Preview: #1 Ohio State vs. Penn State

Sullinger has led the Buckeyes to 17-0

The Buckeyes are coming off a close win over Michigan, in which Brady Hoke was introduced, on their way to a 17-0 start, the third best start in school history. They will be looking to keep this train going, whether or not it means much to them for being #1 in the country:

"It doesn't mean anything at all, really," Lighty said. "I've been No.1. I'll be happy. If I'm No. 1 at the end, I'll be excited."

Today, Ohio State faces an interesting challenge in Penn State. They have beaten consecutive ranked opponents for the first time in more than half a century by knocking off two of the Big Ten's premier programs in the past week, and Ohio State (17-0, 4-0) hasn't quite looked like a juggernaut during its three January wins. The Buckeyes have been tested, but rallied to win 73-68 at Iowa on Jan. 4, defeated Minnesota 67-64 on Sunday and knocked off Michigan 68-64 on Wednesday.


Penn State had lost four of five heading into a visit from then-No. 18 Michigan State last Saturday, but beat the Spartans 66-62 despite conference scoring leader Talor Battle finishing with 13 points on 3-of-14 shooting. There is no doubt that Battle is the leader of this team, but he is also a dangerous threat to this OSU defense, and should provide Penn State with a chance.

The good news for the Buckeyes is that Penn State won't be favored to win this game by a long shot. Ohio State has taken the last 13 games in a row. If Ohio State can contain Battle, their shots of winning go way up, but stopping Jeff Brooks may be just as important: They are 6-0 when he scores at least 17 points.

Stopping Brooks is big.

Even if Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford aren't hitting, Ohio State has one of the nation's top interior players. Freshman Jared Sullinger is averaging 17.5 points and 10.1 rebounds, making him the first Big Ten player to average that high in both categories since Minnesota's Kris Humphries finished at 21.7 and 10.1 in 2003-04.


Penn State is also allowing opponents to shoot 39.5 percent from 3-point range, which doesn't bode well against a Buckeyes team that shoots 40.1 percent from beyond the arc, and of course the aforementioned Sullinger down in the paint. Things can get really interesting when DeShaun Thomas and Aaron Craft come into this game, as they will provide some different styles to the offense to keep PSU guessing. 


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