Buckeyes going to Final Four; Oden looms large during key run March 24, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Memphis' Joey Dorsey is no Nostradamus. After calling out Greg Oden, Dorsey is scoreless and Ohio State's star tallies 17 points as the Buckeyes win 92-76 and punch their Final Four ticket..."
No. 1 Buckeyes Rally For 92-76 Elite Eight Win Over No. 5 Memphis March 24, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Ohio State coach Thad Matta looked down the bench and locked eyes with Greg Oden. The big man, sitting out with three fouls, nodded. 'Let's go,' Matta told him, adding his usual advice in such situations: 'Play real hard and don't foul anybody.'..."
The last word: "Ice in their veins. That was sweet." - Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, after the Buckeyes made 18 straight free throws to secure the victory.
Final Four an OSU reality March 25, 2007 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - "Matta makes it happen with help of true-believer freshmen...When the game ended here Saturday, Ohio State coach Thad Matta found his freshman stars, Greg Oden and Mike Conley. He hugged them and said, 'Thank you.'..."
Finally, Final Four March 25, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "At their first team meeting Sept. 23, Ohio State coach Thad Matta planted the seed. He handed out a brochure that included a picture from a Final Four pamphlet and told the Buckeyes that was what they were working for..."
Hot-lanta: Ohio State On To Final Four March 25, 2007 Source: Scout.com - "After eight years of a drought advancing no further than the second round in the NCAA Tournament, Ohio State will be playing in the season's final weekend. The Buckeyes upended 2-seeded Memphis to get to Atlanta and the Final Four with a 92-76 victory. The Buckeyes win the South region and Kyle Lamb takes a look back at the game with analysis in chronological order..."
Intentional foul sparks Buckeyes March 25, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "A key part of OSU's game-changing 20-8 run Saturday at the Alamodome came when Memphis was up 60-57..."
Mike Conley Jr. was named the South Regional MVP Conley - the son of a former Olympic star and Oden's high school teammate - set the pace for the Buckeyes with hard-charging drives from the start. He scored 19 points and led Ohio State to its most points of the season. He also was named the top player in the region.
"Joey Dorsey, who said Friday he was Goliath and Oden was "the little man," backed up his big talk with zero points, zero blocks and three rebounds. It was the first time all season he went scoreless, and was his second-lowest rebounding total in 37 games."
Oden Dominates Battle of Big Men March 24, 2007 Source: College Hoops - "Joey Dorsey isn't very bright. Maybe he should pursue a job in boxing instead of the NBA. Memphis' resident enforcer talked the talk, but he couldn't walk the walk..."
'Overrated'? Trash talk comes back to bite Tigers March 25, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Jamar Butler laughed when asked what he thought when he heard that Memphis big man Joey Dorsey had called Greg Oden 'a lot overrated' Friday. 'Honestly? Idiot,' said Butler, an Ohio State junior guard..."
Cook comes through in clutch March 25, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Hype is like hunger in that it’s hard to satisfy. Even when a young player meets expectations, the pangs of pressure remain as friends and fans want more and more. Daequan Cook understands the situation..."
Beginning to see the light: four freshmen put on a show March 25, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The four freshmen stood on the floor of the Alamodome looking more relaxed than the drooping pieces of basketball netting tied to their Final Four caps. Not one of the kids is older than 19, yet all of them looked like old hats wearing new hats..."
Ohio State Going To The Final Four March 24, 2007 Source: Scout.com - "For the first time officially since 1968, Ohio State will again be competing in the Final Four. The Buckeyes are on to Atlanta after a 92-76 victory in the Elite Eight Saturday afternoon in San Antonio..."
Xavier fans cry foul about called intentional March 25, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The irony was thick, and after Ohio State's 92-76 men's basketball win over Memphis on Saturday, it didn't take long for Xavier fans on the Internet to start complaining..."
Bound for Atlanta March 24, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "It was not easy, but have any of their games been that way this postseason? Ohio State survived a second-half charge by the second-seeded Memphis Tigers and pulled out a victory in Texas, sending the Buckeyes to the Final Four for the first time in nearly a decade..."
Date: Saturday March 24, 2007
Opp: Memphis (33-3)
Site: San Antonio TX The Alamodome (30,000)
Game Time: 4:40p.m.
Television: CBS
Columbus TV: WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent: Verne Lundquist (P-by-P), Bill Raftery (Expert Analysis)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (60 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Expert Analysis)
Ohio State Faces Memphis For Trip To Final Four March 23, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "No. 1 Ohio State advanced to take on No. 2 seed Memphis at 3:40 p.m. CDT Saturday (CBS) in the 2007 South Regional Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas...Ohio State and Memphis (33-3) have met just once previously, a 94-55 Buckeye victory Dec. 3, 1959 in Columbus. The Buckeyes are 11-3 all-time vs. current members of Conference USA members..."
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Memphis Jeff: Some cliches are true for a reason (even that's a cliche, now), but survive and advance is time tested when it comes to the NCAA tournament. But how much more can Ohio State survive? Down 9 against Xavier, and the Buckeyes won. Down 20 against Tennessee with Greg Oden getting limited minutes because of foul trouble, and the Buckeyes won. Can the Buckeyes advance one more time? It appears they can. Unless Memphis is up 30 with five minutes to play. Ohio State needs more than 18 minutes, nine points and three rebounds from Oden. But the Buckeyes proved one thing: they don't need Oden to carry them. Ron Lewis, Mike Conley. Jr and Ivan Harris are more than able to do that. While the Buckeyes get little support from their bench, their reserves offer serviceable minutes which will help against a deep Memphis squad, though every team's bench is a bit shorter with so much on the line. Jeremy Hunt is a huge lift off the bench. Memphis struggles from time to time at the foul line and the three-point line, so if those shots aren't falling, it will be tough for the Tigers to win. Robert Dozier, Joey Dorsey and Chris Douglas-Roberts have to have big games for Memphis. Ohio State 79, Memphis 75
Tim: At some point, the Buckeyes have to run out of chances. But does it happen against Memphis? Can Ohio State afford to fall behind again? They can’t keep flirting with disaster and expect to emerge every time. Against Memphis, the Buckeyes can’t afford for Greg Oden to get into foul trouble. And Memphis knows this. I expect Chris Douglas-Roberts, Robert Dozier and Joey Dorsey to take it to him early to try to get the big man on the bench. While Ohio State can retaliate with deadly shooters from outside, Memphis’ speed on the perimeter will make it tougher to get those shots off. Mike Conley Jr., Ron Lewis and Jamar Butler will once again have their work cut out, and I’m not sure the shots will keep falling as they have in the past. Originally, I thought Texas A&M was the best team in the South Regional. With Memphis’ win over the Aggies, the Tigers have me impressed. And they’ll eek out another close one over the region’s top seed. Memphis 75, Ohio State 72 Bracket Racket March 24, 2007 Source: USA Today
Ohio State, Memphis Eyeing Final Four March 24, 2007 Source: Scout.com - "Wanted: an all-expense paid trip to the Georgia Dome next weekend in Atlanta, Ga. Seeking successful basketball team from San Antonio to advance this afternoon at 4:40 pm eastern for the right to play in the Final Four and use up this rare opportunity. Ohio State hopes to knock off Memphis and return to the Final Four for the first time since 1999, and officially, the first time since 1968..."
Starts giving Buckeyes fits March 24, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "A week ago, after the great escape against Xavier, it was suggested that a lot of teams that reach the Final Four overcome that one scare along the road. But two?..."
Matta happy Lewis became a Buckeye March 24, 2007 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - "Ohio State coach Thad Matta didn't recruit Ron Lewis at Xavier when Matta coached there from 2001-04. Good thing, because if he had, Matta's Buckeyes might not still be playing in the NCAA Tournament..."
South Regional notebook: March 23, 2007 Source: San Antonio Express-News - "Calipari: Goading Oden not good plan..."
Perceived disrespect, outsider status drive Calipari's Tigers March 23, 2007 Source: San Antonio Express-News - "The Memphis Tigers are the uninvited guests on the verge of crashing the NCAA's biggest college basketball party. 'Maybe it's the cornrows, maybe it's the tattoos and maybe it's the accents,' Memphis' leading scorer Chris Douglas-Roberts said. 'But every time I turn on the television, people are picking us to lose.'..."
Slighted Memphis singing blues March 24, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Tigers feel like they don’t get any respect...Listen to Memphis coach John Calipari long enough and he will have you convinced that his basketball team is the shack down the street from Graceland..."
Memphis: An unusual underdog March 24, 2007 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - "The Memphis Tigers have won 25 straight games and have been ranked in the top 10 since Feb. 5. Yet somehow, the Tigers seem like a decided underdog going into today's 4:30 p.m. South Regional final against Ohio State at the Alamodome...."
Overrated or underinformed? Dorsey calls out Oden March 23, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "Memphis' Joey Dorsey thinks Ohio State's Greg Oden is overrated, and when they face off, Dorsey will be the Goliath. Gregg Doyel wonders how Oden will react to that..."
Oden overrated? Dorsey thinks so March 24, 2007 Source: The Morning Journal - "Joey Dorsey has seen enough of Greg Oden in person and on film to draw one conclusion -- he's not impressed..."
Memphis' Dorsey gets his wish: playing Oden March 23, 2007 Source: SportingNews.com - "This is what Joey Dorsey wanted. This is what Greg Oden needs. These two big men -- who define that term differently...will not decide on their own whether Memphis or Ohio State will reach the NCAA Final Four, but they will have the greatest impact on the result..."
Memphis' newest showboat March 23, 2007 Source: San Antonio Express-News - "Pick Memphis to win because of the chip on its shoulder...You want swagger? Memphis exudes it like barbecue sauce..."
Oden shows off his wit, wisdom March 24, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, but always insightful, Ohio State's Greg Oden showed the national media a personality big enough to match his 7-foot, 280-pound frame..."
Oden better even after getting as many stitches as rebounds March 23, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Greg Oden scored less and was hounded by foul trouble again. Then he needed as many stitches as he had rebounds to close up a nasty cut on his chin..."
Ohio State, Memphis - so similar, yet oh so different March 23, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Ohio State and Memphis are seeded 1-2 in the South Regional, each boasting 33 wins and only three losses. They have the nation's two longest winning streaks: 20 straight for the Buckeyes, 25 in a row for the Tigers. Both are coming off gritty one-point wins..."
Memphis not quite a Cinderella, or is it? March 24, 2007 Source: The Morning Journal - "Memphis might have received a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament, but coming out of the weak Conference USA, no one expected the Tigers to still be alive in the Elite Eight..."
Memphis' tough guy has been leader, too March 24, 2007 Source: San Antonio Express-News - "When you're Memphis coach John Calipari - grappling with a squad that features only three seniors - you look for leadership wherever you can get it. Even before the start of the season, in which the Tigers have reached their second-straight Elite Eight, Calipari called upon sophomore Chris Douglas-Roberts to take the reins..."
Not about style: Oden won't be Robinson March 24, 2007 Source: San Antonio Express-News - "Greg Oden has said he wants to "emulate" David Robinson, but that will take some doing. Ultimately he will have to be such a unique person that sleeping on a sub will be more attractive than lacing up Nike money. And that's why Oden won't be the next Robinson..."
Versus Common Opponents
Memphis 12/06/06 at Tennessee L 76-58
01/04/07 CINCINNATI W 88-55
Ohio State 12/16/06 Cincinnati (neutral) W 72-50
01/13/07 TENNESSEE W 68-66
3/22/07 Tennessee (neutral) W 85-84
Gameday Notebook: Final Four Bound? March 24, 2007 Source: Bucknuts - "Ohio State meets Memphis today for a spot in the Final Four. We have Five Pressing Questions on today's NCAA South Regional championship game. Plus, we have comments from Thad Matta and his players on what is at stake..."
If Xavier is exhibit A., Tennessee's now exhibit B in Ohio State's museum of comebacks. The Buckeyes rally from a 17-point halftime deficit to beat the Vols and reach the Elite Eight where they'll face Memphis on Saturday.
Handling Pressure: Tennessee forced Ohio State into 20 turnovers during OSU's 68-66 win in January. This time the Bucks turned it over only 8 times; the Vols had 7 turnovers.
Remember The Alamodome March 23, 2007 Source: ESPN - "OSU's epic comeback and Memphis' last-second win were classic NCAA Tournament moments at the home of last stands...."
The-Ozone Note and Quotebook March 23, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "You saw the game, now find out what the players and coaches were saying after the game in the-Ozone Note and Quotebook..."
Ohio State rallies from 20 down to topple Tennessee March 23, 2007 Source: USA Today - "Ohio State's comeback was a blur. It was Mike Conley Jr. connecting with Ron Lewis for an alley-oop slam and fellow Buckeyes Jamar Butler and David Lighty sinking three-pointers from the baseline..."
OSU gets lifeline with free throws March 23, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State has been saved at least twice this season by opponents missing late-game free throws, a lucky bit of karma for a team whose primary ball-handler is a major question mark at the foul line..."
With Oden on bench, others step up, fill gap March 23, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Someone - or some two, three or four - had to come up big with the big man playing spectator...It wasn’t just Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis who rallied the Buckeyes from a 17-point halftime deficit...The most improbable points of the game belonged to freshman David Lighty, who had not made a three-pointer in 18 games..."
Blood, sweat and cheers March 23, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The sequel to the comeback took less than a week to produce...Oden's blocked shot preserves victory after stirring rally from 20-point deficit..."
Buckeyes’ improbable comebacks fuel magical ride March 23, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Here we are watching an Ohio State team with a 33-3 record stage an incredible comeback to beat Tennessee and advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament, and a lot of folks can’t take their eyes off other issues..."
Buckeyes rally back from 20 down, bust Vols to advance March 23, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Maybe now folks will realize there's more to Ohio State than Greg Oden...But senior Ron Lewis and fellow freshman Mike Conley bailed out Oden and lifted Ohio State past Tennessee, 85-84 Thursday night in the semifinals of the NCAA South Regional. Lewis scored 25 points, and Conley had nine of his 17 from the foul line, including the winner with 6.5 seconds left..." (incl Video Highlights)
Buckeyes reject loss March 23, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "With 9:34 to go, Ohio State's two best shot blockers and rebounders, Greg Oden and Othello Hunter, were on the bench with four fouls. Yet somehow the Buckeyes had managed the unthinkable..."
Ohio State refuses to lose
March 23, 2007 Source: SI.com - "Ohio State rallied more than Tennessee choked. Granted, there was plenty of both in the Buckeyes' remarkable comeback from a 20-point first-half deficit to beat the Volunteers 85-84. Tennessee played right into OSU's hands by jacking up threes early in the shot clock, and I've rarely seen such pronounced bad body language and looks of terror on a team as its big lead melts away. That said, Mike Conley and Ron Lewis were absolute pillars of leadership in the second half for Ohio State. Conley made all the right moves (and only turnover) in setting up the comeback, and Lewis merely continued his March star turn with 25 big ones. Who knows how good the Buckeyes will be once Greg Oden (9 points, 3 boards in 18 foul-plagued minutes) turns back into the real Greg Oden?..."
Buckeyes Advance to Elite Eight with Record Comeback March 23, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "If you are one of the many who left the Buckeyes for dead at the half, you needn't feel too guilty or too much remorse. It was a perfectly natural reaction to the reality that the Tennessee Volunteers were simply destroying No. 1-seed Ohio State..."
OSU's Miraculous Comeback Bounces Tennessee March 23, 2007 Source: Bucknuts - "In one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the NCAA Tournament, top-seeded Ohio State rallied from down 20 to defeat No. 5 seed Tennessee 85-84 in a South Regional semifinal. (Note: Story updated with notes and quotes.)..."
Remember The Alamo March 23, 2007 Source: Scout.com - "In San Antonio, Ohio State climbs back from 20 points down to defeat Tennessee in the South regional semifinal Thursday for an unlikely 85-84 win. We'll have continuing coverage..."
Anatomy Of A Comeback Pt. II March 23, 2007 Source: Bucknuts - "If you turned off the OSU-Tennessee game at halftime, we can't blame you -- the Buckeyes looked dead in the water and were getting beaten soundly by Tennessee from head to toe. But in case you haven't heard, you missed quite a comeback..."
Date: Thursday March 22, 2007
Opp: Tennessee (24-10)
Site: San Antonio TX The Alamodome (30,000)
Game Time: 9 p.m. CT (approx. 30 minutes after first game)
Television: CBS
Columbus TV: WBNS 10 TV
TV Talent: Verne Lundquist (P-by-P), Bill Raftery (Expert Analysis)
Radio: OSU Radio Network (60 stations)
Local Radio: WBNS FM-97.1 AM-1460
Radio Talent: Paul Keels (P-by-P), Ron Stokes (Expert Analysis)
First Game: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Memphis, 7:27 p.m.
Under Pressure:
Tennessee forced Ohio State into 20 turnovers during OSU's 68-66 win in January. During one stretch, Matta employed 7-foot center Greg Oden to catch the inbounds pass.
"We need better execution against it," Matta said. "From inbounds passes to the catch we want to make, to the spacing we want. We really don't want (Oden press-breaking). If we have to, we would."
'Breakout game' yet to come for OSU March 22, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "Presumably, University of Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl was speaking out of fear. On the eve of the Sweet 16 rematch tonight in the NCAA South Regional in the Alamodome, Pearl called the top-seeded Buckeyes 'a very complete basketball team' but offered one caveat. 'They haven't had that breakout game that we all know they're capable of,' he said..."
How they got here: Ohio State (Central Connecticut, 78-57; Xavier, 78-71, OT); Tennessee (Long Beach State, 121-86; Virginia, 77-74)
Records vs. tournament field: Ohio State 13-3, Tennessee 8-6
Keys for Ohio State: The Buckeyes have to immediately focus on making Greg Oden the focal point of their half-court offensive attack, even if it means that some players will have to pass on "early" jump shot opportunities. And they have to do a much better job with their half court defense than they did against Xavier.
Keys for Tennessee: The Vols must do everything they can to keep the ball out of OSU point guard Mike Conley’s hands in both full- and half-court situations. And they have to be aggressive and attack Oden and not let him roam, float and become a help-side shot blocker.
Frank Says: The Buckeyes were fortunate to pull out the game against the Musketeers in Lexington on Saturday. If they don’t play much better in this one, at both ends of the floor, the Volunteers will play against Aggies in the title game on Saturday. (March 21, 2007 Source: Scout College Basketball)
Keys to tonight's South Regional matchup TEMPO: Whoever controls it, controls the game. Tennessee and its three-guard system forced Ohio State into 20 turnovers when the teams met Jan. 13. The Buckeyes, led by freshman point guard Mike Conley Jr., have grown up a bit since then and come into tonight's game with a fully functioning press offense. But the Buckeyes haven't faced a team that presses as aggressively as the Volunteers since that game.
ODEN'S RESPONSE: Greg Oden, the Buckeyes' 7-foot freshman center, struggled against Xavier Saturday, fouling out in regulation. He, his coaches and his teammates said it left him frustrated and motivated to play well tonight. He scored 24 points and grabbed 15 rebounds the first time the teams played this season. If he does that again, Tennessee could be in trouble.
LOFTON'S SHOT: When Tennessee guard Chris Lofton is shooting well, he's difficult to defend. Tennessee's midseason slide coincided with Lofton's ankle injury. When he regained his health, Tennessee regained its top-tier status. A big shooting game from him tonight should keep the Vols in contention. Without Lofton's offense, the Vols will need someone, such as JaJuan Smith or Ryan Childress, to provide big shots. March 22, 2007 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
No. 1 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Tennessee Jeff: Tennessee's game plan is easy. Executing it won't be. When the Vols have the ball, they need to take Ohio State's Greg Oden out of the lane in order to drive to the basket, and they must continue to knock down the three. When Ohio State is on offense, Tennessee's big men -- Wayne Chism, Duke Crews and Ryan Childress (two freshmen and a sophomore) will be directed to get physical with Oden. However, the Buckeyes are not a one-man show. Even though Ohio State's heralded freshman get the headlines, senior Ron Lewis and junior Jamar Butler have played great basketball in the first two rounds, taking some of the pressure off of the freshmen. Ultimately, the Buckeyes need their freshmen. Mike Conley Jr. was down one game, up the next. Daequan Cook has been sporadic. Oden will contribute, but the other two freshmen are not in a position to have freshmen-type games. The Buckeyes better figure out how to defend Tennessee. The Vols are dangerous, especially when they are forcing tempo. Ohio State 77, Tennessee 74
Tim: In a rematch from the regular season - which the Buckeyes won by two points on, not-so-surprisingly, a Ron Lewis three-pointer in the closing seconds - these teams are primed for a second go-around. This time, however, it’s almost too close to call. But here’s what this game will come down to: can JuJuan Smith, Ramar Smith, Wayne Chism and Duke Crews produce? We all know that Chris Lofton will get his. But can Chism and Crews wreak havoc on Greg Oden in the middle? And can the Smiths do enough to match what the Buckeyes’ Mike Conley, Ron Lewis and Jamar Butler produce from the perimeter? It’s no easy task, especially after Ohio State was doused with cold water with a scare from Xavier in the second round. Ultimately, I think the Buckeyes prevail. But it’s a tough call to make. Oden has to stay out of foul trouble and Conley must find his way into the paint, where he can dish outside, take it to the hoop or find the big man as the defense collapses. Expect this to happen and for the Buckeyes’ to sneak ahead in the second half and move on to the Elite Eight. But the run will likely end there. Ohio State 71, Tennessee 63 Bracket Racket March 22, 2007 Source: USA Today
Madness Today: March 22: Ohio State (32-3) vs. Tennessee (24-10)
Players To Watch: Ohio State - C Greg Oden (15.6 points per game, 9.8 rebounds), G Mike Conley Jr. (10.6 points, 52.1 field-goal percentage, 218 assists); Tennessee - G Chris Lofton (20.7 points, 41.7 three-point percentage), F Wayne Chism (9.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 34.7 three-point percentage).
Short Analysis: The key to the game could be Chism, a 6-9 forward with shooting range who could be able to pull Oden away from the basket. Tennessee doesn’t have much of an inside game, but neither did Xavier. Ironically, Tennessee does not have much of a true point guard either, but the players they do have are good at what they do. Lofton can score from anywhere, Chism battles inside and out and Dane Bradshaw is the glue that holds it all together (and leads the team in assists as well). Tennessee is near the top of the nation in percentage of shots that are three-pointers, which could help negate the advantage of Oden underneath, but much will come down to whether the Volunteers can make their bombs.
Random Statistics: Neither team turns the ball over very much; both do so on less than 20 percent of possessions. However, Tennessee is one of the best in the nation at forcing turnovers because of its press, and did so rather well against Ohio State in January in the Buckeyes’ win at Value City Arena. Tennessee plays one of the fastest games in the country in terms of pace, averaging 73.2 possessions per team per game, 15th in the nation. (March 22, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com)
Oden improved, UT's Pearl says March 22, 2007 Source: The Tennessean - "There was no stopping Greg Oden the first time Tennessee faced Ohio State, and Coach Bruce Pearl says the Buckeyes' 7-foot freshman center is even better now. What's that mean for Wayne Chism and Duke Crews, the two Tennessee centers who will take turns defending Oden?..."
The-Ozone Hoops Pregame Note and Quote Book March 21, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "'Against a team like Tennessee every match up, one through nine, is important,' said Matta..."
Making the most of their moment March 22, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "When last these teams met, the stakes were not what they are tonight in an NCAA South Regional semifinal, Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. Or were they for Ohio State? When the Buckeyes, then ranked No. 5, and Volunteers played Jan. 13 in Value City Arena, Ohio State was feeling the burden of expectations. They were adjusting to playing with 7-foot center Greg Oden, who was healing from wrist surgery..."
Tennessee gets chance to redeem itself against OSU March 19, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Tennessee knew the noise, having heard the same sound 64 days earlier in the same cold-as-a-corpse city. The first time it hurt. This time it haunted. Xavier led Ohio State by three points late in regulation Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Ky., when Tennessee turned off the TV and left its locker room for the practice floor of Nationwide Arena. On the way to the court, a cheer erupted from the concourse. 'Oh my gosh,' Vols guard Jordan Howell said yesterday, recalling the moment. 'Again.'..." January 13, 2007: The Last Time: No. 5 Ohio St. 68, No. 16 Tennessee 66
OSU has the trappings to beat trap March 21, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "When Ohio State hosted the Tennessee men's basketball team Jan. 13, the Buckeyes were rattled. The Volunteers' press made even getting the ball inbounds a chore, and Ohio State was forced to bring 7-footer Greg Oden into the backcourt as a safety net..."
Tennessee found a real jewel in Pearl March 22, 2007 Source: USA Today - "Maybe what best describes Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl is that his leadership in high school got him elected class president and his personality won the vote for class clown..."
UT's confidence level big factor against Ohio St. March 20, 2007 Source: The Tennessean - "The college basketball establishment looks at No. 1-ranked Ohio State and sees a team that's won 19 straight games and sporting a 7-foot freshman center who has drawn comparisons to Bill Russell. Tennessee looks at Ohio State and sees a team it thought it should have beaten two months ago in Columbus..."
Vols earn second shot March 19, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Go ahead, Tennessee fans. Break out the orange paint and slather up. It sure seems to work for the head coach..."
Tennessee Tango Part Deux March 18, 2007 Source: Buckeye Commentary - "'Ohio State has changed a lot. There was some uncertainty for them at that time. Greg was just starting to come on. My guess is they've gotten a lot better than we have.' - Bruce Pearl..."
Scare Will Return Focus March 19, 2007 Source: Scout.com - "It’s said most teams that advance to the Final Four need a scare or two along the way to ensure they stay focused on the prize. For the Buckeyes, Saturday’s 78-71 overtime victory against Xavier will do that and more. In fact this could be the main ingredient to winning the National Championship in this possible dream season..."
Tennessee expecting an improved OSU team March 19, 2007 Source: Toldeo Blade - "Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said he was just guessing, but he suspects "that Ohio State has gotten a lot better than we have" since the two teams met earlier this season..."
Rematch With Tennessee Next For OSU March 19, 2007 Source: Bucknuts - "Top-seeded Ohio State will get a rare NCAA Tournament rematch from the regular season when it meets No. 5 seed Tennessee Thursday in a South Regional semifinal in San Antonio (9:57 p.m. approximate tip, CBS regional telecast). Click here for more on the game from the Tennessee perspective..."
Bradshaw always gives Volunteers all he has March 20, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Most basketball coaches talk about the respect and admiration they have for their players. But in the case of Tennessee forward Dane Bradshaw, Bruce Pearl put his money where his mouth is..."
Two free throws vs. open 3? Obvious -- and Vols' Pearl gets it March 18, 2007 Source: CBSSportsline.com - "This is why you foul with a three-point lead. This is why No. 1 Ohio State is still alive in the NCAA Tournament, and why Xavier is home bitching about the intentions of Greg Oden's fifth foul. This is why Bruce Pearl is worth every penny Tennessee pays him..."
