Lunardi has MU a 9 seed vs George Mason in Cleveland...OSU destruction to follow

[willie wampum]

Is there a worse possible draw than that?

A tough first round matchup, and if you get by that, you get obliterated/humiliated/destroyed/pummeled by the tourney's number one seed in what is basically a home game for them.

MU would have a chance to stay in the game vs the other number one seeds but not OSU.  They have too much athleticism at too many positions and shoot the three ball too well.

[PGsHeroes32]

Is there a worse possible draw than that?

A tough first round matchup, and if you get by that, you get obliterated/humiliated/destroyed/pummeled by the tourney's number one seed in what is basically a home game for them.

MU would have a chance to stay in the game vs the other number one seeds but not OSU.  They have too much athleticism at too many positions and shoot the three ball too well.

Very true, they do. But, did you watch their game today? Craft and Lighty were in foul trouble and that lead to a close game for most of the game with Michigan. They are not deep. What if JFB, DJO, Crowder and Otule are able to rack up fouls on Buford and Sullinger instead? Game on.

[Fullodds]

I'll take it. every No. 1 seed is beatable. Northwestern should have beaten OSU yesterday. Get sullinger in foul trouble and look out. We have enough inside action (driving and post play) to force the issue. I'd prefer to stay away from UNC if I had a choice.

[tower912]

Gonna have to beat a big boy one way or the other to get to the second weekend.   Play the games and see what happens.   Who knows, maybe Sullinger is the guy that DG was born to guard.   Or maybe DG is the guy born to beat him up down low.    Don't spend your time worrying about who we have to dodge.   We did not win enough games to choose that.   

[mikem91288]

Totally agree. There's not much I would less want than an 8-9 game against George Mason, followed by Ohio State playing in Cleveland. Woof.

[Norm]

All that, and OSU almost lost to Sienna in  nearby locale a year or two ago.

[GGGG]

I'd be freaked out by George Mason much less OSU.  George Mason is very good this year.

[Windyplayer]

Is there a worse possible draw than that?

A tough first round matchup, and if you get by that, you get obliterated/humiliated/destroyed/pummeled by the tourney's number one seed in what is basically a home game for them.

MU would have a chance to stay in the game vs the other number one seeds but not OSU.  They have too much athleticism at too many positions and shoot the three ball too well.

Chill out.

[whodem]

I'd be freaked out by George Mason much less OSU.  George Mason is very good this year.

Agreed. MU would have trouble getting by GMU. They're very good this year.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Is there a worse possible draw than that?

A tough first round matchup, and if you get by that, you get obliterated/humiliated/destroyed/pummeled by the tourney's number one seed in what is basically a home game for them.

MU would have a chance to stay in the game vs the other number one seeds but not OSU.  They have too much athleticism at too many positions and shoot the three ball too well.

I might be reading too much into this, but are you saying we'd be nothing more than cannon foddler with this draw?

[marquettewade3]

I actually thought this was a great draw.  OSU - and ND - in my opinion are grossly overrated and are soft #1 seeds.  I do think having 4 of the Big East teams in the same bracket as shown:  http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology is lame.

[GGGG]

How could OSU be "grossly overrated?"  They have lost two games all year, both on the road to top 15 teams?  Where *should* they be rated?  If they aren't number one, who should be?

I'm not saying they will win, but they are not overrated.

[brewcity77]

I'd be freaked out by George Mason much less OSU.  George Mason is very good this year.

It'd be an interesting match-up. If we can get running, I'd like our chances. My biggest fear is their shooting. If it turns into a 3-point contest, we'll be in trouble. They are one of the best deep-ball teams in the country.

As far as OSU and ND being overrated...I guess I can give you ND, though it's tough to call a team overrated that's won 13/15, including beating our own team. But I guess we beat them and had a lead at the Joyce, so we could do it gain. But calling tOSU overrated, what do they have to do to earn your approval? Dominant big man, excellent outside shooters, #1 offensive efficiency team per kenpom, #10 defensive efficiency? I guess you can point at their...umm...free throw shooting defense? That's about the only thing they don't do well.

4 Big East teams in the same bracket shouldn't happen. But this will be a very, very difficult bracket to seed because of the quantity of Big East match-ups and avoiding in-season rematches as well as rematches from the past two years of the NCAA tournament in the opening weekend. Especially when you factor in the "Last four in" playing the play-in games. Suddenly you're trying to fit five teams into a pod that can't have played each other during the regular season or in the NCAAs the past two years.

If the SC is smart, they already have most of the bracket done with contingency plans set up based on the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, and most importantly A-10 finals. In fact, if I were the NCAA, I would tell the Big Ten they must change the time of their final to 1:00 EST. The arrogance of that league in not having their final until every other game is done is ridiculous, and forcing the committee to consider the implications of their final when the Selection Show airs so soon after the completion of the game is simply ridiculous. Especially in a year like this where Penn State, a bubble team (though likely safely in now) has made it all the way to the final. What if PSU is sitting on the first four out list right now? How much chaos do they create if they upset tOSU in the final, and how little time does the SC have to fix it? I've always hated the arrogance of the Big Ten in the timing of their final, but this year just amplifies the problem it creates even more because of how much more complex the seeding will be due to the play-in games and the 11 bids going to the Big East.

[T.V. Diener 34]

Just go to espn.com and look at George Mason's resume.... I don't really get the hype with them.  They've beaten almost nobody.

Wins vs Harvard and Old Dominion

Losses vs NC St., Wofford, Dayton, Hofstra, Old Dominion, and VCU

[CTWarrior]

If you are an 8/9, there is no good draw.  We would get OSU, Kansas or Duke in round 2.  Trouble for us no matter which, not to mention the opening round will be a toss up regardless of opponent.

[brewcity77]

Just go to espn.com and look at George Mason's resume.... I don't really get the hype with them.  They've beaten almost nobody.

Wins vs Harvard and Old Dominion

Losses vs NC St., Wofford, Dayton, Hofstra, Old Dominion, and VCU

They're certainly not the Final Four team. But they have a number of guys who can light it up from deep. As a team, they shot 39.7% from three. If we played GMU, it would come down to who could dictate how the game was played. If it's an up-tempo game with lots of driving and banging down low, we should win. But if they can slow it down and turn it into a battle of outside shooting, we could really struggle. Considering our track record against snipers this year, they could be a handful.

[marquettewade3]

How could OSU be "grossly overrated?"  They have lost two games all year, both on the road to top 15 teams?  Where *should* they be rated?  If they aren't number one, who should be?

I'm not saying they will win, but they are not overrated.

The reason I say they are overrated is because I believe the Big Ten is a weak conference this year.  Michigan State had a poor season and Purdue isn't as strong without Hummel.  I understand my comment contradicts conventional wisdom based on OSU's record.  And you are right, they did lose to Purdue and WI on the road; both good teams.  I'm not claiming to know who is deserving of a #1 overall seed.  I don't think it's as clear cut this year as in year's past.  Again, this is just an opinion, but I see them as being very beatable.  That's why I say I wouldn't mind meeting them in the second round.  

[mugrad2006]

The reason I say they are overrated is because I believe the Big Ten is a weak conference this year.  Michigan State had a poor season and Purdue isn't as strong without Hummel.  I understand my comment contradicts conventional wisdom based on OSU's record.  And you are right, they did lose to Purdue and WI on the road; both good teams.  I'm not claiming to know who is deserving of a #1 overall seed.  I don't think it's as clear cut this year as in year's past.  Again, this is just an opinion, but I see them as being very beatable.  That's why I say I wouldn't mind meeting them in the second round.  

Given MU's horrendously poor 3 pt defense (272 in country) coupled with OSU's proficient 3 pt shooting (3rd in the nation), I'd say it's a nightmare match-up.  Hoping we get a team that likes to run a little, doesn't rely on the three, and fouls a ton. 

[wojosdojo]

Did they change the seedings for Chicago?

[dgies9156]

I might be reading too much into this, but are you saying we'd be nothing more than cannon foddler with this draw?

Geez, and I haven't even weighed in, yet!

[77ncaachamps]

Latest Bracketology has...Utah State.

Tough game, if so. Must neutralize 3 pt shooters.

And *gasp* the HOF coach.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Lunardi on ESPN right now saying #8 UCLA and #9 Old Dominion are opposite Ohio State.  For what that is worth.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

Latest Bracketology has...Utah State.

Tough game, if so. Must neutralize 3 pt shooters.

And *gasp* the HOF coach.

Utah St. and then Kansas.

[Skitch]

In Lunardi's S curve we are the last #9 so with any luck we could drop one spot and end up a 10

[ChicosBailBonds]

Lunardi was wrong