The #2 Ohio State men’s basketball team (8-0) heads into Lawrence, Kan. on Saturday afternoon to take on the #13 ranked Kansas Jayhawks (6-2). The Buckeyes are riding high from last week’s blowout win over #5 Duke in Value City Arena and a weekend triumph without star Sullinger, over Texas-Pan American.
Thad Matta is hoping to have the services leading scorer Jared Sullinger back when the Buckeyes take the court at Allen Fieldhouse. The National Player of the Year candidate sat out the last game due to back spasms that he developed against Duke. Much like Ohio State, Kansas is coming off of a 30-plus win season and a conference championship. However, both teams suffered disappointing losses in the NCAA Tournament to eventual Final Four teams Kentucky and VCU.
While Ohio State returned an enormous amount of talent (Buford, Craft, Sullinger and Thomas), the Jayhawks have had to replace four of their top-five scorers from a season ago; including NBA Draft picks Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Josh Selby. Kansas is led in scoring and rebounding by junior power forward Thomas Robinson (17.4 points, 12.0 rebounds).
The Jayhawks also boast a 7 foot junior center in Jeff Withey. Even though their only losses came on neutral courts to #1 Kentucky (Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden) and #5 Duke (Maui Invitational Final), the Jayhawks haven’t always look their best in wins over #21 Georgetown, UCLA, Florida Atlantic, USF and Long Beach State.
In fact, Bill Self publicly criticized his team’s 22-turnover performance against LBS, and remarked how it couldn’t be repeated against Ohio State if they expected to competitive in the game. Assuming that Sullinger plays in the game, which you have to expect that he will, the Buckeyes should have no problem riding his inside play and scoring, along with Aaron Craft taking advantage of Jayhawks recent turnover woes, to secure an important road victory over a ranked opponent.
Prediction: Ohio State 73, Kansas 68
Thad Matta is hoping to have the services leading scorer Jared Sullinger back when the Buckeyes take the court at Allen Fieldhouse. The National Player of the Year candidate sat out the last game due to back spasms that he developed against Duke. Much like Ohio State, Kansas is coming off of a 30-plus win season and a conference championship. However, both teams suffered disappointing losses in the NCAA Tournament to eventual Final Four teams Kentucky and VCU.
While Ohio State returned an enormous amount of talent (Buford, Craft, Sullinger and Thomas), the Jayhawks have had to replace four of their top-five scorers from a season ago; including NBA Draft picks Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris and Josh Selby. Kansas is led in scoring and rebounding by junior power forward Thomas Robinson (17.4 points, 12.0 rebounds).
The Jayhawks also boast a 7 foot junior center in Jeff Withey. Even though their only losses came on neutral courts to #1 Kentucky (Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden) and #5 Duke (Maui Invitational Final), the Jayhawks haven’t always look their best in wins over #21 Georgetown, UCLA, Florida Atlantic, USF and Long Beach State.
In fact, Bill Self publicly criticized his team’s 22-turnover performance against LBS, and remarked how it couldn’t be repeated against Ohio State if they expected to competitive in the game. Assuming that Sullinger plays in the game, which you have to expect that he will, the Buckeyes should have no problem riding his inside play and scoring, along with Aaron Craft taking advantage of Jayhawks recent turnover woes, to secure an important road victory over a ranked opponent.
Prediction: Ohio State 73, Kansas 68
