SAN ANTONIO, TX - Wow. Down 36-16 with 9:33 left to go in the first half, the Buckeyes' two best players were out with foul trouble and most OSU fans we're reminded of a certain national championship debacle that had transpired just three months prior. Next thing you know the Buckeyes slash the Volunteer lead to 6 roughly six minutes into the second half. With Oden on the sideline in foul trouble much of the second half, the Buckeyes took the lead and held on for dear life as they advanced to the Elite 8 for the just the second time since Scoonie Penn and John Sanderson allegedly appeared in the Final Four in '99.
It seemed like the absolute worst-case scenario for the Bucks in the first half as UT was raining down threes and the Buckeyes' best players were in significant foul trouble (Oden's third came just 14 minutes into the game). Their 19-game winning streak was in serious jeopardy, while Oden had just 2 points on 1 attempt in the first half. They persevered, and drove to the basket on almost every possession as they battled back relentlessly. Who would have thought a Big Ten team could win a game played in the mid-80's? Bo Ryan must have had multiple heart attacks.
It's now down to chalk in the South and the Buckeyes face Memphis Saturday at 4:40. I'm guessing a 20 point deficit isn't exactly in the game plan when they face the Tigers. Go Bucks.
11 comments:
all you can really say is wow....i mean what a comeback. Lighty and Terwilliger were huge off the bench. One more to go.
and hunter.
those refs...i mean seriously.
Oden is clearly the third best player on this team. I don't think there's even a debate to be had. Your site was all over how non-dominant Oden is, and after watching this tournament, I agree.
His offense has been disapointing. No question...but his presence on D and his rebounding ability can not be dismissed. We wouldnt be here without him. I dont think that can be disputed.
I love this site. Those two above comments are mine also.
ben, don't they have to win three more to be national champions? or are you just okay with a final four appearance?
Who blocked that last shot again?
Technically the last shot wasn't blocked. You'll notice from the baseline camera that the shot went off after the opposite basket's lights went off. Oden could have literally pulled a gun out and shot Ramar Smith at that point and it would have been moot, b/c the time had expired.
I'm not exactly sure why he keeps getting credit for this block when it's patently obvious the clock had expired.
Greg Oden after 3 tournament games: 14ppg 8 reb and 2 blocks in 27 minutes
Ken Johnson after 5 games in his sophomore year: 8 ppg, 4 reb, 4 blocks in 19 minutes.
He was credited with a shotblock on the last possession in the official game log, regardless of what may or may not have been overturned had that shot gone in.
Hey X-man, nice to see you've returned. Your analysis is a bit flawed. Had the shot have gone in with no block, they would have looked at the play using standard replay protocol and determined (easily) that the shot wouldn't have counted.
But since they do not presently have a clause to look at controversial shot blocks at the end of games that were clearly irrelevant, they won't alter his mythical block. Sure, the statistician gave him a block, so maybe that makes you feel better at night, but the fact is, it was late and therefore, not game-changing.
Rather than find a way to poke flaws at the manchild, why not just enjoy the presence he provides on defense? Oh wait, that would be counter to the goals of this site, which are to be inherently negative and to poke flaws at every possible thing you can. Done and done. Well played, Cursed team.
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