Last Team In or First Team Out?
The official NCAA blog (sounds exciting, right) recently posted about a mock tournament selection that they put on. It’s a long read, but it gives you a little insight into the process and what the committee uses to determine tournament-worthy teams — bracket freaks will love it.
How do the Buckeyes fare? Well, the post went up last Wednesday and at that time they were the last at-large team in, securing a 10 seed. I’m not sure how much the loss to the Hoosiers technically hurts that cause as Indiana was the favorite coming in, but as Chris mentioned, the Buckeyes’ strength-of-schedule won’t do them a damn good if all of those tough games go into the books as losses.
Matta’s crew travels to Evanston on Wednesday and Ann Arbor on Sunday for two very winnable games before ending the season with Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue and Michigan State. A 4-3 finish to the regular season (which is highly optimistic at this point) puts the team at 20-10 heading into the conference tournament.
One thing is for certain. If the team continues playing like it has been for the past few weeks, Matta’s streak of 20+ win seasons will be coming to an end and we’ll be staring down the NIT.
(Via Get The Picture)
We’re an NIT team, and nothing more. Even if Matta gets to 20 wins, I still think we’re headed for the also-ran bracket.
Too bad, but that’s what losing three first-round NBA picks will do for you. I think OSU is playing as well as can be expected, but Koufos, Lighty and Deibler have been major, back-breaking disappointments. It looks to me as though Deibler might be a bust.
Looking at the remaining schedule I’m not getting a warm fuzzy feeling, but I won’t count Thad out just yet. There are a lot of games to be played.
Lighty is the real killer in my mind. I think his value seems to be lower because of our zone defense. He is a great man defender and when you lack the ability to score or handle the ball I’ll take a streaky Diebler over him right now. I realize he is a sophmore, but on a team with so much youth I expect more from him. I think the trio of freshman are doing fine. They all drive me nuts at times, but counting on consistent contributions from 18 year olds is not easy. Just look at Thad’s face after some of those killer turnovers yesterday.
Also, no ballhandlers and no one to set the table except Butler and he is completely out of gas. We have discussed it on 11W numerous times and Clark mentioned it yesterday. It’s gonna be an uphill struggle but if anyone can pull it off it’s Thad.
I am not counting OSU out of the NCAA just yet. I think they can pull an upset or two at home and capture 2 more road wins. It may come down to the Buckeyes pulling an upset or two in the Big Ten tourney.
Really, I just want the Buckeyes to make the tournament, so I can bet on them in Vegas that weekend.