Sullinger’s 30 leads OSU

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

It’s far too soon to compare the current Ohio State team with the Buckeyes from four years ago who went 35-4 and lost to Florida in the national championship game.

That some are even discussing it says a lot about the nation’s current No. 2 team.

Freshman Jared Sullinger had 30 points, a career-high 19 rebounds and showed his range by hitting a 30-foot bank shot at the first-half buzzer to lead Ohio State past South Carolina 79-57 on Saturday.

William Buford added 12 points and Jon Diebler had 11 for the Buckeyes (10-0), who expected one of their biggest tests of the young season but dominated throughout.

“A lot of people have asked me that,” coach Thad Matta said of the similarities between the teams. “It’s a different makeup. It’s hard to explain.”

Veteran swingman David Lighty, a member of both teams, sees the similarities.

“There are a lot of comparisons, especially how we play defense and hold the paint down at the defensive end,” he said. “And how we’re shooting the ball, playing inside-out. That’s making it real hard for other teams to try to key on one person or guard us.”

Sullinger has been a sensation in his first 10 games. He’s averaging 18.5 points and 9.6 rebounds and has been named the Big Ten player of the week twice.

He did not have to face double-teams all game, most likely because Diebler was coming off a game in which he made nine 3-pointers and scored 29 points.

“If you try to take it all away, you’re going to end up taking nothing away,” Gamecocks coach Darrin Horn said.

Sam Muldrow scored 14 points and Malik Cooke 13 for South Carolina (7-2).

“Plain and simple, it was a good old-fashioned whipping from a veteran team that just makes all the little plays and does all the right things,” Horn said. “We looked like a team that has very little experience.”