Game Preview: The Ohio State University

Valparaiso will put their 5 game win streak to the ultimate test on Friday when they visit #3 Ohio State.  This will undoubtedly be the Crusaders toughest task of the season (maybe all season) to this point.

Ohio State boasts star players in Jarred Sullinger and William Buford.  Sullinger is the outstanding sophomore big man and player of the year candidate, while Buford is an outstanding wing player.  OSU has played four games at this time with one more this evening and only once has their opponent come within 30 points of them (Florida lost by 7).

Keys to victory
* The Crusaders are not going to stop Sullinger.  They have to hope they can contain him offensively and limit the second chances he is going to create with his rebounding.  They also don't want to send him to the line as he is shooting the freebies at an 89% clip.
* OSU has not shot the three pointer well so far this season, only 26%.  Valpo's best option will probably be to double team Sullinger immediately and force him to kick it out and just hope their cold outside shooting continues.
* Valpo must limit second chance opportunities for the Buckeyes.  They have pulled down 53 offensive rebounds in their 4 games this year.  Boxing out and rebounding as a team will be huge.
* The Crusaders must connect on their three point shots and get to the line more then Ohio State.

My thoughts
I will be interested to see whether or not KVW can get into Sullinger's head with his physical play and get him out of the game with foul trouble.  I'm also interested to see what type of defense Coach Drew has his guys in.  Typically they play man to man, but with the struggles OSU has had from behind the arc and their dominant big man I wouldn't be surprised to see them sag in a zone.

Previous meetings
*Valpo and Ohio State have met two other times with the teams splitting the two contests. Valpo did win in the third place game of the Great Alaskan Shootout in 2000 67-74.  Ohio State won the last meeting in 2006 78-58.

Thank you to the commenter who provided this information!
 

Prediction
I am a firm believer that any team can beat any other team on any given day.  However, I don't think this will be Valpo's day as Ohio State has too many weapons.  I think Kevin will have another fantastic day, but I'm afraid that we aren't deep enough and we can't replace KVW's intensity inside when he needs a breather.  I do think Valpo can keep it close and will throw out a score of 64-70 as my final with Ohio State coming out the victor.