Fans stunned by Florida again

MOUNT VERNON — A small group of dedicated Ohio State University fans gathered at Sips Coffee House in disappointment as the Buckeyes fell to Florida in the national championship game on Monday night. The phrase “pull his hair” seemed to pop up throughout the game as often as “shoot it” or “go Bucks.” If there was one thing all the spectators could agree on, it was wanting to see Greg Oden give Joakim Noah’s pony tail a good yank or two.

It was just three months ago when many of the same fans gathered at Sips to watch the BCS National Championship game. Monday night was like a case of Deja Vu. It was the same teams, same place, same chip dip — and sadly, for the fans, the same exact outcome.

“I hate Florida — I’m never going on vacation there again,” said Lisa Tharp.

Her friends, laughing, quickly agreed. Who needs the beach and warm weather anyway? As one woman put it, that’s what the Carolinas and Georgia are good for.

All jokes aside — gathering for the NCAA championship game meant a lot to Steve Smith, who also threw the party back in January for the Tostitos Bowl. It reminded him of a time when Buckeye basketball was the big thing.

“Those people who aren’t quite our age, have never experienced all of this,” said Smith.

Smith recalls being 10 years old around the time the Buckeyes won their only national championship in 1960. Unlike the national broadcasts today, only those in the market of the teams playing could watch the games on television. It was an event Smith and his family could do together, and this year’s Buckeye squad reminded him of the impact Ohio State basketball had on his youth.

“For those people who never lived through a national championship series, they’ll find their intensity during basketball will be just as big as football,” said Smith.

A good-sized spread of snacks, including a cake the shape of a basketball court, and a number of big screen tvs made Sips an enjoyable and relaxing place to come together and watch the game. The same group joined together on Saturday to watch Ohio State take on Georgetown.

“We are trying to create a great place that people can come to if they want to come to — like a family atmosphere,” said Smith.

An environment similar to the one Smith had growing up as a kid, during the Ohio State’s last basketball era.