Ohio State Vs. Florida: Ohio State Takes Their No. 4 Ranking to Gainesville

Rivalry.

Ohio State travels down to Gainesville, Florida tonight to face off against the No. 9 ranked Florida Gators.  No, the Buckeyes and the Gators aren't in the same conference, and they don't play each other every season, but without a doubt, this game could be considered a rivalry.

This rivalry bloomed out of the 2006-2007 basketball season in which these two teams faced off against each other twice, both Gator wins, culminating with the Gators defeating the Buckeyes for the 2007 National Championship.  The much-depleted Buckeyes and Gators would meet again the following December, with the Buckeyes blowing out Florida in a relatively meaningless game.  But, the stage was set, and a new rivalry was culminated.

Enter 2010.  THE Ohio State Buckeyes walk into Gainesville with an impressive opening night destruction of an overmatched North Carolina A&T, 102-61.  The Buckeyes showcased four returning starters from last year's Sweet 16 team, meshing quite nicely with one of the best recruiting classes in the country.

The Florida Gators also won handily over a team from North Carolina in their opening matchup, defeating UNC Wilmington 77-60.  The Gators are considered the front runners in the SEC and have a legitimate shot to go deep in the NCAA tournament for the first time since defeating the Buckeyes in 2007.

A Quick Look at the Gators: 

At first glance, the Gators should have a size advantage with regards to their front line.  Forwards Alex Tyus and Chandler Parson's are 6'8" and 6'9" respectively, while center Vernon Macklin comes in at 6'10".  The three big men scored 13, 16 and 9 respectively, while combining for 14 boards.   Their size advantage led the Gators to a 37-22 rebound advantage against UNC Wilmington, including 17 offensive boards.

Florida's starting backcourt, of Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker, may ultimately be the strength of this team.  Both can score and distribute the ball extremely well but can bury teams with the three-point shooting.  Boynton struggled on opening night, going 2-9 from the field (0-6 from behind the arc), while the 5'8" Walker scored nine points on three for nine shooting, with six boards and three steals.

6'9" forward and top reserve, Erik Murphy scored 10 points off the bench, to lead their subs.  Also, keep your eye out for another super freshman in 6'9" big, Patric Young.  He didn't do much on opening night, but the talent is all there.  Freshman guard Scott Wibelin scored three points, with four boards and five assists.  This team does have some solid young players, like the Buckeyes.

The Gators under Donovan haven't changed.  They continue to bring 40 minutes of tenacious, full-court pressure, and if the Buckeyes don't come into this game focused, they could be made to look foolish.  Florida will pressure Ohio State, hoping for mistakes, bomb from the outside with whichever hot hand they can find and crash the glass with their five-deep bigs.

A quick look at the Buckeyes: 

It's hard to know where to begin with Ohio State, as it seems everyone had a big game in their opening night dismantling of NC A&T. 

Their front line isn't nearly as deep as Florida.  Their tallest player is 6'8" forward/center Dallas Lauderdale.  Fantastic Freshman forward Jared Sullinger comes in at 6'9".  Past these two, there isn't another player taller than 6'6" that plays any significant minutes.  Don't let the size fool you, though.  They can "outsize" teams, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Sullinger and Lauderdale both had outstanding double-doubles against A&T.  Lauderdale nearly went for a triple-double, scoring 12 points and bringing down 13 boards (including 8 blocks), and Sullinger had a huge second half, to end up with 19 points and 14 boards.  While their life won't be as easy against Florida, both have long arms and magnets for hands.  It's likely not the mismatch that it looks like on paper.

Head coach Thad Matta likes to employ a three-guard rotation, and will start with 6'6" guard, Jon Diebler, and 6'5" guards William Buford and David Lighty.  All are rangy, athletic, can handle the ball, and can play defense.  Here's where the match-up problems come, as Ohio State's guard tandems will be much bigger than their Florida counterparts.  When Diebler finds his shot, there isn't a better outside shooter in the country.  Buford and Lighty have outstanding range as well, and can score equally as well moving towards the basket.

The Buckeyes lack a true point guard in their starting line-up but have another phenomenal frosh in 6'2" point, Aaron Craft.  Craft had eight points and nine assists off the bench.  I haven't even mentioned their leading scorer yet, another freshman in Deshaun Thomas.  Thomas scored a game high 24 points and eight boards.

The Buckeyes only have one true point guard, but they have a series of guards who can break the press with their ball-handling ability.  Tie that together with a team that crashes the boards (the Bucks outrebounded A&T 60-22, with 30 offensive boards) in a manic way, and you have a game that should be decidedly in the Buckeyes favor.

The game IS being played in Gainesville, but I still give this to the Buckeyes, 79-65.  I hate predicting scores this early, but why not.  Either way, this game should be a fun one to watch.

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