The Big East, who came into the Tournament with a record-breaking 11 teams, now has two left: Marquette (an 11 seed) and Connecticut (3 seed). The conference has lost a 1 seed, a 2 seed, and a 3 seed as well as a normal powerhouse Georgetown and sleeper-favorite St. Johns. In an apparent “down season” for the ACC, the conference comes into the Sweet Sixteen with one more team than the Big East.
The second statement was thrown around for a majority of the season when it seemed nobody wanted to be ranked number one in the nation. Ohio State lost and then Duke would lose and then Kansas would lose and the number one overall seed came down to the conference championships. Ohio State was given it and they are certainly showing they deserve it.
The Buckeyes rolled in a 98-66 victory over the George Mason Patriots and to be honest, it wasn’t even as close as THAT score. The Patriots started on a hot-start, leading early 11-2. The Buckeyes then decided they wanted to start playing and finished the half on a 50-15 run.
We’re trying to make a statement,” guard William Buford said to ESPN. “We wanted to let everybody know we mean business.”
Well William, you did.
The Buckeyes shot 16-26 from three-point range and an impressive 61 percent from the field. The numbers can only slightly do justice to the Buckeye’s dominance. Play after play after play the Buckeyes manhandled the Patriots inside and outside of the paint and proved to the nation just how good they can be.
In a round where Duke struggled to beat Michigan and Pittsburgh lost to Butler, nobody would have been surprised if Ohio State had limped through and squeaked out a victory against Mason. Instead, the Buckeyes erupted for 98 points in a game where Jared Sullinger, arguably their best player, played only 22 minutes.
“Just so many weapons on our team,” Lighty said to ESPN. “And everyone was clicking on high cylinders tonight. When that’s happening, it’s pretty hard to beat us.”
It’s the many weapons the Buckeyes possess make them such a contender for the title. When the Buckeyes need a bucket they have the country’s best big man in Sullinger. Having a low-post threat is a huge advantage in the usual close games of March. Maybe not the game-winning shot, but in game up one with two minutes left, going down low for an easy bucket is the way to close out games.
Down three? Jon Diebler, William Buford, David Lighty and even freshman Aaron Craft are all capable of knocking down big shots. The Buckeyes’ guards are also all fantastic perimeter defenders who can single-handedly lock down an opposing team’s star player.
The Buckeyes simply looked so much better than George Mason. The swagger the team possesses allows them to walk onto the court knowing they can beat anybody in the nation. And they’re big. Sullinger comes in at 6’9, 280 and lines up next to Dallas Lauderdale, rolling up at a subtle 6’8, 225. That’s a heck of a front line that could overwhelm any team.
The Buckeyes come into the Sweet 16 after dominant performances, striking fear into the hearts of their upcoming opponents. If the Kentucky Wildcats can’t attempt to at least slow down the powerhouse Sullinger and big-time shooter Diebler expect another thorough victory.
Even after a game where the Buckeyes won by 32 and almost hit the centurion, Sullinger let out a worrying message to all the other teams left in the country.
“We can play better.”
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