Knowing what to expect, Ohio State trips VCU in OT

PORTLAND, Ore. — The only way to prepare for VCU is to mimic VCU, so Ohio State planned accordingly: Thad Matta and the Buckeyes' coaching staff dedicated practice time to replicating the Rams' full-court defense, knowing full well how quickly tournament hopes can collapse under an avalanche of traps, pressure and unbridled havoc.

For evidence, the Buckeyes needed only look back to last March. As the sixth seed in the tournament's West Region, Ohio State fell victim to a Dayton team built — defensively, at least — in VCU's image.

So the Buckeyes knew what to expect, even if simulating the actual tenacity of VCU's mayhem proved a more difficult task. But there were assets in their corner: Shannon Scott and D'Angelo Russell, for example, a ball-handling backcourt pair silky enough to dribble through the pressure.

"We knew what type of team VCU was," senior center Amir Williams said. "They're going to fight, they're going to scratch and claw their way to the end of the game, and that's exactly what they did."

BRACKET HUB:Ohio State 75, VCU 72

After advancing past the Rams in overtime to reach the Round of 32 in the West Region— drawing a matchup with second-seed Arizona in the process — Ohio State can breathe, regroup and, once again, plan accordingly.

At the very least, Arizona will provide a different test than the one put forth by VCU — and very likely a stronger test, based on how the Wildcats breezed through the Pac-12 Conference during the regular season and past Texas Southern in its opening-round victory.

"I think in terms of Arizona, you know, they are probably completely different in terms of how VCU plays," Matta said. "You know, the big guys, (Brandon) Ashley, (Kaleb) Tarczewski, are definitely monsters down there. We've got to come up with something."

Even if the differences between the two opponents are plain — with none bigger than Arizona's mere level of talent — certain aspects of Ohio State's win against VCU are universal; careful ball control in the face of pressure translates from one game to the next, for example.

"We're comfortable trying to play our best basketball," said Williams. "We can't think about the perfect style to play. We've just got to adjust to whatever style they present to us and go with it."

Therein lies your formula for winning in March, when, in many cases, the team willing to adapt and flow based on an opponent's strengths and weaknesses is a team flexible enough to survive and advance.

"It's that time of year," senior forward Sam Thompson said. "That's how you have to play this time of year. You have to play with that toughness. You have to play with grit. You have to play with a sense of urgency. No matter who we're playing, we have to come out with that chip on our shoulder."

Clichés — toughness, grit, urgency — are a start. Add in Russell, one of the nation's most impressive freshmen, and you have Ohio State's particular formula for reaching the tournament's second weekend.

"There's a little bit more than that, but it's a good beginning," Thompson said.

Bloodied late in the second half by an elbow from VCU guard Doug Brooks — drawing a flagrant foul in the process — Russell rebounded to score four points in overtime and a game-high 28 points in all; he's now averaging 23.8 points per game in the month of March, increasing the likelihood that his freshman season will be his last with the program.

"People just see the scoring sometimes, but he does so much more," freshman forward Jae'Sean Tate said. "Even if he's not scoring, he's going to find the open man. He's complete."

In his scoring, however, Russell helps alleviate the pressure on a remaining cast of contributors lacking a consistently productive second fiddle. Thompson, the team's second-leading scorer during the regular season, managed just two points on 1-of-5 shooting against the Rams. While Scott added 10 assists, his most since early January, he hit on just 4-of-12 tries for nine points.

More will be needed against the Wildcats, losers of just one game in the past two months — and likely one of the few teams deep, long and athletic enough to hang with unbeaten Kentucky, the prohibitive favorite to win the national championship.

Once again, and this time against a more formidable opponent, Ohio State must rely on adaptability in the face of pressure.

"We came to get two," Tate said. "We've still got more work to do."