Monday night’s NCAA men’s basketball national championship game between Ohio State University and the University of Florida looks like a classic in the making.
Florida has been the obvious favorites throughout the season due to the fact that it retained all four starters from last year’s championship team. But with one of the best recruiting classes in recent history, Ohio State is not a team to be taken lightly.
Offense With five guys scoring at least 10 points per game, Florida has the kind of well rounded offense that is almost impossible to stop. Even if you double team the big men inside, they can pass off to Lee Humphrey or Taurean Green outside. Ohio State does have the talent to match the Florida offense, but only if Greg Oden can stay out of foul trouble. Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis have been phenomenal throughout the tournament at guard and Oden has proven to be a force down low when he’s available. The advantage has to go to Florida, however, because of their depth and the questions surrounding Oden. Florida
Defense Oden may just be the best defensive player in the nation. He has averaged 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game, but once again there is the question of whether he can stay out of foul trouble. Florida is not to be taken lightly either, with Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer down low. These three will be problems for Ohio State all night, and could easily force Oden to the bench early, but the potential to keep Oden in with the rest of that Ohio State defense is too tempting to pass up. Ohio State
Intangibles Florida clearly has an edge because of their experience and how easily they have gotten through the tournament. They still haven’t had the type of close game that Ohio State has had to deal with throughout the tournament, and they should be able to maintain that momentum. Florida
Bottom Line Florida is the clear favorite, but if Oden can stay out of foul trouble and play like the first overall pick in this year’s draft, then Ohio State has a good chance at the upset. Noah and Horford are going to pound the inside, and Oden will go to the bench early, allowing Florida to get a big lead and hold on for the win. Florida
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