I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but if Sully gets in foul trouble, and the same old Buford shows up, we are in trouble. We would need Deshawn to put up 40.

KU rises to the occasion to win by 6.

It's a really funny situation. Has there ever been a matchup by two teams that were each at one point ranked #2 in the nation, who played each other earlier in the year, and yet...no one has any idea what's going to happen?

The previous matchup can be completely thrown out the window. Neither of these teams even remotely resemble who they were at the time. Buckeyes didn't have their lottery pick on the floor, and the Jayhawks hadn't clicked yet. The light was still not on for Tyshawn or Withey.

I think this is going to be a serious Big 10 street brawl.

Two physically dominating interior players. Sullinger has Trobs on size/weight/strength, and Trobs is by far the better athlete.

Craft is a sick defender, but Tyshawn can stay in front of any guard in the nation.

I think it's a fantastic matchup on both sides, which means it's going to be a great game. While the KU/UNC game became an ACC shootout (even the refs did their best ACC impression, incapable of discerning a charge from a block on EITHER SIDE), this game should be low-scoring, physical, and probably come down to who makes their shots and especially who hits their free throws.

If I'm in Vegas, my instinct is to put this at even money, although I think the line will be skewed, because so many more people will bet on OSU (just the more nationally popular team).

Either way, it's a tremendous credit to both teams that they got this far. Beating Syracuse, the run-away media crush for most of the year is about as good as beating the preseason #1 team with five NBA players

Congrats to both teams. Whoever wins, this season is a raging success for both.

No John Diebler on the team. A lack of a true/consistent 3 point shooter really hurts Buford. He gets the premier defender at all times and occasionally will get doubled up.

Well we can all be sure of that.

I’m glad Sullinger didn’t play in the 1st matchup – it will keep KU focused and TRob should be fired up.

Other than that, it’s a tough matchup to call.

KU 71 OSU 67 :D

Meh, I understand what you're saying, but players make plays. Buford this season has looked unable to create his own shot, even when Diebs was playing Buford could make something happen when he wasn't on the floor. Buford's mid-range J is garbage, and his 3 pointer is turrible (Barkley) right now.

Great post! I agree 100%. I hope it's a competitive game. If sully get's into foul trouble it could get ugly.

ROFL

It's hard to imagine a better matchup.

Craft neutralizes Tyshawn Thomas
Thomas Robinson and Sullinger will each get theirs... but they'll both cancel each other out

What happens with the other 3 guys will be really interesting for Kansas. Kansas can go with match ups and go with a lineup of Relaford (probably on Deshaun Thomas), Elijah Johnson (probably on Smith), and Teahan (probably on Buford). Or Kansas can go with a big lineup of Relaford, Withey, and Johnson as your other 3, and maybe you use Withey/Robinson in some kind of low-post zone. Maybe you even put a 3rd big in there and play a Triangle-and-two type defense. I think you can get away with that because there are only 2 guys on OSU who can shoot from the outside, with Craft only modestly good from the foul line and up.

If I'm Kansas, my strategy is to attack the living daylights out of Sullinger, even if that puts Robinson and Withey into foul trouble. The goal should be to get Sullinger into foul trouble or gas him for the end of the game. You may not put as many points up in the beginning of the game, but if you knock Sullinger out, then KU should be able to walk all over OSU.

Very excited to see Taylor and Craft match up.


Craft is the best perimeter defender in the nation and TT is extremely quick.

I'd think KU tries to get into the open court and run a little more.

Craft is a hacker and Tyshawn can beat him if he's playing well. I have little doubt about that. If you can get him into foul trouble, that really helps. OSU often seems lost without him on the court.

The major issue that KU will have will be covering Deshaun Thomas. I don't think they have anybody that can do it.

Good game, but I'm expecting a KU loss. They're due. KU has 5 guys that can ball. That alone makes it tough. Theyve won a ****ton without any help, but it is tough.

Plus, the refs have been inclined to let them play all tournament. That favors OSU IMO.

I think unless they continue their offense from the UNC game and they lock it down on D it is going to be the end.

Nobody else can really handle the ball worth a shit.