Villanova & Syracuse Clash Coming Off Losses; Illinois Tries to Tighten Big Ten Race vs. No. 1 Ohio State
By Jason Lisk
Villanova (16-2) at Syracuse (18.1). Orange leading scorer Kris Joseph is hoping to play in this game after hitting his head on the floor a week ago, and missing the Pittsburgh matchup. Corey Stokes has been the Wildcats best shooter (44% on 3pa, 94% on FT) but has gone only 1 of 10 from 3-point range in the last two games. Maalik Wayns and Corey Fisher, Villanova’s guard tandem, aren’t great outside shooters and are better penetrating and passing, so either Stokes is going to get back on track, Wayns and Fisher are going to get hot against the Syracuse zone, or the Wildcats will be in trouble.
Ohio State (19-0) takes the top ranking to Champaign, Illinois versus the Illini (14-5). Ohio State is an extremely efficient offensive team, paced by All-American candidate freshman Jared Sullinger. They win the turnover margin, and Sullinger and fellow freshman Deshaun Thomas are shooting around 60% on 2-point attempts, while all three guys that have attempted at least 50 3-pt shots on the year are above 40% (Jon Diebler, David Lighty, William Buford).
Illinois has the height advantage along the front line with Mike Tisdale, Mike Davis, Jereme Richmond and Bill Cole all 6’8″ or taller (Sullinger is the only Buckeye that plays significantly who is taller than 6’6″). The Illinois recipe to beat the #1 team is to stay even in turnovers to limit easy possessions for Ohio State, win along the offensive boards and control second chances for Ohio State, and have their leader, Demetri McCamey (16.2 ppg, 7.2 apg) control the action on the offensive end.
[photo via Getty]