March 06, 2006

Ohio State Who?: The surprise team of the year.

Remember Ohio State during pre-season talks? Probably not. If you did- it wasn't about seniors Terence Dials, Je'Kel Foster, JJ Sullinger, and Matt Sylvester. It was about Jim O'Brien and possible NCAA sanctions. The Buckeyes were picked a modest 6th in the Big Ten and a possible 8 seed in the NCAAs. But, yesterday Ohio State won the Big Ten Championship outright and is a project #1 seed (with Duke, 'Nova, and UCONN). 1. How have they done it? (Big Ten) Ohio State (1.11) points per possession (#1) Ohio State (0.97) opp. ppp. (#3) Ohio State (+0.14) eff. margin oppp-ppp. (#1) Ohio State (54.1) eFG% (#1) Ohio State (48.2) opp. eFG# (#4) Ohio State (36.8) 3FG% (#1) Ohio State (28.3) opp. 3FG% (#1) Ohio State (53.4) 2FG% (#1) Ohio State (50.7) opp. 2FG% (#8) Ohio State (16.8) TOs (#1) Ohio State (21.4) opp. TOs (#4) As you can see Ohio State lead in most categories, besides rebounding. This is not just because C/F T. Dials is 6'9 but because Ohio State using 40% of their shots with the 3. There aren't many rebounds to be had when they are dropping. 2. Since Ohio State has been so stellar outside the line, defenders like to creep out, allowing Terene Dials to be a beast, and I mean a BEAST down low. He has had a double-double the last 5/6 or 7 games! 3. Whats the catch? Ohio State has 0, absolutely no depth at Center. Look at their bench and see 8-10 guys between 6'0 and 6'6 that likes to shoot threes. But when TD is on the court, they Buckeyes are good to go. Take TD off the court and well, Ohio State is Ohio State everyone is used to.

posted by Buckeyes87 to at 12:16 PM - 0 comments