

I went to the OSU-Dayton NIT game a few years back at the Schott (the year OSU won the NIT). Obviously, OSU won, but it really was an electric environment--there were a ton of Dayton fans there. That Dayton team was better than this Dayton team, and that OSU team was worse than this OSU team. Not saying it's a sure OSU win on Thursday by any means, but that was a very good Dayton team, and the two teams were very similar in talent level that year.

That Dayton Team was better earlier in the year. Chris Wright broke his foot in January and missed the reamainder of the regular season and conference tournament. I beleive the OSU NIT game was his second game back and he probably should not have been playing. I would argue that the Dayton team from back then was more athletic and better defensively. This years team is more balanced on offense and the Point Guard situtuation is much much better.

 

[LitlBuck]

That Dayton Team was better earlier in the year. Chris Wright broke his foot in January and missed the reamainder of the regular season and conference tournament. I beleive the OSU NIT game was his second game back and he probably should not have been playing. I would argue that the Dayton team from back then was more athletic and better defensively. This years team is more balanced on offense and the Point Guard situtuation is much much better.

Speaking of point guards how is your point guard and will he be able to hold up against Craft?

 

[buckeyesin07]

Kind of odd thing about Sibert is that a lot of guys who transfer from OSU do so because they never get any meaningful playing time (Weatherspoon comes immediately to mind), but Sibert actually was given playing time by Matta and had a real shot in Columbus.

 

[kippy1040]

Siebert will have a hard on for 3 days thinking about playing tOSU. I haven't seen Dayton at all, so I can't help you.

If Siebert had a good chance at playing for Ohio State, and I understand that he was given plenty of playing time from Thad, then what was the real reason for him leaving the Buckeyes. Do you have any Idea?

 

[RB07OSU]

This matchup has really got me excited. I grew up rooting for Dayton and the Buckeyes and since they never squared off much, I haven't really faced this crossroad often. I will be rooting for the Buckeyes but if I would prefer anyone to beat them, it would be the Flyers. Looking forward to a fun game though.

 

[leroyjenkins]

I think our ticket in this tournament could be to really ramp up the pressure on defense. I dont think there are a lot of teams that could handle us pressing for an extended period of time during a game. Of course that depends on made baskets, but it might be a wrinkle the staff could try.

 

[buckeyeintn]

I, too, grew up rooting for the Flyers while listening to them on the radio and watching the occasional tv game . However, come tip-off Thursday, there is no split allegiance, no hesitation, no doubt. GO BUCKS!!

 

[DZ83CK]

I went to the OSU-Dayton NIT game a few years back at the Schott (the year OSU won the NIT). Obviously, OSU won, but it really was an electric environment--there were a ton of Dayton fans there. That Dayton team was better than this Dayton team, and that OSU team was worse than this OSU team. Not saying it's a sure OSU win on Thursday by any means, but that was a very good Dayton team, and the two teams were very similar in talent level that year.

Yeah, I was there too. That was one of the best atmospheres I have seen at the Schott. I agree also that UD in that game may have been better than what they are now, and there is more of a gap between the two now compared to 2008. The Wright injury took an NCAA tournament appearance away from them that year.

 

[DZ83CK]

Sibert I guess felt like he wasn't going to fit in. He knew he would have to compete with Smith and Thompson for minutes for the rest of his career and he wan't confident that he would get to play a ton of minutes. So he transferred.

 

[Jake]

My point about bringing up the Penn State games was that OSU fans shouldn't throw stones at other teams about their bad losses. OSU should not have lost to Penn State twice.

With all due respect, fuck Dayton. I understand, unfortunately, we have OSU football fans who like - and in some cases prefer - basketball teams of other schools. I don't feel compelled to respect those teams any more than any other OSU opponent. When you take the role of defender of an OSU opponent - as you have done here - you should expect to be responded to as a fan of the opponent.

 

[Jake]

I agree. But to beat them, you have to get the game scheduled. Dayton has a really hard time scheduling a home and home with anyone. They had some quality wins this year but the fact is they can't get a decent home game in the non conference. I'm not accusing anyone of dodging anyone though.

Why would a Big Ten team schedule a home and home with Dayton? Obviously, it would be great for Dayton but it does nothing for Ohio State, for example. It's like Boise State insisting on home and homes then crying that no one will play them. Sure their arena is smaller, the money is less, and Dayton/Boise have a lot to gain and little to lose, but go play them in their house anyway. After all, they want to play a home and home with you.

That's not going to happen.