Ohio State Basketball: 5 Keys to Buckeye Win over Michigan

This Saturday night's prime time matchup between the basketball teams from Ohio State and Michigan, at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, comes at a crucial juncture in the Big Ten title chase for both teams.

OSU began the 2011-12 season not only as the consensus choice to win the Big Ten outright, but were favored to finish atop the national rankings tower.

Despite losing super soph Jared Sullinger, due to back problems for several games and a recent home loss to that other team from Michigan, who happen to be deadlocked with the Bucks atop the Big Ten, Ohio State is still in range for a Big Ten title and advantageous seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

With three out of their next five Big Ten games coming on the road, including the season finale against the Spartans March 4, the Buckeyes need to come out of tonight's game with a win. Which would be a significant accomplishment against a Michigan team that is one back in the standings for top spot and have reeled off 15 straight wins in their abode.

The five keys to an OSU victory are just within your cyber reach.

Five Men Are Better Than One

Everyone in Crisler arena, including the Michigan coaching staff and players, the cheerleaders and the band, towel boys and the ball boys, will be keyed in on Jared Sullinger. In the last encounter between the two teams, Sullinger got into foul trouble and still managed to score 13 points and is coming off a 23 point, eight rebound effort in a win this past Tuesday against Minnesota.

It will be to the Buckeyes' advantage to involve others from the outset, including their other double-digit scorers on the season, William Buford and DeShaun Thomas. If both Buford and Thomas can get going early and in a sustained rhythm, taking the berserk Michigan fanbase's ability to use their lungs away, it will set the table for Sullinger on the blocks to steadily wear down the front line of the Wolverines. 

Craft to Burke Like Stank to Shoe

Aaron Craft is one of the best on the ball defenders at his position in the nation. He will be matched up against Columbus, OH native, and traitor to the state, Trey Burke, who has had numerous big scoring games thus far in the season. He is also leading the Wolverines in scoring along with Tim Hardaway Jr., at 14 points per contest.

If Craft is able to disrupt Burke's ability to generate rhythm on the floor for the Wolverines, especially in his attempt to establish chemistry with Hardaway Jr., it will force players like Zack Novak and Evan Smotrycz into the uncomfortable roles of frontmen for a possible Wolverine win. A scenario that would undoubtedly prove more promising to a Buckeye win.

Make the Michigan Minions Step Up

As much as the Buckeyes have three players who can potentially do scoring damage, in Sullinger, Buford and Thomas, the Wolverines are heavily reliant on their two talented guards, Burke and Hardaway Jr. Throughout the game, in tandem, their ability to stretch the floor, finish and score will be a significant determinant of the numbers that adorn the final scoreboard.

Not only do the Buckeyes have overall athleticism and cohesiveness in their offensive executive abilities, but they have been playing better as a team defensively of late. And in the last meeting between the two teams, Ohio State was able to hold the Wolverines to 35 percent shooting. Despite double-digit efforts from Burke and Hardaway Jr. in the previous meeting, the rest of the Wolverines combined for 15 points total, including zero from Novack. The Buckeyes can withstand big games from one or both of the Michigan scorers, as long as they consistently clamp the remaining Wolverines starters and reserves in the process.  

NCAA Tournament Type Urgency

The Buckeyes have not exactly disappointed so far this season, but considering the preseason chatter surrounding the potential for success of the team, they need to finish out the remaining games with a one-and-done mentality.

Still tied at the top of the Big Ten, as well as being ranked No. 6 nationally, there is no better opportunity to dispel any locker room ridicule from outside Columbus, than with a road win over another Big Ten title hopeful. Who also just happen to represent the other side of the most sacred of all college rivalries and the most bitterly hated institution by all those who covet the colors scarlet and gray.

An impressive road win against a very tough home opponent in the twilight of a title chase, could provide the necessary inspiration for a much needed winning streak to finish out the season, and handle the business of a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. 

Make the Crowd Mute

This is the kind of game, with the kind of circumstances that should be at play in every meeting between these two teams, unfortunately the Wolverines have not managed a win in the last six meetings against the Buckeyes. 

Nevertheless, having an impressive home winning streak, in addition to the possibility of winning a Big Ten title, and the presence of the scarlet and gray colors that result in nausea in the building, will be more than enough for raucousness from the Michigan faithful. Oh, and it just happens to be a nationally televised prime time game.

With all the intangible aspects that equal a hostile road environment, it is imperative that OSU not only gets into rhythm on the offensive side, but additionally stagnates the Michigan offense in their attempt to high-jack a win based on an early momentum push. If they are able to remove the intensity of the element in the stands, the Buckeyes will do much towards a potential positive outcome at the final buzzer