Will The Ohio State Buckeyes Prove To Be The Greatest Team In NCAA History?

If (and that's a big if) The Ohio State Buckeyes run the table and go unblemished as the NCAA champs they will set a precedent that may never be set again.  Never in the history of college basketball has a team gone undefeated through their regular season; continued unscathed through a conference tournament; and proceeded to go without faltering through the NCAA Tournament.  If the Buckeyes were to do that basketball immortality belongs to them.  No team has ever accomplished that.  At least no Men's Division I basketball team has done that.

We know that is a long way off but when you are 25-0 you start thinking.........what if?

Are the Buckeyes good enough to do that?  Their season's body of work speaks well for them.  They have beaten some very good teams thus far.

You went through Florida like "Hurricane Andrew" trashing Gators and Seminoles along the way.  In conference play you've been challenged on occasion but you continue to come out with "W"'s.  You look good........... but you don't look invincible.  Don't get me wrong.  I love you.  I love your team play.  I see a cohesiveness on this team that I don't think I've ever seen on a Buckeye team.  That's saying a lot because we have had many good teams.  We've had several Final Four teams.  However, there is something a little different about this team.....something special about this group of players.

Rarely do you see two freshmen as relaxed and poised as Jared Sullinger and Aaron Craft.  "Sully" is never worried about how many points he has.  He is a "selfless" player.  He is always thinking about the team.   It appears that his only goal is to get a "W" for the Buckeyes.  He recognizes the "doubleteam" immediately and dishes to an open teammate without even thinking about it.  He uses his 280 pound body masterfully in the paint.  His hands are exceptional in catching the pass and finishing at the rim.  His footwork is flawless.  If he gets the ball deep he is going to score....whether it be at the bucket; at the foul line; or both (and one).  You can't stop him.  No one can.  His mental maturity and growth is unbelievable.  He is so disciplined.  He doesn't force any thing.  It is apparent he is the son of a coach.  He is the son of a good coach.  He has been taught well.

Aaron Craft was destined to play alongside a Jared Sullinger and vice versa.  This is a "marriage made in heaven."  They are totally harmonious.  They know exactly what the other guy is thinking. 

Aaron is a "lock-down" defender that can run a controlled offense or he can push at fast tempo.  He is getting more and more comfortable each outing.  Thad Matta has a real jewel in him and he knows it.  He can and will hit the open man.  He penetrates well and finishes strong at the rim.  Don't play off of him either.  He will knock down "jumpers." 

Jon Diebler, David Lighty, William Buford, Deshaun Thomas, and Dallas Lauderdale are the proud recipients of unselfish gifts from Craft and Sullinger.  They in turn have also learned it is "better to give than to receive".  The majority of Sullinger's feeds comes from "sharpshooter" Jon Diebler.  This is one unselfish team.  You never know who is going to have the big night but somebody (or somebodies) is having a big night.

I have always loved athletic teams that perform with the precision of a Swiss watch.  I can recall a Louisville team back in 1974-75 with Junior Bridgeman, Wesley Cox, and Allen Murphy.  Remember the Fighting Illini in 1987 with Kendall Gill, Kenny Norman, Kenny Battle, and Nick Anderson.  Better yet, remember that Buckeye team of 1992 with Jimmy Jackson, Chris Jent, Treg Lee, Perry Carter, and Mark Baker.  Those teams were fun to watch but they all came up short.  They couldn't win it all.  All of these teams fell to superior size and depth.  That is typically the problem that befalls a team like Ohio State.

Thad Matta is a wonderful coach and I don't want to "second guess" him but I do see a real problem.  Either the Buckeyes have no bench or he is just not willing to play them.  He plays a seven man rotation.  These men have to prove to be "iron men" if they are going to go the distance and win 40 plus games and a National Championship.  It will take a "Herculean" effort on their part.  That would truly be a remarkable feat.  Can they do it?  I don't know.

To win a National Championship a lot of things have to happen.  A little "good fortune" has to be one of them.  Skill is good but I'm sure Coach Matta and the Buckeyes have their fingers crossed.  They must stay healthy and everything must fall in place.  

At this moment the Buckeye basketball team is still undefeated but Wisconsin looms as a formidable foe on Saturday.  Seems I hear Thad and the Buckeyes are 0 and 7 at the Kohl Center.  I sincerely believe that is destined to change this Saturday; and if it does the "Basketball Buckeyes" could be well on their way to basketball immortality.  

Take it one step at a time.  That's all.......one step at a time.