SPOTLIGHT GAME
The #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (8-1)
vs.
The Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2)
___
Conseco Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
December 16, 2006
3:45 pm EST
If you've been paying attention at all (and with over three weeks remaining before January 8th, you ought to be), you are probably aware that Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati will meet on the hardwood this Saturday for the first time in 44 years. Just about every significant article published to this point concerning the game has dissected the history - or lack thereof - of the match-up ad nauseam, so I won't pester you further with nostalgia. Here's what I find interesting about the game:
- This game marks not only a homecoming for Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr.--it's also the team's first trip back to Conseco Fieldhouse since their final round exit against Iowa in last year's Big Ten Tournament. It's a familiar site for most of the team, and despite Cincinnati's relative proximity to Indianapolis, any home court advantage to be had will likely swing in Ohio State's favor. Jamar Butler, Ron Lewis and Ivan Harris all logged minutes there last March, and while they did not all enjoy immense success (Harris went 0 for 7 in the three tournament games), all three players have taken on new roles and identities this year.
- Apologies to Valparaiso (who might have a better record if they hadn't played three ranked teams in a row), but Cincinnati is the first quality opponent the Buckeyes will have faced since the Gred Oden's debut. Some people are expecting a tight game. Others are not. Qualified experts (read: Vegas oddsmakers) are giving the Bearcats thirteen points. Whomever you happen to agree with, it is more or less irrefutable that Mick Cronin's guys are better equipped to challenge us than anyone Valpo or Cleveland State put on the floor.
- This game probably means more to Cincinnati than it does to Ohio State. Ask a UC fan about tomorrow's game, and you're likely to get your ear chewed off. A strange sort of one-sided animosity has apparently been brewing over the past several years--something to the effect of, "We - the Cincinnati Bearcats - have been great at basketball in recent seasons, and you - the Ohio State Buckeyes - refused to schedule us." Then you'll hear that it is unfair that their best teams didn't get a crack at us. This is, of course, completely valid. One has to wonder how or if this mentality will come through in their performance.
FRONTCOURT
10 MARCUS SIKES - JR (6-8, 235)
vs.
20 GREG ODEN - FR (7-0, 280)
Sikes is new to the Bearcats this year, and as the resident big man, he will likely have the unique displeasure of drawing #20 as his defensive assignment. He's not as stout as Jason Maxiell, and he's not the shot blocker that Eric Hicks was. He is, however, versatile. He has the experience to hold his own in the post, and is a decent rebounder, ripping down 5.8 boards per game. Alternatively, Sikes can handle the ball better than most of his frontcourt opponents, and is an impressive 11 of 24 from behind the arc. Oden has shown that he can defend on the perimeter, and he's going to have to--Sikes can stretch the defense. Key Point: Sikes, despite his range, is giving up a lot of size. If the 'Cats are wise, they'll keep the ball moving and Sikes' shot selection limited to wide open looks. Also, Oden was perfect in eight shot attempts last week. Can they guard him?
45 JOHN WILLIAMSON - JR (6-6, 225)
vs.
3 IVAN HARRIS - SR (6-7, 220)
A year ago, one may have seen this as a horrible mismatch. Williamson, after all, is a physical, hard-nosed forward who leads his team in rebounding at 8.1 per game. Like Sikes, Williamson transferred in from a smaller school and is part of an all-new front line for the Bearcats. Despite being a newcomer, though, he has taken charge with high-percentage offense and plenty of scoring (.568 FG%, 10-19 3PT, 16.0 PPG). Harris, fortunately, has stepped up his game this year. He's posting career high scoring and rebounding averages, and he's even getting to the line--eleven free throw attempts in nine games (compares favorably to 27 attempts in his first three seasons). Key Point: It will be interesting to see how often, if ever, they choose to double Oden. If Williamson spends a lot of time collapsing, Harris could be left wide open. On a side note, Williamson is a Columbus native and cousin to Michael Redd.
30 CEDRIC MCGOWAN - SR (6-6, 230)
vs.
12 RON LEWIS - SR (6-4, 200)
McGowan has a year of Div. I ball under his belt, and is very much in line with UC's recent mold of smaller post players. Again, he's no Eric Hicks, but this guy is a tough player, and is probably the best shot blocker of the 'Cats starting five. He'll probably be more suited to guarding Lighty and Hunter when they hit the floor than Lewis, but don't be surprised if he gives whoever he guards some trouble--great motor, from what I hear. Key Point: He's probably too slow to guard Lewis consistently, but he's too good to keep off the floor. Keep an eye on how Cronin handles it.
BACKCOURT
33 JAMUAL WARREN - JR (6-2, 195)
vs.
14 JAMAR BUTLER - JR (6-2, 200)
Warren is yet another former JuCo star that peppers this roster. He's a very capable defender (leads his team with 20 steals), and is a good position rebounder on the defensive end. He is probably outclassed by Butler in a lot of ways, but both players have started the year a little cold from the floor. Key Point: These two may just end up cancelling each other out, but I could see Warren - like Williamson - spending a lot of time keying on Oden. Hopefully Butler will take advantage of any opportunities.
5 DEONTA VAUGHN - FR (6-1, 200)
vs.
1 MIKE CONLEY JR. - FR (6-1, 175)
This is the match-up I am most looking forward to seeing. Vaughn is an Indianapolis-born combo guard who took the reigns of this team six games ago and hasn't looked back. He responded to receiving his first start by draining nine three pointers and posting 33 points. Since that game (a heartbreaking 90-91 loss to Wofford), Vaughn is averaging 21 points, 4.3 rebounds and four helpers. Conley continues to wow people (it can't be just me) with his quickness and instincts, and leads the Big Ten in steals. Like I said, I can't wait to see these guys clash. Key Point: Vaughn is talented, but is prone to turning the ball over, as he's not a pure point. If Conley can bring his defensive 'A' game, it could be advantage Buckeyes.
BENCH
31 DAEQUAN COOK - FR (6-5, 210)
23 DAVID LIGHTY - FR (6-5, 220)
45 OTHELLO HUNTER - JR (6-9, 225)
42 MATT TERWILLIGER - JR (6-8, 230)
vs.
1 MARVIN GENTRY - JR (6-3, 175)
23 RONALD ALLEN - SR (6-9, 225)
3 TIMMY CROWELL - JR (6-2, 170)
Against UNC, our bench looked thin. Now, just a couple weeks later, it looks like a decent starting lineup (even with Danny Joe at the point). Marvin Gentry is the primary sixth man, and has started a number of games this year. Allen gives them some more size, and will likely be called upon to soak up some fouls when Oden gets rolling. When you evaluate both teams man-by-man, those hoping for a competitive game are left clinging to those hopes--and little else.
Nonetheless, these games aren't played on paper. To Ohio State, this is just one of a long string of 'tune-up' games leading up to March. To Cincinnati, it's an opportunity to leap immediately from obscurity in a loaded conference to national prominence, despite a couple of tough losses to weaker teams. UC has a tough, but not impossible schedule. A win here could give them the steam to roll through their next seven or eight games, when they meet underrated West Virginia and undefeated (for now) Pittsburgh. One thing we should count on, whether the game comes down to the wire or not, is a good showing from these guys. Cronin is too good a coach to let them quit, and you can bet that they know that one or two baskets the other way and they're 9-0 and climbing the ranks. Ultimately, even at 80-90%, I think Oden will be too much, too fast for the undersized Bearcats. This Ohio State team is too talented and too well coached to get out-game-planned. I think we could see a competitive half, but much beyond that is probably not in the cards.
Prediction: tOSU 77 - UNC 65