The first two games he wasn't that bad, outside of that stretch against Xavier when Matta decided he wanted to go man to man and play Oden on a perimeter player. Plus what do you expect when he's matched up on a much smaller, quicker player? I can't think of too many 7-footers that can keep up with a SF type...

 

If they go small, that's fine. However, if he has to give up some on defense, he should be dominating on the offensive end then. I like Thad a lot, but Pearl is superior to him in terms of game coaching. There's not a better in-game coach than Pearl.

If they go small, that's fine. However, if he has to give up some on defense, he should be dominating on the offensive end then. I like Thad a lot, but Pearl is superior to him in terms of game coaching. There's not a better in-game coach than Pearl.

Hes had 2 touches the whole game.

If they go small, that's fine. However, if he has to give up some on defense, he should be dominating on the offensive end then. I like Thad a lot, but Pearl is superior to him in terms of game coaching. There's not a better in-game coach than Pearl.

 

Kind of hard to be a factor on offense when you're on the bench because of the 2 fouls on defense (and that one stupid hook on offense). It's also hard to score without the ball, even when he was in he only got the ball 4 times.

 

Won't argue on the second part though...

Hes had 2 touches the whole game.

 

That's why I said Thad's getting outcoached. For as good as he is defensively, Oden has been fouling too much lately. That first call on the push on Lofton was shaky, but there's no reason for him to be making contact on that flex play at all.

Well the first time OSU played Wisconsin they were down and almost came back, if they can chip away early I think they can outlast Tenn,

Well the first time OSU played Wisconsin they were down and almost came back, if they can chip away early I think they can outlast Tenn,

Or just get back within 6 before the 14 minute mark...

Expect the worst hope for the best. By closing the lead this quickly OSU has accomplished 2 important things:

 

A) Rest Oden and protect his foul problem.

 

B. They can withstand a run by Tenn and still stay in the game.

 

The margin of error and still win for OSU just increased dramatically by how quickly they have come back, and how well they have started to defend.

Edited March 23, 200719 yr by Soxbadger

Will somebody tell OSU to pull the damned duct tape off the back of their shoulders?

 

Man those unis are driving me nuts.

Even with that 4 leaf clover shoved up your asses you are going home Tenn.

Wow, what a game.

I dont see how anyone could complain about this tournament and its lack of upsets, the games have been ridiculous.

And OSU for the win.

Congrats to Ohio St. Oden made the big block, but I'm still convinced they're a better offensive team when he's out of the game. It's too bad Lofton didn't get the last shot....could have been one of the all-time "Onions". Very good games tonight, even though I'm getting annoyed with all these fouls in the last 10 secs leading to the deciding points. I want some buzzer beaters.....and GUS JOHNSON TO RETURN.

incredible game. too bad i gotta be up for work in five hours.

Congrats to Ohio St. Oden made the big block, but I'm still convinced they're a better offensive team when he's out of the game. It's too bad Lofton didn't get the last shot....could have been one of the all-time "Onions". Very good games tonight, even though I'm getting annoyed with all these fouls in the last 10 secs leading to the deciding points. I want some buzzer beaters.....and GUS JOHNSON TO RETURN.

Agreed on Oden, agreed on Lofton, agreed on fouls in the last 10 secs, and agreed on Gus.

 

Perfect.

Speaking of Gus, Bill Simmons has had some great comments about Gus lately. Is it safe to say that Gus is the breakout individual of this tournament? Why did James Brown have to sign with CBS?

And responding to the earlier comment. I think Thad coached the pants off of Pearl in the second half. His use of Butler on Lofton, he insertion of Lighty to shut down bradshaw, and his use of Terwilliger during Tenn's small lineup min. Also subbing Oden at the right times down the stretch were timed perfect. Bruce didnt make many changes offensively when it was obvious that OSU's defense had increased pressure and used a fast small lineup.

 

As im typing i hear Bruce complaining about the Ref's and calls for Lofton. Come on man. Lofton sat behind the arc and shot fadeaways, thats why he didnt draw contact.

Edited March 23, 200719 yr by RockRaines

Congrats to Ohio St. Oden made the big block, but I'm still convinced they're a better offensive team when he's out of the game. It's too bad Lofton didn't get the last shot....could have been one of the all-time "Onions". Very good games tonight, even though I'm getting annoyed with all these fouls in the last 10 secs leading to the deciding points. I want some buzzer beaters.....and GUS JOHNSON TO RETURN.

 

Definitely, they clearly still don't know how to play with him (and it looked like they were getting better at it towards the end of the year). He was wide-open down low numerous times and they never threw it to him, so instead they sit out on the perimeter and jack up 3's. They can't get the post-and-kick game working at all. When he goes out they take it to the rack a lot more and then kick the ball out, though their interior defense obviously suffers a lot...

Edited March 23, 200719 yr by ZoomSlowik

And responding to the earlier comment. I think Thad coached the pants off of Pearl in the second half. His use of Butler on Lofton, he insertion of Lighty to shut down bradshaw, and his use of Terwilliger during Tenn's small lineup min. Also subbing Oden at the right times down the stretch were timed perfect. Bruce didnt make many changes offensively when it was obvious that OSU's defense had increased pressure and used a fast small lineup.

 

He did a good job of handling Oden, even though I was surprised he didn't have him in on defense with about 3 minutes left when Lofton hit that layup. Lighty is one of the worst outside shooters I've seen this year....yet he shot his 3 pointer with so much confidence.

If there's a foul with under 10 it's still a foul. The players are still deciding the game at that point by drawing the foul and commiting a foul. Saying you don't want fouls under 10 is way too broad a statement. Most of these have been warranted, and a few no calls affect the game even more so.

If there's a foul with under 10 it's still a foul. The players are still deciding the game at that point by drawing the foul and commiting a foul. Saying you don't want fouls under 10 is way too broad a statement. Most of these have been warranted, and a few no calls affect the game even more so.

 

I'm not blaming the refs. Instead, I'm blaming some stupid defensive plays that are giving teams 2 shots to go ahead with only a few seconds left. It seems like it's happened at least 5 times in this tournament. All I want is one buzzer beater!

Speaking of Gus, Bill Simmons has had some great comments about Gus lately. Is it safe to say that Gus is the breakout individual of this tournament? Why did James Brown have to sign with CBS?

 

Gus has been doing it for a decade or so now, not sure how it took people this long to see how entertaining he is. As for the games....Memphis and ATM was a classic, and you have to call that foul IMO. Problem was there is NO WAY they should have put the clock at 2 seconds flat, 2.8 would have been more accurate. And for the 2nd time this tourney, Ohio State made me crumble up and throw away my paper bracket, then search and find it in the trash after they came back, lol. Should be a great final, and if tOSU wins, this would be the first region ever that I will have run the table in, I've gotten every game in the South right so far somehow.

 

Way to f***ing take half a f***ing hour to f*** up the call anyway you douche bags

 

Had A&M going far eh? Well my UT, tOSU final prediction was way off, but having Memphis 68-66 was awfully close.

Edited March 23, 200719 yr by whitesoxfan101

He did a good job of handling Oden, even though I was surprised he didn't have him in on defense with about 3 minutes left when Lofton hit that layup. Lighty is one of the worst outside shooters I've seen this year....yet he shot his 3 pointer with so much confidence.

Lighty's defensive abilty and rebounding is why they had him in the game, any offense from him is a bonus. He is basically a slasher, but somehow came up with that big 3.

Speaking of Gus, Bill Simmons has had some great comments about Gus lately. Is it safe to say that Gus is the breakout individual of this tournament? Why did James Brown have to sign with CBS?

 

This weekend won't be the same without Gus, it's a shame. James Brown might be the worst CBB announcer ever.

Gus Johnson is my favorite announcer in sports.....he is the young and exciting type of announcer that CBS should bring in. Dick Enberg just sucks.