Duke vs Ohio State: Big Ten ACC Showdown Is Preview of 2012 National Title Game

Believe it or not, tonight’s game between the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes will be a preview of this year’s NCAA College Basketball National Title Game. 

Even Duke’s head coach Mike Krzyzewski realizes that this Ohio State team is among the best in the country. Back in 2004 when Buckeyes' head coach Thad Matta was recruiting, Krzyzewski let Matta know how excited he was for this Ohio State team. 

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"After I got this job, I was recruiting and Coach K stopped me and said, `Hey, I really believe you've got one of the top jobs in the country," Matta said. "He said, `I've looked at Ohio State the past 25 years and I think you can win there."

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Matta hasn’t just won as Ohio State’s head coach, he’s been to the title game once (in 2007) and took his Buckeyes to a 31-4 finish last year. This year he was able to bring back freshman Player of the Year Jared Sullinger. With Sullinger on board for the 2011-12 season, the Buckeyes have flown out to a 6-0 record with a signature win over No. 8 Florida 81-74.  

They will win the Big Ten for the second consecutive year and will gain a No. 1 Seed in the NCAA Tournament.  

Ohio State has played great this year, but Duke has been just as good if not better. 

Through seven games this year Duke has already beaten two ranked teams in No. 15 Michigan and No. 14 Kansas. They did not let the story about Coach K’s record-setting 903rd win ruin their focus against a good Michigan State team. They have also shown that they are tournament ready, winning the Maui Invitational Tournament.  

Duke is playing at such a high level right now that it is hard to see a loss on the Blue Devils' record after the Ohio State game. Duke will take care of Sullinger, as they understand that to control the sophomore you have to keep him off the glass while making sure not to foul him.  

This game tonight between two Top 5 teams will be fun to watch. Duke and Ohio State both are well coached, have amazing talent in their starting lineup and play a complete game.  

There are little to no flaws in their game plans, as tonight’s game will be a tight contest that will be won in the final minutes.  

Remember this game tonight, as you will be seeing a lot of replays of it when these two teams meet to determine the National Champion. 

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