Buckeyes Survive Early Gator Bite

For nearly 10 minutes Tuesday night, Florida looked like it was prepared to do unto others as it had done unto them last season. Ohio State, however, refused the taste of its own medicine. 

In the Global Sports Shootout, as part of ESPN's fourth-annual college hoops marathon, the Buckeyes overcame a Florida 3-point clinic en route to an impressive 81-74 victory before a sellout crowd at Value City Arena. The win against the Gators was Ohio State's third consecutive since December 2007. 

Having been dealt a 93-75 blow last season in Gainesville, the Gators hoped to return the favor to the Buckeyes in Columbus. But despite an impressive 11-of-22 effort from long range, they were unable to reign in William Buford or overcome the efforts of point guard Aaron Craft.

Buford scored a game-high 21 points for Ohio State, but it was Craft's 13 points, seven assists and three steals, as well as a bevy of floor-burns that energized the Buckeyes and their crowd of nearly 19,000 strong. After the game, Florida head coach Billy Donovan praised Craft for physically manhandling his guards on both sides of the ball.

Ohio State (2-0) turned an early 8-point deficit into a 3-point halftime lead. In the second half, the Buckeyes opened up a 16-point lead before the Gators made one final run to narrow the margin. Florida got to within five points, but the Buckeyes held on from the free throw line with a 27-of-34 performance. 

Citing curiosity over how some of his younger players would respond in such an early primetime litmus test, OSU coach Thad Matta must be awfully satisfied with the result. Several players, including Boston College transfer Evan Ravenel and sophomore guard Lenzelle Smith, delivered critical secondary support. 

Smith, specifically, scored just 6 points and grabbed three rebounds. However, his defense drew comparisons to one of David Lighty's finer performances in his 5-year extended Buckeye career. Ohio State star Jared Sullinger had a quiet 16 points, doing just enough to offset Florida's Brad Beal (17 points; 3-of-7 from 3-point range).

Beal, a McDonald's All-American freshman, mostly lived up to the hype. The Gators entered the game boasting of of the nation's best backcourts on paper, and did little to dishonor that distinction against Ohio State. However, Craft did frustrate point guard Erving Walker to the tune of 4 points (1-of-6 shooting) and three turnovers. 

Ohio State will continue in the Global Sports Shootout on Friday against Jackson State. Florida scored a 40-point win against JSU last week. The Buckeyes will play a total of four games in the round-robin event, which counts as one game toward the 31 allotted total set forth each season by the NCAA. The Buckeyes conclude the event next week with North Florida, then tune-ups with VMI and Valparaiso before Duke comes to town on Nov. 29 as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. 

With the victory, Ohio State improves to 8-4 all-time against the Gators. Matta said the atmosphere was the best in November he recalled in his 8 years at Ohio State. 

Stay tuned Thursday for a full recap and analysis of the victory.