That is what our beloved Wildcats will have to go up against and defeat in order to make it to the Elite 8. How will we matchup with the Goliath that is Ohio State? Well, it looks a lot better than one may think. Just like Kentucky, The Buckeyes use a 6-7 man rotation. Neither team can afford to get in foul trouble. So who are these Buckeyes?
Aaron Craft – 6’2, 195 pound Freshman Guard.
Craft is Ohio States best on ball defender, he is a great passer.
Jon Diebler – 6’6 205 pound Senior Guard.
Diebler is a 3 pt specialist.
David Lighty – 6’5 220 pound Senior Forward.
Quick wing who can score from anywhere on the floor (ask George Mason). Good defender.
Dallas Lauderdale – 6’8 255 pound Senior Forward.
Big Hoss, physical, eats up the glass. Plus he looks like Kimbo Slice.
Jared Sullinger – 6’9 280 Freshman Center.
Best big man in the Country, no strike that best player in the Country. (He's no Boogie)
Bench
William Buford – 6’5 205 pound Junior Guard.
If you are looking for that player who always comes off the bench to light Kentucky up, this is him.
Deshaun Thomas – 6’6 230 pound Freshman Forward.
Ohio States plays him in limited minutes when they need him. He is can score, and defends pretty well.
I know you just looked at that, and wondered how in the world can we defend that? They are one big team. Yes they are. But, we are too.
Brandon Knight – 6’3 185
Darius Miller – 6’7 228
Deandre Liggins – 6’6 210
Terrence Jones – 6’8 244
JORTS– 6’10 275
Doron Lamb – 6’4 195
Eloy Vargas 6’11 250
Feel Better? OK OK you need more.
In the NCAA tournament it is all about matchups. Now I assume both teams will play man-to-man due to the fact that both teams can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc. Here are the matchups in the man-to-man.
Aaron Craft v. Brandon Knight.
If there is a distinct advantage that Kentucky has in this game it is this one. Aaron Craft cannot guard Brandon Knight on his best day. UK will have to take advantage of this, if they are going to win. Knight will have to play good defense on Craft. He can shoot, and is a great passer. Knight cannot give Craft open looks, and let him get into the lane to pass. Kentucky will already have enough problems with this game, this one does not need to become one.
David Lighty vs. Darius Miller
Both guys are upperclassmen, and both have at points this season put their respective teams on their backs in time of need. Miller is taller and that could frustrate him. If the CATS are going to be in this ball game, he cannot let Lighty shoot wide open 3’s. He is a good shooter, and can hit 7-8 3’s in the game. Ask George Mason what happens when you let Lighty shoot wide open shots. It doesn’t turn out good. Miller can go off or disappear at any point. We need the Darius we saw in the SEC Championship to show up. This matchup is a wash. It all depends on which player comes to play, Jon Diebler v. Deandre Liggins
Cal has to start Liggins on Friday. I don’t think Lamb can put enough pressure on Diebler to get him frustrated. Diebler is a 3 pt specialist. You give him any space and he will rip your heart out. Luckily for the CATS, Diebler hasn’t faced a player like Liggins. Liggins will try and get in Dieblers head by trash talking. Hopefully, Diebler talks back. Liggins plays his best when you mouth with him. Liggins also presents a huge problem for Diebler. Liggins can hit the 3, drive to the hole effectively, and is a great passer in the lane.He has also turned in to the CATS emotional leader. If "God's Gift" is having a good game, the CATS will stand a good chance. Don't rule out Liggins on Lighty though. The more I think about it, the more likely that sounds.Terrence Jones vs. Dallas Lauderdale
I think Jones is more athletic than Lauderdale, but Lauderdale has been around for a long time. Jones will have to play smart, and CANNOT get in foul trouble. Jones will have to play patient, and score when he can get a good quality look. Look for Thad Matta to go right at Jones, and try to get him frustrated, and in foul trouble. As we all know, Jones has had games when he has been unstoppable, and games where he just needed to go to the locker room. If we win this game, you will look back on this matchup. Jones has to play smart, and up to his potential. If he does that, then the CATS will be in good shape.Jared Sullinger v. JORTS
Sullinger is very tough to defend. He is big, strong, smart, skilled, fantastic, and did I mention the best damn player in the whole COUNTRY? They keys for JORTS when guarding Sullinger will be NOT TO FOUL. If Sullinger scores (which he will), so be it. Josh can't get into foul trouble, and give free points at the line for Sullinger. The freshman plays good defense, but here is where I think JORTS can gain an advantage. JORTS isn’t what you call a tremendous athelete, but he gives one hell of a pump fake. JORTS has made a living pump faking people and getting them up in the air, thus drawing a foul, and sometimes an and one opportunity. If he can draw some fouls, it will do wonders for the CATS. JORTS will have to continue his stellar play. Never count out a Big Country Boy with a ton of heart. Not to mention that he was brought up in the home of Doug Harrellson.. -Lamb will also have to play well, and whoever he is on (most likely Diebler), he cannot give an inch on defense. Lamb needs to have one of those games where he is throwing up the monacle a lot. If he gets hot from the outside, the CATS will be in great position.
-Eloy Vargas will be in the game at some point although likely to just give JORTS a breather. Hopefully he can push Sullinger around, and put in valuable work. If he can play well, it will help Kentucky's cause a great deal.
It is going to be tough for Kentucky to pull of this win. But, we can do it. We are more athletic than Ohio State. Ohio State is a great basketball team, but they haven’t faced anyone that can matchup with them athletically, and size wise all season. We are the underdogs for the first time in a long long time. Nobody expects us to win. Cal will be preaching all week that no one is giving us a chance. We will have to play a near perfect game and for 40 min in order to shock the world. UK will have the most fans in Newark, and shockingly we will have the support of UNC, and Marquette fans.We will lace them up on Friday, and whatever happens, happens but I except a war on Friday Night.
I have one thing to say to Ohio State……….LET'S ROCK!
-BBNSports Staff
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