Undefeated Watch, Does Purdue Make It 1?

Ohio State went to Illinois this past weekend and found themselves in a hole, one they were not used to this year. They ended up winning that game by five. Just like they have all year, in close games against Iowa and Penn State, they have always come out with the victory. They are number one in the nation for a reason, they just keep on winning and make it hard to think they wont continue that trend in their next game.

Tonight though they match up with Purdue, another team that has found itself in the top 10, and is coming off a win in primetime with ESPN's Gameday present. They have their share of players that are going to get talked about as Conference and National Player of the Year. That is probably where this game will be won, in which team's player of the year candidate plays better.

The meeting up top, where the big guys hang around, the veteran who has been getting better and better each year at Purdue, against the freshman phenom who seemingly can not be stopped as he averages a double-double. JaJuan Johnson against Jared Sullinger. So which team wins?

Both teams have their role players, the guys that will hit open shots and three's, the guys that will get in the lane and rebound, and those that will play defense. Now while the game very well could be decided by those two big guys, it also could be there extremely talented number two's who tilt the balance in either team's direction.

For Purdue it is E'Twaun Moore, and for Ohio St. it is David Lighty. Moore averages more than Sullinger for Ohio St. as Purdue relies heavily on their top two guys, and the way he shoots the ball will really make of break Purdue's gameplan. Against West Virginia Moore had an off shooting day and they found themselves in a game that they eventually lost. Lighty is third on the team in scoring but he is a complete player, fourth in rebound, second in assists and steals, and shoots over 45% from behind the arc. The way these two players perform will most likely determine tonight's winner.

The Buckeyes are a team that has more players than Purdue, as Purdue has more role players compared to Ohio State's team that has roles for their players, but they tend to be able to branch out and help in other areas besides that "role" they have been cast in. They should be able to control the boards, and while they might even battle to a stand still with the match ups previously mentioned, Ohio St. would then still have William Buford who can at times take over a game. In the end it should be Ohio St. coming out with another win.

Prediction: Ohio St. 68 Purdue 63