Bodog Beat

Do you have your NCAA wagers in yet? (AP Images)

Thad Matta may not need to use any motivational tools on his eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, who will have the luxury of playing about an hour’s drive down Interstate 70 in today’s opening round at the University of Dayton Arena. Most of OSU’s players were already aware of the Siena Saints, which followed up on last year’s tournament success by scheduling non-conference games against Tennessee, Wichita State, Oklahoma State and Kansas.

The 3-point underdog Saints will need all their experience to combat an Ohio State crowd. Even though it is Dayton Flyer country, it is also smack in the middle of Buckeye territory.

The Buckeyes will enjoy a size advantage inside, but what concerns coach Fran McCaffery most is Ohio State’s length on the perimeter and outside shooting. Jon Diebler, the most prolific scorer in Ohio high school history whose shot wouldn’t fall as a freshman, has made 43 percent of his 3-pointers.