I don’t feel much like writing about Ohio State’s nail-biter loss to Kentucky last night, and I doubt anyone feels much like reading about it, either. It must have been a thrilling, wonderful game to watch if you were a disinterested fan who just liked college basketball. The two squads were evenly matched and the game was back-and-forth and closely contested, with the teams within a few points of each other throughout the second half.
For an Ohio State fan — and even more so, I am sure, for Ohio State coaches and players — this one was a very tough one to take. Ohio State had its opportunities but could not capitalize on them; after shooting lights out for a series of games the Buckeyes struggled to put even open shots and free throws into the basket. That happens, at times, in sports. Credit must be given to Kentucky, of course. Their coaches came up with a good game plan and their players executed it.
So, for the second year in a row Ohio State bows out in the Sweet Sixteen after a tough, hard-fought loss to a talented SEC team. The loss will sting, because this group of Ohio State players was a pleasure to watch and clearly had the ability to win it all. The fact that they didn’t, however, doesn’t detract from what was really an exceptional season. I will very much miss watching these guys play.
Tonight the Buckeyes pulverized a game, but totally outmatched, George Mason team. After falling behind 11-2, the Buckeyes came roaring back behind the outside shooting of David Lighty, the inside toughness and rebounding of Jared Sullinger, the dunking prowess of Dallas Lauderdale, and the pinpoint passing and defensive intensity of point guard Aaron Craft. With Jon Diebler making a signature buzzer-beating three-pointer, the Buckeyes led at the half 52-26. The lead never dropped below 20 points thereafter as William Buford heated up, and the Buckeyes ended up winning 98-66. Every player on the team saw significant action, and senior guard Eddie Days had a chance to play and score.
