STAY OR GO?

After falling short of the title game, Ohio State’s Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas have a decision to make

Associated Press

new orleans

Shortly after Ohio State’s season ended with a loss to Kansas at the Final Four late Saturday night, point guard Aaron Craft was asked if he will be coming back next season.

“Pfft! Of course. I love Ohio State,” he said with a grin.

OK, so the Buckeyes are set at the point.

Forward? They might not know that for a week or two.

Ohio State shook off a late-season funk to make an unexpected run to the Final Four. The Buckeyes are young — William Buford is the only outgoing senior — giving them a solid core for next season.

The question is whether that core will stay together.

Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas, the team’s leading scorers, have until April 10 — at least by NCAA guidelines — to decide if they want to declare for the NBA draft.

Thomas was a breakout star in the NCAA tournament, leading the Buckeyes in scoring. A multidimensional 6-foot-7 forward, he might consider leaving if he’s projected to be selected in the first round.

Sullinger was projected as a lottery pick last year before deciding to return for his sophomore season. His draft stock might have dipped a little, but he’d still likely be a high first-round pick if he comes out.

“I honestly don’t know yet,” said Sullinger, who pulled up his jersey to cover his face after the loss to Kansas.

If the Final Four loss was the end, it was a tough way to go out.

Playing for a spot in its second title game in five years, Ohio State (31-8) pushed Kansas around early but didn’t have an answer when the Jayhawks pushed back in the second half.

Sullinger, a two-time All-American, had a tough night against Kansas center Jeff Withey and a slew of double teams in the second half, hitting 5 of 19 shots while scoring 13 points. Thomas had a rough go of it, too, scoring nine points on 3-of-14 shooting and getting into foul trouble, which allowed Kansas to send those double teams at Sullinger.

Buford had a good night after a monthlong funk, scoring 19 points while hitting 6 of 10 shots, but the three reserve players who got into the game combined for zero points and didn’t take a shot.

Instead of playing in Monday’s national championship game against Kentucky, the Buckeyes were headed back to Columbus after a 64-62 loss.

“I mean we can’t blame it on anything,” Buford said. “We had a great season. We had a lot of doubters this season. Nobody expected us to get this far. Real proud of the guys for helping me get to the Final Four my last year.”