The Ohio State Buckeye's Can WIN It All, Believe It!

When one thinks about Ohio State and National Titles, they usually assume football! BUT, this year's Ohio State men's basketball squad CAN win it all, and that's not being unrealistic or a product of just wishful thinking.  Here' why;

1. EVAN TURNER: Arguably the best if not one of the top 5 players in the nation, he leads the surging Buckeyes. He can dribble, pass, drive, shoot and has the athletics to dominate the floor. In tight games he can be a go to guy to clinch wins.  His stats are outstanding, at the top or leading the Big Ten in scoring, rebounds and assists.

2. STARTING FIVE:  Ohio State has a diverse, but talented starting five squad.  Lead by Turner, with the assistance of Lighty and Buford, OSU can run the floor with anyone and Diebler's sharp shooting from behind the arch makes OSU's Offense dangerous.  The Buck's big man, Lauderdale accompanied by Turner's penetration and assists, the Buck's have just enough of an inside game to keep opposing teams honest.  Their defense if fast and they can pack it in as needed.  This starting five is arguably the best in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country.  Playing a hot game against a team that isn't playing at their best, they have the chemistry to beat anyone on a given night, in other words, they can go deep in The Tourney!

3. RECORD:  OSU has ripped off 10 wins in a row and are 10-3 in Big Ten play. Coming out of the Conference slate slowly, 1-2, (Part was due to Turner's recovery from an injured back) OSU now has command of its own Big Ten regular season title fate as they host Purdue and travel to Mich State, before ending the season against Penn State, MI and IL. OSU just gave IL its worst loss at home in nearly 3 decades. That was the same IL squad that ended Wi's lengthy game home winning streak  and beat Michigan State!  OSU commanded that game in hostile territory against The Illini that too sat on top of the Big Ten.

4.  HEAD COACH THAD MATTA:  With Sunday's win, his teams have reached the 20 win mark for all of the past ten years of his coaching, he's in very rare territory.  Thad has his team executing well, makes great adjustments like his half time adjustments against Purdue and knows how to win big games.  Just three years ago he took OSU to The Final Four and  The Title game, eventually losing to FL,  and is hungry to win it all!

5.  CHEMISTRY AND HISTORY: No, not talking about academics, but OSU's season. This team has unique chemistry and knows how to function as a team with their passing and floor spacing, and they hurt teams with their unselfish play.   Their history this season can help them as well. Yes, they lost to Butler and North Carolina, but nearly beat West Viriginia there and beat California. They've played in and with the best.  Big Ten wins over ranked Wisconsin and Purdue and blow out wins gives this team confidence. Should OSU win 3 out of four of their last games, not unreasonable at all, and advance to their conference title game, they could be in for a 3  - 5 NCAA seed. That would mean they would be favored just about into the Sweet Sixteen and the door is wide open for a team that's hot and confident to go much further.

No doubt, this team has its weaknesses;  a very short bench, mediocre free throw shooting, a lack of a power inside game, foul trouble by Turner, and others, and OSU can exit The Dance quickly. However, every other team from Kansas to Nova to Syracuse has shown itself to be vulnerable as well.  Given OSU's talent, Turner's athleticisim, Matta's leadership, and a confident, diverse starting five, it's not unreasonable to suggest aht OSU can win it all!