Friday, November 9, 2012

Boomer's Thad Minute: Buckeye hoops teams tip-off on a boat

Junior's Aaron Craft & Deshaun Thomas are back
to guide the Buckeyes ship this winter.

Senior Tayler Hill is back, to lead
the Buckeyes towards another run
at Big 10 Championship.

Tip off tonight (7:00 NBCSports Network) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles, aboard the USS Yorktown for the Carrier Classic, jump starts the Ohio State Men's hoops '12-'13 season. Both programs, the Men & Women get to be apart of this event, when the #19 Lady Buckeyes tip-off against the #7 Fighting Lady Irish of Notre Dame (4:00 NBCSports Network), who have reached the National Championship Game the past two seasons (losing twice). The Men's team looks to build off the teams Final Four run, from a season ago, while some guys are back in familiar roles, while others get adjusted to new roles this season. The Buckeyes have a very high preseason ranking at #4 with non-conference games against Marquette (tonight), @ Duke (Nov. 28th) in the Big 10/ACC Challenge, and a Final Four rematch vs. Kansas (December 22nd). After the non-conference slate of games, the Men will have to navigate though a very challenging Big Ten season, as the preseason #1 team in the nation resides in the Big Ten, the Indiana Hoosiers. Along with the Hoosiers and Buckeyes, the Big Ten is represented in the preseason Top 25 by #5 Michigan, #14 Michigan State, and #21 Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are again coached by 9-year Head Coach Thad Matta, who enters his 13th season coaching overall.

On the women's side, ranked #19 to begin the season, they are lead by Senior Guard Tayler Hill, who lead the Buckeyes in scoring as a junior a season ago (20.4 ppg). A number of players are back this season, that saw multiple minutes on the floor last season and the Buckeyes non-conference schedule while challenging, will prove to be a good thing, once they head into the Big Ten schedule. Notable non-conference games for the Women include, today's opener against Notre Dame, @ UNC, and @ Gonzaga. A four-team race for the Big Ten Championship this season, between preseason ranked: #8 Penn State, #18 Nebraska, #19 Ohio State, and #21 Purdue. This team will go as far as Hill can carry them, as the Lady Buckeyes are under the supervising of 11-year Head Coach Jim Foster, who enters his 35th year of coaching.

I'm looking forward to hoops season, but I do have one rule, we do not talk about hoops, till after Thanksgiving. Until then, take care and keep following my football posts.