Filed under: Illinois, Ohio State, Big Ten
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- For a moment, the top-ranked and undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes actually looked vulnerable Saturday afternoon.The Illinois Fighting Illini had their capacity crowd at Assembly Hall in a frenzy after Mike Davis penetrated to the basket for a layup that put Illinois ahead by eight points with 12:51 left, forcing Ohio State coach Thad Matta to call timeout. It looked as though the Buckeyes ascension to the No.1 ranking might last only a week.
But the Buckeyes' 6-foot-9 freshman Jared Sullinger wasn't the least bit fazed and he encouraged his teammates and coaches not to be fazed, either. He walked back to the bench displaying an uncanny confidence, telling his team "Don't worry, don't worry," while also gesturing the same message with a flicker of his hands.
Apparently they took heed.
From that moment on, while still pushed, the Buckeyes made every critical play to rally and then hold for a 73-68 win over 22nd-ranked Illinois for their most challenging Big Ten road win this season with neither team leading by more than eight points. It was the Illini's first loss at home in 11 games this season.
"These guys have a, I don't want to say mentality about them, but they are just some great kids," said Matta, whose Buckeyes have hit he coveted 20-win mark in January and stand 20-0 overall and 7-0 in Big Ten play. "They love to compete and they love to play basketball."
The certainly seemed to be the case Saturday as the Buckeyes tightened up on defense and then made the little plays down the stretch to pull the victory that was still in question with 15 seconds remaining. After Illinois center Mike Tisdale knocked down a big-time 3-pointer that pulled the Illini within 69-68 with 16.8 seconds remaining in the game, the Buckeyes locked in.
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