I'm going to tell you something about me and basketball. In basically all sports, I love good defense. I know a lot of people like high scoring, fast paced action, but not me. I want my teams to dominate on the defensive end. So, I don't mind if Ohio State has a game where they don't shoot well. That wasn't really the case today though. The problem today was defensive mistakes and those piss me off.
Wisconsin was able to shoot 12 of 25 from beyond the arc. I think most people are inclined to say that was just Wisconsin shooting lights out. I don't think that was the case today. On defense Ohio State failed to close out quickly or simply failed to respect the ability of all of Wisconsin's players to knock the three. Perhaps, the example of this that most upset me was in the second half. Taylor brought the ball up the to the left wing. Even though he had knocked down basically everything he had put up in the second half, Craft played entirely to take away his ability to drive right, which allowed him an easy three.
Twice, Wisconsin got bailed out by Ohio State defenders committing stupid fouls with only one second left on the shot clock. One was by Craft and the other was Diebler, but both were the same dumb mistake. It's a simple rule on defense, don't leave your feet against a jump shooter. The result was after playing 34 seconds of great defense Wisconsin was handed points.
I've been so impressed with Aaron Craft's defense so far this year. His defense has effectively shut down virtually every guard he's been put against. Today he was solid against Taylor, but he made quite a few critical mistakes. He's still the best man defender on the team and will important if Ohio State is to have a legitimate chance at the National Championship.
It just sucks that the Buckeye's lost today. For some reason it's even more annoying know Ohio State would've won if there were no three point line. I'm not one to look for a positive in a loss. The idea that the pressure is off seems like nonsense to me. However, Ohio State still has a 2-game lead on the field in the Big 10, so Wisconsin and their despicable fans can suck on that.
Thanks for reading and please comment.
-Michael
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Catch-up
I've kind of(totally) left this place and forgot to look back. That wasn't the plan, I promise. So since the last real post a lot has happened. Ohio State has won a bowl game. The Browns have fired Mangini and replaced him with Pat Shumur. All the suspended Ohio State players have actually returned for their senior seasons. The entirety of the NFL playoffs. Ohio State Basketball has gone undefeated into February.
I'll hit on a few key things. Then hopefully, I'll keep this place updated, so posts like this won't be necessary.
Pat Shumur
I actually rather like this hire. It's never really possible to know how a coordinator will translate into a head coach, but it's nice to see the Browns finally breaking their habits in hiring. I felt it was important to go and get a coach with an offensive background and that's exactly what Shumur is. The Browns were desperately lacking in talent and effective schemes on offense last season. The talent problem isn't going to fix itself very quickly, but at least there should now be NFL level offensive play calling.
It does seem as though there will be switch to the 4-3 defense. That does concern me a bit. Personally I think the 3-4 is better. However the real problem is that the Browns don't have 4-3 personnel. The closest thing to a 4-3 end is Matt Roth. Simply, the Browns defensive roster after many seasons of the 3-4 became quite specialized. I'm just not sure if the defense is good enough for a clean slate.
Of course all this only matters if there is actually football next season.
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Ohio State's Basketball
Periodically on Twitter, I have spammed my few followers with my praise of Jared Sullinger. I honestly believe that he is the best post player I've seen at Ohio State. He might just be the best front court player I've seen in College Basketball. Still, I didn't think things would have gone this well for this team.
Perhaps the thing I'm most impressed with is the defensive strength of this team. Aaron Craft and David Lighty are both fantastic defenders. Effectively when those two are on the court for Ohio State the other team is playing with 3 men offensively.
I doubt this team will remain unbeaten. There's a really tough patch coming up in the schedule. Also, Ohio State teams are notorious for leaving the Big 10 tournament on Friday. Still this team is probably Ohio State's best shot at a National title in many decades.
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Super Bowl
There are few things that I really and truly hate. One of those things is the Pittsburgh Steelers though. I don't want this game to go well for them at all. I don't want it to be close. I want the Green Bay Packers to come out on Sunday and put up 70 points of the Steelers.
I'm not just a Steeler-hater. I'm also a Green Bay lover. You see, Green Bay is my adopted team. In the period when the Browns weren't around, Green Bay was the team I cheered for. So, they too are my team. It's just that if the buildings burning down and I can only save one, I'm saving the Browns.
To help illustrate my point and prove that I have too much time on my hands I've made a list of NFL teams. The order is not about talent. It's not about draft order. This is more like a personal pecking order of teams. Simply put, it's the order in which I like the teams.
The middle, which I put from 3-24, is very murky for me. I suffer from some indifference towards those teams. My opinion of those teams can change based on how they can effect my teams or even the teams I truly dislike. Here's the list:
Green Bay(-2.5) 27
Pittsburgb 25
Thanks for reading and please comment.
-Michael.
I'll hit on a few key things. Then hopefully, I'll keep this place updated, so posts like this won't be necessary.
Pat Shumur
I actually rather like this hire. It's never really possible to know how a coordinator will translate into a head coach, but it's nice to see the Browns finally breaking their habits in hiring. I felt it was important to go and get a coach with an offensive background and that's exactly what Shumur is. The Browns were desperately lacking in talent and effective schemes on offense last season. The talent problem isn't going to fix itself very quickly, but at least there should now be NFL level offensive play calling.
It does seem as though there will be switch to the 4-3 defense. That does concern me a bit. Personally I think the 3-4 is better. However the real problem is that the Browns don't have 4-3 personnel. The closest thing to a 4-3 end is Matt Roth. Simply, the Browns defensive roster after many seasons of the 3-4 became quite specialized. I'm just not sure if the defense is good enough for a clean slate.
Of course all this only matters if there is actually football next season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ohio State's Basketball
Periodically on Twitter, I have spammed my few followers with my praise of Jared Sullinger. I honestly believe that he is the best post player I've seen at Ohio State. He might just be the best front court player I've seen in College Basketball. Still, I didn't think things would have gone this well for this team.
Perhaps the thing I'm most impressed with is the defensive strength of this team. Aaron Craft and David Lighty are both fantastic defenders. Effectively when those two are on the court for Ohio State the other team is playing with 3 men offensively.
I doubt this team will remain unbeaten. There's a really tough patch coming up in the schedule. Also, Ohio State teams are notorious for leaving the Big 10 tournament on Friday. Still this team is probably Ohio State's best shot at a National title in many decades.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Super Bowl
There are few things that I really and truly hate. One of those things is the Pittsburgh Steelers though. I don't want this game to go well for them at all. I don't want it to be close. I want the Green Bay Packers to come out on Sunday and put up 70 points of the Steelers.
I'm not just a Steeler-hater. I'm also a Green Bay lover. You see, Green Bay is my adopted team. In the period when the Browns weren't around, Green Bay was the team I cheered for. So, they too are my team. It's just that if the buildings burning down and I can only save one, I'm saving the Browns.
To help illustrate my point and prove that I have too much time on my hands I've made a list of NFL teams. The order is not about talent. It's not about draft order. This is more like a personal pecking order of teams. Simply put, it's the order in which I like the teams.
The middle, which I put from 3-24, is very murky for me. I suffer from some indifference towards those teams. My opinion of those teams can change based on how they can effect my teams or even the teams I truly dislike. Here's the list:
1. Cleveland Browns
2. Green Bay Packers
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Miami Dolphins
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Seattle Seahawks
7. Houston Texans
8. St. Louis Rams
9. Tennessee Titans
10. Kansas City Chiefs
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. Arizona Cardinals
13. San Diego Chargers
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. New York Giants
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. San Francisco 49ers
19. Carolina Panthers
20. Detroit Lions
21. Washington Redskins
22. Buffalo Bills
23. Minnesota Vikings
24. New York Jets
25. Chicago Bears
26. Oakland Raiders
27. Dallas Cowboys
28. New England Patriots
29. Denver Broncos
30. Cincinnati Bengals
31. Baltimore Ravens
32. Pittsburgh Steelers
Ok, Here's my Super Bowl PredictionGreen Bay(-2.5) 27
Pittsburgb 25
Thanks for reading and please comment.
-Michael.
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