Ohio State's easy road is over

I'm uneasy about ESPN now writing favorable things about the Vols. Here is the latest:

"Teams under Pearl have been known for a full-court pressing trap defense, and while the 2010 squad doesn't necessarily press as much, it does average 8.1 steals per game, and its turnover rate is among the top 30 teams in college basketball (23.4). Discounting the three losses while Turner missed while recovering, Ohio State has struggled against pressure defensive teams that give them a case of butterfingers (e.g., losses to Purdue and Minnesota). Pearl has the luxury of combining UCSB's and Tech's strategies: He can start guards Melvin Goins and Bobby Maze to ball-hawk Turner, or he could use J.P. Prince (and his long arms) to pick up Turner just beyond half court and force him to move east and west, where he can be trapped.

Whichever strategy Tennessee employs, the Vols have the defensive edge and the ability to send the second No. 2 seed home early."

almost 2 years ago golfballs03 5 comments 0 recs |

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Pleasedon’tlettheteamreadESPNPleasedon’tlettheteamreadESPNPleasedon’tlettheteamreadESPNPleasedon’tlettheteamreadESPN

by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2010 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'm telling you

Tennessee is going to be the answer to the “Who’s your Final Four darkhorse?” question for the next week. Neither Cornell nor Washington are good enough to beat Kentucy and West Virginia back to back. I’ve got Xavier in the Elite Eight in my bracket, but we’re an easier sell against an easier draw. And Duke’s bracket is chalk + St. Mary’s.

I’m not saying we’re going to do it, I’m saying anyone looking for a cute answer is going to say we’re going to do it.

Rocky Top Talk

by Will Shelton on Mar 22, 2010 12:45 AM EDT reply actions

It would be funny, however, if Cornell and Washington both won their first games next weekend.

One of them would obviously have to advance, but that’d make for a highly buzzed-about E8 game.

by David Hooper on Mar 22, 2010 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I think St. Mary's might do it

UT, UNI, and SMC all have a good chance right now at being darkhorse Final Four teams. I’m with you in not expecting Washington or Cornell, and I think Xavier’s road is too tough. Kansas State and Cuse are much tougher than Baylor and Duke.

by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 22, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Ultimate flip-flop from ESPN, if it happens

Because we were the Upset Special (and not that big of an Upset) during the Selection Show weekend.

Andy Katz and Joe Weasle Linardi were whining about this on Mike and Mike this morning – how TN shouldn’t have to use their bad picks as motivation to play hard. Golic piled on, which reminds me:

“Hey, Golic, you idiot – the point is that we were completely disrespected – not that we need additional motivation to winvor play harder.”

“By the way, Katz, they were bustin’ on you in the locker room for pickin’ against them – not telling you that they needed the additonal motivation from your inaccurate picks. Gosh, what an EGO”

Thanks, I feel better now.

by memphispete on Mar 22, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions