Watch out, Jimmer. Jared Sullinger’s coming for you.
Ohio State’s stellar freshman logged yet another impressive outing – 19 points, 15 rebounds – as the No. 1 Buckeyes improved to 23-0 on the season with a 62-53 win against Michigan. He doesn’t put up Fredette’s flashy scoring numbers, but he’s impressing coach after coach with his play.
In fact, Michigan coach John Beilein bestowed awfully high praise.
“Sullinger is a freshman, but he’s a very unusual freshman,” Beilein said.
“I turned around and said, ‘The last time I saw that, Blake Griffin did it,’” Beilein said, referring to the former Oklahoma star now with the Los Angeles Clippers. “It’s incredible body control and hands. He’s hard to guard and you get in foul trouble.”
Sullinger as Griffin? That’s a notion that could swing things the freshman’s way. At least until Fredette drops another 40-point night on someone.
As for the Buckeyes, they logged another less-than-impressive win, at home, against one of the Big Ten’s lesser teams. They scored just .99 points per possession, which is just the fourth time this season they’ve been under 1, according to Big Ten Geeks.
As a result, you’ll hear plenty of catcalls and naysayers dissing Ohio State as a team unworthy of its acclaim.
Not to worry. The Buckeyes have trips to Minnesota and Wisconsin in the next eight days, then at Purdue on Feb. 20. If they truly are the nation’s “worst” 23-0 team, they won’t make it to Feb. 21 without a loss.
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