Pick your word and it might be appropriate.
Wow. Unreal. Dominating.
Recommended Stories
Any would be a good way to describe how well Ohio State played in the opening weekend, particularly in Sunday’s 98-66 win over George Mason. But the one word that shouldn’t be used is this: unusual. The Buckeyes just did what they’ve done all season. Maybe not winning by 32 points every game, though they did beat Purdue by 23 and Wisconsin by 28.
But the way they did it vs. George Mason shows their might. The Buckeyes had 11 offensive rebounds; the Patriots had 16 defensive boards.
They made 16 of 26 3-pointers, but they entered having made 41.6 percent of their 3s, and they now have 10 games in which they made at least half of their 3-pointers.
They won Friday vs. Texas-San Antonio because William Buford and John Diebler were hot. They won Sunday because David Lighty and Jared Sullinger took over. They can win inside with Sullinger; they can win outside. They share the ball. In their last nine games — all but two coming vs. NCAA tourney teams — they’ve made at least 50 percent from the field six times.
Ohio State has now played 17 games vs. teams that made the NCAA tournament; its average margin of victory in those games is 16.5.
The Buckeyes are not infallible. Foul trouble will test their depth. Wisconsin and Purdue both beat them when their best players had great games. The interior defense can be weak. So it’s possible. But as George Mason found out, it’s going to be difficult.
