From the Short North to north campus, Ohio State basketball fans partied like it was 1999 Saturday.
They celebrated the Buckeyes’ first NCAA Basketball Tournament Final Four appearance since the turn of the century. Unlike the ’98-’99 OSU Final Four team – anchored by Michael Redd and Scoonie Penn – this year’s squad beat Georgetown 67-60 to compete for a National Championship tonight.
The team will face the University of Florida tonight for the championship, which fans said makes the deal even sweeter. OSU has a chance to avenge its embarrassing loss to the Gators during the BCS National Championship Game in January.
Buckeye fans have not forgotten the defeat nearly three months ago. Even before either team punched its ticket to the finals, fans salivated at the thought of a rematch.
“I think that’s what everyone is hoping for: that revenge,” said 2006 OSU alumnus Dan Reedy during halftime at the filled-to-capacity Eddie George’s Grille on High Street. “That’s what everyone’s waiting for. If we can’t have the football one, we want the championship in basketball.”
For some, caution was the best approach going into the game.
Inside the Bier Stube, a High Street bar near south campus, a crowd filled stools and chairs to watch the game. The atmosphere remained quiet for an NCAA tournament game.
Luke Molnar, a 2005 OSU alumnus, said he thought fans might be a little apprehensive about getting rowdy too quickly.
Fan support grew from the basketball team’s win against Memphis last week, he said.
“Today was the first day (the atmosphere) kind of rivaled football,” Molnar said.
It didn’t take fans at the Stube long to come alive. Two early fouls on OSU big man Greg Oden drew sneers from the crowd inside the bar.
“Let them play,” Molnar said, referring to Oden and Georgetown 7-footer Roy Hibbert.
Oden’s foul trouble forced him to the bench, limiting the center to three minutes of playing time in the first half. Just as his absence deflated frustrated fans, the rest of the team rescued the mood at the Stube.
The scarlet and gray’s defense forced the tempo early, much to the delight of those at the bar. Junior Matt Terwilliger made a key early bucket, increasing the OSU lead to 9-2. The team’s supporting cast received recognition.
“Terwilliger, MVP,” Molnar said, shouting and raising his arms in the air.
OSU held a 27-23 advantage at halftime, and fan sentiment remained positive.
“I feel confident,” said Tracy Pham, senior in sociology, while walking near the South Campus Gateway during halftime. “I love Greg Oden. (He had) two fouls in the first half, but it’s OK.”
Further north on High Street at Notal’s Too Food and Spirits, fans sat on edge. As the Hoyas and Buckeyes exchanged blows during the final period, tiny celebrations sprung up throughout the bar. High-fives and cheers abounded while OSU gained momentum late. But people maintained composure down the stretch.
As the final seconds ticked away, the place erupted. People danced, chugged alcohol and embraced as the “Buckeye Battle Cry” fight song blared.
Finally, “O-H-I-O” chants reigned in from opposite sides of the room. Fans could breathe easier for a day. The Buckeyes moved one step closer.
Playing for a national championship is pretty big accomplishment for a “football school,” said Justin Bogard, a junior in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
With the success OSU has seen under coach Thad Matta, fans aren’t just looking forward to September after bowl season ends.
“It’s nice to see campus getting into something besides football,” Bogard said. “We’ve got something else to cheer for.”
Travis Minnear can be reached at [email protected].
