Plenty of great seats are apparently still available for the 2009 Fiesta Bowl. The question on many minds is, "Why?" Some are blaming the stagnating economy while others are citing "Phoenix Exhaustion Syndrome" as the Buckeyes have been to desert 5 times in the last 7 seasons. Five in the last seven!

My personal favorite excuse, from the article above, is that OSU's Winter Quarter starts on the day of the game (January 5, 2009), so some students may be shying away. Ummm...yea. As if. I will just throw out there that if the Buckeyes had run the table this year and were gearing up to play Oklahoma (or Florida, etc...) on SOUTH BEACH that most OSU students would suddenly be a-okay with missing "Syllabus Distribution Day, 2009." Call me crazy...

I think the most likely answer for the lack of interest, not in the game itself but in spending money on this game, is pretty simple:

Let's face it. You and I aren't the people buying up bowl packages. You and I can't swing $2,000-$3,000 every year to follow the Bucks to their bowl game. The people who could swing this trip this year are the same people who could swing it the last two years and are more than likely the same people who made the trip to USC in September. These folks, by the way, are also "recession-proof." When you have that kind of coin, dropping another $2,000-$3,000 (just like you did in September) is not a very big deal to you.

This boils down to disappointment over the outcome of the season (i.e. not playing in the National Championship Game), and the fact that the Buckeyes have gotten smoked the last 3 times they have been on the national stage (and failed to score a touchdown, if you count the Penn State game). The fans who can swing a bowl trip, I am more than confident, would have had no problem forking over the dough had the Bucks landed in Miami or even Pasadena (assuming, if you follow my way of thinking, Pasadena was not going to be a re-match with USC).

It would seem then that the Buckeyes need, in the worst way, a win in Phoenix. If the outcome of the Fietsa Bowl resembles the outcome against USC, Florida and LSU, then I will be saying the same (and then some) about USC next year (as being a "must-win"). Note, I am not saying, "OSU sucks because we can't compete when we play top tier teams." Not what I am saying at all... I fully understand that there are about 10 teams in the Big Ten who would have gladly switch lives with us over the last ten years. However, the problem is that the traveling Buckeye fan is apparently starting to lose interest. This could mean that, long-term, "The National Stage" could become for Tressel (among the "what have you done for me lately/donor-types") what "Michigan" became for Cooper.

Let's hope not. It would be nice if the turn-around can start on 1-5-09. Go Bucks!

It seems like the Buckeyes go from one high profile recruiting battle to another these days. The (Pulitzerless) Dispatch reports this morning that Justin Boren attended the Buckeyes spring practice yesterday, a further indication of his intention to transfer to Ohio State.

From the beginning of his split with Michigan, the speculation has been that Boren wants, and eventually will, transfer to Ohio State. How does that sit with the current Buckeyes? Malcolm Jenkins had this to say:

"I really don't mind, as long as he comes with the mind-set he's now Ohio State and he leaves the Michigan stuff at Michigan," Jenkins said. "If he is going to help us and come into the tradition, then by all means come ahead."

How do you feel about this former Wolverine potentially wearing Scarlet and Gray? BuckeyeChris is all for it. Here is what he has to say:

WILL JUSTIN BOREN BE WELCOMED INTO THE OSU FAMILY?  HERE'S WHY HE SHOULD BE...
 
By now you have no doubt heard or read the scathing language used by former Pickerington North High School standout Justin Boren as he departed, rather abruptly, the Michigan football program recently.  Boren described, "...an erosion of family values" within the program since the arrival of new coach, Rich Rodriquez.  Boren expressed sadness that, "...the winged helmet that he once raised with pride now brings a completely different emotion."  Read More...

Buckeye Chris is back with more analysis on the basketball Buckeyes. This time he sets his sights on tonight's opening round NIT game versus UNC Asheville.

So... the NIT. Hooray! Are you as excited as I am?! Really? Are you? The Buckeyes play UNC Ashland (or something like that) tonight. Save me a seat. I'm sure there will be plenty of room for me. This leads me to my big question. In anticipation of "plenty of great seats available" for the 7:00 PM tip off on ESPN2 (yes...ESPN 2) tonight I have to ask Buckeye (Basketball) Nation, "What does this say about us (OSU hoops fans)?" Are we fair weather fans? Or, do we just expect more of our team/program than an NIT berth?

In all fairness to the team and the staff - let's be real. While I do have issues with the apparent lack of "designed plays" (especially in crunch time), Matta, etc. did have to pretty much start from scratch this year- with the departure of the nation's dominant big man - not to mention one of (if not the) nation's best point guard. I certainly don't mean to sound as though I am condemning the staff and team for being in the NIT. Yet, here we are. So, what's a die-hard fan to do?

I go back and forth as to whether or not I'll watch. Admit it. So have you. If they win, they've won an NIT game. Oh...the chills. If they lose. Well, see my previous comment about the 1994 team losing to Gary Trent and OU...at home. ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!!! As you can tell, I'm over that. Completely over that. Okay, you caught me. Come tip off, I'll probably switch over from Law and Order re-runs on USA and watch the Buckeye game.

Go Bucks! The Road to ...New York begins tonight.

But what do you think? Are we crappy fans if only "close friends and relatives" show up tonight?

Spring Game VIP: On a good note a friend of mine who does some (too much, to be honest) online research called me tonight and informed that he has it on good sources that Pryor plans to attend the Ohio State Spring Game. Hmmm ...wonder why?

See you in the Buckeye Commentary Pool.

After being a frequent reader and comment contributor, BuckeyeChris has been kind enough to join Buckeye Commentary as a basketball contributing writer. Tonight marks his inaugural post and I am sure you will agree with me in hoping he continues. Enjoy.

Barring back-to-back wins against Michigan State (the Buckeyes play Sparty this Sunday and will play them again on Friday in the 4 vs 5 game at the Big Ten Tournament) plus a few more wins in the Big Ten Tournament next weekend, the Buckeyes are likely looking at a berth in the NIT (forgive me, Non-Important Tournament) this year.

I guess I am just greedy after a few seasons in a row of trips to the NCAAs, but the NIT just doesn't excite me.

That said, as painful as this team can be to watch, they aren't that bad. For the most part, they aren't getting blown out. They are just losing to teams they shouldn't be losing to (such as teams that have to hold "Buy 2 tickets, get 2 free!" promotions...Ann Arbor, I'm lookin' at you) and displaying a consistent failure to seal the deal in crunch time (see the Tennessee game, the Wisconsin game at home and the Indiana game at home). A prime example of the presence of this complete confusion in crunch time was to be observed Tuesday night against Purdue. Yes, I am aware that they won in overtime. However, what was the plan at the end of regulation? Does this team run any set plays? It once again did not appear so. They dribbled and passed until about 0:08 and then someone just spazzed toward the center of the court, 4 defenders converged, the ball was knocked free...Purdue ball... opportunity blown.

Let's face it. This team needs a "go-to" guy in the worst way. If they had someone who commanded the ball in crunch time, who knows how many of their near misses (Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin) may have been big wins? If such a player can, from the shadows, emerge in the final week of the pre-NCAA Tournament season the Buckeyes may (repeat "may") be able to make some noise NCAA-wise.

With such a young team I think it's vital to the future that this team make it to the "Big Dance." The experience, bright lights and atmosphere the NCAAs offer would be exponentially more beneficial to these young men compared to what the NIT has to offer. I say this even on the assumption that the Bucks may lose in round one or two of the NCAAs. What would they gain from going to the Semi-Finals of the NIT? The bottom line is this, you don't come to Ohio State to play in the NIT.