Sequestered in the United Center, winter has parted in earnest and a March spring has emerged in the Midwest. After nine games in three days, four salted pretzels, three bags of Twizzlers, and two tired performances of Quick Change, one big game remains. We’ve come to know our concession stand workers by first name (thanks for the refill JoAnn) and most of the people in Section 122 have become more familiar than mere faces in a crowd. On Day Four, we’ll bear witness to a game where two top 5 teams will battle for a Big Ten Trophy and NCAA Seeding. At the conclusion of the Ohio State Wisconsin game, it’s possible we’ll have seen two Number 1 seeds and a National Champion in waiting.
Turning it On
In a development nothing short of positive for its NCAA hopes, over the past two games, Ohio State has made a concerted effort to give Greg Oden the basketball. Oden is beginning to become more assertive in the post and his teammates have accommodated. With no Purdue player greater than Carl Landry’s 6′7″ given meaningful minutes, the glass was left essentially to Oden to clean and he did so with the efficiency of a well-seasoned janitor.
With Oden controlling the boards, often times using David Teague and Chris Kramer as unwilling step ladders as he hovered over the smaller Boilermakers for tip ins and one thunderous no-call dunk, Ohio State never lost its grip on the game. Still, the Buckeyes continue to shoot erratically, especially Jamar Butler and Daequan Cook. Going forward, Ohio State will need to find an elusive balance between Oden’s power inside and the guards outside.
Uncle Carl
It’s worth mentioning Carl Landry’s performance on Saturday where he outscored Oden 24-17 using guile and arsenal of a veteran. Watching Landry’s footwork as he battles for position is something to behold. With a smooth mid-range jumper, Landry also brought Oden away from the basket where he was understandably more uncomfortable and resulting in three second half fouls as he reached on defense.
With Ohio State’s talent level, particularly their speed, they are difficult to defend. If Ohio State plays to their ability, not their opponent’s, they can beat any team in the Country. But for Ohio State to do this, they can’t continue to turn their talent on as if it were a water faucet. While beating a disorganized Michigan team and a developing Purdue team is much better than losing, in order to win games against more talented and experienced teams, Ohio State will need to play not only harder but for forty minutes. So far, they haven’t done that in the House Jordan Built.
On Wisconsin
Somehow Bruce Weber has managed to squeeze 23 wins out of his ragged Fighting Illini. However, after their ignominious win over Indiana, it came as no surprise that the Illini would put up little resistance to the Badgers on Saturday. After falling behind early, the Badgers remained composed and as usual confident, the mark of a well-coached and disciplined team. Surely, they took comfortably took control of the game through solid defense as well as the astounding leaping ability of Alando Tucker.
In preparation for the Championship Game on Sunday, unlike Matta, Ryan rested his superstar for much of the second half. With Kammron Taylor shooing well, the Badgers didn’t require heroics from Tucker to beat Illinois. Ryan has assembled a deep team where little if any drop off comes when he makes substitutions off the bench. Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft, Jason Bohanon, Greg Steimsma all contribute. Like Carl’s little brother, Krabbehoft is important and versatile player who continues to impress with his innate nose for the ball.
The Badgers and the Buckeyes split the series this season, with Wisconsin losing a heartbreaker in Columbus. Sunday’s game will be interesting to say the least. Expect a steady steam of traffic driving south from Dane County to West Madison Street as Badger fans (who already reach the rafters of the United Center) anticipate the import of this game.
