WHO SHOULD BE #1: Wisconsin or Ohio State?

The debate over who should own the #1 overall ranking now that the Gators weren't able to avoid being upset. Recent polls would suggest that Wisconsin and Ohio State should be ranked 1 and 2. Ohio State is currently in line to gain the #1 spot, but lost by 3 to the Badgers on Jan. 9th. A Badger/Buckeye re-match is next Sunday, but @ Ohio State this time.

Thanks to the good lord in heaven - the Gophers Men's basketball team scheduled the #3 Badgers and the #2 Buckeyes at home in the same week. As a season ticket holder in the student section for the U of M's terrible team, I have had to tolerate basketball that is comparable to my little sisters high school junior varsity team. It has been hard being a fan of the GOOphers, but this week was worth the price of season tickets.

WISCONSIN --

On Wednesday I saw Wisconsin and was impressed. They are definitely a calm and collected team, with plenty of NCAA final four promise. Alando Tucker took over for Wisconsin when he needed. After watching the Dunk contest last night, I would compare what Tucker did to the Gophers defenders to what Dominique Wilkins was able to do. Tucker absorbs contact and is still able to put together a high percentage shot. If there is one thing he could improve is his free throw shooting. Tucker could have blown Minnesota away if he made more of his free throw shots. I predict Tucker to be a NBA lottery pick - a top 10 pick if he brings Wisconsin to the title game.

The Badgers big men are also very strong. Brain Butch makes for a difficult match-up against any big man in the country - he leads the team in rebounding with just over 6 a game. One of the most unheard badger ballers is Michael Flowers. Flowers pairs with Kammron Taylor as Wisconsin's one-two punch guard combination. Flowers doesn't score a lot but he is a very smart player who seems to consistently makes the right pass - he leads the team in assists. Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft and Jason Chappell are experienced role players who will need to step up when needed during the cruitial six game run for the title.

OHIO STATE --

Ohio State is Illinois when they had Luther Head, Dee Brown and Deron Williams. Having the privilege to see that title-losing Illini team from a few years ago 2 times in person, I can't help but see the resemblance in this Buckeye team.

This current Ohio State team is deep with talent, much like Illinois was. At no point whatsoever when the Buckeyes played the Gopheres did I sense a possible upset. I was kind of hoping to storm the court. Oden did start off 0/3 from the field but went on to score 19 - I believe it was a team high. The thing that impressed me most was the way that Ohio State moved the ball, found the right man, made the smart play and executed time and time again. They are flawless, I didn't see any reason why this team shouldn't be ranked in the top 5, if not #1. Greg Oden is a physical specimen. I am excited to be able to tell my kids I saw him in person while in college.

After viewing the next NBA legend - I can't imagine a team passing on him in the draft. Oden doesn't even need to try in order for Ohio State to win. In fact, Ohio State would probably be ranked in the top 10 even without Greg Oden. Daequan Cook has a nice looking jumper and could easily play in the NBA. Ron Lewis, someone I've heard little or nothing about, played amazing and would be the Gophers best player by far. Even Matt Terwilliger played well on defense and had a couple nice looking jumpers.

The player who impressed me most out of both Wisconsin and Ohio State was Mike Conley. Conley is Dee Brown and Deron Williams combined. Conley is Oden's high school teammate and he is making his Buckeye teammates look good. Conley is smart, he penetrates and dishes so well. I would compare Conley to any of the best point guards in America.

WHO SHOULD BE #1 - Wisconsin or Ohio State?

It's not even close. Ohio State is by far the best team in the nation (right now). Florida and North Carolina can welcome Ohio State as teams that have emerged as potential #1 seed selections on Selection Sunday.

After watching both of these teams live, and following the NCAA, and in particular the Big Ten closely throughout the year, I might not even put Wisconsin in the top 10. There are better teams in the country than Wisconsin including Ohio State, UNC, UCLA, Kansas and even Nevada. I know Alando Tucker is getting hype as potential player of the year, but that is the same as saying Redick should be player of the year... oh wait - he was. Winning that award doesn't make you the best player. I feel teams led by better players will play better in the tournament. Ohio State, Florida, Kansas and UCLA all have solid starting rosters and benches.

Come tourney time, having future pro's helps. Without including Florida, who has 3 potential top 10 picks in this year's draft in Noah, Brewer and Horford - 5 o of the elite 8 teams had top 10 picks (LSU - Tyrus Thomas, Texas - LaMarcus Aldridge, Memphis - Rodney Carney, UCONN - Rudy Gay, Villanova - Randy Foye). I spy some NBA athletes currently leading teams toward titles besides Durant, Oden and Tucker. Kansas has a potential top 10 pick in Julian Wright. North Carolina has Braden Wright - if he comes out he could go 4th overall behind Oden, Durant and Noah. Pittburgh's Aaron Gray and Duke's Josh McRoberts are also thought be drafted in the top 15.

I can't wait for the Badger vs Buckeye re-match a week from today. Then the possible best of three re-re-match in the Big Ten tourney title game. The Big Ten may be crappy, but the cream is definitely at the top.