Buckeyes ready for Big Ten opener

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Ohio State’s players know it would be quite an accomplishment to win a third straight Big Ten title.

They also know just how hard it is to win one.

The second-ranked Buckeyes (12-1) begin conference play on Wednesday night when they host Northwestern (10-2) in a difficult test at Value City Arena.

“That would be real cool,” said William Buford, the only senior on the Buckeyes’ roster and the only player who was a part of both of those earlier titles.

But sophomore point guard Aaron Craft is well aware of the rigors of a Big Ten season. There’s a lot of work that has to be done before someone wins the title.

“Every game’s going to be a grind. And we’re not even halfway through the season yet — we still have 18 games yet,” he said on Tuesday. “Everyone starts new and whatever happened before doesn’t really matter at all.”

The Buckeyes are encouraged because, for the first time in three weeks, big man Jared Sullinger appears to be close to being healthy. He missed two games with back spasms, and most of another with an injured ankle. After missing a lot of conditioning drills in practice, and playing sparingly in games, he still isn’t in game shape.

“It is going to take him time,” coach Thad Matta said before Tuesday’s workout. “It’s just the getting back to doing the reps. Physically, he’s fine. After Thursday night’s game (a 69-40 win over Miami University) there was some swelling in his foot.”

Matta is more concerned about the wear and tear of keeping him on the floor, staying in the rhythm of the game without getting fatigued or in foul trouble.

“Our guys have come in and practiced for an hour and 40 minutes and guys stay after, they work out,” he said. “He went extended time without that. I think it’s more just him getting his wind, getting his lift, getting back into the flow of things.”