Streak Busters

How ironic is it that in a 24 hour stretch two of the longest streaks in Ohio sports history come to an end. One showing that things can finally get better and one proving that perfection is impossible.

The Cavs started the weekend on Friday night by finally winning a game, their first in 27 tries. Mo Williams, coincidentally, finally played after missing weeks due to injury. J.J. Hickson showed up and Antawn Jamison, who answered all of the tough questions during the streak, provided a big veteran presence and kept other players motivated, iced the game with a 3 to put the Cavs up by 4 in overtime against the L.A. Clippers.

While the losing ended for the Cavs, it finally happened to Ohio State Saturday afternoon at Wisconsin (yeah, the same Wisconsin that beat #1 OSU football at home). Ohio State is now 0-6 at the Kohl Center up in Madison since its inception. Ohio State played tough but a great game from both Sullinger and Buford wasn't enough.

Here are the facts. Both teams, despite busting their streaks, are in contention for #1 (the Bucks WILL return to #1 in College Basketball, ot atleast obtain a #1 seed and the Cavs can still get the #1 pick come lottery time in June). The Cavs have missed starters Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao for the majority of the year, and actually beat the Celtics at the beginning of the year.

OSU lost because Wisconsin refused to miss a three pointer. Ohio State shot a higher field goal percentage, outrebounded the Badgers, had more assists, less turnovers, a higher free throw percentage, more steals, less fouls all on Wisconsin's home floor. The Badgers just so happened to shoot 50% (12-24) behind the arch, which accounted for 36 of their 70 points in a game Wisconsin won by 4. That's like if Wisconsin football would've won by 3 with 4 punt returns or if a team wins in baseball by 1 run with 2 grand slams in a game. Simply put, it rarely ever happens that a team gets that much of their offense in such an obscure way. There is nothing to worry about Buckeye basketball fans. If the Badgers were even 40% for 3 (still above average), Ohio State wins.

Wisconsin fans, savor the win. It is very likely that just like football, your season ends with a loss to a mid-major while Ohio State fans celebrate the biggest win in the history of that sport for the university (even though it was the Sugar Bowl, it was OSU's first win over an SEC team).