No. 1 Ohio State vs. #9 Xavier (Game Thread)

[CardinalBall]

I really dont think that Lighty should guard Doellman. Even if Doellman isnt a true 6'9, I think hes too big for Lighty. I think if they do play man Hunter should be getting big minutes and guard Doellman. I see the man breaking down like.

Hunter/Harris on Doellman
Butler/Cook on Burrell
Conley/Butler on Lavender
Lewis/Cook on Cage
Oden/Twig on X's PF by committe, probably Duncan.

X has 4 guys who play around 30minutes and then have 2 6'8 240 ish guys in Cole/Duncan who will probably play the PF position. I really wouldnt rule out zone against them.

Matta will know a lot better than me, but I think that Hunter's going to matchup with these guys very well. I think that Lavender will be a total liability for X on defense at 5'7 150 if he ever has to switch of Conley if OSU gets whoever he's on the ball it should be an easy bucket. Also Conley or Butler might get some pretty good looks from outside being a half a foot taller than the guy guarding them.

[tiltmode3]

The Xavier fans seemed to be everywhere in Lexington last night and had a huge presence in Rupp. They actively rooted against tOSU and stood up and boo'd eve time they showed Matta on the jumbotron. None of that [censored]ed me off until when OSU was coming off the court after winning against CCSU, a large contingent of Xavier fans were around the tunnel booing the team and screaming that Matta is a pussy and a traitor. I know, I know, you'll have this type of behavior at every sporting event if you look hard enough, but it made me really want to kick the living [censored] out these guys tomorrow afternoon.


We need to represent tomorrow as I know this game means everything to Xavier and especially their salty fans.

I hope to see you all at DeSha's bright and early tomorrow sucking down beers like it's the VC.

Go Bucks!

[CardinalBall]

Also 2nd half let down seems a lot more likely to me than OSU having to come from behind.

[Buckeye86]

Originally Posted by CardinalBall

I really dont think that Lighty should guard Doellman. Even if Doellman isnt a true 6'9, I think hes too big for Lighty. I think if they do play man Hunter should be getting big minutes and guard Doellman.

Shows what I know, I assumed when the previous poster said he could "give us problems from the outside" that he was a gaurd. Having said that, Lighty is taller than his listed 6'5".



Best picture I could find quickly, but Lewis is listed at 6'4".

[CardinalBall]

Yeah Lighty is pretty tall and definitely a defensive specialist. I mean, hes capable of guarding probably all the players X will play tomorrow including Doellman, but I just think Hunter matches up better cause Doellman can go low too and is pretty good on the glass. I didnt mention Lighty in my matchups because I think he could fill in for anyone at any spot. Maybe even bring Lighty in if someone gets hot.

[melrun78]

Originally Posted by tiltmode3

The Xavier fans seemed to be everywhere in Lexington last night and had a huge presence in Rupp. They actively rooted against tOSU and stood up and boo'd eve time they showed Matta on the jumbotron. None of that [censored]ed me off until when OSU was coming off the court after winning against CCSU, a large contingent of Xavier fans were around the tunnel booing the team and screaming that Matta is a pussy and a traitor. I know, I know, you'll have this type of behavior at every sporting event if you look hard enough, but it made me really want to kick the living [censored] out these guys tomorrow afternoon.


We need to represent tomorrow as I know this game means everything to Xavier and especially their salty fans.

I hope to see you all at DeSha's bright and early tomorrow sucking down beers like it's the VC.

Go Bucks!

I understand you being upset as I would be too but you have to understand where they are coming from. Matta promised he wasn't going to leave and take the OSU job. Obviously he did so it makes sense they are pretty upset.

Granted, even if he didn't say anything and still left for OSU they would probably still be upset but I think the fire was stoked when he promised and then broke that promise.

On the flip side, we would all be pretty upset if he left for Indiana after saying again and again he wasn't interested in their position. I am sure tOSU fans would be pretty ruthless every time he and Indiana came to our floor.

[Bleed S & G]

Originally Posted by tiltmode3

until when OSU was coming off the court after winning against CCSU, a large contingent of Xavier fans were around the tunnel booing the team and screaming that Matta is a pussy and a traitor.

Thats a good thing.. you know that'll pump our players up.. im fine with ammo

['BusNative]

I know the Lavender story line will be old by the end of the weekend, but as a Columbus kid who grew up playing against that family it is very exciting - especially now that I live away from home.

The whole Lav family had/has as much basketball talent as any family of brothers (and 1 sis, if I remember correctly) as I've ever seen. Anthony and Antoine were amazing. Antoine regularly put up 30+ point games on us in MIDDLE SCHOOL and did the same to everyone in high school.

I also remember the spring/summer/fall league games at Brookhaven when little Drew and a very young Chris Quinn would square off in the youngest age group games.

I'm still hoping the Buckeye's advance, but I hope Drew gets a chance to show how good he really is.

[Jeffcat]

Originally Posted by bkochmc

Side question: Was Lavender recruited by Ohio State? If not, did he want to play for Ohio State?

i dont know if he was recruited by osu but i believe he went to brookhaven then went on to play college for sampson at oklahoma where he did very well then transferred to xavier. he definitely doesnt fit the typical mold by being only 5'7"(oden meat) but he does have a quick playing style a short teardrop shot. he is kinda similar to conley in playing style by being so small and quick and whatnot but conley still has a lot of height over him.