Spring Break
Buckeyes Not Worth Praises
NCAA Basketball
Justin Verrier
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: Sports
In their match-up with the Tar Heels, the Oden-less Buckeyes did put forth a valiant effort in a game that was much closer than the score would lead you to believe.
But even with the big freshman, the Buckeyes were man-handled by the Gators, eventually losing by an eye-popping 20 points. Those who like to argue that Oden, who was only in his fifth game since coming back from surgery in June to repair a torn ligament in his wrist, wasn't back to full health. But so was Florida's big man, Al Horford. Nursing an ankle injury that sat him out of practice and games for nearly two weeks, Horford went for 11 points and 11 rebounds, and he and Joakim Noah dominated inside all game.
People always gush over the Buckeyes and say how much of a force they can be, but they forget that this team is full of youth and inexperience.
Most are too busy drooling over Oden's potential to real ize that although he may look older than your father, he just turned 19 today. And even though his game resembles one of a proven vet in the NBA, he still makes silly freshman mistakes.
In both the Wisconsin and Florida games, the big man was in foul trouble which limited his minutes. Ohio State has proven to be a solid team without their start center, but the 7-footer needs to learn that he is only an asset on the court and needs to watch the amount of hacking he does in a game.
Oden's lack of experience has also shown against veteran teams. When Matta's crew made the trip to Gainesville in December, the Gators showed that you can take the big man out of the game if - and that's a big if - you have the talent in the post. Florida's star-studded frontcourt proved to be too much for the Buckeyes to handle. With the likes of Horford, Noah and forward Chris Richard - 6-11, 6-10 and 6-9, respectively - patrolling the paint, head coach Billy Donovan had his Gators go right at Oden. They kept him running all night, forcing him out of the paint and then immediately feeding it into to one of their other post players in order to limit Oden's opportunities to make a play.
But even with the big freshman, the Buckeyes were man-handled by the Gators, eventually losing by an eye-popping 20 points. Those who like to argue that Oden, who was only in his fifth game since coming back from surgery in June to repair a torn ligament in his wrist, wasn't back to full health. But so was Florida's big man, Al Horford. Nursing an ankle injury that sat him out of practice and games for nearly two weeks, Horford went for 11 points and 11 rebounds, and he and Joakim Noah dominated inside all game.
People always gush over the Buckeyes and say how much of a force they can be, but they forget that this team is full of youth and inexperience.
Most are too busy drooling over Oden's potential to real ize that although he may look older than your father, he just turned 19 today. And even though his game resembles one of a proven vet in the NBA, he still makes silly freshman mistakes.
In both the Wisconsin and Florida games, the big man was in foul trouble which limited his minutes. Ohio State has proven to be a solid team without their start center, but the 7-footer needs to learn that he is only an asset on the court and needs to watch the amount of hacking he does in a game.
Oden's lack of experience has also shown against veteran teams. When Matta's crew made the trip to Gainesville in December, the Gators showed that you can take the big man out of the game if - and that's a big if - you have the talent in the post. Florida's star-studded frontcourt proved to be too much for the Buckeyes to handle. With the likes of Horford, Noah and forward Chris Richard - 6-11, 6-10 and 6-9, respectively - patrolling the paint, head coach Billy Donovan had his Gators go right at Oden. They kept him running all night, forcing him out of the paint and then immediately feeding it into to one of their other post players in order to limit Oden's opportunities to make a play.
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