March 28, 2007

As I talked about on my regular radio segment with Mike and Mike on Monday morning, it is rare to have two legitimate big post players go head-to-head. I mean legitimate, solid gold performers going toe-to-toe.

In this day and age, the big player often jumps to the NBA, going early. Often times we are void of the special match-ups like the ones we saw in the 80s. Remember Patrick Ewing vs. Hakeem Olajuwon or Ewing vs. Ralph Sampson? Everyone got so excited about those showdowns.

Saturday in Atlanta, we have one of those match-ups like the great ones I mentioned. It is Georgetown's Roy Hibbert against Ohio State's Greg Oden and my friends, this will be a real battle.

Hibbert has really developed and become a star with the Hoyas. To me, that is a sign of great coaching when a player gets better and better, improves so much and reaches his potential. He struggled at times earlier in the season, but you could see that potential. John Thompson III did a beautiful job in making his players understand this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Georgetown became a finished product and it showed against North Carolina in the second half and overtime Sunday. One of the key reasons is Hibbert, a shot blocker who can score around the basket. He has become much more aggressive and he was a difference maker against the Tar Heels. Defensively, Hibbert took over in the overtime as North Carolina couldn't get anything near the hoop.

Hibbert's psychological presence cannot always be measured in just numbers. Opponents know he is there are ready, so that changes shot selection dramatically.

The same can be said for Oden, who saved the game against Tennessee in the Sweet 16 by blocking Ramar Smith's last-second attempt.

So many kids come to college with big-time reputations and fail to live up to the hype. Mr. Oden has more than lived up to it, and he has earned every bit of the ink he has received. I am talking about a consummate winner, on and off the court. You think about winning when you look at the Buckeye big man.

It is similar to seeing what Bill Russell did in college and the pros -- a flat-out winner. I am not saying he is the next Russell because he was the greatest winner of a big man around. Oden has that type of make-up as a player and a person.

It reminds me of Ewing in the 80s leading the Hoyas. Isn't it ironic that Oden is trying to deny Ewing a special moment. That's right, Ewing is trying to celebrate his university and his son Patrick Jr., who brings energy and enthusiasm off the bench for Georgetown.

Patrick Ewing brought so much to the program. He wasn't measured by his numbers, but by the winning mentality he brought the Georgetown program.

Oden wants to spoil the party. He is a warrior, much like Ewing was in that Hoyas uniform.

How beautiful is it going to be to watch two legitimate future NBA players going head-to-head. It should be very special in Atlanta this weekend.

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in December 1979. Send him a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.