The Ohio State Buckeyes played a very interesting game to make it to the East Regional final. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes (30-7) vs #1 Syracuse Orange (34-2) Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Ohio State<\/strong><\/p>\n Against Cincinnati they looked pretty good early, horrible in the middle then finished strong.<\/p>\n Strong enough that they are now the favourites against the region\u2019s #1 seed.<\/p>\n I find this result interesting. \u00a0Does it mean that Cincinnati is very good because that is not what I saw Thursday night.<\/p>\n Should be a very competitive game.<\/p>\n Against Cincinnati it felt like the Buckeyes were always controlling the action. \u00a0I didn\u2019t realize it at the time but they scored 14 more points at the foul line.<\/p>\n Aaron Craft was super disruptive on the perimeter both on his man and others. \u00a0The Bearcats are not blessed with playmakers on the perimeter so I think their defense will be challenged more against Syracuse which can avoid Craft\u2019s presence a little easier.<\/p>\n Jared Sullinger and Deshawn Thomas both played well, when that happens this team gets all the scoring it needs.<\/p>\n Syracuse<\/strong><\/p>\n It is a #1 vs #2 matchup but can\u2019t remember the last time a #2 seed was the favourite. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n Against Wisconsin I thought the Orange played pretty well and lets not forget that Ohio State lost to those same Badgers, on their own homecourt, in a game they needed for the Big 10 regular season championship.<\/p>\n Being a #1 seed doesn\u2019t mean you have to trounce teams.<\/p>\n I have been fading Syracuse a bit this year but I love this team as the underdog.<\/p>\n On Thursday night the Badgers were awesome shooting from deep but the Buckeyes do not present the same challenge.<\/p>\n I am curious to see how the zone affects Jared Sullinger because when you can neutralize him the OSU offense can be pretty ordinary.<\/p>\n I am expecting another good game from Dion Waiters tomorrow. \u00a0\u00a0In fact I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they have to put Craft on him to slow him down.<\/p>\n
\nSaturday March 24
\nEast Region – Boston, MA
\n7:05PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0Ohio State -150, Syracuse +140
\nSpread: \u00a0Ohio State -3
\nO\/U: \u00a0136<\/strong><\/p>\n