Buckeyes continue to impose their will

By: Conor O'Brien

Don’t listen to the critics. Ignore the naysayers. Those who claim there are no dominant teams in college basketball have not watched Ohio State.

The undefeated Buckeyes (24-0, 11-0 conference) boast an array of highly skilled players who can dictate play in every facet of the game.

We live in a society where too often we focus on what a kid can’t do at the next level or how a national championship caliber team would measure up against great teams of the past. Would this team beat the great UCLA teams of the 70’s? Of course not, could they hang with the Michigan Fab Five or play with the back-to-back national championship winning Florida Gators? Probably not, could they keep up with the prolific scoring of the ’05 North Carolina team, maybe. We’ll never know, but if you don’t think Ohio State is a dominant team this year and this season, then you’re missing the point.

Sure college basketball has taken a hit in recent years due to players foregoing multiple years of eligibility. There might be mediocrity outside of the top 25, maybe outside of the top 15, but Ohio State is number one in the country. They have had some close calls against Penn State, Northwestern and Iowa, but have also dismantled the likes of Florida, Florida State, Minnesota and Purdue.

Just because this team may not have a handful of NBA lottery picks does not mean they’re not dominant. I believe the 2010 Kentucky Wildcats had two top five picks and a total of five players selected in the first round of the draft. They were not dominant. Because part of being dominant is playing as a team and that is exactly what Ohio State does night in and night out.

And make no mistake about it; the cupboard isn’t bear in Columbus. Freshman Jared Sullinger is a National Player of the Year Candidate who is nearly impossible to defend down low. He is a crafty, fundamentally sound player who attacks the rim with tenacity and poise. Many teams simply lack the inside presence to contain his rugged style of play.

But, what distinguishes Ohio State from the rest is their supporting cast. A group of role players who would be stars at almost any other program. David Lighty can carve up a defense with a quick first step and an uncanny ability to finish at the basket. Jon Diebler is one of the best three point shooters in the land and has dramatically improved his ability to create his own shot. If teams key on these two senior standouts, then junior forward William Buford will frustrate defense with the smoothest mid-range jump shot in the country.

Prior to the season, many questioned Ohio State’s ability to operate their offense without a true point guard. But, freshman guard Aaron Craft has filled that void admirably. He’s not a player that will light a team up from the field, but he is scrappy point guard with a high basketball IQ. He locks down the best player on the opposing team and often plays suffocating defense. He frustrated All-Big Ten point guards Talor Battle and Demetri McCammey in successive games.

So, instead of being critical of what Ohio State can’t do, let’s sit back and marvel at the cohesiveness and unity this determined squad plays with. This team has not lost a single game. They may not be able to beat the ’73 Bruins, but I think they have a good shot at 2011 Longhorns or Jayhawks or any other final four contenders, and that is all that matters.