Florida Revisited

No blogging the last few days as Buckeye Nation was focused on the team's first official trip to the Final Four since 1968. Ohio State faced a Georgetown team that eliminated them in the second round the year before. The Hoyas also had a lot of momentum coming off a comeback win against North Carolina.

The game was billed as a battle of the big men, with 7 footers Roy Hibbert and Greg Oden set for titanic clash in the middle. But the expected matchup never really materialized, as Oden was again saddled with two early fouls and sat the entire first half. Hibbert likewise struggled to stay on the court, leaving for long stretches in both halves. That opened the door for freshman Mike Conley to take over the game, putting up 15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Big East player of the year Jeff Green was well defended and finished with just 9 points. OSU coach Thad Matta, who was criticized for some strategic decisions earlier in the tournament, used a combination of defenses to frustrate the Hoyas.

Now it's time the Buckeyes to take on defending champ Florida, who routed UCLA in the other semifinal. The Gators slammed the Buckeyes in December, 86-80. A loss would put the Buckeyes on the wrong side of a historic repeat; Florida would claim the firt back-to-back titles since Duke did it in the early 90's. Worse yet, Florida would end up defeatin Ohio State in both major college championships in less than four months.

1. Oden must stay out of foul trouble to defend Noah in Horford. If he can stay on the court he needs to hit those scary looking jump hooks;
2. Butler, Harris and Lewis must hit a good percentage of their threes - anything less that 40% is curtains;
3. On the other hand, if Lee Humphery is red-hot, OSU could be in trouble;
4. Conley has stepped up in the tournament and brought the Bucks to this point...he needs to play the game his life. No turnovers, hit the running floaters, and run the offense with precision.
5. If someone is shooting poorly, and that means Cook and Harris, don't wasted possessions taking low percentage shots;
6. OSU finally needs great defensive play from its interior reserves - Hunter and Terwilliger must give quality minutes to spell Oden against a deep Florida frontcourt;

Ohio State is not favored. They lack the depth and experience that Florida does. Referees or Humphery could doom them. But this game will be much closer than the December route in Gainesville. This entire tournament, Conley has shown he doesn't know how to lose. Oden has been productive in limited minutes. Lewis has become a clutch performer. And David Lighty has emerged as a versatile contributor. Logic would dictate a Gator pick, but this Florida team isn't perfect. They had bad stretches against Purdue and Butler. They lost to Vanderbilt, Florida State and badly to a Tennessee team that OSU beat twice. This game can be won.

It's been a long time since Ohio State entered a big game as a clear underdog. So let's strap in and hit this punk Florida team in the mouth a few times. An 'A' effort from Ohio State, with Oden on the court for 30+ mintues, WILL win this game. So let's finish the game.

Michigan Football Big Update: The Defense

Welcome back for the spring update on the Michigan defense. Last year's unit was one of the best in school in history, and the Wolverines will have their hands full replacing some key departures. However, there's a lot of talent on the roster, so spring and fall practice will go a long way toward determining the defensive rotation. The folllowing update includes the latest from:

• Lloyd Carr's press conferences prior to and during spring practice;
• News from the spring practice the media was allowed to attend;
• Rumors leaked out of the winter conditioning program and spring practice;
• The absolute latest recruiting buzz.

Michigan primarily uses two different defensive sets, the base 4-3 and the 4-2-5. The former is the standard UM defensive alignment but the latter is used a lot given the large number of spread offensive that Michigan encounters during the season. On occasion Michigan will switch to a 3-4-4 and they will also use a 6 defensive back set against extreme spreads.

Weakside Defensive End- Junior Tim Jamison is the starter and if he can stay healthy he will be an absolute stud. The problem is that Michigan really don't have a plan B. This also should sound off the alarm for the future if UM doesn't score 1 or 2 WSDEs in the '08 class. How did we get to this point? First, Quentin Woods from the 2006 class never qualified. Chris McClaurin has switched to TE. Sophmore Adam Patterson is now a SSDE. Chris Rogers transfered to PSU. Michigan also lost out on targeted recruits such as Micah Johnson (Kentucky) and Martez Wilson (Illinois).

SSDE- Sophomore starter Brandon Graham has been "unblockable" during the spring. He will slide inside and OLB Shawn Crable will slide down to DE when UM goes to the 4-2-5. Sophomore Adam Patterson is the primary backup but redshirt freshman Greg Banks shined during the rose bowl practices. True freshman Ryan Van Bergen adds to the depth come fall. But none of these guys are really capable of playing WSDE. They are all more likely to be one-gap DTs then WSDEs. Eugene Germany was kicked off the team and given permission to transfer. As you can tell from the above SSDE break down, we won't miss him.

DT #1- Junior Terrance Taylor is the starter and should be very very good. He plays two-gaps but can also explode up field and chase down a QB. He will stay in the game when UM goes to the 4-2-5. He is sitting out the spring for precautionary reasons. When 20 year old freshman Marques Slocum finally joins the team full-time in the fall he will become Taylor's backup. Early reports are extremely upbeat regarding him. Redshirt freshman Jason Kates was thought to be a lost cause as a freshman but is in much better shape now and seems to be turning his career around in the spring. UM will add a DT here in the '08 class.

DT #2- Junior Will Johnson, the former Mr. Football in Michigan finally gets his chance to start after injuries and Alan Branch blocked him. He will come out and Brandon Graham will slide into his spot in the 4-2-5 defense. Sophomore James McKinney is the clear cut #2 here. He is out for the spring with a minor injury. Slocum can play here too but 19 year-old true freshman Renaldo Sagesee has a good chance to be the #3 because redshirt freshman John Ferrara has yet to amount to anything.

Sam LB- Shawn Crable is the senior starter and he has a very high ceiling with respect to how good he will be this year. But who is the backup? 3-star True freshman Marell Evans is the only person scheduled to be a Sam (strongside linebacker) and he will probably redshirt. Like weakside defensive end, this is a position to worry about into the future. There is a need for 1 0r 2 recruits in the '08 class.

Mike LB- It's tough to distinguish between Mikes (middle) and Wills (weakside) at this point. Many more guys are being called Mikes but I believe some of them will actually be Wills. Junior John Thompson will be the starter and should be solid. Redshirt freshman Obinna Ezeh will likely be the backup and has had an incredible amount of love thrown his way over the last couple months. JUCO transfer Austin Panter is having some difficulty adapting to the speed and size of top college football but he has potential. Redshirt freshman Cobrani Mixon lingers in the background. One of these guys will probably end up a Will. Michigan needs to get a Mike in the '08 recruiting class.

Will LB- Senior starter Chris Graham is a workout warrior but average on the field. Redshirt freshman Jonas Mouton is the future but probably only a backup in the present. Junior Brandon Logan is and always will be third string. True frosh Brandon Herron is very raw but is also very agressive and is very very fast. We'll probably add an '08 recruit here as well.

CB #1- Gasp! Junior Morgan Trent is currently the number 1 guy here. He will be significantly pushed by five-star true freshman Donovan Warren come fall. Converted Sophomore RB Carlos Brown and converted Jr. WR Doug Dutch are getting their shot here in the spring.

CB #2- Sophomore Johnny Sears looks to be the starter. He should improve a lot over the summer and has great raw skills. '08 committment Boubacar Cissoko is the real threat for Sears. Besides Warren, Brown and Dutch, true freshman James Rogers (possible diamond in the rough) and Troy Woolfolk (great speed) will contend but will likely redshirt. Chris Richards was kicked off the team.

CB #3- Against three WR sets (& especially the 4-2-5 defensive set) the Michigan slot CB is important. Brandon Harrison (Jr.) still is thought fondly of and this is a make or break year for him. True frehsman Michael Williams is his backup and challenger.

SS- J. Adams will be a star as a returning starter. Converted CB C. Stewart (Jr.) is the backup. This position is a significant need in the '08 class. A. Cambell (Sr.) is a special teams whiz and the current #3. CB M. Williams may have a future here.

FS- Sophomore Steve Brown is very talented but inexperienced. He will start and senior Brandent Englemon will back u both safety positions. Incoming freshman Artis Chambers is the current #3 but the future #2. CB Brandon Harrison can play here in a pinch. Look for 1 '08 recruit here.

This is the defensive update. People have described the defense as having a very solid group of starters but as being very shallow and unproven with regard to the depth this year. Check back soon for detailed analysis of these player's past performance and future outlook.

QB Bauserman Likely to Walk-On at Ohio State

As we noted way back at the beginning of this blog, former OSU commit Joe Bauserman was looking to take a break from his baseball career. The former three-star QB has been pitching in the Pirates minor league system, but has experienced some shoulder issues that slowed his progress. Bauserman is now ready to take a crack at college football, and seems likely to finally be a Buckeye.

The Columbis Dispatch is reporting that Bauserman has applied for admissions for the summer quarter. He would join the team in the fall as a walk-on, provided depth behind Todd Boeckman, Rob Schoenhoft and Antonio Henton. It is believed that his Pirates contract will cover his tuition, so the Buckeyes will not have to use a scholarship for him.

Check out Bauserman pitching for the Pirates AA club, the Altoona Curve.

Michigan Football Big Update: The Offense

Many things were announced by Lloyd Carr at his pre-spring practice press conference. Additionally, Carr has held one more press conference during spring practice and the media was allowed to attend one of the practices. Furthermore, many things have leaked out of the winter conditioning program and spring practice. That along with recruiting news constitutes the following update.

QB- Ryan Mallett has looked great, but he has also looked like a true freshman at his first spring practice. He IS the #2 QB already. Jason Forcier, as expected, has transferred to Stanford (actually he is gone at the end of the spring semester). So UM only has 3 scholarship QBs this year and only 2 next year. In '08, Mallett will start and redshirt sophomore David Cone will back him up. The third string will be a true frosh and the recruitment pitch will be to come and redshirt and start 2 to 3 years depending on when Mallett leaves.

RB- Michael Hart is sitting out spring practice for precautionary reasons. Kevin Grady is as thin and quick as ever before. However, Brandon Minor still looks like he will be the 2nd string. True freshman Avery Horn may redshirt. In '08, Minor will start as a junior and then Grady will be the hard running backup. while McGuffie(?) will be the speedy backup. We'll see where, if anywhere, Horn fits in. Possibly 2 RBs will be coming in with this next recruiting class.

FB- Despite his move to TE for spring depth reasons, expect Andre Criswell to be the #1 FB with true freshman Vince Helmuth (Rivals FB All-American) and converted linebacker & redshirt freshman Quinton Patilla also in play. Probably no recuit at this position this year. Look for Justin Boren's younger brother in the 2009 class.

WR- Mario Manningham is being held out of spring practice for precautionary reasons. Adrian Arrington has obtained strike-two and is in jeopardy of being kicked off the team. Sophomore Greg Matthews is being called the next superstar WR based on Rose Bowl practice & winter conditioning & spring practice. It remains to be seen whether he ever be as explosive as Manningham. 3rd year sophomore LaTerryal Savoy looks like a solid #4 who may be capable as a 3 if need be. All signs point to Bass never coming back. 3 freshman join the team in fall - Tony Clemons (PA), Ernest Hemmingway (SC) and Zion Babb (CA). Look for Michigan to sign 2 more in '08, with Darryl Stonum (TX) & Jonathan Baldwin (PA) topping the list.

TE- Carson Butler, the expected '07 starter, was kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. Junior Mike Massey is the guaranteed starter now but is out for the spring with a minor injury. Converted OLB/DE Chris McCLaurin will be the #2. Criswell is also playing here for the spring (for spring practice reasons). Two freshmen show up in the fall; Webb, who the most potential and Steve Watson who is more prepared to contribute early. 1 or 2 will be recruited for the '08 class. Jeremy Crabtree of Rivals.com is reporting the Ohio standout Brandon Moore may have UM as the team to beat at this point.

OT- Jake Long is being held out of the spring for precautionary reasons. 5-star redshirt-freshman RT Steve Schilling (Mono and Shoulder) has looked great and will likely start. Redshirt sophomore Mark Ortmann is the competition for Schilling at RT and is the '08 successor for Long at LT. 3rd year sophomore Cory Zirbel is the likely backup RT and is being left behind after being beat out by Ortmann at LT and lapped by Schilling at RT. Redshirt freshman Perry Dorrenstein has shockingly received lots of praise from Carr and may be viable backup up RT for Schilling. Mark Huyge is a true freshman who is 300 lbs and athletic and should have a future as at least a backup. Dann O'Neill has already committed for the '08 class and one more recruit (J.B. Shugarts or Zebrie Sanders) would seal the deal on the position for the future.

OG- Adam Krauss (LG) is being held out of spring for precautionary reasons. The coaches are committed to keeping junior Alex Mitchell at RG and they are not considering him at RT. Sophomore Justin Schifano is the backup RG and future starter. Junior Jeremy Ciulla is probably a career backup but a capable one at that. Sophomore Tim McAvoy, who also can play center, is a minor backup this year who will be a key backup next year. Fourth-year junior Grant DeBenedictis just needs to call it a career (injuries). We NEED 2 to 3 G/C for the '08 class. My class expectations are so-so.

OC- Justin Boren looks great and will start as a true sophomore. Redshirt sophomore David Moosman has looked solid and will back him up. Look for him to get a starting spot somewhere on the line in '08. True freshman David Molk will redshirt and ultimately replace Boren or Moosman as starting center.

This is the offensive update. The defensive update will follow. Check back soon for detailed analysis of these player's past performance and future outlook.

Stoneburner Keeps Buckeyes on a Roll

Ohio State continued its blazing start to the 2008 recruiting class by picking up commitment #5. Dublin Coffman's Jacob Stoneburner joined teammate Mike Adams with a verbal to the Buckeyes on Monday. Stoneburner gave his verbal commitment to Coach Tressel on a trip to the campus with his Mom. He told Scout.com that he was "born to be a Buckeye".

Stoneburner is considered a flex player, with the ability to play WR or grow into an athletic TE. At 6'5", he creates serious matchup problems with his size and speed. Stoneburner choose Ohio State over offers from USC, Florida, Michigan and Notre Dame. He becomes the fourth top ten prospect in the state of Ohio to make a pledge to the Buckeyes.

Stoneburner's commitment overshadowed the news that highly-rated TE Kyle Rudolph selected Notre Dame over Ohio State on Monday. It seems that a non-Catholic school with no recent history of throwing to the tight end was not an appealing option for Mr. Rudolph.

Bring on the Hoyas

Georgetown came back from the dead Sunday afternoon against North Carolina, erasing a ten point deficit in the closing minutes of regulation to force overtime. The Hoyas then routed the Tar Heels in the extra session, 96-85. The Final Four appearance is the first for Georgetown since Patrick Ewing led them to the championship game in 1985. They were upset by Rollie Massimino's Villanova squad, who they had already defeated twice that season.

But enough Big East history. Georgetown will take on Ohio State in Final Four, setting up a rematch from last year's tournament. The Hoyas defeated Ohio State last year in the second round, 70-52. But that Ohio State team, depsite winning the Big Ten regular season crown, had little frontcourt size. Terence Dials played center a 6'9", and both starting forwards, Matt Sylvester and J.J. Sullinger, were perimeter/wing players. When the brackets were announced, it was clear that #2 seeded Ohio State had received a rough second round draw. Georgetown thoroughly dominated the game, with Roy Hibbert and Jeff Green combingin for 39 points.

Hibbert will not find the post so friendly this time around, as he will be matched against Big Ten freshman of the year Greg Oden. The Buckeyes also have Othello Hunter off the bench to help with interior defense against Georgetown's tall lineup. The matchup will be interesting for Oden, who hasn't faced a center of Hibbert's quality yet this season. Both players have struggled with fould trouble in the tournament, and the player than can remain on the court may determine the winner. Both the Buckeyes and Hoyas have rallied from large deficits in order to advance, with Georgetown mounting comebacks against Boston College, Vanderbilt and North Carolina.

Tip is scheduled for 6:07pm eastern on Saturday. Check back this week for additional commentary and updates on the Buckeyes chances.

Ohio State: Breaking Down the Tight Ends

Ohio State returns all four of its scholarship players at tight end in 2007. The group is led by redshirt junior Rory Nicol, a steady performer who does most things well but can't yet be comsidered an elite player. Nicol had just 15 catches last year, but wasn't often a primary read due to the outstanding WR's on the field. With an inexperienced QB at the helm this season, Nicol may be counted on more for dump-offs and crossing patterns.

The rest of the tight ends on the roster are more like third tackles than a threat to stretch the field. Sophomore Jake Ballard, redshirt junior Brandon Smith and redshirt freshman Andy Miller all could see time this year in various roles. Ballard was a four-star prospect is the favorite to follow Nicol on the two-deep. He's athletic enough to play a role as a short-yardage receiver but big enough to play tackle if needed. Smith was used almost exclusively as a blocker during his career, and there's no reason to think that will change. Miller, a three-star from Pennsylvania's Washington Trinity, has a solid 6'6" frame and is probably a year away from contributing.

Where are all of new wave, pass-catching tight ends? No longer at Ohio State, unfortunately. Ohio State has made two attempts in the past few years to bring in a tight end focused on receiving. Louis Irrizary a four-star from the 2003 class, choose the Buckeyes over Miami (Fl). In retrospect, the 'U' might have been a better fit. Irrizary was kicked of the team for numberous violations, including assaulting and robbing a fellow student. Classy, eh? He's now at Younstown State.

Marcel Frost, a high three-star prospect also from the 2003 class, transferred to Jackson State last year. He was slated to be the starting TE in 2006, but was suspended for the year for violating team rules. Rumor has it that he (repeatedly) ignored the warning of Mr. Mackey.

Obviously Ohio State has survived without these young men on the team. But the lack of pass catching threat at TE is about to cost them in a big way. Coach Tressel has always adapted his game plan to meet the talents of the players on his roster. But that doesn't always fly with recruits to want to know they'll be involved in the offense. Exhibit A: Kyle Rudolph, a stud prospect from Cincinnati Elder. Rudolph is an athletic, 6'7" monster that appears headed for Notre Dame. While some may disagree, I think he's the #2 player in the state behind Mike Adams and will be a future NFL player. Because the Notre Dame offense actually utilizes the tight end, they have the inside track to his commitment.

There are two, possibly three other names on the OSU radar for tight end in 2008. The first is Jake Stoneburner, who was already discussed in the wide receiver breakdown. While Stoneburner is listed as a TE, Ohio State views him as a hybrid player that will create serious matchup problems with his height and leaping ability. If Rudolph joins arrogant Charlie in South Bend and Stoneburner commits, Ohio State may pass on a true TE for this class.

Brandon Moore of Trotwood Madison may be next in line for an offer if Rudolph falls through. He's not as polished but has the hands and speed to be an elite player. He has an impressive offer list, including Georgia, Clemson, Florida State, LSU, and Michigan. There's already talk that Moore wants to play in the south, and if Ohio State waits to long to offer, they may lose their chance.

Nick DiLillo of Madison is another top 20 Ohio kid that could get squeezed out by the limited scholarships available this year. Experts say he has great hands and is flying under the radar because of the more heralded Ohio tight ends in this class. He currently holds offers from Pitt, Clemson and Maryland, among others. Both Ohio State and Michigan are interested in DiLillo, who may be a steal as a "consolation prize".