Now It's Time to get Serious

It's time to turn things around. That's what Ohio State Buckeye players are starting to think now that they know what it's like to live life on the edge. "I'm hoping we can learn from this game and know we can't just play around with teams in the first half," star center Greg Oden said after the near loss against Xavier. Even though the score ended in a seven point spread, Ohio State was on the verge of elimination. In fact, Buckeye fans better start bowing to Shooting Guard Ron Lewis. Lewis hit the amazingly clutch three-pointer over Xavier's Brandon Cole in the final seconds of regulation; I should know, I copied that picture to my desktop only minutes after the great win. "I was just trying to get an open look. I told Mike [Conley Jr.] before we even left the huddle, 'Just give me the ball.' That's what he did. He found me," said Lewis after the game. His ability to keep the Buckeyes alive through thick and thin leaves fans wondering whether God added a little extra umpf to that three-point prayer. But this near-upset may just be the spark Ohio State needs to take home the gold from March Madness 2007.

Although the Buckeyes were close to losing a shocking upset, they understand now what it takes to win and even what it takes to lose. A stunning upset would have been heart-breaking for Ohio State, and now that they realize what it would feel like to be sent home packing, there is no going easy anymore. As Mike Conley Jr. said, "We came too far to lose," and they won't stop now. If you are an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, or even just a spectator, get ready to see the true Ohio State basketball team. These guys are going to show no mercy, nailing three-pointer after three-pointer and grabbing rebounds as if they were a foot taller than everyone else. The true essence of Ohio State is soon to emerge and you won't want to miss it now. With big man Greg Oden in the middle, surrounded by phenomenal athletes such as Mike Conley Jr. and Ron Lewis, who put up an impressive 28 points in the second round, no one will stand in the way of these hungry Buckeyes. Red and White are going to be the only colors opponents will see when those jerseys come crashing at them full throttle. Be prepared to see a surging Ohio State fleet because they will not stop for anything, that is, unless it is big, gold, and has the big O.