Buckeye Blogger NetworkThe Big Ten tournament is in the books and our beloved Buckeyes have won it all. On a roll to close the regular season the Bucks swept into Chicago and took care of Nebraska, Michigan State and Wisconsin to claim the crown. We’ll discuss all things hoops, it’s Wednesday, let’s rumble!
Big Ten tournament CHAMPIONS
B1G Tournament
Another Big Ten tournament has come and gone. Many expected the 2013 version to be a knock down, drag out brawl. Did it live up to the hype and expectations?
The field is set for the men’s 2013 NCAA college basketball tournament. This afternoon we’ll take a look into the East regional that culminates March 30-31 in Washington, DC. If you’ve already filled it out, this will be your chance to review the work you did for our Tournament Challenge this year.
The East regional is topped by the Indiana Hoosiers followed by Miami (Fl), Marquette and Syracuse rounding out the top four seeds. Along with the Hoosiers, the Illinois Fighting Illini will also represent the Big Ten in the region.
Eastern Road To Atlanta
The Favorite: Ranked as the top team in the region, the Hoosiers are the obvious favorite to win the region. Despite falling to Wisconsin in the Big Ten tournament semi-finals, they were considered by the selection committee as a lock for a number one seed. The Miami Hurricanes are the “sexy” pick by the national pundits to take the region. The ‘Canes are on a roll winning both their regular season conference championship and the ACC tournament. If anyone can take down the Hoosiers, “The U” may be the ones to do it.
Cinderella: While I don’t see a traditional “Cinderella” team, I do see a few that are in the middle of the pack that may very well make some noise.
While seeded 10th, the Colorado Buffaloes come into the tournament on the heels of their third consecutive 20 win season, the first time that has happened in school history. Though they fell in the second round of the PAC-12 tournament to Arizona, confidence is high amongst head coach Tad Boyle’s team that they can be a player in the East region. Read More
There is no doubt that the class of 2012 is quite murky at this point of the recruiting process, as schools across the nation gear up for the regular signing period that starts tomorrow.
Kansas, Kentucky, and Ohio State are all looking to replace their big man. Memphis and UCLA are also looking to fill voids they’ve had for quite some time.
With the loss of Jared Sullinger and William Buford, as well as Jordan Sibert’s possible transfer, Ohio State has two/three open scholarships left for the 2012 class.
Of the 17 scholarships offered by the Ohio State coaching staff, only three have yet to commit to play for a school next year. And as it looks right now, all three are favoring other schools.
That put’s the coaching staff in a territory they haven’t been in for quite some time.
Swing forward Amile Jefferson still has Ohio State listed in his top five, but there is no doubt that the return of Deshaun Thomas killed any chance of the five star recruit making his way to Columbus. Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina State have all quickly jumped out front. The Philly native was supposed to select a school early in the year, but continues to hold off as he waits for players of each team to declare their intentions for 2012.
With Michael Kidd-Gilchrist of Kentucky and C.J. Leslie of NC State still deciding whether or not to jump, Jefferson is in the dark. Coach K really put in a push for Jefferson’s services before the Wolfpack and Wildcats put their major push in. With Austin Rivers in the NBA, it seems like Jefferson could choose Duke simply because he almost instantly becomes a top playmaker and starter. Especially if Plumblee 1 decides to jump into the draft mix with Cody Zeller staying out of the draft.
Georgia big man Tony Parker was thought to have been a major target for the upcoming season, especially if Jared Sullinger opted for the NBA. Now, according to Baptist, Parker won’t even return voicemails left by the Buckeye coaching staff.
Back in December, it seemed like the former AAU teammate of Shannon Scott was favoring Ohio State. So what has happened since to cause Parker to rethink things?
