Youthful, Experienced Ohio State Goes on Defensive for Win

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Aaron Craft couldn't have asked for a better start to his collegiate career.

Craft (pictured right, playing defense) is playing meaningful minutes at the point for No. 2 Ohio State in place of one Evan Turner, the 2010 National Player of the Year and No. 2 pick of the Philadelphia 76ers. Craft has helped lead the Buckeyes (6-0) to an undefeated start and, best yet for the Ohio native, he has been to Florida twice in the season's opening month.

"I can't ask for anything more," smiled Craft, a baby-faced freshman.

OSU made it two-for-two on Tuesday night, recording a blue-collar 58-44 victory over Florida State here at the Tucker Center in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Buckeyes beat then-No. 10 Florida 10 days ago in Gainesville, Fla., 145 or so miles southeast of here. Both games were played in front of large, boisterous crowds in excess of 10,000, and the FSU showdown was televised nationally.

Stage fright? Not these Buckeyes, who feature just four returning players with significant experience but are still considered a Final Four contender due to their combination of veteran leadership and quality youth. They have limited their past four opponents to 45 points or less.

"When it comes down to it, it is a basketball game and you can't really get caught up in the crowd and things like that," Craft told FanHouse. "I have a distinctive role and I take pride in that, and I have to do it to the best of my ability and not step out of that role.

"I think that's key; we all know our roles."

And how.

The Buckeyes never trailed and built a 17-point advantage at one point despite shooting just 32 percent from the field. Yet, they displayed the toughness and composure that coach Thad Matta wanted to see from his team during its early development. OSU outrebounded FSU 42-33 and forced 22 Seminole turnovers, 14 in the second half.

And it was another freshman -- the Buckeyes have played six freshmen this season -- that helped set the tone.

Jared Sullinger, a husky, wide-bodied 6-foot-9 forward, muscled his way to his third double-double of his career with 11 points and 13 rebounds in 36 minutes.

"He loves to win and he knows how to win," Matta explained. "For him to go 36 minutes, I mean it was hotter than a beach in that gym tonight and I was really, really pleased with how he kept competing."

Sullinger, who has quickly learned that playing at the collegiate level can take some time getting used to, was the first Ohioan to be named PARADE Player of the Year since three-time All-American LeBron James in 2002 and 2003.

"It's mind over matter," Sullinger told FanHouse.

"You have to be mentally tough to win this game and play at this level. We knew defense was going to win this game. They were very athletic, very tough and they didn't back down. I pride myself on rebounding. If I am not rebounding, I am really not effective."

We knew defense was going to win this game. They were very athletic, very tough and they didn't back down."
-- Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger Fifth-year senior guard David Lighty, who has been part of 100 victories during his career and could be the program's all-time leader in appearances by the end of the season, felt FSU was the perfect test for the Buckeyes.

Known as one of the nation's best defending teams, the Seminoles limited OSU to just eight field goals in the second half and blocked 10 shots in the game.

"They are a week away from being a really good basketball team," Matta said. "They have the pieces to the puzzle. That may have been one of the best defenses I have gone against my entire life. We couldn't get an easy shot the entire 40 minutes."

FSU (5-2) closed within 49-42 on Deividas Dulky's only 3-pointer with 4:30 left. The Buckeyes didn't blink.

"It was a dogfight out there; it was an ugly game and it was tough for us," Lighty told FanHouse.

"Just for us to come down here in a tough environment and come out with the victory is real big for us. Yes, it was a little out of control at times, both teams like to pick up the pace and like to deny passes.

"I have to give them credit, they have a high-powered defense -- they are long and athletic -- and they blocked a lot of our shots. We kept coming in and attacking and we came out on top. They never quit, they just kept coming and coming, but we answered and that's important."

OSU jumped to a 7-0 lead and never trailed, building its biggest lead at 40-23 on William Buford's jumper with 15:45 left in the game.

Freshman Ian Miller had 11 points and Derwin Kitchen added 10 for the Seminoles, who shot 35.4 percent after they shot 33 percent in a 55-51 home loss to Florida on Sunday. FSU forward Chris Singleton had a second straight cold-shooting night, making just 2-of-9 tries from the field on the heels of a 2-for-12 showing in Sunday's loss.

"They are a physical team, but I thought we were in the game the whole time; they just made shots and we missed shot," Singleton told FanHouse.

"We held the No. 2 team in the country to 32-percent shooting. We can't ask for anything better from our defense. We just have to get some offensive rebounds and execute on offense. We got wide open shots. We just have to make them."

As the Buckeyes packed for their trip home, where they will play seven consecutive home games during December, they will have an extra bounce in their step. After a 29-8 season a year ago, punctuated by a Sweet 16 appearance, the expectations haven't changed.

The Buckeyes are as dangerous a team as any in the country, thanks to a balanced attack that features great veteran leadership and a ton of youthful talent.

"It's a lot easier with the seniors we have," Craft explained.

"None of the freshmen could ask for anyone better to lead us. They all took us aside individually when we first got here and kind of laid down the expectations. But that also helped relax us and gave us all the confidence we needed. I think it really helps too that we get along so well. And I think you can tell that on the court."

FSU coach Leonard Hamilton's a believer.

"That team has a chance to be in the Final Four," Hamilton said. "They have the makings of something special. I am hoping our team will learn from playing a team of this caliber."

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