Ohio State vs Wisconsin: Serving Up Some Cold Revenge

Dave Thurman (9:31 pm)

"Revenge is a dish best served cold,"  so says the old proverb which has been quoted in a number of excellent movies (The Godfather, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Kill Bill, Vol. 1 to name three). 

I'm not sure I have ever grasped the exact meaning of those words, however. I think it means that revenge is best when it is calculated and performed in cold-blooded fashion.

Not that it really matters. This Sunday I want revenge, and I'll take it hot, cold or lukewarm. I have learned to hate those nasty weasels from up north, and nothing would give me greater satisfaction than to get a double helping of this delicious dish known as revenge.

Why exactly has Wisconsin become public enemy No. 1 in my book?  Let me count the ways:

1. The Badgers' football team ruined what could have been a magical 2010 season for the Buckeyes, who wound up 12-1, with that one ugly blemish on their resume. 

2. Wisconsin hoopsters defeated Ohio State at Madison, ending a perfect 2010-11 season that began with 24 straight victories.

3. The fans in Madison are regularly the most obnoxious in the business, doing everything but urinating on opposing players, and that is only because it would get them thrown in jail.  However, as Jared Sullinger found out this year, they will spit on you if they get the chance.

4. Michigan has been so bad as of late they have vacated their hold on being public enemy No. 1!

5. Bo Ryan is not only one of the most insufferable coaches to watch on the sideline (a chronic crybaby to say the least), but his remarks in the wake of the Sullinger incident proved him to be classless as well. 

6. The media (especially ESPN), which loves to bash the Buckeyes, have shown the Badgers' fans storming the field and court about 100,000 times in the past few months. 

So you could say that I am more than ready for some revenge...not that it will be easy.

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Wisconsin comes to Columbus Sunday ranked 10th in the nation with a 23-6 record and the confidence that comes from their stunning come-from-behind victory in Madison on Feb. 12.

Led by two of the Big Ten's best players in Jon Leuer (19 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.8 APG) and Jordan Taylor (18.6 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.9 APG), they would like nothing more than to knock OSU from their No. 1 ranking twice in one year. Hopefully the Bucks will be ready on Senior Day to get that big dose of revenge we are all counting on.

Speaking of Senior Day, this Sunday we bid farewell to a fine trio in David Lighty, Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale. Lighty has played in 149 games in his career, including an Ohio State-record 122 wins. Known for his lockdown defense, he has improved his shooting dramatically through the years and has become a pretty complete player. 

Diebler is a crowd favorite due to his sweet three-point stroke, having made 348 in his career (which is No. 1 all-time in Big Ten history). He is also a heady player who makes few mistakes and is a solid passer.

Lauderdale has earned my wrath at times since his hands aren't always reliable and his free-throw shooting is abysmal.  But he is a great defender who has blocked 205 shots in his career and is a team player, accepting a diminshed role this season due to the emergence of the freshmen. 

It really is a special group who have been part of some exciting times in Columbus.  Hopefully they will end the home portion of 2010-11 with another victory, which would make them 21-0 at the Schott this season. Hats off to three classy, successful players.

Although I don't usually attempt to pick the score of basketball games, this is truly a BIG one, and I've got OSU 74-68. 

Deal with that, Bo Ryan.