how big an edge does florida have, having destroyed O state earlier this year?

Answer 1

Being a Gator, I would like it to think UF beating OSU handily in December means a lot. (yes, it was handily, UF won by 26). I don't care what the score was with 16 minutes to go. The only score that counts is the one with 00:00 on the clock. The game is 40 minutes long, not 24. Teams like Florida use their athleticism to tire their openents. Many of their games this year were close at halftime, but their opponents (including OSU) usually had to step up their game to stay close and then looked exhausted down the stretch. However, they are both somewhat different teams now (both are better). A key argument for OSU fans is that Oden was injured This excuse does not explain why he looked so tired in the second half of the first matchup. However, he is a better player now.

I think UF still has the edge because they know of a gameplan that works against OSU. Noah, Richard, and Horford will put a lot of pressure on Oden like they succesfully did in the first game, as Oden is the key to that team. Oden will get points because he is a good player, but he will also kick it out quite to the guards quite a bit because he will get tired against aggressive defensive play by the aforementioned players (who will rotate on him to stay fresh). The perimeter play of OSU will need to be stepped up for them to be competitive. Because of the poor perimeter shooting in the first matchup (37% FG percentage; and they had a lot of wide opened shots), there is evidence that gives UF the edge. Will I bank on that edge? No way. It will be a great game, in line with the rest of what I think has been one of the best tournaments in recent history.

Also, Donovan will not move laterally to Kentucky. If anywhere, he will move up to the NBA and the Heat.

Answer 2

This year's Florida team has always looked a little suspect at times in how they don't play all 40 minutes. The earlier UF OSU game was tied up in the 2nd half before Florida started to pull away. Honestly, however, I think that Donovan was more concerned to be facing Georgetown than Ohio State just because Ohio State becomes one-dimensional with Oden on the court and has less speed than when he is sitting on the bench. If the refs call a tight game protecting and ultimately favoring Florida's style of play, they will demolish OSU. However, if the refs allow a little more aggressive play and loose calling, Oden will have a chance to dominate the boards and slow the pace down giving OSU an advantage... This game should be over by half-time.

Answer 3

Edge???? Do you follow sports at all? Beating a team and then having to play them again doesnt help you! This is why it is hard to beat a team twice in the same year and even more difficult to beat them 3 times. The only thing that came from the game earlier in the year is that OSU knows what to expect, Florida didnt learn much of anything from that game. This helps OSU more than Florida and if you think otherwise then you dont know much about basketball, seeing as how you root for the gators that makes it even more obvious...


This is for the second guy who answered... It was tied with 16 minutes to go, and this was still with Oden only being back from a broken wrist for a few games... Totally different teams. But its great that you think you know something. I would love to see you ramble on about nothing some more, O and if Noah and Horford are better, why is it that Oden will be drafted before them? Why is it that even though they have a chance of repeating that NEITHER of them were even considered for any real awards in the NCAA? O wait i have forgotten that Gator fans hate to argue using facts, for some reason FACTS always go against their pointless little arguments and rants.

After reading all of the gator arguments, my point is again proven that you guys dont like to use facts.... And by the way the gators are more expierienced... not athletic, athletic involves talent and ability, if OSU's lineup involved as many juniors and seniors as Florida, it would be no contest and that means that OSU has more talent. One last thing, this isnt going to become a rivalry Florida fans would love to be considered a rival of OSU.... Wont happen you have to be good consistently, Florida pops up once every 15 years, OSU needs a school like MU that is good all the time.(but we still stomp em)

Answer 4

There are two reasons you cannot judge Monday night's game on the December game. First, that game was played at Florida, where this one will be played on a neutral court. Second, it was played within a week Greg Oden returned from injury. While it is debatable if Ohio State is a better team, they are now certainly more adjusted to playing with Oden now than they were in December. I think there's a chance Florida comes out a little flat on Monday, as they did a little last night.

Answer 5

None. the Buckeyes r a totally different team now. They weren't getting consistant play from Conely and Lewis. They just happened to play some bad teams. Now that they've played good teams, and have gotten used 2 thee hype, I think they have the edge. Remember, Ohio State was heavily favored against Florida in football, 41 - 14 Florida. Florida is heavily favored against Ohio State.

Answer 6

These two universities are quickly becoming huge rivals considering they played each other in the National Championship in football and now they will play for the national title in basketball. It makes me wonder if they will face each other for the title in the College Baseball World Series. I am neither a Florida fan or Ohio State fan and for that fact I'm not even really a basketball fan, but I do hope that Florida does win just to shut Buckeye fans up about the Big Ten being better than the SEC.

Answer 7

Not much. By now Ohio State should have recovered from that and should have their confidence up by getting all the way to the championship game. But Florida should still win because they have so much talent and have many big bodies to match up with Oden. I think it'll be a close game. Oden and Conley have been great and shouldn't fade away that easily. But the Gators should win nonetheless. But not by too much. Less than ten points probably.

Answer 8

They have a giant advantage because they have dealt with National Championships before. Horford will get Greg Oden out of the game because Horford is the best person at drawing the foul and Oden will foul out with 10 minutes left in the game giving Florida a chance to use Joakim Noah and Al Horford in the post. Florida knows they can beat them and Greg Oden knows OSU can't beat Florida. He was not too exited when he found out Florida won. Did you see the interview?

Answer 9

First off in response to the second answer. They did not shut Oden down. It was his 5th game of the season and his right hand was still fully wrapped, he was not shut down by them. The big difference was Florida played all last year together and OSU was still learning to play together. They've won 22 in a row and know each other's tendencies, it will not be like the game back in December. One thing I would think about if I was Matta is not starting Oden and waiting for like 5 minutes to put him in unless the game starts to get out of hand that fast. Anything to keep him out of early foul trouble. He had 13 pts 9 rbs today in only 20 minutes of play, we need more minutes out of him.

Answer 10

The first guy who answered obviously knows nothing about sports. I hate the whole FALSE notion of "its hard to beat a team twice" (or 3 times)....what a load of ****. If you beat someone once then obviously it proves that they CAN beat them. As far as an edge - maybe a little one but i think their biggest edge comes from the fact that they already know how to win, considering they did it last season when they won the natl championship with the exact same 5 players. Their distinct advantage comes in the coaching dept, Thad Matta vs. Billy Donovan, ill take Billy D. Their advantage comes in the form of not a 7 footer like Oden but in 2 guys who are 6'9" and 6'11" and are MUCH better than Oden, alot more polished offensively and have already shut him down once. Or the fact that they have one of the best defenses in the nation? One of the best offenses in the nation as well. The fact that they can win playing fast or slow, they have the best backcourt in the nation and the best frontcourt in the nation. There are alot of advantages and i think that Florida will pull it out, i dont think the fact they spanked OSU earlier this season is a HUGE advantage but it certainly proves that Florida is def. capable of doing it again.