| A Potentially Interesting Matchup [message #1015691] |
Wed, 10 May 2006 19:42 |
|
Ohio State may pay Dec. 23 visit
By KEVIN BROCKWAY
Sun sports writer
Florida is reportedly close to a two-year deal to play Ohio State that will
include a matchup next season at the O'Connell Center. The defending
national champions will likely play the Buckeyes at the O-Dome on Dec. 23,
the Saturday before Christmas. Florida basketball spokesman Fred Demarest
would not confirm negotiations, saying that team policy is not to discuss
the schedule until it's completed in late August. But Ohio State coach Thad
Matta recently told the Columbus Dispatch that a matchup between the two
schools was imminent.
"We've wanted to play a game in Florida for our alumni. We have a tremendous
alumni base down there," Matta told the Dispatch. "Obviously, you've got two
of the biggest challenges because I think Florida and North Carolina will be
(ranked) one and two in the country. But to have that challenge for our
young guys early in the season will be good."
Under the agreement, Florida would play in Columbus, Ohio, the following
season.
If finalized, the matchup would be intriguing because it would pit two of
the top big men in the country against each other. Florida's Joakim Noah,
listed as 6-foot-11 but actually closer to 7-feet, would likely square off
against incoming 7-foot, 245-pound freshman Greg Oden. Oden, Parade
Magazine's 2005 high school player of the year, was expected to be the top
pick in the NBA Draft this season had the league not changed its age
restriction from 18 to 19.
Florida is 2-5 lifetime in seven meetings with the Buckeyes. The two teams
last played on Dec. 27, 1988, with Florida losing 93-68 at the ECAC Holiday
Festival in New York City.
Florida's non-conference schedule isn't finalized, but also is expected to
include a home game with Providence and a potential matchup with Kansas in
the finals of the Las Vegas Invitational over Thanksgiving weekend. Kansas
and Ohio State have been projected as preseason top five teams by many
college basketball analysts.
|
|
|
| Re: A Potentially Interesting Matchup [message #1015693 ] |
Thu, 11 May 2006 13:39 |
|
"Edward M. Kennedy" <nospam [at] baconburger.com> wrote in message
news:e3tinb$grm$1 [at] gargoyle.oit.duke.edu...
> Which one of these teams is in the ACC...?!
Oops!
|
|
|
