Buckeyes Continue to Roll - And They're Getting Better...

Despite the Buckeye's undefeated record and unanimous #1 spot in the polls, it had become fashionable of late to dismiss the Buckeye's tournament chances, or at the very least dismiss them as the prohibitive favorite.

Such caution was understandable.  After close tussles with Michigan, Penn State and  Northwestern, saying the Buckeye's were beatable, even though they haven't been yet; was certainly not that bold of a statement.

However, anyone doubting the Buckeye's status as National Championship favorites might want to take a step back and reconsider.  Super Bowl Sunday's super performance on the road at Minnesota (82-69) was an absolute clinic on playing crisp, unselfish and smart basketball.  Jared Sullinger might eventually be the national POY, but he is anything but a "me-first" superstar.  He added three assists to Sunday's dominating 18 point - 13 rebound effort.  His willingness to defend, and even more impressive, his willingness to pass, makes Ohio State a more complete team than any I have seen since the 2006-2007 Florida Gators squad that cut down the nets.

There is a reason John Diebler is having the finest season of his career.  Yes, Diebler is an exceptional shooter; in my opinion the most lethal marksman in the country this year (Shooting over 47% from distance).  However, do not discount the benefit he derives from Ohio State's Thad Motta drawing up numerous sets to place him and Sullinger isolated on the same side of the court.  Once Diebler makes the entry pass to the post, his defender is left with a Sophie's Choice of sorts; either leave Sullinger single teamed on the block where the post defender has next to no chance to succeed, or double down and help, leaving the most lethal marksman in Big Ten history a clean look from the corner.

It's not just Diebler that has improved.  William Buford has given the Buckeyes exactly what they need; an athletic, rangy wing player who is explosive to the bucket and an able 3-point shooter as well.  His 13.6 points rank second on the team.  Freshman Aaron Craft has managed the point guard position with veteran-like poise.  His 2:1 assist to turnover ratio is fantastic for a freshman point guard in the Big Ten, and his minutes and role have continued to increase the past month in conjunction with his stellar play.

The 5th Year Senior & Heart of Buckeyes

Perhaps most important of all is do-everything super senior, David Lighty.  You might remember Lighty and his lock-down defense during Ohio State's National Championship game run back in 2007.  As a freshman he was a major contributor on the Oden-Conley-DeQuan Cook team that nearly won a national title.

Four years later, Lighty is back for more.  His defense is still spectacular, but he is also a vastly improved three point shooter (40.7%) and an absolutely explosive penetrator and high-flying dunker.  On most teams, he would be option #1; on the loaded Buckeyes his 12.5 points rank third on the team - and you'll NEVER hear him complain about it.  He is the ideal leader come March, and could wind up being the reason Ohio State wins their first basketball title since the days of Jerry Lucas and company.

The Buckeyes are unbeaten, yet they have gotten a TON better over the past three or four weeks.  Their devestating wins over Minnesota and Purdue are testament to the fact.  The next two weeks will provide the two most daunting hurdles to the Buckeye's quest to run the table.

Next Saturday Brutus takes his unbeaten mark to the arena where good teams go to die; the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.  No one but Bucky wins in the Kohl Center.  If Ohio State could grab the win there, it's time to start giving their perfection chances some credence.

Survive that battle, and the following weekend it is a trip to Mackey and the Purdue Boilermakers.  Perhaps no team in the Big Ten is able to match talent with OSU better than Purdue.  Both have experience and All-Americans to boast.  Ohio State has a little more depth, and Purdue lacks the knockdown shooting threat of a John Diebler, but other than that the teams are relatively well matched.  Of course that wasn't particualrly the case two weeks ago in Colombus when OSU hammered Purdue 87-64.

It's scary to think Ohio State might actually have gotten better since that last meeting, but also probably true.  My gut feel is that they will lose before the NCAA Tourney, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they enter the tourney as the clear-cut #1 overall seed and only one loss on the record.

Regardless of what happens the next two weeks, one thing is abundantly clear.  The road to the National Championship will likely have to pass through Columbus, Ohio.

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