Ohio St

Bracketology: Saturday Night NCAA Tournament Projection

Shawn Siegel — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 20:08:23 -0700

The latest Bracketology projection as of 11:00 PM, March 16th. One more day until Selection Sunday.

Why Pay Attention to What I Have to Say: Collegehoops.net's projections have consistently proven to be the best in the business. Over the last 5 years, Shawn Siegel is one of the Top 5 Bracketologists according to the Bracket Project. This ranking includes the likes of Joe Lunardi, Gary Parrish, Jerry Palm, and Andy Glockner.. none of whom come close.

As always, the field below is a prediction of what the committee would do as things stand today, not what they should do. This is done by taking into account standings, polls, computer rankings, and the committee's historical biases. Check out the follow up Bubble Watch for updates about teams on the NCAA Tournament Bubble, and NITology for a ranking of the best of the rest.

Notes:

Arrows indicate how many seeds a team has moved up or down since the previous update. Conference Champ.

ONE

Gonzaga 7

Louisville 3

Duke 1

Kansas 5

TWO

Indiana 10

New Mexico 2

Georgetown 9

Miami 4

THREE

Ohio St 11

Michigan St 8

Florida 6

Marquette 13

FOUR

Michigan 18

Syracuse 12

Kansas St 16

Oklahoma St 27

FIVE

UCLA 23

Saint Louis 22

Arizona 15

Wisconsin 28

SIX

Memphis 14

Pittsburgh 42

Creighton 26

North Carolina 17

SEVEN

Butler 21

VCU 25

Notre Dame 36

Colorado St 19

EIGHT

UNLV 24

Missouri 35

North Carolina St 30

Illinois 40

NINE

Oregon 49

San Diego St 32

Saint Mary's 33

Iowa St 44

TEN

Temple 41

Oklahoma 40

Villanova 52

Cincinnati 48

ELEVEN

Wichita St 37

Minnesota 34

Belmont 20

Ole Miss 50

TWELVE

Boise St 43

Akron 46

Colorado 38 / Tennessee 59

La Salle 45 / UCONN 47 California 53

THIRTEEN + 2

Bucknell 51

South Dakota St 63

New Mexico St 57

Valparaiso 58

FOURTEEN

Davidson 61

Montana 83

Florida Gulf Coast 93

Harvard 94

FIFTEEN

Northwestern St 96

Iona 97

Pacific 105

Western Kentucky 150

SIXTEEN + 2

Albany 128

Long Island 175

James Madison 182 / Liberty 288

Southern 181 / North Carolina A&T 211

Last In: California, Tennessee, La Salle, Colorado

First Out: Maryland 66, Middle Tennessee 31, Kentucky 56, Southern Miss 29

Jon Teitel's McDonald's All-American Lineup Projections

Jon Teitel — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 12:04:43 -0700

Projected lineups for all 31 teams with McDonald's High School All-Americans on their rosters,
Plus 2 teams whose All-American will no longer be with his prior team
(All-American year in parentheses)
Incoming 2012 All-Americans in Bold
Underclassmen who have declared for draft in italics
TRANSFERS IN UPPERCASE

UCLA (7)
G: Larry Drew II (2008)
G: Tyler Lamb
F: Shabazz Muhammad (2012)
F: Travis Wear (2009)
F: David Wear (2009)
BENCH: Kyle Anderson (2012), Tony Parker (2012), Joshua Smith (2010)
KEY LOSSES: Lazeric Jones

DUKE (6)
G: Quinn Cook (2011)
G: Seth Curry
F: Rasheed Sulaimon (2012)
F: Mason Plumlee (2009)
F: Ryan Kelly (2009)
BENCH: Marshall Plumlee (2011), Amile Jefferson (2012)
KEY LOSSES: Austin Rivers (2011)

NORTH CAROLINA (5)
G: Dexter Strickland (2009)
G: Reggie Bullock (2010)
G: PJ Hairston (2011)
F: James Michael McAdoo (2011)
F: Desmond Hubert
BENCH: Marcus Paige (2012)
KEY LOSSES: Tyler Zeller (2008), Kendall Marshall (2010), Harrison Barnes (2010), John Henson (2009)

NC STATE (4)
G: Rodney Purvis (2012)
G: Lorenzo Brown
F: CJ Leslie (2010)
F: Scott Wood
F: Richard Howell
BENCH: Tyler Lewis (2012), TJ Warren (2012), RALSTON TURNER
KEY LOSSES: CJ Williams

KENTUCKY (3)
G: Archie Goodwin (2012)
G: Ryan Harrow
F: Alex Poythress (2012)
F: Kyle Wiltjer (2011)
C: Nerlens Noel
KEY LOSSES: Doron Lamb (2010), Terrence Jones (2010), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2011), Anthony Davis (2011), Marquis Teague (2011), Darius Miller

FLORIDA (3)
G: Kenny Boynton (2009)
G: Mike Rosario (2008)
F: Patric Young (2010)
F: Erik Murphy
F: Will Yeguete
KEY LOSSES: Bradley Beal (2011), Erving Walker

OHIO STATE (3)
G: Shannon Scott (2011)
G: Aaron Craft
G: Lenzelle Smith, Jr.
F: Deshaun Thomas (2010)
C: Amir Williams (2011)
KEY LOSSES: William Buford (2008), Jared Sullinger (2010)

SYRACUSE (3)
G: Michael Carter-Williams (2011)
G: Brandon Triche
F: DaJuan Coleman (2012)
F: Rakeem Christmas (2011)
F: CJ Fair
KEY LOSSES: Kris Joseph, Scoop Jardine, Fab Melo (2010), Dion Waiters

MICHIGAN STATE (3)
G: Gary Harris (2012)
G: Branden Dawson (2011)
G: Keith Appling (2010)
C: Derrick Nix
C: Adreian Payne
KEY LOSSES: Draymond Green, Brandon Wood

MEMPHIS (3)
G: Joe Jackson (2010)
G: Chris Crawford
F: Shaq Goodwin (2012)
F: Adonis Thomas (2011)
F: Tarik Black
KEY LOSSES: Will Barton

LOUISVILLE (3)
G: Wayne Blackshear (2011)
G: Peyton Siva (2009)
G: Russ Smith
F: Chane Behanan (2011)
C: Gorgui Dieng
KEY LOSSES: Kyle Kuric, Chris Smith

ARIZONA (2)
G: Nick Johnson
G: Kevin Parrom
F: Brandon Ashley (2012)
F: Grant Jerrett (2012)
F: Solomon Hill
KEY LOSSES: Kyle Fogg, Jesse Perry

INDIANA (2)
G: Yogi Ferrell (2012)
G: Jordan Hulls
G: Victor Oladipo
F: Cody Zeller (2011)
F: Christian Watford
KEY LOSSES: None

TEXAS (2)
G: Myck Kabongo (2011)
G: Julien Lewis
G: Sheldon McClellan
F: Jonathan Holmes
C: Cameron Ridley (2012)
KEY LOSSES: J'Covan Brown

OKLAHOMA STATE (2)
G: Marcus Smart (2012)
G: Markel Brown
G: Brian Williams
F: Le'Bryan Nash (2011)
F: Michael Cobbins
KEY LOSSES: Keiton Page

UNLV (2)
G: Anthony Marshall
G: Justin Hawkins
F: Anthony Bennett (2012)
F: Mike Moser
F: Carlos Lopez
BENCH: KHEM BIRCH (2011)
KEY LOSSES: Chace Stanback

PITTSBURGH (1)
G: Travon Woodall
G: Lamar Patterson
F: Dante Taylor (2009)
F: Talib Zanna
F: JJ Moore
KEY LOSSES: Ashton Gibbs, Nasir Robinson

VILLANOVA (1)
G: James Bell
G: Darrun Hilliard
F: JayVaughn Pinkston (2010)
F: Maurice Sutton
C: Mouphtaou Yarou
KEY LOSSES: Maalik Wayns (2009), Dominic Cheek (2009)

BAYLOR (1)
G: Pierre Jackson
G: Brady Heslip
G: AJ Walton
F: Cory Jefferson
F: Isaiah Austin (2012)
KEY LOSSES: Quincy Acy, Perry Jones III (2010), Quincy Miller

WASHINGTON (1)
G: Abdul Gaddy (2009)
G: CJ Wilcox
F: Desmond Simmons
F: Shawn Kemp, Jr.
C: Aziz N'Diaye
KEY LOSSES: Terrence Ross, Tony Wroten

FLORIDA STATE (1)
G: Michael Snaer (2009)
G: Ian Miller
G: Terry Whisnant II
F: Terrance Shannon
F: Okaro White
KEY LOSSES: Bernard James

CLEMSON (1)
G: Rod Hall
G: TJ Sapp
F: Milton Jennings (2009)
F: Devin Booker
F: KJ McDaniels
KEY LOSSES: Andre Young, Tanner Smith

DETROIT (1)
G: Ray McCallum (2010)
G: Jason Calliste
G: Donovan Foster
F: Doug Anderson
F: Evan Bruinsma
KEY LOSSES: Eli Holman, Chase Simon, Nick Minnerath

LSU (1)
G: Andre Stringer
G: Anthony Hickey
F: Johnny O'Bryant III (2011)
F: Eddie Ludwig
F: Jalen Courtney
KEY LOSSES: Justin Hamilton, RALSTON TURNER

KANSAS (1)
G: Travis Releford
G: Elijah Johnson
F: Perry Ellis (2012)
F: Kevin Young
C: Jeff Withey
KEY LOSSES: Tyshawn Taylor, Thomas Robinson

PROVIDENCE (1)
G: Kris Dunn (2012)
G: Vincent Council
G: Bryce Cotton
F: LaDontae Henton
F: Kadeem Batts
KEY LOSSES: GERARD COLEMAN

GEORGIA (1)
G: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2011)
G: Vincent Williams
F: Donte Williams
F: Marcus Thornton
F: Nemanja Djurisic
KEY LOSSES: Gerald Robinson

MISSISSIPPI (1)
G: Jelan Kendrick (2010)
G: Nick Williams
G: Jarvis Summers
F: Murphy Holloway
F: Reginald Buckner
KEY LOSSES: Terrance Henry

RUTGERS (1)
G: Eli Carter
G: Myles Mack
G: Jerome Seagears
F: Wally Judge (2009)
F: Dane Miller
KEY LOSSES: None

MISSOURI (1)
G: Michael Dixon
G: Phil Pressey
G: KEION BELL
F: ALEX ORIAKHI (2009)
F: Laurence Bowers
KEY LOSSES: Marcus Denmon, Ricardo Ratliffe, Kim English

ALABAMA (1)
G: Trevor Releford
G: Trevor Lacey
G: Levi Randolph
F: Devonta Pollard (2012)
F: Nick Jacobs?
KEY LOSSES: JaMychal Green (2008)

MISSISSIPPI STATE (0)
G: Jalen Steele
G: Shaun Smith
G: Tyson Cunningham
F: Roquez Johnson
C: Wendell Lewis
KEY LOSSES: RODNEY HOOD, Dee Bost, Renardo Sidney (2009), Arnett Moultrie

CONNECTICUT (0)
G: Shabazz Napier
G: Ryan Boatright
F: Tyler Olander
F: DeAndre Daniels
F: Niels Giffey
KEY LOSSES: ALEX ORIAKHI (2009), Jeremy Lamb, Andre Drummond, ROSCOE SMITH

NCAA Tournament Interviews: CBS Color Commentator Clark Kellogg

Jon Teitel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:34:40 -0700

Recently CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with one of the voices of the Final Four, CBS color commentator Clark Kellogg. But Kellogg was also an outstanding player, having won a Big Ten Player of the Year award at Ohio State in 1982. His son Nick is a member of the Ohio team that won the MAC tournament and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to North Carolina last week.

Jon Teitel: What are your memories of the 1980 NCAA tournament as a player at Ohio State (Kellogg scored 12 points before fouling out in a four-point loss to eventual national runner-up UCLA)?

Clark Kellogg: It was a disappointing loss after beating ASU in the first round. That was the best team I played on during my time at Ohio State.

JT: In 1982 you were named Big Ten Player of the Year. What did it mean to you to win such an outstanding individual honor?

CK: It is something you shoot for and was a tremendous honor. I had a strong year that helped us overachieve as a team.

JT: What are your memories of the 1982 NCAA tournament (Kellogg had 14 points and 12 rebounds in a seven-point loss to James Madison)?

CK: It left a bitter taste in my mouth.

JT: In 1982 you declared for the NBA Draft after your junior year. Why did you decide to go pro, and what is the most important factor for today's student-athletes when making their own decision?

CK: First and foremost it is a personal call. I was pretty mature for my age and always had the desire to be a pro going back to age 10. I knew that I would continue to keep education as one of my priorities. I ended up graduating in 1996.

JT: In 1983 you became the second-ever 21-year old rookie in NBA history to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds per game (Rick Barry was the first). How were you able to make such a smooth transition from college to the NBA?

CK: I was a pretty good player and I worked hard. I got tremendous guidance from the strength and conditioning staff at Ohio State. In the NBA I was able to play a lot because the Pacers had been struggling before I got there. My college teammate Herb Williams also taught me how to take care of myself.

JT: In 2009 you took over for Billy Packer as lead analyst for the Final Four and national title game. What is the easiest part of the job, and what is the hardest part of the job?

CK: The easiest part is that I love watching and studying the game. It also helps to be partners with Jim Nantz, who is one of the best broadcasters ever and a joy to work with. It is a wonderful privilege so I do not know if there is a hard part to it. Having to travel and be away from my family is a bit hard.

JT: You were appointed to the Ohio State Board of Trustees in 2010. How important is the school's athletic success to you and the rest of the board?

CK: We want to see Ohio State excel at every level in every way. We are an educational institution, but it is also important for our teams to strive for excellence in the right way.

JT: In March 2010 you lost a game of H-O-R-S-E to President Obama (the game was called "P-O-T-U-S" for the occasion). Was it surreal to be playing against the President, and how good a shooter is he?

CK: He is a real shooter. He has a sweet stroke on his lefty jumper! I thought that I could let him hang around for awhile and then finish him off, but he got me at the wire. It was a tremendous memory on a picture-perfect day at the White House.

JT: Daughter Talisa was an All-ACC volleyball player at Georgia Tech, son Alex played basketball at Providence and son Nick had 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals for Ohio in a Sweet 16 overtime loss to North Carolina last week. Who is the best athlete in the family, and do your kids credit at least some of their success to genetics?

CK: I have a saying: you cannot run away from the DNA! My wife was also a good athlete so our kids were exposed to athletics at a young age. However, at the end of the day the kids have to want to do it and work at it.

JT: What kind of work are you doing with the Capital One Cup?

CK: Capital One is committed to the achievement of student-athletes both on and off the court. Fans can follow the race for the Cup at www.capitalonecup.com. The teams in the Final Four can earn 60 points toward the trophy if they win the title.

NCAA Tournament Interviews: Ohio State's Jerry Lucas

Jon Teitel — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:05:47 -0700

Recently CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Ohio State great Jerry Lucas, who led the Buckeyes to the 1960 national title. Lucas won two MOP awards during his career in Columbus, helping lead the Buckeyes to three straight title game appearances. Lucas is one of three players in the history of basketball to have won a title at each of the following four levels: high school, college, NBA and the Olympics.

Jon Teitel: In the 1956 Ohio state high school semifinals you scored a state-record 53 points in a win over Cleveland East Technical, and followed that up with 44 to beat Canton McKinley in the title game for a two-game total of 97 points that is still a state record. Were you just that much better than everyone else, or were you playing against poor defenses?

Jerry Lucas: I was very good while very young: I may have been the best young player who ever lived, although I did not think that much about it at the time. I began playing against All-Americans at age 14 during the summer in Middletown, OH. That Cleveland team was #1 in the state at the time.

JT: In 1957 you led Middletown High to a second straight undefeated state title and broke Wilt Chamberlain's high school scoring record. Did you feel like you were one of the best players in the country, and what was it like to be so famous at so young an age?

JL: I really did not want to be famous and did not aspire to that. In junior high I began to get approached by recruiters and did not like it, so I went to my parents and my coach put the word out for people to stop contacting me. I did not feel special. I just wanted to be a normal kid.

JT: In the 1958 state semifinals your amazing 76-game winning streak came to an end with a one-point loss to an undefeated Columbus North team. How was your team able to win so many games without ever taking a single night off, and what was the feeling like in your locker room after that loss?

JL: We had great teams back then but my sophomore year team was the best. We were just superior so it was difficult to lose, but since we were good winners I hoped that we could be good losers. However, a lot of people tried to make up excuses for our loss.

JT: After an all-star game during your senior year, you convinced John Havlicek and Bobby Knight to join you and Coach Fred Taylor that fall at Ohio State. What did you say to convince them, and where do you think your recruiting class (including Mel Nowell) ranks in the history of college basketball?

JL: I think my sophomore year team was one of the best college teams of all time, but we do not get our just due. It was the first team with five guys who went on to play pro basketball, but it is hard to rank us against others.

1960 NCAA tournament

JT: You had a school record (for tournament play) 36 points and 25 rebounds in a win over Western Kentucky. Were you nervous going into your first tournament game, and how were you able to play so well?

JL: I was a little nervous before every game that I ever played. I worked harder than anyone else I knew, and if you prepare yourself then you will have some confidence.

JT: You had 16 points (7-9 FG) and ten rebounds en route to being named tournament MOP by winning the title over California. What did it mean to you to win the title, and what was the reaction like back on campus?

JL: You play to win and I was the first to win at every level. To be the best at your level in a particular year was an incredible thrill for everyone on the team. It was the first (and currently the only) national title that Ohio State basketball has ever won, and everyone of my age is still excited about it to this day.

JT: In the 1960 Olympics you were the leading rebounder and co-leading scorer for the U.S. team that won the gold medal, and you were a perfect 14-14 from the field in a game against Japan (84 FG% overall during the Olympics). Was that the best team you ever played on, and what are your memories of the Japan game?

JL: It was obviously an incredible team and the best Olympic team the USA had until the pros started playing. I remember the Japan game very well. They were not very big, and being my first Olympic game it was important to me. I had learned a few Japanese phrases so at the start of the game I said "Good morning" to the Japanese center. He looked at me, backed out of the mid-court circle, and bowed to me. He ended up speaking Japanese to me during the whole game and I just kept saying "Ohio", which is ironic because my home state is the Japanese word "good morning"!

1961 NCAA tournament

JT: You had 33 points (14-18 FG) and a school record (for tournament play) 30 rebounds in a win over Kentucky (who had 26 rebounds as a team), becoming the only player to ever have 30 points and 30 rebounds in a single tournament game. Was that the best all-around game of your college career, and how on earth were you able to out-rebound an entire team?

JL: Rebounding was my forte. Some people think I was the best rebounder for my size of all-time. I am the only NBA player besides Wilt to average 20 points and 20 rebounds per game for a season more than once. I remember having a good game against UCLA. Coach John Wooden always spoke highly of me, which is special coming from such a great coach.

JT: You had 27 points and 12 rebounds in the title game and were named tournament MOP despite Cincinnati getting a five-point overtime upset win, which Coach Taylor called a "stupid game" because your team had blown a couple of leads. Did it feel even worse to lose to your in-state rival, and what was it like to be named MOP despite losing the title?

JL: There was not much glory in being named MOP because we wanted to win the title and failed to do so. I believe that was the most devastating loss of my career, as back-to-back titles would have set us apart in college basketball history. We were undefeated and favored to win and there is no doubt in my mind that we had the better team, but Cincinnati just deserved to win.

1962 NCAA tournament

JT: You had 19 points and 16 rebounds in a win over Wake Forest (All-American Len Chappell had 27 and 18 for Wake Forest). Was your team out for revenge going into the title game against Cincinnati?

JL: I got hurt against Wake Forest and my entire leg was bandaged. We were not out for revenge. Cincinnati was just unique because they won two straight titles.

JT: You had 11 points (5-17 FG) and 16 rebounds in a title game loss to Cincinnati after trying to play on a badly-injured knee: was it just the Bearcats' night, or do you think your team could have won if you were healthy?

JL: I think we had the better team during both years but you have to give the Bearcats all the credit in the world. I am not sure if it would have been a different outcome if I was healthy.

JT: You were named All-American and played in the NCAA title game during each of your three years on the varsity, were a two-time national Player of the Year, and are still the only player to ever be a three-time Big Ten Player of the Year. How satisfied are you with your college career, and do you consider yourself to be one of the best players in college basketball history?

JL: You cannot evaluate yourself; that is for others to do. I was pleased with my career and prided myself on being an unselfish player. Some have called me one of the best college players ever. You cannot have one or two players who dominate everything on the court. You need a group of individuals to play together as a team.

JT: In the summer of 1963 you signed with the Cincinnati Royals and ended up being named NBA Rookie of the Year. How did you deal with the high expectations going into your rookie season, and why was it so easy for you to make the transition from college to the NBA?

JL: It was tough for me initially because I had to change positions from center to forward, so everything was different. We played 20+ exhibition games but it took me awhile to learn the position. I wish that I could have played center during my entire pro career, and when I finally got to do so with the Knicks I loved it.

JT: You led the nation in rebounding twice in college, had a franchise-record 40 rebounds in a three-point win over Philadelphia in 1964, and your 15.6 career rebounds per game in the NBA is fourth-most ever. How on earth were you able to get 40 rebounds in one game, and what is your secret for rebounding?

JL: It goes back to when I was a child. I would take 5,000 shots every day with a purpose. I did things that other players never did. I would intentionally miss shots for eight straight hours just to see where the ball would go. I knew where every missed shot was going so 99% of the time I did not block out because I already knew where to go. I also had great timing and determination and the heart of a champion.

JT: In the 1965 All-Star Game you had 25 points and ten rebounds and was named All-Star MVP in a one-point win by the East. What did it mean to you to win such an outstanding individual honor?

JL: It is a great honor for anybody to win MVP when playing with the best players in the world. It was very rewarding and is one of the biggest highlights of my career.

JT: What are your memories of the 1972 NBA Finals (Wilt Chamberlain picked up his 5th foul at the end of regulation in Game 4, but blocked several shots in overtime to lead the Lakers to a five-point win and won his only Finals MVP award after the Lakers won the series in five games)?

JL: There is no way that the Lakers could have beaten us if Hall-of-Famer Dave DeBusschere had not gotten hurt. I have never seen a team that was more out of whack than the Lakers were during Game 1. Wilt later called me the toughest guy he ever played against because I made him do a bunch of things that he was not comfortable doing. When Dave got hurt Phil Jackson came in to replace him, and Wilt just shut him down. The match-ups had started out as incredible in our favor before quickly changing in the opposite direction.

1973 NBA Finals (with the New York Knicks)

JT: You beat the Celtics in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals on a Sunday and requested that Game 1 of the Finals be delayed until Wednesday, but you had to fly to L.A. for Game 1 on Tuesday after the Lakers denied the request. How exhausted was your team, and how pissed were they when the Lakers stood firm?

JL: We won the series, which was most important. The Celtics game was the first Game 7 that they ever lost in Boston.

JT: All five games of the series were decided by single digits. How close a series was it, and what did it mean to you to win your first NBA title?

JL: It was a very close series. Some of my teammates had previously won a title with the Knicks in 1970, but the 1973 title meant a lot to me because I had not. That is why you play: to be the best.

JT: Winning the series made you the first American basketball player to win championships at every level (high school, college, Olympics, and the pros). How big a deal was it at the time, and how big a deal is it to you now that only two others have done it (Quinn Buckner and Magic Johnson)?

JL: Winning that title was the "jewel in my crown". It was the last thing missing from my championship career. I did not know it until years later when I read it someplace and others began to research it. It might be one of the most unique things in basketball history. Only 3 players have ever done it.

JT: In 1980 you were inducted into the Hall of Fame, in 1996 you were named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, and in 1999 you were named to the Sports Illustrated five-man College All-Century Team. Do you consider yourself one of the best players in the history of the sport?

JL: You do not judge yourself, but some of the awards I won have to at least put me in the discussion.

Lucas is also on Jon's list of best fantasy players in Big Ten history.

Illinois: Dee Brown (2006) 1812 PTS (#3), 674 AST (#2), 231 STL (#2), 299 3PM (#2), 2-time All-American, conference POY
Indiana: Calbert Cheaney (1993) 2613 PTS (#1), 55.9 FG% (#2), 3-time All-American, conference POY, national POY
Iowa: Roy Marble (1989) 2116 PTS (#1), 183 STL (#4), All-American
Michigan: Glen Rice (1989) 2442 PTS (#1), 56.9 FG% (#3), 48 3P% (#1), All-American, NCAA MOP
Michigan State: Scott Skiles (1986) 2145 PTS (#3), 645 AST (#2), 175 STL (#2), 85 FT% (#3), All-American, conference POY, national POY
Minnesota: Mychal Thompson (1978) 1992 PTS (#1), 956 REB (#1), 56.6 FG% (#2), 2-time All-American
Nebraska: Dave Hoppen (1986) 2167 PTS (#1), 773 REB (#4), 60 FG% (#2), All-American
Northwestern: Evan Eschmeyer (1999) 1805 PTS (#2), 995 REB (#1), 132 BLK (#2), 59.5 FG% (#1), All-American
Ohio State: Jerry Lucas (1962) 1990 PTS (#3), 1411 REB (#1), 62.4 FG% (#1), 3-time All-American, 3-time conference POY, 2-time national POY, 2-time NCAA MOP
Penn State: Jesse Arnelle (1955) 2138 PTS (#1), 1238 REB (#1), 3-time All-American
Purdue: Rick Mount (1970) 2323 PTS (#1), 84.3 FT% (#5), 3-time All-American
Wisconsin: Michael Finley (1995) 2147 PTS (#2), 371 AST (#3), 168 STL (#4), 213 3PM (#3), 3-time All-American

Ohio St vs Kansas: Prediction

Greg Mengelt — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:43:48 -0700

(2) Ohio State vs. (2) Kansas

Records

Kansas 31-6, 16-2 Big 12 (Regular-season Conference Champions; At large)

Ohio State 31-7, 13-5 Big Ten (Regular-season Conference 3-way Champions; At large)

Time: 8:49 p.m. Saturday

TV: CBS

Location: Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans

Winner will face: (1) Kentucky or (4) Louisville, Monday in National Championship

Tournament Results

Kansas def. Detroit, 65-50; def. Purdue, 63-60; def. N.C. State, 60-57; def. North Carolina, 80-67

Ohio State def. Loyola (Md.), 78-59; def. Gonzaga, 73-66; def. Cincinnati, 81-66; def. Syracuse, 77-70

Regular-season Meeting

Dec. 10 – At Kansas 78, Ohio State 67

Rankings

Kansas No. 6 AP; No. 6 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

Ohio State No. 7 AP; No. 7 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

RPI Ratings

Kansas 6

Ohio State 5

Line: Ohio State -2½ (O/U 137)

Players to Watch

Kansas: F Thomas Robinson, 6-10 Jr. (17.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 51.2% FG); G Tyshawn Taylor, 6-3 Sr. (16.7 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.4 spg); G Elijah Johnson, 6-4 Jr. (10 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 spg). Taylor came up big against North Carolina with a trip to the Final 4 on the line. After struggling through the first three rounds of the tourney, Taylor was 10-for-19 from the field with 22 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.

Ohio State: F Jared Sullinger, 6-9 So. (17.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 53.1% FG); F Deshaun Thomas, 6-7 So. (16.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 53% FG); G William Buford, 6-6 Sr. (14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 35.1% 3s). Buford hasn’t shot well during the tournament, but Saturday’s win over Syracuse, the senior contributed with 13 points, nine rebounds and a pair of assists.

Why Each Team Dangerous

Kansas: Robinson is a National Player of the Year candidate. He has 16 double-doubles for the season and should have a big game against the Buckeyes. Defensively, Robinson and C Jeff Withey defend the paint as well as any pair in the country. Kansas blocks 5.6 shots per game as a team. Opponents have shot just 77-for-224 (34.4 percent) against Kansas in the tournament. Offensively, the Jayhawks are shooting 47.6 percent for the season, 22^nd nationally. Kansas is a solid rebounding team with a plus-5.6 margin for the season.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are as good offensively around the basket as any team in the country. Sullinger and Thomas are strong and creative with the ball. For the season, Ohio State is shooting 48 percent from the floor. The Buckeyes’ 55.7 rebound percentage is sixth nationally and their 75.2 percent defensive rebound percentage is second. They own a plus-7.7 rebounding margin and a plus-3 turnover margin and a 1.25-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Ohio State has gotten to the foul line 803 times. OSU forced 18 turnovers in December’s loss to Kansas.

Why Each Team is Vulnerable

Kansas: Until scoring 80 points in the win over Carolina, the Jayhawks were averaging just 62.5 points and shot just 40.6 percent from the floor in the three victories. Kansas has almost no frontcourt depth, which could be a concern against the active Buckeyes. For the season, KU turns the ball over 13 times per game.

Ohio State: Although Buford, Thomas and Aaron Craft are capable perimeter shooters, OSU is not a great 3-point shooting team. They are shooting just 33.3 percent from behind the arc and score just 20.1 percent of their points from deep. The Buckeyes also allowed opponents to make over six 3s per game. Despite decent size, Ohio State is not great in the paint defensively.

The Bottom Line: Robinson will be a handful, but the Buckeyes will pull away for a comfortable win.

The Pick: Ohio State 71, Kansas 62

Greg Against the Spread This Season: 207-161-6

Syracuse vs Ohio St: Elite Eight

Greg Mengelt — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:15:04 -0700

(1) Syracuse vs. (2) Ohio State: East Region

Records

Syracuse 34-2, 17-1 Big East (Regular-season Conference Champions; At large)

Ohio State 30-7, 13-5 Big Ten (Regular-season Conference Champions; At large)

Time: 7:05 p.m. Saturday

TV: CBS

Location: TD Garden in Boston

Winner will face: (1) North Carolina, (2) Kansas, (11) N.C. State or (13) Ohio, Sunday

Tournament Results

Syracuse def. UNC-Asheville, 72-65; def. Kansas State, 75-59; def. Wisconsin, 64-63

Ohio State def. Loyola (Md.), 78-69; def. Gonzaga, 73-66; def. Cincinnati, 81-66

Rankings

Syracuse No. 2 AP; No. 2 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

Ohio State No. 7 AP; No. 7 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

RPI Ratings

Syracuse 1

Ohio State 5

Line: Ohio State -3 (O/U 141½)

Players to Watch

Syracuse: F Kris Joseph, 6-7 Sr. (13.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.3 spg); G Scoop Jardine, 6-2 Sr. (8.8 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.4 spg); F C.J. Fair, 6-8 So. (8.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.1 spg). Fair had arguably his best game of the season when the Orange needed him the most. He put up 15 points – on 7-of-9 shooting – seven rebounds and had four steals in Thursday’s 1-point win over Wisconsin.

Ohio State: F Jared Sullinger, 6-9 So. (17.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 53% FG); F Deshaun Thomas, 6-7 So. (16.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 53.4% FG); G Aaron Craft, 6-2 So. (8.9 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.3 rpg). Craft made only two of his seven shots Thursday, but he finished with 11 points, six steals, five assists, four rebounds and hit a big shot to help Ohio State regain momentum midway through the second half against rival Cincinnati.

Why Each Team Dangerous

Syracuse: No team has deeper talent than the Orange, as Fair, Dion Waiters and James Southerland have proven throughout the tournament. Syracuse shot 55 percent from the floor against Wisconsin, which has one of the best defenses in the country. It also hit five of its nine 3s. The Orange have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, shooting 47 percent from the field and 35 percent from behind the 3-point line. Defensively, they hold opponents to 38.5 percent from the floor and 31.5 from deep. They also force 16.1 turnovers and get 9.2 steals per contest.

Ohio State: Sullinger and Thomas were incredible in Thursday’s win over Cincinnati, combined for 49 points and 18 rebounds, including a combined 30 first-half points. They’ll be a handful for Syracuse. The Buckeyes forced 18 turnovers and out-rebounded the Bearcats 33-26. For the year, OSU is shooting 48.2 percent from the floor and out-rebounded opponents by 7.6 per game. The Buckeyes’ have a 3.1 turnover ratio and their 1.26-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks 19^th nationally.

Why Each Team is Vulnerable

Syracuse: With Fab Melo’s absence, Syracuse has almost no inside presence. His replacements, Rakeem Christmas and Baye Keita, combined for four points and six rebounds against Wisconsin. For the season, the Orange were out-rebounded by 1.4 per game. Those could be big factors against Sullinger and Thomas. The Badgers hit 14-of-27 from the 3-point line Thursday and Cuse had just five assists on 27 field goals in the win.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are not a good perimeter shooting team. They hit just 33 percent of their 3-pointers, although they were 8-for-17 on Thursday. Ohio State has almost no depth. Only one Buckeye played more than two minutes off the bench Thursday. Against Syracuse’s solid depth, that could be a big concern. Although Sullinger is a great offensive player, OSU doesn’t have much of a defensive presence in the paint.

The Bottom Line: Despite conventional wisdom, this game is a toss-up. It really could go either way. So I’ll take the points and the under.

The Pick: Ohio State 68, Syracuse 66

Greg Against the Spread This Season: 214-168-6

Thursday's Sweet 16 Thoughts

Raphielle Johnson — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:25:26 -0700

With the Sweet 16 not tipping off for another two days, this seemed like a good time to offer up some basic thoughts on the match-ups. Here are the four games in the East and West regions, where play will begin on Thursday night.

East Region (Boston)

(1) Syracuse vs. (4) Wisconsin (7:15 PM, CBS)
This will be an interesting matchup due to the 3-point shot. Playing against a zone defense tends to lead teams in the direction of attempting more shots from beyond the arc than they normally do, but Wisconsin may be fine with that. Bo Ryan's team scores 36.3% of its points on the 3-pointer, and they've got multiple players who can and will fire away.

Rob Wilson's played well down the stretch for Wisconsin, providing another perimeter scorer to go along with senior point guard Jordan Taylor. Mike Bruesewitz and Ryan Evans will both step out on the perimeter, and there's also Ben Brust and Josh Gasser for Syracuse to account for. However if there's one thing that Syracuse does well in defending the three (30.7%) it that they know who they want taking those shots.

Syracuse can also extend their defense due to the activity of a guard like Dion Waiters and the length of their wings. The three will be the most discussed factor going into Thursday's contest, but there's also the matter of how well Rakeem Christmas plays. The freshman had a very good second half against Kansas State, and he'll need to do that for all 40 minutes against Jared Berggren.

How well will the Syracuse guards play in what should be a slower tempo than they prefer (Wisconsin averages eight fewer possessions per game)? Waiters, Scoop Jardine and Brandon Triche can't get out of control in hopes of speeding things up, and the same likely goes for a Kris Joseph as well. Lastly keep an eye on how well Syracuse cleans up the offensive glass. The Badgers aren't world-beaters when it comes to offensive rebounds, but there will be opportunities against a team that allows opponents to grab 39.7% of their misses.

(2) Ohio State vs. (6) Cincinnati (9:45 PM, CBS)
It's a chore to get these two schools to play each other, and that will add intrigue to the second half of Thursday's doubleheader in Boston. While Cincinnati has gone small they do have bodies in the paint, led by Yancy Gates and Justin Jackson. But the question for Cincinnati is how do they go about slowing down Deshaun Thomas. With Jaquon Parker at the "4" to start things off, look for the Buckeyes to try to get Thomas going early.

The combo of Thomas and Jared Sullinger is tough for just about any team to stop, and that could be the case for the Bearcats if Yates were to land in early foul trouble. The key to limiting their paint touches may actually lie on the perimeter, where it's imperative that Cincinnati not allow Aaron Craft and others clean looks into the post. William Buford can hurt teams in a variety of ways offensively, but forcing him to take challenged shots is the way to go there.

Which UC guard is the most important one for the Buckeyes to slow down? That would be Cashmere Wright, as he runs the show. Wright has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1, and to reach that number (if not better) against Craft would bode well for the Bearcats' chances. He'll have help from Dion Dixon and Sean Kilpatrick is a very good perimeter shooter who can get hot, but Wright's play may determine the outcome.

Both teams have done well when it comes to forcing turnovers (UC: 14.1, OSU: 14.7) but the Buckeyes have been the more efficient of the two on both ends of the floor. Paint touches for the Buckeyes and the number of 3-pointers that Cincinnati can make (they will take a lot of them) are areas to keep an eye on in the nightcap.

West Region (Phoenix)

(1) Michigan State vs. (4) Louisville (7:47 PM, TBS)
A rematch of the 2009 Midwest regional final, these two teams enter in different roles this time around. That season Louisville was the top overall seed in the tournament coming off of a blowout win over Arizona, only to see the Spartans advance to the Final Four. While Louisville has played their best basketball of the season over the last two weeks, they'll be the underdog against Michigan State.

The biggest question for the Cardinals is how they go about defending Draymond Green, who is as influential a players as you'll find in the country. He can score inside or out, is a good distributor and will also hit the glass. Louisville will pressure and then use an active 2-3 zone, so that may help slow Green down some. But one would have to think that he'll spend a lot of time in the high post, an important area to target in regards to cracking the 2-3 zone.

From an efficieny standpoint the Spartans are the better offensive team and that has a lot to do with the fact that they don't settle for bad shots. The same can't always be said for Louisville, especially guards Peyton Siva and Russ Smith. Both are going to play fast and that's fine, but the Cardinals can't afford for them to play reckless. Keith Appling will be dared to shoot by Louisville, and Michigan State will hope that his big shot against Saint Louis gives the sophomore some added confidence in his ability to make the Cardinals pay.

Two other players to watch for Michigan State are Derrick Nix and Adriean Payne, who have both played well down the stretch for the Spartans. Michigan State is the superior rebounding team, and if these two can build on what they've been able to produce (especially last weekend in Columbus) it will be a tough match-up for Chane Behanan and Gorgui Dieng. Louisville needs Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith to be productive on the wings, and with MSU's Branden Dawson done for the year it may be even more important that the Cardinals take advantage of his absence and do so.

(3) Marquette vs. (7) Florida (10:17 PM, TBS)
While both teams have rotations dominated by guards the big men may have the final say as to which team advances to the Elite 8. Marquette was able to get 12 minutes out of Davante Gardner on Saturday in spite of his balky knee, but it remains to be seen how effective he can be against Florida. The days off should help Gardner recuperate some, and that's crucial as he'll likely see a lot of Patric Young when on the floor.

Young is a highly-athletic big man who gets high-percentage looks around the rim. The key for Young is whether his teammates fall in love with the three. If Florida takes smart perimeter shots they're tough to beat, but clearly that hasn't always been the case. Erik Murphy can step out and knock down threes, giving Florida a "stretch 4" that's tough for most teams to match up with.

Marquette can counter with Jae Crowder however, so Murphy's impact could most likely be lessened on Thursday. Jamil Wilson will be in the rotation of forwards who get a shot at defending Young, and if he can get Marquette in some early foul trouble that would bode well for the Florida. On the perimeter Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker have to make sound decisions with the basketball, and that includes making sure Bradley Beal gets his touches. The freshman is a tough matchup for anyone, and that includes Marquette despite their perimeter skill.

Can Florida slow down Darius Johnson-Odom? One would think that Boynton and Beal would be the two most likely given this task, and if they can mix things up in terms of the looks that Johnson-Odom sees that would be optimal. Vander Blue, Junior Cadougan and Todd Mayo will also factor into the Marquette attack, and with Mayo playing well last week that gives them another perimeter option who can get things done.

Marquette's done a good job of defending the three but they haven't been as good on the defensive glass, allowing opponents to grab 35.5% of their misses. Florida scores 38% of their points on 3-pointers while Marquette allows teams just 27% of their points on the shot, so something has to give there.

Tempo neutral stats courtesy of statsheet.com.

Ohio St vs Cincinnati: Prediction

Greg Mengelt — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:42:30 -0700

(2) Ohio State vs. (6) Cincinnati: East Region

Records

Ohio State 29-7, 13-5 Big Ten (Regular-season 3-way conference champions; At large)

Cincinnati 26-10, 12-6 Big East (At large)

Time: 9:45 p.m. Thursday

TV: CBS

Location: TD Garden in Boston

Winner will face: (1) Syracuse or (4) Wisconsin, Sunday

Tournament Results

Ohio State def. Loyola (Md.) 78-59; def. Gonzaga, 73-66

Cincinnati def. Texas, 65-59; def. Florida State, 62-56

Rankings

Ohio State No. 7 AP; No. 7 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

Cincinnati No. 27 AP; No. 29 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

RPI Ratings

Ohio State 5

Cincinnati 37

Line: Ohio State -7½ (O/U 130½)

Players to Watch

Ohio State: F Jared Sullinger, 6-9 So. (17.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 53% FG); F Deshaun Thomas, 6-7 So. (15.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 53.2% FG); G Aaron Craft, 6-2 So. (8.8 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.4 spg). Craft is affective as a point guard even if he isn’t scoring. If he scores like he did in Saturday’s win – 7-of-9 field goals for 17 points – it makes the Buckeyes a true title contender.

Cincinnati: G Sean Kilpatrick, 6-4 So. (14.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg); F Yancy Gates, 6-9 Sr. (12.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 47.6% FG); G Jaquon Parker, 6-3 Jr. (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.1 apg). Despite making just two of his eight field goal attempts in Sunday’s win, Parker’s performance was key for the Bearcats. He had nine points, 11 rebounds and four assists in the victory.

Why Each Team Dangerous

Ohio State: The Buckeyes have an elite post scorer in Sullinger, an elite inside-out scorer in Thomas and a dangerous 3-point shooter in William Buford. No team in America can match those three offensive outputs. OSU averages 74.8 points per game and shoots 48.2 percent from the field, including 25-of-53 against a strong Gonzaga defense. The Buckeyes can rebound with anyone, out-boarding opponents by 7.6 per game, they have a plus-3 turnover margin and a 1.26-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Craft is a strong floor leader, a savvy passer and an elite perimeter defender.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats have played great defense all season but particularly of late. They have held 12 straight opponents under 50 percent shooting. Cincy’s perimeter defense is outstanding. Opponents shoot just 31.9 percent from behind the 3-point line against them and they force 14.1 points turnovers per game. Teams are shooting just 41 percent overall against the Bearcats, including a 19-for-50 performance from Florida State on Sunday. Cincinnati forced 17 Seminole turnovers and blocked five shots. Cincinnati can put up points, too. The Cats play a fast pace and sometimes play it to perfection. Offensive balance – with all five starters averaging at least 9.3 points – is their key to success.

Why Each Team is Vulnerable

Ohio State: The Buckeyes have almost no depth, so foul trouble against a rugged Cincinnati team could definitely be a concern. Although they are a very good rebounding team, the Bulldogs out-rebounded them 31-26 and OSU allowed them 11 offensive boards. OSU made 9-of-24 from behind the arc against Gonzaga, but for the season, it shoots just 32.9 percent from the field.

Cincinnati: Although they have had some offensive explosions, the Bearcats are limited offensively. They shoot just 42 percent from the field, 33.9 from behind the 3-point arc and 64.4 from the foul line. Cincinnati is thin on the frontline and out-rebounds opponents by just 0.4 boards per game. The Cats allow offensive rebounds 34.4 percent of the time.

The Bottom Line: Eight points is way too many for a defense playing as well as Cincinnati. Ohio State has some advantages, but the Bearcats should keep it fairly close.

The Pick: Ohio State 68, Cincinnati 63

Greg Against the Spread This Season: 214-164-6

NCAA Tournament (through first two rounds): 27-21-1

Early 2012-13 Ranking: A Look Ahead

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:39:08 -0700

Although the Sweet Sixteen looms later this week, its still time to start looking ahead to the 2012-13 season. Sure, the usual assortment of stars like Anthony Davis, Thomas Robinson, and Jared Sullinger will be heading to the NBA, there's still a ton of talent returning next year. Especially in the non-BCS ranks, many of this year's top teams were led by juniors and sophomores.

I've had to make many assumptions about the NBA Draft in compiling the following list. Once players make their official decisions, this ranking will be updated later in the summer. Also uncertain is where some remaining unsigned recruits will end up. In particular, Shabazz Muhammad (#1 by Rivals.com), Anthony Bennett (#7), Devonta Pollard (#9), and Nerlens Noel (#3 in 2013) remain up for grabs. I purposely made no assumptions about where unsigned prospects will end up.

For now, here are next year's Top 60 teams, starting with the first 15. (16 to 30 can be found here.) All prospect rankings are using the Rivals 150 ranking.

Early Top 15

1 Duke Miles Plumlee is the only senior on the roster, and although Austin Rivers could certainly go pro, his season didn't warrant a top 10 selection. The addition of guard Rasheed Sulaimon, ranked 32nd by Rivals helps overcome a potential Rivers loss. This will be revisited if Rivers (and to a lesser extent Mason Plumlee) do in fact enter the Draft.

2 Indiana Assuming Zeller doesn't go pro, the top 5 scorers return from a Sweet Sixteen team. Add a loaded class that includes Rivals #16 Hanner Parea, #17 Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, and #48 Jeremy Hollowell, and you got yourself a title contender.

3 Michigan Rivals #3 Mitch McGary joins a squad that was already Top-20 caliber this year. Glenn Robinson III, 34th ranked, is another solid prospect that can offset the loss of senior Steve Novak. If Trey Burke were to go pro, this ranking would certainly change.

4 Baylor Perry Jones is as good as gone, and Quincy Miller could be tempted to bolt as well. But the cupboard isn't bare with the likes of Jackson and Heslip returning. Scott Drew also adds future pro Isaiah Austin along with 2 other 4-star recruits.

5 North Carolina Zeller graduates after a fine career, and Harrison Barnes, John Henson, and Kendall Marshall are likely to bolt for the pros. But players like Bullock, Hairston, and McAdoo are ready to step out of the shadows. #40 prospect Marcus Paige and #49 Brice Johnson are solid additions, but UNC could use one more superstar recruit.

6 Wisconsin While senior Jordan Taylor had a disappointing season according to some, he was still the main cog in the Badgers wheel. However, the other key players from this Sweet Sixteen team return, and will be joined by Sam Dekker, Wisconsin's first 5-star recruit since Joe Krabbenhoft in 2005.

7 Louisville Although Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith graduate, expect more of the same from Louisville next year: a starless team that wins by defense. PG Terry Rozier is the only recruit locked up right now.

8 Syracuse While Kris Joseph and Scoop Jardine are major losses, Syracuse's 2012-13 hopes rest on offseason Draft decisions. Dion Waiters could go pro and Fab Melo is as good as gone. There's still talent remaining on the roster and the addition of #27 prospect DaJuan Coleman will help as well.

9 NC State Mark Gottfried inherited a talented roster, and did the best of it with a surprise Sweet Sixteen run. CJ Williams is a senior and CJ Leslie could decide to turn pro, but the rest of the roster returns intact. Even if Leslie leaves, NC State re-loads with 6th ranked prospect Rodney Purvis, #23 TJ Warren and #55 Tyler Lewis. Expectations will be higher than they've been in years.

10 Kentucky Kentucky's roster will most likely be decimated as Anthony Davis and Terrence Jones will undoubtedly leave, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is 70% gone (even if he says he's staying), and Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague are certainly First Round worthy. Plus Darius Miller and Eloy Vargas are seniors. Archie Goodwin, Alex Poythress, and Willie Cauley are all Top 40 prospects, but not as good as the guys they're replacing.

11 Creighton While Antoine Young is a major loss, the return of Doug McDermott gives Creighton one of the country's top handful of players. Along with 3 other returning starters, Creighton will be the class of the MVC.

12 Ohio St Jared Sullinger will presumably leave after his sophomore season, and William Buford is a senior. The x-factor is Deshaun Thomas. He played well enough down the stretch to warrant going pro, but he could certainly return as well. OSU does not have any reinforcement on the way as of now.

13 San Diego St The Aztecs were a surprise team this year, thanks to emerging stars Jamaal Franklin and Chase Tapley. Besides their return, the squad also welcomes a solid recruiting class, including 40th ranked Winston Shepard.

14 Kansas Tyshawn Taylor is the major senior loss, and Thomas Robinson will probably declare for the Draft. Its also conceivable that Jeff Withey declares for the pros as well. This would leave only 2 players that averaged over 5 ppg. Perry Ellis will be expected to come in and contribute from day one.

15 Michigan St Besides losing their leading everything in senior Draymond Green, Brandon Wood and Austin Thompson also graduate. Next year's freshmen class is similar in talent to this year's that produced Dawsen and Trice.

Teams 16 to 30: Kansas St, Memphis, Texas, and more.. Check back next week for teams 31 to 60.

Ohio St vs Gonzaga: Prediction

Greg Mengelt — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:16:27 -0700

(2) Ohio State vs. (7) Gonzaga: East Region

Records

Ohio State 28-7, 13-5 Big Ten (Regular-season 3-way conference champions; At large)

Gonzaga 26-6, 13-3 WCC (At large)

Time: 2:45 p.m. Saturday

TV: CBS

Location: Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh

First round results

Ohio State def. Loyola (Md.) 78-59

Gonzaga def. West Virginia 77-54

Winner will face: (3) Florida State, (6) Cincinnati, (11) Texas or (14) St. Bonaventure, Thursday in Boston

Rankings

Ohio State No. 7 AP; No. 7 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

Gonzaga No. 30 AP; No. 30 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll

RPI Ratings

Ohio State 7

Gonzaga 22

Line: Ohio State -8 (O/U 136½)

Players to Watch

Ohio State: F Jared Sullinger, 6-9 So. (17.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 53.9% FG); F Deshaun Thomas, 6-7 So. (15.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 53.1% FG); G William Buford, 6-6 Sr. (14.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.9 apg). Thomas’s offensive game has continued to improve and has become more consistent. On Thursday, the sophomore had career-highs of 31 points and 12 rebounds in the Buckeyes’ win over Loyola. He made 13 of 22 shots during the performance.

Gonzaga: F Elias Harris, 6-7 Jr. (13.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 50.5% FG); C Robert Sacre, 7-0 Sr. (11.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.5 bpg); G Kevin Pangos, 6-1 Fr. (13.8 ppg, 3.4 apg, 40.5% 3s). After struggling down the stretch, Sacre has played well in Gonzaga’s last two games. On Thursday, he was 6-for-9 from the field for 14 points. He also had six boards, an assist and a block in the triumph.

Why Each Team Dangerous

Ohio State: With Thomas scoring the way he is, OSU has three really good scoring options in three very distinct ways. The Buckeye defense held Loyola to 19-of-54 shooting and 4-of-14 from the 3-point line. PG Aaron Craft is among the best perimeter defenders in the country. For the season, Ohio State is shooting 48.2 percent from the floor (16^th-best in the country), while holding opponents to 40.5 percent. The Buckeyes out-rebound opponents by eight per game and have a plus-3.2 turnover margin.

Gonzaga: The Bulldogs are shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, 38.1 from the 3-point line (31^st-best in the country) and 71.6 at the foul line, where they score 23.7 percent of their points. They have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, scoring 1.11 points per possession and 74.1 points per game. In Thursday’s 23-point win, they shot 56 percent overall and 53 from deep. They had 15 assists on 28 field goals and they got nine steals. Opponents are shooting just 41.1 percent overall and 30.8 from deep. Gonzaga made more free throws this season than its opponents have shot.

Why Each Team is Vulnerable

Ohio State: Thomas isn’t a great defender and Craft and Lenzelle Smith don’t provide the Buckeye offense much punch. There is little quality depth off of the OSU bench. If any of the Buckeye stars – Thomas, Sullinger, Craft or Buford – get into foul trouble, it could put OSU in a tough situation. They don’t have much of a defensive presence in the paint and that’s something Gonzaga could take advantage of.

Gonzaga: Sacre’s inconsistency is baffling. Will he rise to the occasion of facing Sullinger or will he shrink? Against Michigan State – a team similar to the Buckeyes – the Bulldogs allowed MSU to shoot 54 percent from the field in a 9-point loss. The Bulldogs turn the ball over 13.3 times per game and force just 13 with a poor 1.04-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Despite their size, the Zags block just 3.2 shots per game. Sullinger could have a big day inside.

The Bottom Line: Ohio State’s inside toughness will likely win out in the end. But 8 points? Really?

The Pick: Ohio State 70, Gonzaga 66

Greg Against the Spread This Season: 206-158-6 (Through Thursday, March 16)