Ohio State Basketball: Could Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes Go Undefeated?

Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the nation as well as being the only team left in the nation that has yet to lose. It has a record of 22-0 and has been finding ways to win.

The Buckeyes are no doubt the No. 1 team in the nation. The only question is whether they can continue their success through the meat of the Big Ten schedule.

So can the Buckeyes remain undefeated?

James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball, as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.

National Player of the Year Candidate

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Ohio State's Jared Sullinger is one of the best big men in the nation, and that is just amazing as a freshman. The kid is averaging 18 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this season.

He has had nine double-doubles this season and has just been phenomenal.

If he can continue with his great season, it will be tough to stop the Buckeyes.

Great Supporting Cast for Sullinger

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Jon Diebler #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives against the Florida Gators November 16, 2010 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Most programs that had a stud like Sullinger would depend on him to do all of the work and rely on him to get them victories. While Sullinger has provided the ability for Ohio State to win big games this season, he has had a lot of help.

The Buckeyes receive significant, productive minutes from William Buford, David Lighty, Jon Diebler, Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft.

This supporting cast allows Sullinger the ability to draw man-to-man coverage instead of double teams, which is a huge advantage for the Buckeyes.

Field Goal Percentage

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 26: David Lighty #23 of the Ohio State Buckeyes goes up for two of his game-high 21 points against the Miami RedHawks at Value City Arena on November 26, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 66-45. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Ima

The Buckeyes are one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to making shots they attempt. They currently are shooting 50 percent from the field, which is a tough burden for any opponent to outdo.

Against the 10th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, who are a great defensive team, the Buckeyes shot 55 percent and really just dominated the Boilermakers defense.

Defense

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Forward Dallas Lauderdale #52 of the Ohio State Buckeyes scores against the Florida Gators November 16, 2010 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Ohio State has a great defense, especially with its guard play. Their guards are able to lock down opponents and really shut down any offense.

Along with the great perimeter defense, the Buckeyes have showed a decent ability to defend the post. I mean, let's be honest: They have Sullinger, and he is just a beast in every aspect of his game.

Along with Sullinger, the Buckeyes are getting a great defensive presence in the post in Dallas Lauderdale. Lauderdale, the Rick Ross lookalike, is playing great post defense when called upon this season and has really been the definition of a team player this year sitting on the bench.

Three-Point Shooting

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 16: Guard Aaron Craft #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drives up court against the Florida Gators November 16, 2010 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Buckeyes are one of those teams that can get hot from beyond the arc—fast! Just ask the Purdue Boilermakers.

Against the Boilers, the Buckeyes shot 57 percent from beyond the arc, drilling 11 three-pointers.

With the Buckeyes so loaded on guards, it's tough to stop at least one of them from getting hot, and that makes them a very dangerous team.

Ability to Close Out Close Games

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jereme Richmond #22 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after being called for a foul while defending against Jon Diebler #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State

This is probably the most dangerous thing about the Buckeyes—the fact that they are able to win close games. Winning close games is something that a lot of teams struggle with, and you can really tell a team is special by the way it performs in these situations.

In Big Ten play the Buckeyes have been tested by a few teams in what were close matchups. Ohio State was able to close out these games in the end with free throws, defense and clutch shooting.

This is one thing that makes the Buckeyes very dangerous and will continue being problematic for opponents, especially in March.

Fouls

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LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 12: Game official Jim Burr talks with Mike Brey, the Head Coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, during the Big East Conference game against the Louisville Cardinals on January 12, 2009 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. (

The Buckeyes are very good about not fouling opponents. They are one of the best teams in the nation when it comes to not fouling opponents, and this has really paid off this season.

If they can keep this up, they will be hard to stop this season.

Schedule

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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Purdue Pete the mascot for the Purdue Boilermakers performs against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue own 75-52. (Photo by Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

The Buckeyes have a tough schedule ahead, and that could prove very detrimental to their quest for the perfect season.

In the coming weeks they must play at Minnesota, at Wisconsin and at Purdue, all very tough places to play and against very pesky opponents.

This is the one thing going against the Buckeyes at this point, as all of the things they can control have been taken care of with great play on the court.

They Will Not Go Undefeated

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes gestures toward the student section as he leaves the floor after the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio Stat

I do not think it is very reasonable to say that the Buckeyes will go undefeated this year. They have too tough of a schedule left, and winning on the road in the Big Ten is not easy.

I expect the Buckeyes to lose one or two games this season and be a big-time contender come March.

The Buckeyes look like the best team in the nation right now, and if they can keep it up, they are likely to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.