The Buckeyes are bitter

April 4th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

In case you hadn’t noticed, THE Ohio State Buckeyes won the NIT last evening, beating out the Minutemen of UMass, 92-85. The Buckeyes were solid enough this season, but didn’t quite catch the committee’s eye. And they’d like you all to know about it.

“This is what happens when you put an NCAA tournament team in the NIT,” Butler yelled, surrounded by his teammates after beating Massachusetts 92-85 in the title game Thursday night. “Write that down and send that to the committee.”

A year removed from a loss in the national-championship game, the Buckeyes have a trophy to carry home — even if it’s not the one they had wanted.

“Kind of a sore loser,” coach Thad Matta said, when asked whether he would watch the Final Four this weekend. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I think I’m going to rest.”

With an RPI rated 13th in the country and a non-conference schedule against the likes of Butler, North Carolina and Texas A&M, the Buckeyes were probably a bit better than what their regular season mark of 19-13 might indicate. They were one of the 64 best teams in the country; the Bucks probably should have been in the tournament. But they also went home winners, man. And only two teams a year get to do that. Also: they got a sweet Fossil watch which they can show off to all their friends.

That’s a better end to the season than getting bounced out of the tournament in the first round, right?

Ohio State coaching staff: Masters of motivation

January 4th, 2008 | Posted by PostmanR

While some are proclaiming this bowl season to be a wash in mediocrity and overt boredom, it’s good to see at least the players and coaches are evoking motivation towards these things. Case in point, Jim Tressel and crew are pulling out all the stops to rally the troops. They even made a DVD.

The DVD, created by Ohio State coaches, is a 10-minute compilation of insults, attacks and put-downs of the Buckeyes that followed their disastrous 41-14 loss to Florida in last year’s BCS title game.

Buckeyes players gave a thumbs-up to the concept and a thumbs-down to the content.

“I had my grandma watch it with me, and she started crying,” Boone said. “She wanted to kill somebody. She said [ESPN’s] Mark May was a liar for calling me slow.”

Asked for his favorite part, Barton employed his best sarcastic tone.

“We were excited to see the ‘PTI’ guys,” he said. “And I’m a big Mark May fan. He’s not a big fan of me, but I have his poster on the wall—Mark May in a Redskins jersey and a Pitt jersey. I remember him and Woody Paige and Skip Bayless, I’m thankful for their support.”

You know, I’m all for motivation and inspiration via the “us against the world” marta; it inspires even the weakest of hearts. However, I feel bad for the all the poor Ohio State players that are going to have to sit through “Everyone Thinks We Suck: Director’s Cut” next year during bowl season. This, of course, will include bonus scenes from this Monday’s BCS Championship game against LSU. That is unless Ohio State wins. Then the DVD will probably just include clips of Les Miles tearing someone’s head off.

A much better option in my opinion.

Who’s going to win this thing?: An IM conversation

March 13th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

There’s really no better way of conversing nowadays than through IM. Seriously, it’s perfect. Say someone IMs you that you don’t want to talk to, why, just ignore them. When you see them in public or at work or in class next, just say your Internet was messed or you “weren’t by your computer.” And if they don’t live in your immediate circle, you don’t even have to worry about it!

Can you do that if they’re standing right next to you? If they’re chatting their ass off in the break room, babbling on about Timmy’s soccer game over the weekend? Eff no. (Presumably, this some sort of logic could be applied to the telephone if you don’t answer, but for the purposes of this post, we’ll suspend that logic for now.)

Anyways, E and I conversed about what team might be crowned champion of the NCAA Tournament last night, and I’ve decided to republish it below for you. When Tim Hardaway doesn’t say he hates gay people, this is the kind of stuff I’m unfortunately going to have to throw at you. Apoligies. So, here’s the conversation, realitively the same way it happened live, minus all of E’s “LOLs” and “ROTFLs.” Man that stuff gets annoying after awhile.

R: if you’re going with a big ten squad, go with ohio state, not wisconsin
10:08 PM E: i have them winning it
i honestly think they can
R: yeah, i mean, they lost to florida at florida, nc at north carolina and wisconsin at wisconsin
that’s it
30-3
E: 30-3, all their losses AT 1 or 2 teams
GREG ODEN WITH ONE HAND
R: and lost arguably to the other three top teams in the country
E: yes
they are winning it
i’m convinced
10:09 PM R: i might go with them
but florida still intrigues me
10:12 PM E: yeah, it’s just hard man
i get the feeling they sort of lost focus down the stretch
10:13 PM R: but the can regroup and win
they won the SEC
E: and i’m (admittedly unreasonably) one those guys that sees the difficulty inherent in winning two straight titles and considers that to be more reason than matchups, etc
10:14 PM R: i mean, yes, that’s a good point
but at the same time, i’m of the mind where, if it hasn’t happened in awhile
then it could probably happen this year
what was it? 92-93 when duke won back-to-back?
10:15 PM it’s been a healthy enough amount of time in between for me, where, in my mind, it could happen again
E: yeah
that’s a good counterargument, and on the same terms
10:16 PM R: but again, that’s the same kind of rationale you could use with kansas
bill self hasn’t done dick in the tourney
he’s got a No. 1 seed now
they are a good team
who knows
E: right
R: so, they could maybe win too
E: damn
R: damn, this stuff is hard

Note: Expect a more coherent and complete set of picks later today. Actually, make that tomorrow.

Jay Mariotti does not observe the 5-second rule

March 1st, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

Because it’s teetering very close to 4 a.m. right now and I doubt I’m going to be up at a reasonable hour tomorrow morning, it’s the perfect time to have some fun with Jay Mariotti!

From the USA Today via where else but here:

Tony Reali, host of ESPN’s Around the Horn, showed what he jokingly called Matta’s “drop and pop” repeatedly Monday. Panelist Jay Mariotti of the Chicago Sun-Times speculated it would hurt recruiting efforts. “Moms and dads, do you want your kids playing for that guy?” he asked.

Now, there’s somewhat of a chance this was taken a bit out of context. I mean, I don’t watch Around the Horn, so I’m not really sure. Perhaps he said it in a bit joking manner.

But then I think about it for a second, and it’s Jay Mariotti. And I’m pretty sure he meant what he said. And, I tooootally agree. Because if there’s one thing I’m not going to stand for as a parent guiding my child through a recruiting process, it’s a coach pulling a stunt like this.

*borat* NOT! */borat*

Sadly, nothing on this from Jay the Joke yet. In due time.

Your quasi-analysis of Greg Oden

January 10th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

I know I’m dealing with a horribly small sample size here from the few games I’ve watched, but I’m going to go ahead and give this a go regardless. (I just used way too many permutations of the verb ‘go’ in that last chuck of the sentence.)

So here are some observations, in no particular order. (Or are they in an order meant to deliver you some sort of secret coded message about the imminent destruction of the universe?)

Oden is a sick defender. Insanely sick. He’s one of - if not the - best shot blocker in the nation and when he’s not blocking shots, he’s altering opposing players movements and shot selections under the basket. His foot skills could use some work and he is immobile at times, but he’s definitely a huge intimidation factor under the rim.

He shows no emotion. Well, barely any. I saw a little during the first half of OSU’s loss to Wisconsin last night. He’s calm and poised and doesn’t do any of the primal screaming after a dunk. He just goes about his business and gets it done - a la Tim Duncan.

His offensive skills leave a little to be desired. I know he’s been playing almost exclusively with his left hand due to his right wrist injury, so some slack should be cut. But the guy rarely calls for the ball in the post or actively pursues a shot in Ohio State’s offensive sets. He gets a lot of junk points of rebounds, inbounds plays and free throws. I’m sure in high school he was just clowning suckers in the post, but it’s different up there in the collegiate level.

He is 32-years-old. Isn’t he?

Your BCS National Champion by undeclared-ology

January 8th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanR

Have you ever heard of undeclared-ology?

Good. Because I just made it up. Although, if you have heard of it, you’ve somehow been inside my brain within the last half hour, which is a real possibility. I knew I felt some sort of odd scratching in there. Or was it those voices I’m always hearing? I can never tell.

Anyways, the theory goes as such: Whatever team has more players listed with an ‘undeclared’ major on its roster is the National Champion. How do I know this? Because it’s science. That’s why.

Ohio State has 41 undeclared players. (Well, 40. One is ‘undecided.’) The gators have…well I don’t know. Majors aren’t listed on their roster.

So by default, Ohio State is your National Champion. Just the facts, friends.

(I still believe in Tebow, however. Just look at that smile. That’s a champion’s smile.)

Weekend Fun: Tardiness is a warm gun

December 23rd, 2006 | Posted by PostmanR

Hi, hello and salutations, everybody.

With E’s connection to the Internet tubes on the fritz, I am here to deliver you some Weekend Fun - albeit a day later than usual.

In just a few hours, the Ohio State-Florida BCS Championship game college basketball game will take place. Should be a real doozy. At this point, I wouldn’t bet against Ohio State, even if the tilt is going down in Gainesville. (Update: I was dead wrong about this one.)
Mr. Bob Knight, a favorite among these parts, is going for the illustrious title of most collegiate basketball wins ever by a men’s coach today at home against Bucknell. For as much ribbing as we’ve done in the past to the man, it’s a well-deserved honor.

Sure he’s a bit of a mean fellow, but he’s also a stellar basketball instructor. Knight lives and breathes the game. For as much ire as he directs your way when you play under him, the General is forever indebted to his players after graduation. Ever need a favor? Bob Knight is there for you. And, according to many knowledgeable sources, he’s about the only guy in the country running a 100 percent clean program. So, yeah for Bob Knight.

Also, don’t forget about all those awesome bowl games this weekend! Why, which ones you ask?

How bout the PapaJohns.com, New Mexico, Armed Forces and Hawaii Bowls all going down today!

I’ll leave you with this video, quite the awe-inspired holiday treat.

(If you noticed, we now have a new header created by yours truly. Just pointing that out. Also, I think all the tweaks are just about done to our new look. Again, just pointing that out. And one last note: we probably won’t start posting full throttle again till Tuesday, with Christmas falling on Monday and all. But perhaps expect a sporadic post or two before then. Perhaps.)

In favor of Michigan-OSU II

November 21st, 2006 | Posted by PostmanE

If there’s one thing the BCS is good for - in fact, perhaps the only thing it’s good for, since it ain’t so good at distinguishing the best two college football teams every year - is open-ended conversation. It’s like you can’t be wrong:

Dude 1: Hey, I think Florida should go to the National Championship.

Dude 2: WHAT!? USC is by far the better team, nimrod. USC should go!

Dude 1: Well, um, I have no real understanding of the system, so I guess I can’t argue with you there. I respect your point of view, sir.

Dude 2: And I respect yours.

Dude 1: Wow…OK.

Dude 2: Yeah. So. This got awkward.

Dude 1: A bit.

Dude 2: Yeah.

Dude 1: FUCK THE BCS!!!

Dude 2: Yeah, fuck it!!!

Dude 1: We’re friends now!!!

And…scene. You see? There are no really wrong answers, except to say that you like the BCS. And I think Skip Bayless usually does that once right around this time of year…

But here’s the point I want to get around to making. And Bomani Jones, a very likable, level-headed Page 2 contributor (who even - gasp! - has his own blog), made halfway for me yesterday.

Why shouldn’t Michigan play again for the BCS title? What would possibly be bad about this? Well, two quick things: USC, who has a much tougher schedule than Michigan, would lose out; and Florida (or Arkansas) would get screwed. Once again, the SEC - the country’s best conference, by far - would be left out of the National Championship.

But in examining those three teams, do you see either Florida, Arkansas, or USC as summarily better than Michigan? Do you think any of those teams could have realistically taken Ohio State to the wire in Columbus? I say no. Michigan’s the second best team in the country, hands down, and they should be afforded the opportunity any second-best team should ever get - the chance to compete for first-best. (Not a word.)

In fact, this year might be easier than BCS years past. We’ve already seen the best two teams play each other in the regular season. There’s no need to calculate anything, really. Just send ‘em back out there again. And rest assured that no matter what happens, a tournament has to, and soon. Or silly little blogs like ours will spend a bit too much time writing about the BCS, and that’s not good for anybody.

UPDATE: MJD has a good take on this - as well as some thoughtful commenters rounding out the discussion.