The Buckeyes are a unanimous #1 (almost) in both polls, marking the first time since 1946 1962 that OSU is ranked #1 in the AP Poll.
I’m a little nervous of the winning streak we currently have. If we run the tables in the Big Ten tournament, we’ll be going into the NCAA tourney with quite a bit of momentum. I don’t like that. A loss in the championship game wouldn’t be a bad thing in the long run.
I didn’t get to see the entire Wisconsin game, but some of our fellow bloggers did. Make sure you read them: (DCfW, Pfef and Eleven Warriors). The Big Ten Wonk isn’t as impressed.
I can’t say I disagree with BTW. The Buckeyes have looked soft at times, especially Oden. It seems like he doesn’t assert himself a lot and the offense isn’t giving him enough opportunities to assert himself. On defense, I’m worried that they’re getting lazy, letting Oden pick up the slack. He’s been doing that just fine, but staying out of foul trouble is going to be an issue in the tournament.
Don’t get me wrong — this is a good basketball team. Even a great team. I just don’t know if they’re an elite team, right now. They have all the tools, just not the experience.
Being ranked number one has not worked out so well for OSU lately. I hope we lose a game or two and fall to number three. Then we can come back and win it all.
Kaiser – I totally agree with you re: almost wishing for a loss. The team has talent, but the chemistry is a bit scattered. A loss in the Big 10 tourney would do this team wonders, possibly pulling the team together for the dance.
ESPN keeps saying it is the first time since 1962 that we are ranked #1 in the AP poll…..someone is wrong
Bobster – That’s not far from the truth, a loss would do them some good. Being #1 puts the target on OSU’s back.
Monkey – I would hope a loss would strengthen them. It will be interesting to see if that’s the case.
SYR – you’re right, my bad. Not sure where I got the 1946 from.
I have mixed feelings about the “lose before the tournament” theory. On one side a loss might unite the team and take the target off our backs as already pointed out. On the other side, it also might jeopardize a #1 seed. My feeling is I would rather have a #1 seed than a loss to unite the team. That being said, I don’t think a loss in the Big Ten Championship Game should hurt our #1 seed.
The Buckeyes have a target on their backs because of all the hype surrounding Oden & company and the fact they are #1 in the country. I don’t think a loss that would drop the team to #3 or #4 ranking would alleviate that at all.