OSU’s March success due to ‘Sully’

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Sullinger

By Todd Jones

The Columbus Dispatch

NEW ORLEANS

Few command a room like Satch Sullinger, the retired coach who shepherded basketball players in the Columbus area for 27 years and sent two of his sons to play for Ohio State.

Sullinger has a deep voice that could bring down the walls of Jericho. When he settles into his favorite chair at a local coffee shop, look out: The world’s problems are about to be solved by his gregarious mix of wit and philosophy.

His youngest son doesn’t bellow like Satch, but in his own engaging and inquisitive way, Buckeyes’ power forward Jared Sullinger has a presence that goes beyond his 6-9, 270-pound frame.

The sophomore’s vibe is locked on positive and carries through the rest of the Buckeyes, who put together their best stretch of play in recent weeks to earn a date in the Final Four on Saturday against Kansas.

“I love the city of Columbus, being born and raised here,” Jared said. “Playing for Ohio State was one of my dreams. Now we have a chance to win a national title at my dream school and for the city of Columbus.”

OSU has a chance at its first national championship in 52 years for myriad reasons, most due to a long-coming crystallized understanding and acceptance of roles and team play by all.

And a return to form of Sullinger has landed the Buckeyes in the Big Easy.

Sullinger has averaged 20 points and 9.9 rebounds, and shot 56.9 percent from the field in the past nine games, all victories except for a four-point loss to Michigan State in the final of the Big Ten tournament.

The Buckeyes earned their first Final Four appearance since 2007 on Saturday when Sullinger scored 19 points — 15 in the second half — and grabbed seven rebounds in a 77-70 victory over Syracuse. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the East Regional.

“Sullinger is a very difficult match down there,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. “He’s the best low-post player in the country.”

Such accolades weren’t being tossed Sullinger’s way last month, when the Buckeyes lost three times in a five-game stretch, including twice at home.

He made only 5 of 15 shots and committed 10 turnovers in a loss to Michigan State, and 15 days later, he made 4 of 10 from the field for a season-low eight points against Wisconsin. In between, he scored nine in a win over Illinois.

One of his father’s favorite sayings rang true at that point: “Play the game the way you live your life.”

Sullinger’s life in mid-February was one of frustration, and it showed in his poor body language on the court. Sullinger said then that he was too caught up in how officials were calling games and what outsiders, especially in his hometown, were saying about him and the Buckeyes.

At the time, coach Thad Matta said Sullinger needed to be more “engaged,” and the two had a talk after the Feb. 26 home loss to Wisconsin.

“Coach Matta told me these [young] guys are looking up to me all the time,” Sullinger said. “We needed to push through practice. I pushed through, and guys see that and pushed through as well.”

Three days later, Sullinger grabbed 18 rebounds and scored 22 points, including the winning basket with 3.1 seconds left, at Northwestern. He has been rolling since, and so have the Buckeyes.