Dick Enberg has been in broadcasting for 50 years? Seriously? Gotta hand it to the man, he still has a ton of energy for a 72 year old. Unfortunately, he's now doing a tribute to hands. Yes, hands. It's as thrilling as you think it might be, as he describes various players' and coaches' hands as soft, firm, comforting, etc. With a different soundtrack, this would definitely be porn material. When we return from his hands piece, Enberg talks about the hands of time, and how you have to hand it to Florida for their first half. Gumbel says, "that's a handy little piece, Dick!" Kill me now. I don't deserve this torture.

I can only assume we'll be back to basketball after this commercial and...after the jump.


Clark Kellogg says the second half for Ohio State should be about threes, threes, and more threes. He's right, although some perimeter defense might help. It's not like Florida's big men are killing Ohio State at this point.

Ohio State comes out with purpose, scoring the first five points of the half. They're still within striking distance, down eight. Florida has withstood the pressure, however. Al Horford hits a grandpa-style set shot for two, but Oden comes back with a dunk at the other end.

Lee Humphrey hits a long three, but Oden gets another dunk for Ohio State. They're not exactly back in the game yet, but man, if they could only hit two or three 3-pointers in the next few minutes...

15:16 remaining. Florida 49, Ohio State 40.

We're back, and it's Florida's ball. A pass deflects out of bounds, off Oden, and it's another commercial. Well, Oden's getting plenty of rest over the past six or seven minutes. Given that he's the only guy who has shown up for Ohio State, that can only be a good thing for the Bucks.

Florida is playing a 2-3 matchup zone, and Ohio State is completely unable to get open looks. It's mystifying. Nobody will ever confuse this Florida defence with Nolan Richardson's 40 Minutes Of Hell, but it seems to be confusing the hell out of Ohio State. Finally, Ohio State figures out that they should be driving the lane, and have reduced the lead to seven.

Quietly, Florida is picking up some fouls. Noah, Richard, and Marreese Speights all have three fouls. Still waiting for anyone from OSU to help Oden on the offensive end. They seem to be playing much better, but have only shaved two points off Florida's halftime lead.

11:49 remaining. Florida 53, Ohio State 44.

Take the ball to the basket. That's what Thad Matta needs to be telling his team. Florida is waiting on the three point shot, and it's just not open for OSU. It's there for Florida, however -- Humphrey hits for a ten-point lead.

Well, the game isn't over yet, but it's damn close. Florida has a 14 point lead and Ohio State is tiring quickly. Billy Packer keeps harping on Oden's fatigue and how hard he's playing despite it. This absolutely pains me to write, but here we go:

Billy Packer is 100% correct. On this point. Ohio State picks up a few points, but they're really just doggy-paddling at this point. Lots of flailing and effort, but not going anywhere.

8:23 remaining. Florida 61, Ohio State 50.

Lee Humphrey is really something special. Every time -- and I mean every time -- Ohio State gains a little traction, Humphrey hits a three. Give Ohio State credit, though. They're fighting, they're pressing, and they're on a 9-3 run. Oden picks up his third foul, and it's officially Crunch Time.

6:17 remaining. Florida 64, Ohio State 56.

We're down to five minutes remaining, and Ohio State is still hanging around. They're down eight, and the Gators' interior players are really picking up the fouls. Noah has four, Richard has four, and Horford has three. Oden hits a pair of free throws, and it's a six point lead until Taurian Green channels the ghost of Lee Humphrey by hitting a demoralizing three pointer. Ron Lewis decides this is a good time to start playing, and he hits a layup. Chris Richard responds for Florida, and they still lead by nine with under four minutes remaining. We'll get a timeout on the next whistle, but not before Al Horford hits a tough leaner for an eleven point lead. Conley bricks a three for Ohio State, but Taurian Green misses a wide open layup. Ohio State can't muster the energy to grab the easy rebound, Florida retains possession, and will shoot two foul shots when we get back from commercial.

Ohio State had their chance in that sequence, and couldn't quite take advantage. They still can't hit a shot from the outside, and they're way too tired to effectively press the Gators on defense.

2:31 remaining. Florida 73, Ohio State 62

At this point, the only thing in doubt is the final score. Chris Richard has fouled out for Florida. OMDQ points out that Billy Packer, in his usual grating style, won't stop pounding Oden's fatigue into the ground. Agreed. It was a good point in the early part of the second half. We get it.

1:14 remaining. Florida 77, Ohio State 67.

It's "foul everything that moves" time for Ohio State. We only have a limited amount of time left, so quick -- how will Joakim Noah celebrate?

I predict a dry humping of Jim Nantz, with a possible Billy Packer reacharound. I also predict that Nantz will react in his usual, "golly gee willikers" manner, reminiscent of Brant from The Big Lebowski.

Full Time. Florida 84, Ohio State 75.

Ohio State just couldn't get all the way back up the mountain once Florida took a double digit lead. It was a nice effort, but Florida always seemed to play its best just when Ohio State threatened to make a true game of it.

Joakim Noah goes into the crowd and...hugs his mom. Well, that's a disappointment.

Oooh, we still have One Shining Moment to look, uh, forward to. Corey Brewer is your Most Outstanding Player, and there's no crime in that. He was amazing on Saturday night, and very good tonight.

Joakim Noah just said...well, hold on. Let me rewind my DVR for the full transcription. I owe it to you, the reader.

"I mean, this is what it's all about. I mean, we worked so hard for this, you know what I'm saying? So yeah, we gonna do it big! All day, all night, do it huge, you guys have no idea what I'm talkin' about when I'm saying that, but but my boys know! The Gator boys know what I'm talkin' about! Gainesvile know what I'm talkin' about!" Look out, Atlanta. There are a lot of Gator parents who suddenly wish this game was played in Indianapolis. Or Hartford. Or Juneau. Ehh, what's the worst that could happen in Atlanta, right?

I suppose it's not what he said as much as how he said it. Kind of like a crazed Tracy Morgan. Also, I'm pretty sure that Billy Packer knows what Joakim's talking about. Packer's got hoes in different area codes, you know.

Seth Davis, post commercial: "The rule should be that Joakim Noah does the post-game interview every year at the Final Four." No argument here.

No "One Shining Moment" yet, as Dr. Miles Brand is here to hand the championship trophy to Billy Donovan. You want to give us something, Miles? How about a goddamned eight-team football playoff?

That's all for me tonight. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to comment. Feel free to stop by Run Up The Score to say hello sometime.