Buckeyes take on Siena in NCAA Tournament’s 1st Round
No. 8 Ohio State (22-10) vs. No. 9 Siena (26-7)
Time/Site: 9:40 EDT/Dayton, Ohio
The winner gets: The winner of Louisville-Morehead State
Summary: The Buckeyes finished in a three-way tie for third in the Big Ten and lost in the tournament finals to Purdue. Siena won the MAAC regular season and conference tournament titles.
Key Players: Ohio State – Evan Turner (17.1 ppg), F; Jon Diebler (11.4 ppg) Siena – Joe Habrouck (14.8 ppg), G; Edwin Ubiles (14.6 ppg)
Key stat: Ohio State – Turner is averaging seven rebounds. Siena – Point guard Ronald Moore is averaging 6.2 assists per game.
Ohio State will win: If Turner, co-Big Ten player of the year, plays his usual game, it will create difficult matchups for the Saints. Also, is freshman guard William Buford continues to grow like he has all season, the Buckeyes will win. It doesn’t hurt that the game is in Ohio.
Siena will win: If the Saints can take Ohio State’s Turner out of his game and Moore feeds Hasbrouck and Ubiles like has all season.
Prediction: Ohio State 64, Siena 59
By Kevin Lonnquist