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OSU fulfills coach's talk about a final
The Buckeyes overcome Oden's foul trouble and Georgetown to gain their first trip to the NCAA title game in 45 years. They'll play Florida.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
ATLANTA — This was Thad Matta's plan all along.
When he recruited Greg Oden and Mike Conley from Indianapolis Lawrence North, he talked about a national title game.
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"This is crazy," Oden said Saturday night at the Georgia Dome. "Because this is our dream and, to be honest with you, when coach Matta recruited us, this is what he said. Like this was his dream. He was so confident about it."
The Buckeyes made it come true.
Although Oden was in foul trouble — again — Ohio State held off Georgetown, 67-60, in a NCAA national semifinal.
Riding a 22-game streak, Ohio State (35-3) faces Florida (34-5) at 9:21 p.m. Monday for the national title — a rematch of the BCS football championship game.
The basketball Buckeyes won the NCAA title in 1960 and had second-place finishes in '61 and '62.
"It brings a smile to my face, just like right now," said forward David Lighty. "We are a pretty talented team, but have a team. Everybody comes in and contributes to our win."
Oden played just three minutes before halftime due to two fouls, enabling Georgetown's 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert (19 points, six rebounds) to get going.
Despite that, OSU led 27-23 at the half as Lighty, Ivan Harris, Othello Hunter and Matt Terwilliger picked up the defense. Hoyas guard Jonathan Wallace scored 19, but Big East player of the year Jeff Green had just nine points to go with 12 rebounds.
"The big key was the defense down the stretch," Matta said. "It led to some easy opportunities, probably the difference in the game."
Conley (15 points), Jamar Butler (10), Ron Lewis (9) and Harris (9) scored in transition until Oden (13 points, nine rebounds) returned.
Georgetown (30-7) took a 34-33 lead before Hibbert got his third foul. It was tied at 44-44 before Hibbert was whistled for a fourth. A 10-2 OSU run ended that threat. At 56-52, Oden hit a jumper and Lighty converted a three-point play for a 61-52 lead.
As usual, OSU hit 6-of-6 free throws to ice it and advance to the title game. The "lucky" team that could have been bounced in earlier rounds will play in the season's final game.
"He said, 'Mike, we're here.' He smiled and gave me a hug," Conley said of Oden's reaction after the game. "We are here — exactly where we want to be."
Next game
Who: Ohio State (35-3) vs. Florida (34-5)
When: 9:21 p.m. Monday
TV: CBS, Ch. 7
Radio: WING-AM (1410)
