Sandwasher

Rob Bentz after OSU's stunning comeback victory over Tennessee... 

Well I’m officially a girl. I went to bed at halftime and Tivo’d the game. I knew if I stayed up I would either destroy the house with the loss, or end up in jail after celebrating a win. Either way was not a good result. I would much rather sleep through a win than watch a massacre.

Rob Bentz

Sandwasher Magazine Senior Writer 

A few quick thoughts on the amazing OSU/Wisconsin game…

Walking to the arena, out of curiosity, I asked a scalper how much my ticket would go for, and he said $350.  Even though that would pay for my season tickets the next two seasons, I never really considered it.  I had this game scheduled on my calendar before the season started.  Thanks to the Basketball Gods, both teams more than lived up to their preseason hype, coming into this game ranked one and two respectfully. 

As the contest unfolded, I was repeatedly cursing myself for not selling my ticket.  I shouldn’t have been surprised.  Going into the game, I was worried about the slow, physical play of Wisconsin’s big corn fed white boys. I knew they would rotate thugs to beat on freshman stud Greg Oden. What I didn’t know was I’d be witnessing the worst officiated game in Big 10 history. Oden was held, shoved, pulled and punched. Wisconsin players frequently undercut him and took cheap jabs to his ribs. Somehow, Oden never retaliated. Overshadowed by his superior talent is his discipline and class. Most other players could not withstand the abuse he took.

A huge turning point in the game occurred when Wisconsin forward Brian Butch came down awkwardly on his elbow. It was the worst injury I have ever seen. His elbow dislocated so badly it was bent backward. This injury allowed Oden to stay in the paint and not chase Butch around the 3 point line.

The atmosphere at the game was electrifying.  In anticipation of the intense contest, the arena sound system was cranked up and blaring AC/DC’s “Hells Bells” during timeouts at critical points of the game. The crowd was loud and rowdy.  I can’t imagine how loud it would have been if everyone could have clapped instead of waving the never-intimidating “rally towels;” however, the towels did come in handy. Towards the end of the game when the refs were at their worst, fans were tying the towels in knots and throwing them on the court Cleveland Browns-style.  It was beautiful.  Action was halted at one point to clean the debris off the court.   

OSU fought the refs and boring style of play to narrowly win 49-48.  Senior Ron Lewis’ blocked shot preserved the victory in his last home game.  Ivan Harris and Oden both played well in their last home game too. After watching Oden play all year, I don’t think he is fully developed and prepared to be a dominant force in the NBA; yet, I would advise him to enter the draft after this season. He was beat up and pushed around all year and never received help from the refs. Why subject oneself to such abuse and not get paid handsomely for it?  The Big 10 has always been a physical conference, but the abuse Terrence Dials and Oden have endured the past few years is criminal.

I have been asked numerous times if I “stormed the court” after the game.  No, I didn’t. The security guards were monitoring the crowd and funneling everyone down to one isle. I didn’t want to stand in line and wait my turn to run onto the court.

After the team was presented the Big 10 trophy, everyone came to cut the nets down, except Oden. He went behind the bench high fiving and hugging people, before walking out the tunnel opposite the locker room and away from the team. After the nets were down and the team was getting ready to leave the court Oden reappeared. I never heard why he left the court.  I’m hoping that he was just participating in interviews rather than avoiding the emotional cries from the Scarlet and Gray fans pleading for “One more year.”     

Thankfully, I didn’t sell my ticket.  I got to see the Buckeyes win an outright Big 10 championship and Oden’s last Buckeye home game.  Thanks Greg for a great season. If you put together a great run in March, I might change my dog’s name from Scoonie to Oden.

Go Bucks!  

Oden Bentz, err Scoonie Bentz, enjoying the snow after a Buckeye win

--Rob Bentz