RAS Analysis: Ohio State (-4) at San Francisco

Search
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
272
Tokens
Season record: 2-0 +2.0 UNITS

One play for Friday:

Ohio State (-4) at San Francisco - 8:00pm Pacific
The Buckeyes have talent at every position and are very well coached by Jim O'Brien even with his current vocal cord ailment. After an injury plagued sophomore season, point guard Brandon Fuss-Cheatham is now fully healthy. He was never himself last season, only playing in 22 games, and starting in 8. His stats were not impressive but the team always seemed to play better when he was on the floor. He will play a key leadership role this season. Joining him in the backcourt is Clemson transfer Tony Stockman who's 12.2ppg average was more than any other sophomore in the ACC in 2001-2002. He was often times a one man wrecking crew for the Tigers. Another talented newcomer who will play some time at both the 2 & 3 spots Arkansas transfer J.J. Sullinger. Sullinger averaged 9.4ppg as a freshman for the Hogs. He is an Ohio native and decided to come home and play for the Buckeyes. These three make up a very promising backcourt. Ohio State has a strong center in 7-0 senior Velimir Radinovic. He is coming off a 9.3ppg, 6.1rpg season. Power forward will go to 6-9, 260 sophomore Terrance Dials who redshirted last year after a very promising freshman season two years ago. Sophomore G/F Matt Sylvester is a perfect role player off the bench. He can defend, shoot from the perimeter, and play defense. Senior forward Shun Jenkins provides experience on the front line, he started 11 games last season after a finger injury slowed him in the early going. He is a solid rebounder. Sophomore guard Rick Billings is back after focusing on academics last season, he can provide quality minutes in the backcourt off the bench. The final key reserve is true freshman Ivan Harris who simply is a McDonald's All-American. This is a very versatile team that can beat you in a lot of ways. Jim O'Brien is a good enough coach without many options, but he will have plenty with this team. Ohio State had injuries galore last season and still reached the NIT. It was the first time in five years they did not reach the NCAA tournament, but they will be back this year.

USF head coach Philip Mathews' coaching ability is questionable at best and he is running out of excuses. There always seems to be something that stops this team from reaching the postseason, but the bottom line is they have not been getting the job done. Ineligible players, suspensions, transfers awaiting clearance, and key injuries have plagued this team in recent years and this year is no different. Starting center senior James Bayless (ankle) and starting senior guard John Cox (knee) were injured in the second half of the teams season opening game vs Tennessee Martin in a tournament hosted by SWMS on Monday. Bayless is said to be probable but not 100% healthy for this game, but Cox who is the teams leading returning scorer will miss at least the next two games. The Dons already lost leading scorer Darrell Tucker (2nd on schools all time scoring list) and third leading scorer Shamell Stallworth to graduation. With Cox unavailable they are now missing their top three scorers from last years mediocre 15-14 team. The Dons do welcome Michigan transfer guard Dommanic Ingerson who coach Mathews calls one of their best players, but he will not be eligible until the second semester. The Dons do have the advantage of already having played two regular season games but their travel schedule has been hectic. They played Monday & Tuesday in Springfield, MO and were held up a night in Memphis due to bad weather. Following tonight's game they will return to Missouri to continue in the Guardian Classic next Monday. I just do not see them doing well against an opponent of Ohio State's quality, especially without their top player.

Ohio State gave up a 3-pointer in the final seconds which forced overtime and ended up losing their final exhibition game eight days ago. This can work in O'Brien's favor as he was sure to have his teams attention and focus in practices leading up to this game. In a similar scenario Wake Forest lost their final exhibition game at the buzzer and they responded with a strong showing in Coaches vs Cancer game last week. Buckeyes are 5-2 ATS as a road favorite the last two seasons. USF is 2-5 ATS as a home dog in the same time frame. Give the points.

Ohio State 1 UNIT

Good luck,

Edward
 

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
92
Tokens
Do you know much about LaSalle? I'm expecting some big things from Wichita State. They have a young and upcoming coach, along with some good athletes. I know nothing about LaSalle.
 

Active member
Joined
Jun 20, 2000
Messages
71,780
Tokens
thanks handy. .great write up im with you also here got in a -4.5
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
272
Tokens
LaSalle is a young team with some promising players. I like them. Not sure they have the toughness to take on a team like Wichita State right now though. It will be an interesting game.


Edward
 

New member
Joined
Sep 20, 2004
Messages
2,491
Tokens
ohio st had 3 injuries also, yet writeup did not have that. I still posted sf as winner. although excellent write-up need to check your sources better. for example wager-line had the injuries and sportsonline had big exp. edge to the dons.
 

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
54
Tokens
Sammy,
well put- after the game. it's input like that, that makes us all winners. thanks- priceless.
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
272
Tokens
All of Ohio State's key players played. Not sure which 3 injuries you are referring to. They just got beaten. Congrats on your win though.


Edward
 

The Great Govenor of California
Joined
Feb 21, 2001
Messages
15,972
Tokens
I saw the box score with 2 min left, Buckeyes only had 2 players with more than 3 points, the 2 transfers, USF is poorly coached, but Im not a big Obrien fan either, I know a kid who played for him at BC and he was benched becasue his daughter liked him.
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
272
Tokens
I just watched the replay of this game. Ohio State started slow, seemed to take the opponent lightly. Both starting big men picked up 3 fouls in the first half. OSU could not get a call their way all night, O'Brien ended up being ejected for two technicals. Turnovers, missed free throws, Buckeyes just could not get anything going for a sustained period. Defense needs work. Reserve G/F Matt Sylvester missed the game but everyone else played.

I think they will play better in Maui, but I will take a wait and see approach with them for now.


Edward
 

Forum statistics

Threads
1,119,869
Messages
13,574,388
Members
100,879
Latest member
am_sports
The RX is the sports betting industry's leading information portal for bonuses, picks, and sportsbook reviews. Find the best deals offered by a sportsbook in your state and browse our free picks section.FacebookTwitterInstagramContact Usforum@therx.com