 Media Credit: Justin Powell The "Nut House" was alive and well in Crisler Arena Saturday night.
| |
ANN ARBOR, MICH. — Every team likes to win the championship on its home court. But if that doesn't happen, the next best thing might be to win it on the court of a school rival in front of a crowd full of your own die-hard fans.
The Ohio State men's basketball team was unable to grab a piece of the Big Ten title at home last week, but Saturday night, Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., felt an awful lot like home for the Buckeyes, who won a share of the conference championship with the win.
"It seemed like we had more fans than they did," said OSU guard Brian Brown.
He wasn't just saying that, either — it really did seem like there were more OSU fans than Wolverine faithful. There may not have been, but the Buckeye fans were certainly more vocal.
There was even a mini "Nut House" right behind the visitors' bench, filled with about 50 OSU students in their "Nut House" T-shirts, holding up signs paying tribute to the four Buckeye seniors. On senior night in Michigan, there were more signs for the OSU seniors than there were for the six Wolverine players who were playing their final home game.
The OSU students started chants throughout the game, and whether it was "O-H ... I-O" or "Just like football," it was a noticeable change-up to the complete lack of enthusiasm shown by Michigan fans who had little to cheer for.
After the game, OSU players were grateful for the atmosphere.
"We can't express how much we love our fans and how much they help us," said freshman center Terence Dials.
"They love us," said junior guard Brent Darby. "They came all the way out here to support us. We have the best fans in the nation."
"We played this game for the fans, everybody in Columbus and all those people that believed in us," said senior guard Boban Savovic.
After the game, the players and fans celebrated together on the court. High-fives were flying all over the place, and screams of "Big Ten champs" could be heard easily as Michigan season ticket-holders slowly filed out the exits.
It was a scene any Buckeye fan would be proud of.
Coach Jim O'Brien was certainly proud of it.
"I thought it was important that our group acknowledged our fans," O'Brien said. "Ohio State had an unbelievable presence at this game tonight. We didn't give much of an effort to sell any packages or convince them to come; these people just showed up on their own. We need to let them know that we are so thankful that they care enough to come up here and create that presence."
That presence may have done more than just make the players feel important. As sophomore forward Zach Williams said, "They really made us feel like we were at home."
The University of Michigan feeling like home to OSU players? Strange, but true.
2008 Woodie Awards