I went to this game today. I was in Columbus for Thanksgiving, my parents are Miami alumni and my brother is a sophomore at Ohio State. Naturally, this was our family bonding experience. I wanted to go up to Kent but I also didn't want to abandon my family after they had purchased the tickets. Knowing what we know now, that was more than a wise decision. Here are my thoughts, and yes, I am completely aware that Miami was playing the #3 team in the country.

-I think Miami is really going to miss Kenny Hayes this year. I'm going to combine this thought with the fact that I think Allen Roberts needs to have the ball in his hands more. Kenny was good at taking his man off the dribble and getting to the rim. Today, Allen was the only Redhawk committed to getting to the rim. The rest of the team seemed content to find an open perimeter jumper as the shot clock waned, but they struggled. This brings me to my next point.

-The traditional Charlie-offense doesn't really fit the roster. No wait, I don't feel that Miami's individual talents are best utilized in Charlie-ball. Miami has some athletes this year and fewer jump shooters. I feel that a faster, running pace would do a big service to the team. Miami didn't press all game, and while it may not work against Ohio State, I'd expect it to be effective against Buffalo, Western Michigan, etc.

-Piggy-backing off that point, Miami looked VERY uncomfortable when Ohio State pressed. VERY. I was begging for a press against Valporaiso. I hope we bring it to Miami and others at some point.

-Antonio Ballard was the only player who impressed me at all, only because of his commitment to rebounding.

-Jared Sullinger is not ready for the NBA, despite what an ESPN talking head might say. He could get to that point eventually, but if he were to leave after his freshman year, Blake Griffin, or even Paul Millsap would eat him for lunch. I think he needs to lose about 30 pounds and get a few more post moves in his repertoire. There are parts of his game that remind me of Leon Williams. Sully is good at sealing off his man in the post providing a favorable angle to the goal before he gets the ball. Also well aware of creating space with the elbows out on the spin move, so he has some fundamentals down. He just needs to work on his body.

I think we should beat Miami in both meetings this season. Honestly, I can't say that Miami will provide any matchup problems for us although I think they might have an edge on us in the toughness aspect after they have played Duke, Ohio State, UC, X, and Kansas before MAC play. We'll see.

If we had lost to them by 20 some instead of the 50 some that we lost to Kansas, the OSWho shirts we be out in droves tonite.

Also what is up with charlie coles jacking off ohio state. In the dispatch he said to matta that he(matta) could just give his team a some of tickets to the osu mich game and they would root for ohio state instead of playing the basketball game....wtf, Im sure the Miami players saw that and they really helped their motivation. I would be pissed If Groce or Solich were to do something like that.

Ok i figured something had to be up with that, i mean i know they are good friends and stuff but, it just seems like something you would say in private not in the newspaper for everyone to see.