Sullinger too much for Fla.

Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla.

Florida coach Billy Donovan believes No. 4 Ohio State will be better off without All-America guard Evan Turner.

Sound crazy? Not to Donovan, who witnessed a “complete” Buckeyes team dismantle his ninth-ranked Gators on Tuesday night.

Jared Sullinger dominated inside and David Lighty broke guys down outside as Ohio State beat Florida 93-75 in an early season matchup of teams with national championship hopes.

The Buckeyes (2-0) used a nearly flawless second half to turn a small deficit into a double-digit lead that sent fans scrambling for the exits with about five minutes remaining.

“Ohio State has a better chance of being a better team this year than they did a year ago,” Donovan said. “Evan Turner’s a great player, the player of the year in the country and they won 29 games and did a great job.

“But when you have that kind of player, you really kind of become a little more one-dimensional. They are a complete team that probably has a chance to do a little more this season because there’s going to be a lot more balance to their team.”

Although Sullinger and Lighty did most of the damage, they got plenty of help.

William Buford had 16 points, eight assists, three steals and just one turnover. Jon Diebler added 14 points and four assists. Reserve Aaron Craft finished with seven points and five assists. The guard trio beat Florida’s press early and often, creating easy baskets for Sullinger and open looks for Lighty.

Neither team played much defense.