Over the course of one basketball game, Ohio State coach Thad Matta will march one mile along the sidelines, slap the scorer’s table countless times, and generally act as a surrogate cheerleader for forty minutes. In 34 games, and particularly since the Florida debacle on December 27, his enthusiasm has served the Buckeyes extremely well, effectively cloaking the team with an aura of self-confidence that’s difficult for most teams to penetrate. But if there’s one coach who knows what Thad Matta mutters as he gyrates up and down the sideline and how to penetrate it, it’s his former Associate Head Coach and chalkboard brain at Xaiver, Sean Miller (Pitt ‘92).
Son of Son of a Coach
A four year starter at point guard for Pitt and, like Matta, a son of a coach, Miller is equally as well known for his dribbling antics as a six year old on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Aside from the bad taste left in the mouths of Xavier fans on account of Matta’s untruths during his illicit courtship by Ohio State, the Xavier faithful relish their crack their in state neighbor that hides from them year in and year out. From Eldon Miller, Gary Williams, Randy Ayers to Jim O’Brien Ohio State has refused to schedule Xavier. In fact, apart from an unavoidable 1984 NIT, the Buckeyes have maneuvered to avoid Xavier, located just 90 miles south of Columbus, for an unfathomable and inexplicable 73 years.
Led by Columbus (Brookhaven) native, former McDonald’s All-American and Kelvin Sampson recruited (text-messaged) 5’7†point guard Drew Lavender, the Musketeers have felled Illinois, Villanova and all comers in the Atlantic 10. A high scool teammate of Ron Lewis and Penn State’s Jamelle Cornley, Lavender sets the tone for an athletic Xavier backcourt that can defend Ohio State’s permiter game. But in preparing for the Ohio State game, what does Sean Miller see when he closes his eyes? Like most teams, a gigantic match up problem with Greg Oden. While you can’t necessarily stop Oden, you can box him out and you can make him guard you away from the hoop, where he’s clearly uncomfortable, perhaps on account of his size 22 sneakers. Look for Miller to order his post players to body up Oden at all times and block him out with an effort more intense and effective than Central Connecticut and even Bo Ryan’s Badgers.
Oden on the Floor
It’s a subtle part of the game and it’s one pitfall Ohio State has circumvented all season. In the NCAA Tournament, keeping Oden on the floor and out of foul trouble is critical. With Oden watching the action from his cushioned chair, the Buckeyes are more pedestrian and not much better, if at all, than last year’s model, which possessed Big Ten Player of the Year Terrence Dials. With Oden on the court, Ohio State rebounds, stretches opposing defenses to a breaking point and extends their own defensive pressure on the perimeter with Oden hanging out in the lane, guarding the rim.
Ohio State dominated the first half against Central Connecticut State but took their foot from the pedal and coasted to a draw after the half. While the spigot was turned off once again for 20 minutes on Thursday, Against Xavier, however, a full and balanced effort by Ohio State, defensively and offensively, will be required if they want to set aside the Musketeers. Despite the token lip service of good sportsmanship and forgiveness offered by Xavier players, Thad Matta and even Sean Miller, it’s clear Xavier holds a grudge against Matta. Today’s contest in Lexington will be a great test of Ohio State’s mettle, both athletically and emotionally.
Xavier is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Buckeyes … if euthanasia was the goal. Great shooters, including a big man who will draw Oden to the perimeter. We’ll see if Motta utilizes Othello Hunter to counter this style, or if Oden can play 19 feet from the basket. If they stick with the match-up zone, I can see the Xavier center shooting over the top of Butler et al at the top of the key. As if all that were not enough, Xavier has a huge chip on its collective shoulder because The Ohio State University has been ducking them since a 1980’s era NIT match-up. In fact that used to be Thad’s mantra vis-a-vis the Bucks - demanding an anytime anywhere matchup which fell on deaf ears in Coulumbus. It could be a great one.
Left by blongbrake on March 17th, 2007