After surviving a crucial road test at Iowa on Wednesday night, Wisconsin (8-3 Big Ten, 18-5 overall) has finally set its sights on taking down No. 1. With the anticipation as high as ever, the undefeated Buckeyes will try to win in Madison for the first time since Bo Ryan took over as UW's head coach in 2001.
In addition to possessing a perfect record of 24-0 (11-0 in the Big Ten), Ohio State has what many consider to be a perfect roster, seemingly devoid of any glaring weakness. But despite bringing a mix of veteran experience and freshman talent unparalleled in college basketball, the Buckeyes face a Wisconsin team that is dominant at home.
""We know our fans are going to come out and support us,"" senior forward Jon Leuer said. ""We're just going to go out here and prepare as well as we can and stick to what we do well.""
After losing National Player of the Year Evan Turner to the NBA following last season, the Buckeyes have turned to a plethora of freshman talent to keep them not only competitive in the conference, but downright dominant thus far.
""You don't expect them to produce right away, but Ohio State has three great freshman,"" UW freshman guard Josh Gasser said Thursday. ""They take their team to the next level.""
Chief among these ""Diaper Dandies"" is a candidate to succeed Turner as POY, Jared Sullinger. Following in the footsteps of older brother J.J., a former Buckeye standout himself, the 6'9"" freshman has quickly made a name for himself by averaging 18 points and just over 10 rebounds a game while also becoming the first OSU freshman to score 40 points in a game posting that number in a tough win over IUPUI earlier in the season.
""His skill set, the number of things he can do on the court: He can shoot a little bit and his footwork is so good,"" senior forward Keaton Nankivil said. ""Defense, offense, rebounding: everything about him is impressive.""
Though it will be crucial that Nankivil, Leuer and others limit Sullinger's production, the Buckeyes are more than just a single superstar. Veterans David Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford are all averaging in double figures scoring, and freshmen DeShaun Thomas and Aaron Craft have made significant contributions as well, especially in key situations.
But just as it was with Bret Bielema's team back in October, the key to success for the Badgers ultimately falls squarely on their ability to do what they do best. Ohio State's athleticism will make it difficult for UW to slow the pace of the game to the level they would prefer.
Though it may seem on paper that OSU is unbeatable, the sixth man impact that an electrified Kohl Center crowd will no doubt provide is sure to even things out and is why many see Saturday as the date the Buckeyes are destined to finally fall.
For Wisconsin though, its just another game.
""Its just business as usual,"" Leuer said. ""We know they're a tough team, we know they're talented, they're well coached. But we've faced a lot of tough competition over the past four years so its nothing different for us.""
