Basketball Preview: OSU vs. Kansas
By Editorial Staff
All of the team vitals are below. The things that one might glance at as they’re looking through the newspaper the day of the game, you know if newspapers weren’t dying. But to me what is intriguing to note about this weekend’s battle between #2 and #13 is the amount of big time games both teams have already gone through. The Buckeyes have gone head to head with the likes of Florida and Duke and convincingly come out on top. Establishing themselves as a legitimate contender in the landscape of college basketball and having fans wishfully thinking about another long run in the NCAA tournament and maybe even a run at perfection. But this Saturday we won’t be the only team that has gone through a harsh non conference schedule already this season.
Kansas has taken on the likes of Duke and Kentucky already this season. Unfortunately for them they were not able to overcome those opponents and are currently sitting at 6-2. However they will still pose a formidable challenge because while they may have fallen short in their two toughest games thus far they have taken care of Georgetown and UCLA, two traditional powerhouse programs.
As Buckeye fans we know the scarlet and gray roster, the strengths, weaknesses and goals we’re looking to accomplish in the non conference schedule. Establish our rotation, find guys capable of stepping up and earning minutes, and find experience for the youngsters, the same for just about every big time program this time of year. However a challenge may be in store for this squad. Big Smooth, Jared Sullinger, is currently a question mark for Saturday due to back spasms. But given the size of this game and the road game experience it will provide for this squad, I would be surprised if he didn’t at least make an attempt to play this weekend. If he’s not able to be the dominate force we have become accustomed too then the game plan will focus on Aaron Craft and William Buford leading the team with Deshaun Thomas taking on some more responsibility and Evan Ravenel having to grow up real fast inside. If you follow the Buckeyes on any level, then these are facts that we just “know”. Thad Matta has done such a great job the last few years stocking his roster and assigning roles for everyone that, even though he typically works with a short rotation, the team has taken an almost football like “next man up” mentality that is exciting and admirable to see.
Kansas is primarily lead by upperclassmen Thomas Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor, two guys that have loads of experience and will have a raucous Phog Allen Fieldhouse behind them to attempt an early season upset that would go a long way to setting their season on a better track. Their coach, Bill Self, is the former head man at Illinois, so he is no stranger to Thad Matta and the Buckeyes. He will know what to expect and have his team mentally ready to go for the upset. While Kansas is a program that brings in its fair share of McDonald’s All Americans, you do have to wonder what their team would look like this year if last year’s super freshman Josh Selby had stuck around. A supremely talented combo guard he found himself as the 6th man on the roster most of last year but still opted for the NBA draft, only to fall to the second round to the Memphis Grizzlies. If he would have stayed this season and been the third option on this team alongside Robinson and Taylor they would be a lurking monster of a team. As is they are still ranked #13 in the country and will provide yet another strong challenge for the Buckeyes in this young season.
When 3:15pm EST comes around on Saturday two storied programs will meet. Teams that can boost historic players and icons such as Wilt Chamberlain, John Havlicek, Danny Manning, Jerry Lucas, James Naismith, Fred Taylor and countless others will be on display for the college basketball world. Given our recent successes Buckeye Nation should be confident, but not cocky. They’re about to step into a historic gymnasium onto a floor named for a legend. But as long as coach Matta can remind the young Bucks that the rim is still 10 feet tall and the lane is 15 feet long from the foul line to the basket, I’m sure this group will make Buckeye Nation proud.
My Prediction – OSU (75) Kansas (68)
Tail of the Tape
OSU – #2
Statistical Rankings
Points Per Game – 12th (82.5)
Rebounds Per Game – 56th (39.4)
Assists Per Game – 4th (19.3)
Field Goal % – 8th (50.9%)
Team Leaders
Points – Jared Sullinger (19.1), William Buford (16.0)
Rebounds – Jared Sullinger (10.3), Lenzelle Smith Jr. (5.0)
Assists – Aaron Craft (5.5), William Buford (3.4)
Kansas – #13
Statistical Rankings
Points Per Game – 70th (75.0)
Rebounds Per Game – 78th (38.4)
Assists Per Game – 73rd (14.6)
Field Goal % – 44th (47.5%)
Team Leaders
Points – Thomas Robinson (17.4), Tyshawn Taylor (16.8)
Rebounds – Thomas Robinson (12.0), Jeff Withey (6.3)
Assists – Elijah Johnson (3.8), Tyshawn Taylor (3.6)