Live Blog: Florida vs. Ohio State (Second Half)

Monday, April 02, 2007

Dick Enberg has been in broadcasting for 50 years? Seriously? Gotta hand it to the man, he still has a ton of energy for a 72 year old. Unfortunately, he's now doing a tribute to hands. Yes, hands. It's as thrilling as you think it might be, as he describes various players' and coaches' hands as soft, firm, comforting, etc. With a different soundtrack, this would definitely be porn material. When we return from his hands piece, Enberg talks about the hands of time, and how you have to hand it to Florida for their first half. Gumbel says, "that's a handy little piece, Dick!" Kill me now. I don't deserve this torture.

I can only assume we'll be back to basketball after this commercial and...after the jump.


Clark Kellogg says the second half for Ohio State should be about threes, threes, and more threes. He's right, although some perimeter defense might help. It's not like Florida's big men are killing Ohio State at this point.

Ohio State comes out with purpose, scoring the first five points of the half. They're still within striking distance, down eight. Florida has withstood the pressure, however. Al Horford hits a grandpa-style set shot for two, but Oden comes back with a dunk at the other end.

Lee Humphrey hits a long three, but Oden gets another dunk for Ohio State. They're not exactly back in the game yet, but man, if they could only hit two or three 3-pointers in the next few minutes...

15:16 remaining. Florida 49, Ohio State 40.

We're back, and it's Florida's ball. A pass deflects out of bounds, off Oden, and it's another commercial. Well, Oden's getting plenty of rest over the past six or seven minutes. Given that he's the only guy who has shown up for Ohio State, that can only be a good thing for the Bucks.

Florida is playing a 2-3 matchup zone, and Ohio State is completely unable to get open looks. It's mystifying. Nobody will ever confuse this Florida defence with Nolan Richardson's 40 Minutes Of Hell, but it seems to be confusing the hell out of Ohio State. Finally, Ohio State figures out that they should be driving the lane, and have reduced the lead to seven.

Quietly, Florida is picking up some fouls. Noah, Richard, and Marreese Speights all have three fouls. Still waiting for anyone from OSU to help Oden on the offensive end. They seem to be playing much better, but have only shaved two points off Florida's halftime lead.

11:49 remaining. Florida 53, Ohio State 44.

Take the ball to the basket. That's what Thad Matta needs to be telling his team. Florida is waiting on the three point shot, and it's just not open for OSU. It's there for Florida, however -- Humphrey hits for a ten-point lead.

Well, the game isn't over yet, but it's damn close. Florida has a 14 point lead and Ohio State is tiring quickly. Billy Packer keeps harping on Oden's fatigue and how hard he's playing despite it. This absolutely pains me to write, but here we go:

Billy Packer is 100% correct. On this point. Ohio State picks up a few points, but they're really just doggy-paddling at this point. Lots of flailing and effort, but not going anywhere.

8:23 remaining. Florida 61, Ohio State 50.

Lee Humphrey is really something special. Every time -- and I mean every time -- Ohio State gains a little traction, Humphrey hits a three. Give Ohio State credit, though. They're fighting, they're pressing, and they're on a 9-3 run. Oden picks up his third foul, and it's officially Crunch Time.

6:17 remaining. Florida 64, Ohio State 56.

We're down to five minutes remaining, and Ohio State is still hanging around. They're down eight, and the Gators' interior players are really picking up the fouls. Noah has four, Richard has four, and Horford has three. Oden hits a pair of free throws, and it's a six point lead until Taurian Green channels the ghost of Lee Humphrey by hitting a demoralizing three pointer. Ron Lewis decides this is a good time to start playing, and he hits a layup. Chris Richard responds for Florida, and they still lead by nine with under four minutes remaining. We'll get a timeout on the next whistle, but not before Al Horford hits a tough leaner for an eleven point lead. Conley bricks a three for Ohio State, but Taurian Green misses a wide open layup. Ohio State can't muster the energy to grab the easy rebound, Florida retains possession, and will shoot two foul shots when we get back from commercial.

Ohio State had their chance in that sequence, and couldn't quite take advantage. They still can't hit a shot from the outside, and they're way too tired to effectively press the Gators on defense.

2:31 remaining. Florida 73, Ohio State 62

At this point, the only thing in doubt is the final score. Chris Richard has fouled out for Florida. OMDQ points out that Billy Packer, in his usual grating style, won't stop pounding Oden's fatigue into the ground. Agreed. It was a good point in the early part of the second half. We get it.

1:14 remaining. Florida 77, Ohio State 67.

It's "foul everything that moves" time for Ohio State. We only have a limited amount of time left, so quick -- how will Joakim Noah celebrate?

I predict a dry humping of Jim Nantz, with a possible Billy Packer reacharound. I also predict that Nantz will react in his usual, "golly gee willikers" manner, reminiscent of Brant from The Big Lebowski.

Full Time. Florida 84, Ohio State 75.

Ohio State just couldn't get all the way back up the mountain once Florida took a double digit lead. It was a nice effort, but Florida always seemed to play its best just when Ohio State threatened to make a true game of it.

Joakim Noah goes into the crowd and...hugs his mom. Well, that's a disappointment.

Oooh, we still have One Shining Moment to look, uh, forward to. Corey Brewer is your Most Outstanding Player, and there's no crime in that. He was amazing on Saturday night, and very good tonight.

Joakim Noah just said...well, hold on. Let me rewind my DVR for the full transcription. I owe it to you, the reader.

"I mean, this is what it's all about. I mean, we worked so hard for this, you know what I'm saying? So yeah, we gonna do it big! All day, all night, do it huge, you guys have no idea what I'm talkin' about when I'm saying that, but but my boys know! The Gator boys know what I'm talkin' about! Gainesvile know what I'm talkin' about!" Look out, Atlanta. There are a lot of Gator parents who suddenly wish this game was played in Indianapolis. Or Hartford. Or Juneau. Ehh, what's the worst that could happen in Atlanta, right?

I suppose it's not what he said as much as how he said it. Kind of like a crazed Tracy Morgan. Also, I'm pretty sure that Billy Packer knows what Joakim's talking about. Packer's got hoes in different area codes, you know.

Seth Davis, post commercial: "The rule should be that Joakim Noah does the post-game interview every year at the Final Four." No argument here.

No "One Shining Moment" yet, as Dr. Miles Brand is here to hand the championship trophy to Billy Donovan. You want to give us something, Miles? How about a goddamned eight-team football playoff?

That's all for me tonight. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment. Feel free to stop by Run Up The Score to say hello sometime.

28 Comments:

BP "Let's see if the referee makes him put it in."

Full quote, for the record is "Brewer's got his shirt out now. Let's see if the referee makes him put it in."

BD said...
Apr 2, 2007, 10:37:00 PM  

Sorry...I got confused by the thread switch.

Fortunately, Billy Packer is still telling me how tired these players are, so I've got that going for me.

Which is NOT nice.

Apr 2, 2007, 10:37:00 PM  

I didn't realize I had two first-half threads going. D'oh.

I haven't been keeping up with what Nantz and Packer are actually saying, so please continue to memorialize their stupidity.

Scrappled said...
Apr 2, 2007, 10:44:00 PM  

"That was a fatigue foul, Jim." - BP

AAAAAARRGH

Packer also pleaded Matta to give Oden a break. I was really hoping he was going to say, "Matta needs to get him a blow."

Apr 2, 2007, 10:58:00 PM  

"Oden has the heart of a champion, and he's only 18 years old." - BP

Call it nitpicky, but Oden has been 19 for 2 1/2 months (his birthday is in January).

I should also mention that the quote was slightly paraphrased, but I think that's the jist of it.

Is jist spelled with a "j" or a "g"?

Apr 2, 2007, 11:02:00 PM  

I believe it's with a 'g'. I've been wrong before, though.

Oden really is playing his balls off. He's still not getting any help, though. Someone else needs to heat up, and fast.

Scrappled said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:09:00 PM  

In 5 years, Oden is going to look like Robert Parrish when he retired. I smell a ringer.

Michael Pigott said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:09:00 PM  

Funny, I knew some people who went to high school with LaVar Arrington, and it was the same sort of situation -- his parents basically had to carry his birth certificate everywhere.

Scrappled said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:10:00 PM  

This says a lot about Oden, though. He knows there's no tomorrow, and he's playing like it.

I like a guy who leaves it all on the floor.

Apr 2, 2007, 11:10:00 PM  

I'll grant you that Oden is playing hard and Packer deserves credit for pointing it out...but do we need to hear about it so often?

Apr 2, 2007, 11:12:00 PM  

ok , this is a 1st half comment, but i'm tivoing so i am still a little behind.
But at the 10:52 mark left in the 1st half, BP said Oden was really hustling to break up the pass to Noah inside. Maybe you guys already mentioned it, but if you did I apologize. Oden was not sprinting down the block, he was jogging and just happened to be a bad pass that he deflected out of bounds.
How in the world can BP have a job with CBS?

karl said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:12:00 PM  

Are we really at the point where I'm defending Billy Packer? Is there no God?

Scrappled said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:19:00 PM  

I just hope Noah doesn't dance!

Michael Pigott said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:26:00 PM  

Oden is the MOP, according to Billy Packer?

At the half, I was thinking Brewer, myself.

Nantz wants Horford.

Anyone wanna lay a bet on this?

Apr 2, 2007, 11:28:00 PM  

Winners deserve MOP

Michael Pigott said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:30:00 PM  

Call me a sap, but I got goosebumps when Noah found his mother in the stands. Say what you want about the guy, he displays some real, live emotion.

Apr 2, 2007, 11:32:00 PM  

How about Co-MOPS in Horford and Brewer?

TJX said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:33:00 PM  

It has to be Horford. 18 and 11 tonight.

I actually like Noah. He's like the Claude Lemieux of college basketball. A totally hateable pain in the ass if you're a fan of the opposing team, but he never cheats you on effort or emotion.

Scrappled said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:33:00 PM  

Corey Brewer...I win.

Apr 2, 2007, 11:37:00 PM  

Brewer?

Michael Pigott said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:37:00 PM  

You guys have a good evening. Love, peace, and soul.

Michael Pigott said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:40:00 PM  

Late in the game, Packer said when Richards picked up his fourth that it (foul) cannot be on him (Richards), he wasn't close to the player and thought it was on Brewer--- It was, in fact, on Richards.

And, when a UF player was falling out of bounds, Packer said the ball was going to OSU because he tried to call timeout, when in fact, the player had stepped on the line and never signaled for a timeout.

I've never seen so many mistakes in observation by an announcer before.

therod said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:40:00 PM  

we can only imagine what a party with joakim noah would be like. i wish i was from gainesville so i knew what he was talking about.

Micah said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:49:00 PM  

Billy D's wife is hot.

BD said...
Apr 2, 2007, 11:53:00 PM  

Great season, bad tournament.

TJX said...
Apr 3, 2007, 12:00:00 AM  

No more Cabbage Patch Gumbel. I feel robbed.

Anonymous said...
Apr 3, 2007, 12:01:00 AM  

Run Up The Score! said...
Funny, I knew some people who went to high school with LaVar Arrington, and it was the same sort of situation -- his parents basically had to carry his birth certificate everywhere.


And LaVar somehow still plays like an overgrown 18-year-old. Ooh, sorry, back when he played he played like an overgrown 18-year-old.

That's right. I hate the Redskins so much I punish a player for life!

J-Red said...
Apr 3, 2007, 8:47:00 AM  

..all i gotta say is GOOD JOB GATORS I WAS WITH U ALL THE WAY!!!#1

Anonymous said...
Apr 11, 2007, 2:59:00 PM  

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