This marks the first time since the 2006-2007 season that Ohio State has reached the Final Four. That was back when we had Oden and Conley as they went on to the National Championship game, something that this basketball team can accomplish just as well. Let's get on to the Bits!
The Jayhawks Stand In Our Way. It's time for a rematch and this game has quite a bit more riding on the outcome then last time. Back in early December, the Buckeyes played at Kansas against Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor. Up to that point, OSU was a perfect 8-0 and ranked 2nd in the country. Then, the Jayhawks were ranked 13th and were able to knock off Ohio State with a deceiving 78-67 victory.
The key point in this rematch: Jared Sullinger did not play in December vs. Kansas. Sullinger was sidelined due to an injury with his back, forcing him to sit the bench and watch the Buckeyes fall. Now there is nothing in Sullinger's way. This should be a great game to watch, as Kansas is really starting to hit their stride after defeating the Midwest 1-seed, North Carolina. Both Robinson and Taylor play very well together and should cause problems for Ohio State all night, setting up an awesome combination of basketball talent.
Instead Of Worse, It Got Better. If you've been watching Ohio State basketball pre-March, you were probably thinking along the lines of: "How the hell are we going to even make it to the Sweet Sixteen, let alone get past it??" You weren't wrong in thinking that, because the big man upstairs himself didn't think they would get there:
"Matta wasn’t even sure this team would get that far.
“We struggled early in terms of mental toughness in practice,” Matta said. “And they can tell you, I told them — it was probably mid-December I said it — ‘Fellows, right now you’re a round-of-32 team. We’re going to be out in the round of 32 unless some things change.’ ”
#SWOON. Does it really get any better than this for Aaron Craft? The kid has clearly played his heart out for this team all season and has even gone so far as to turn it up a notch in the March Madness tournament. I honestly didn't even think it was possible. His defensive efforts are just plain ridiculous to this point. This Buckeye team didn't seem to have a leader, at least not until the Gonzaga game.
Now, Craft is earning the attention of people nationwide and I couldn't think of anyone else that deserves it more than this guy.
