Buckeyes take the top spot (sort of)

OSU LogoThe new Men’s Basketball polls are out, and OSU and Wisconsin take the top spot in the AP and ESPN polls, which sets up for a #1 vs. #2 this weekend, as OSU welcomes the Badgers into Columbus. (Let’s make some noise, Buckeye fans! More on that later) There has been chatter on who deserved the top spot, but at this point it’s tough to completely gauge who is “the best.” OSU’s losses have come against top five opponents (including Wisconsin) while Wisconsin losses have come against inferior teams (including an Indiana team that OSU beat handily). It’s too close to call.

This week’s game probably won’t really settle anything, either, unless OSU lays an egg and loses to Wisconsin. But, in the minds of most of the voters, a decisive victory by the Buckeyes should cement their place at the top of the polls, as well as secure the Big Ten regular season title. It would also provide the Buckeyes with some needed momentum and confidence going into the Big Ten tournament.

Let’s go Bucks!

Comments

  1. Go Cardinal !!

  2. Does this remind anyone of football season? Go Badgers!

  3. I just posted this (but I want people to see it, so I’ll post it here too)

    http://buckeyebattlecry.blogspot.com/2007/02/possibility-of-home-court-advantage-in.html

    OK, now you’re going to have to stay with me on this one. It could get complicated…..

    NCAA rules state that no team can play a NCAA Tournament game on their home court. “Home court” is defined as any floor in which the team has played “more than three scheduled games”. So you’re not going to see the Buckeyes at the Schottenstein Center, which will host the first and second rounds. However, the Buckeyes may be on track for the next best thing.

    Ohio State is four days away from their big showdown against Wisconsin. If they win, they lock up the Big Ten Championship and the #1 seed in the conference tournament. The Big Ten Championship will probably hand Ohio State a #1 seed, but that’s not a guarantee yet.

    The Buckeyes will then play their first conference tournament game on March 9th at the United Center in Chicago. If they win, they play in the Big Ten semifinals on March 10th at the United Center in Chicago. If they win, they play in the Big Ten Championship game on March 11th at….the United Center in Chicago.

    Winning that Big Ten Tournament will secure the #1 seed the Buckeyes are looking for. The other top seeds look to be Florida, UCLA and North Carolina. Looking regionally, the top seed in the South would go to Florida, the east would go to North Carolina, and the West would go to UCLA. Ohio State would become the #1 seed in the Midwest, which is EXACTLY what they want.

    ….and guess what? The top seed in the Midwestern bracket plays their first two games….at the United Center in Chicago.

    How much of an advantage do YOU think a team would have getting to play 5 straight games on the same floor?

  4. Hey Jeff,

    Did you see that ESPN (for some reason) has OSU playing in the south?
    http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketology

    Thanks for the insight! This is what I love about the social networking that blogs encourage. Such a great potential for insight and info.

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