Gooseys Gabbings-The World of Weird Bizarre and Odd News

> Gooseys Gabbings-The World of Weird Bizarre and Odd News

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Wisconsin and Ohio St. Post a classic NCAA 1-2 matchup

As an avid fan of basketball and the Big Ten, it made it sweet to see the 1-2 matchup this late in the season be Ohio St. and Wisconsin. For one, it just gives an absolute tribute to the coaches and the talent that the Big Ten has top to bottom, and for another, it's basketball the way it should be--intricate, executed, and a grind-it-out finish that left fans gasping for more.

Mike Conley's shot to win 49-48 in Columbus was nothing short of spectacular; but what I loved was the competitive nature of the game and the mark it should leave on college basketball. When we are surrounded day in and day out by something going wrong in the NBA or a million dollar player screaming for the ball more and more, to see these teams go at it was pure pleasure.

While I have said since the beginning of the year that I have felt Thad Matta's team is the best in the country, I have been very, very impressed and in awe of what Bo Ryan puts together year in and year out. Ohio St. obviously has the recruiting prowess and the big names like Oden and Conley. Ryan, on the other hand, rarely has that blue-chipper that can jump from the college ranks to the NBA without missing a beat; still, his teams every year are at the top of the Big Ten and foes don't ever want to face Wisconsin at the Kohl Center, no matter who you are. Why? Because Ryan typifies what college basketball used to be and what it should be now, the kind of Gene Keady-ish Bobby Knight old school "defense first" motto that can be taught but rarely executed.

His players look to him for guidance, and he gives it with exclamation points. He scowls on the sidelines, but still has the ability to motivate when it's needed. I just love this guy for being in the same conference as my favorite team, the Illini. While I have always liked Bruce Weber, I am not sure if coaching-wise he has all of the tools that Ryan represents. Weber is an offensive-minded coach nowadays, even though he does come from Keady's breeding and his SIU teams were thuggish in their defensive skills. Now, it's more finesse and to out-athleticize teams for Weber's Illini, a huge difference from the dream team Illinois had in 2004-05.

To see the Buckeyes and Badgers slug it out like Ali-Frazier was a classic, and I am proud of both of these teams. Wisconsin proved that they are no fluke despite losing the game and the #1 ranking, but I think both of these teams have legitimate shots at cutting down the nets in April. I am super excited for the Big Ten tournament and all the competition that should bring. I only hope my Illini don't embarass themselves!!!!

Congrats, Buckeyes. And thank you, Badgers!! You made this one of the games of the year!!

Goosey

Labels: Badgers, basketball, Big Ten, Bo Ryan, Bruce Weber, Buckeyes, Greg Oden, hoops, Illini, Mike Conley, NCAA, Ohio State University, sports, Thad Matta, University of Illinois, University of Wisconsin

2 Comments:

At February 26, 2007 at 3:05 AM, Anonymous said…

I envy Ohio St and Thad Matta at their second victory against No. 1 team in three seasons, both won by one point in the final seconds. Matta can recruit no doubt. Oden, Conley and Cook did not play like freshmen at all. Conley's runner looked like Wisky senior Orlando Tucker's play to me. I pulled for OSU because at least one Big Ten team can keep the No. 1 rank. And our Illini team will have a chance to upset a No. 1 team in BTT. Go Illini and welcome to check out my blog.
At February 26, 2007 at 7:10 AM, Tim said…

Thanks for checking out my blog, Illini. Wisconsin and OSU are definitely in a class of their own, something for us to strive for again. It would have been nice to have Gordon to make that run again, but no use crying over spilled recruiting, er, milk. I am leary we'll struggle the next few years, but am hopeful Weber can coach us through the tough times back to the top.