Buckeyes/Badgers

[pup]

Wisconsin jumped over OSU to the #1 spot in the AP poll, leading to the showdown on Sunday. It is the first time the Big 10 has the top 2 teams in the AP poll in hoops, EVER.

What does everyone think? Buckeyes at home this time, following a 3 point defest earlier in the season in Madison. That game wasn't as close as the final score IIRC, so do the Bucks have what it takes to get it done on Sunday?

[consigliere]

If both can avoid a "looking ahead game" and not lose before Sunday, should be a good matchup. Bucks need this one to legitimize themselves. They lose this one, and that is all 4 losses against good teams and not many quality wins, if at all.

[furls]

I like the Buckeyes in this one, but they are going to struggle because Wiscy has a lot of big men and therefore a lot of fouls to give (and more importantly draw).

I like to think of Wisconsin as "Florida-lite." They are big like Florida, but not quite as plodding and they have slightly better finesse. These are the teams that give the Buckeyes headaches, but I think that they will pull it off as long as they shoot reasonably well, say 45% or so, and get good play out of their 4's.

[yargs7]

The Bucks have gotten better each game since the loss in Madison. IMO, this has alot to do with the maturity of Mike Conley and the much improved play of Othello Hunter. If the Bucks can speed up the tempo of the game, they will win.

The 3 losses to big time teams were on the road and fairly early in the season. (UNC w/o Oden). Two factors that are brutal on a young team.

I got the Buckeyes at home vs Wiscy 73-65

[consigliere]

If both can avoid a "looking ahead game" and not lose before Sunday, should be a good matchup. Bucks need this one to legitimize themselves. They lose this one, and that is all 4 losses against good teams and not many quality wins, if at all.

Oy, so much for that.

Wisconsin will now be out for blood on Sunday. Can they lose two in a row? We'll find out.