Purdue @ Ohio State - Tues. 1/25 - 9 p.m. ESPN

• Ankle Breaker

  

  Big game for both teams. Some interesting individual matchups. A two game lead over the field would be huge for the home team. Go Bucks!
• burt07

  Going to be fun, wish I was back in Ohio for this one. At least there's no Chris Kramer.
• Midstate01

  

  wish i was back in ohio too...ill also be working. But the game should be on in the store so ill just have to hide out i guess.
  
  Going to be a great game. I think the key will be letting someone other then JJ get hot. If we rebound well, i think we will be just fine. Id like to see us get into one of those hot groves where we put up 20 points in a quick time. Last years team did that a lot. This team certainly can, and if they play with the Defensive intensity that they did for the final 20 minutes at ILL, we could certainly see it.
  
  go bucks!
• mallymal614

  Not only a match up between two good teams but between two elite players as well
  
  Jared Sullinger - 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 57% Field Goal Percentage
  JaJuan Johnson - 20.5 points, 7. 9 rebounds, 50% Field Goal Percentage
  
  I think this game will also have emphasis on the Big Ten Player of the Year. Whoever performs better or team wins, likely will take the lead in that race.
• Swamp Fox

  I think the Bucks need this one more than Purdue does. You have to defend your own turf if you want to be considered a candidate for a National Championship and this game is really important. It isn't fatal by any means if the Bucks come up short, but after that gutsy defensive effort in the second half at Illinois, to lose at home would be disheartening. Let's keep this momentum going. I realize that I have believed it wouldn't be a bad idea if the Bucks lost one or two to kind of take the pressure off, but I'm beginning to think that the more we win, the more confidence that produces.
  Go Bucks!!
• vball10set

  I may regret saying this, but I was more worried about last Saturday than I am about this one--I thought the Illini presented more of a match up problem for the Buckeyes, but Sully took his game to yet another level. I'm not saying this one's in the bag, but I feel pretty confident about this game....GO BUCKS!!!
  
  OSU- 72
  Purdon't- 64
• Cleveland Buck

  

  I love Jared, and there should be times where he can physically abuse Johnson on the block, but Johnson's height and athleticism could give him some trouble. On defense, Sullinger is by no means a lock down defender, and Johnson is tough for bigs to guard. He could have a big game for the Boilers. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Purdue takes this one.
• dwccrew

  

  ^^^I agree. For some reason I feel the Bucks are poised to lose one or two before the tourney. I have a bad feeling about this particular game. Hope I'm wrong!
• believer

  

  Let's face it...there's no way the Buckeyes come out of Big 10 play unscathed. This could be the first loss but I thought the same thing against the Illini.
• Ankle Breaker

  

  I can see where Johnson's length (pardon the pun) could present some problems for Sully scoring around the bucket and, on the other end of the court, I wonder if Lauderdale will play more minutes than usual to contain Johnson. That being said, Sully's width causes problems for Johnson as well. He could easily get in foul trouble as it should be easy for Sullinger to use his "big bottom" to post up just about anywhere he wants as Johnson is also very thin.
• OneBuckeye

  

  This is going to be a close game. I don't think Sullinger will dominate, buford lighty and dielber will have to step up and have big games.
• redstreak one

  

  Who besides Johnson does Purdue have to slow Sullinger? Thats right, no one so right now a bunch of Boilermaker fans are wondering what will they do if Johnson gets in foul trouble! lol Sullinger uses his lower body as well as anyone I have watched in a lot of years. He creates contact and draws fouls on bigs who are taller by using his big backside while protecting the ball.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Sullinger will get Johnson in foul trouble. Johnson isn't a physical player, and Sullinger will create contact with him to get calls. I really expect Sullinger to have his way offensively against Purdue tonight, because I don't think they have the bodies to throw at him.
  
  I actually think Sullinger goes for 30+.
• thedynasty1998

  

  I am also expecting a big game from Diebler. I think Purdue has to put such an emphasis on stopping Sullinger that Diebler gets open looks, and he's due for one of those 20 point games.
• ou1980

  I live in West Lafayette...(wife a Purdue grad)
  
  Word on the street is that this game has been the sole game circled inside the purdue locker room in Mackey arena...
  
  Kick there ass buckeyes!!!!!
• osu45804

  

  Diebler gets hot tonight, Buckeyes by 10
• se-alum

  

  BTW, I hate having to wait until 9pm for the game, but the atmosphere should be great tonight!
• mallymal614

  se-alum;652143 wrote:BTW, I hate having to wait until 9pm for the game, but the atmosphere should be great tonight!

  
  I'm actually happy they did so. Now I can catch a high school game and be home by tipoff
• vball10set

  thedynasty1998;652012 wrote:Sullinger will get Johnson in foul trouble. Johnson isn't a physical player, and Sullinger will create contact with him to get calls. I really expect Sullinger to have his way offensively against Purdue tonight, because I don't think they have the bodies to throw at him.
  
  I actually think Sullinger goes for 30+.

  this has been my contention all along, and I think Lighty will have a big game as well
• thedynasty1998

  

  vball10set;652183 wrote:this has been my contention all along, and I think Lighty will have a big game as well

  
  I've been in agreement with you, but we will find out tonight if we are geniuses or complete fools.
• vball10set

  thedynasty1998;652196 wrote:I've been in agreement with you, but we will find out tonight if we are geniuses or complete fools.

  
  LOL...GO BUCKS!!!!
• Writerbuckeye

  

  thedynasty1998;652196 wrote:I've been in agreement with you, but we will find out tonight if we are geniuses or complete fools.

  
  I don't have this type of confidence. Purdue was the last team to hand OSU a Big Ten loss, and it was at VCA.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Writerbuckeye;652206 wrote:I don't have this type of confidence. Purdue was the last team to hand OSU a Big Ten loss, and it was at VCA.

  
  I think Purdue can beat Ohio State. I just think Sullinger outplays Johnson.
• Hb31187

  

  Outplays maybe...drops 30 on him and embarrasses him? highly doubt that
• ytownfootball

  

  Hummel went ape shit the first half of that loss, they had a lot of momentum. I'm sure Purdont will play inspired ball but I don't think they'll hang late.