Florida Gators Visiting Ohio State Buckeyes Tonight
The #7 ranked Florida Gators basketball team comes to Value City Arena tonight to face the third ranked Buckeyes in a non-conference match that will be highly watched nationally. Ohio State is favored in the Big Ten this season with the return of Jared Sullinger (nationally the best player), a great group of sophomores, one seasoned veteran in William Buford, and a top rated 5 member 2011 freshman squad. They beat Wright State over the weekend 73-42. Sullinger scored 19 points and also pulled down 9 rebounds.
Florida opened its season against Jackson State and won just as easily, 99-59. Winning the SEC last year, Bill Donovan returned a number of important parts of last year’s team and should contend again this year. Ohio State beat Florida last year in Gainesville which makes them a favorite once again.
Florida players to watch include Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario whom both scored 19 points in the opener. Rosario is a great three-point shooter and needs to be guarded behind the arc. Bradley Beal is a good scorer while Patrick Young can score and rebound from his front court position.
The Buckeyes will start Sullinger, Aaron Craft, Buford, Deshaun Thomas, and Lanzelle Smith Jr. Craft and Buford combined for 23 points in the game against Wright State. The Buckeyes are known for the defensive strength under Thad Matta and kept the visiting Raiders to under 32% shooting Friday night. With 25 forced turnovers and 6 fewer rebounds, Wright State wasn’t able to compete. Ohio State will use similar defensive intensity tonight against the Gators.