The Battle for 66: Maybe Ohio State Can Win Something

We had a man on the scene for the NIT semifinals last nigh, as Ray Floriani was at Garden last night to catch the action

NIT semifinal sat Madison Square Garden saw two SEC teams fall as UMASS and Ohio State advanced to the finals. Crowd was just under 10,000 with a decidedly partisan, and celebratory, UMASS following.

UMASS 78 Florida 66

UMASS erupted for 51 second half points to erase a nine point halftime deficit. Coach Travis Ford wanted a pedal to the medal pace and got it. The UMASS mentor also made a nice halftime adjustment by stopping the traps on ball screens that left the lane open. Dropping a defender down sealed off the inside better. A young Florida club didn’t actually help its own cause with a woeful 8 of 21 mark from the charity stripe.

Minutemen had four players in double figures. Gary Forbes led the way with 19 points while Dante Milligan added 17 points 12 boards. Marresse Speights paced the Gators with a solid inside effort (16 points 18 boards). In the end, UMASS’ senior leadership was a big difference.

Ohio State 81 Mississippi 69

Buckeyes led at the break by 24. At the 12 minute mark Ole Miss had the deficit trimmed to 11 and suddenly we had a game. Andy Kennedy, a picture of composure on the sidelines, couldn’t get his club any closer and Ohio State is in the finals.

OSU built the halftime lead with good ball movement and attacking the basket. In the second half Chris Warren (game high 19 points) fueled the Rebels with his three point shooting. Ole Miss was doing a better job inside and on the defensive end. That deficit though was too much to overcome and Ohio State advanced. Jamar Butler and Evan Turner both had 17 for the Buckeyes who put four players in double figures. Senior center Dwayne Curtis of Ole Miss was also impressive with a 12 point 15 rebound outing.

Final game is 7:00 on Thursday.