#6 Bearcats (26-10) vs #2 Buckeyes (29-7)
The Cincinnati Bearcats are on a serious roll right now. No they did not win the Big East Tournament but check this: in their last 11 games they are 9-2 with only 5 points separating them form 11-0; 5 of those wins were against ranked teams with their only losses to tournament teams South Florida and Louisville.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs Ohio State Buckeyes
Thursday March 22
East Region – Boston, MA
9:45PM
Moneyline: No money line currently listed
Spread: Ohio State -8
O/U: 129
Cincinnati
I am not saying the Bearcats are my pick to win it all but they certainly deserve to be here and won’t be intimidated by Ohio State.
Cincinnati is coming off a win against Florida State which is no easy task.
Guard Sean Kilpatrick got his game back scoring a team high 18 points as forward Yancy Gates was neutralized in the post by the Seminoles. The game against FSU was far from pretty but it showed the Bearcats have more than enough grit.
I really like the way they locked in at the foul line making 82% of their shots (they were 64% during the regular season).
Ohio State
I suppose I have to eat some humble pie after Ohio State eliminated my Gonzaga Bulldogs. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
In the first half the Zags were all over the Buckeyes but their staying power wasn’t very strong, surprising because I still think they are the deeper team. Ohio State didn’t dominate but they got the job done.
Fellow Ohio school Cincinnati is in the way but this is a favourable matchup despite the steam behind the Bearcats right now.
I am still looking for the evidence that Jared Sullinger is going to be a good player at the next level.
If that is the case he should be able to have success against Bearcats beast of a power forward Yancy Gates. I think it will be a bit of a stalemate which is fine for the Buckeyes who are superior at all the other spots.
They will probably win going away this time. Next us Wisconsin? Maybe.
Spread Pick: Ohio State -8
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Ohio State 72 – Cincinnati 62
