Valparaiso vs. Ohio State: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The Ohio State Buckeyes may be floundering on the football field, but the basketball program is in high spirits.

Headed into Wednesday's matchup with Virginia Military Institute, the Buckeyes were 4-0 and the No. 3 team in college basketball.

The Buckeyes are led by superstar Jared Sullinger, who is considered an elite NBA prospect, and averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds as a freshman last season, despite matching up with some top competition.

As for Valparaiso, the Crusaders have started off 5-1, with their only loss a 73-64 defeat to then-No. 16 Arizona.

Where: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH

When: Friday, Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m. ET

Watch: Big Ten Network 

Listen: WBNS 1460 AM The Fan; WVUR The Source 95.1 (Valparaiso)

Key Injuries

Valparaiso: No injuries to report.

Ohio State: No injuries to report.

What's at Stake?

The Ohio State Buckeyes will be eying the national championship this season, led by Jared Sullinger, guard William Buford and a whole lot of depth.

No. 11 Wisconsin and No. 15 Michigan figure to be their biggest competition in the Big Ten.

As for Valparaiso, an upset here would catapult them up the rankings. The Crusaders have already shown they can hang with a ranked team after the Arizona game, but Ohio State is an entirely different story.

This would be a landmark victory for the Crusaders, and would instantly gain them national exposure.

What They're Saying

Valparaiso is coming off a five-game win streak and strong wins against Akron and Duquesne.

Junior Ryan Broekhoff, who is coming off a game in which he had 21 points, 13 rebounds and six assists against the Dukes, said, via the Post-Tribune:

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“It gives us extreme confidence. We’re going to take an enormous amount of confidence into Ohio State.”

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Sullinger, on the other hand, wasn't impressed by his team's performance so far, despite defeating North Florida, 85-50, on Monday.

Said Sullinger, via the Plain Dealer:

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“This is a mental toughness week. We're going game, practice, game, practice, game. We have to get better. If we get worse, it’s not a good sign for this basketball team.”

"

Valparaiso Player to Watch: Kevin Van Wijk, F

Junior Kevin Van Wijk is proving to be a dangerous scorer six games into the season.

From the Netherlands, Wijk is making the most of more opportunities this season, averaging 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 68 percent from the floor.

And don't just think it's coming against lackluster competition. Wijk scored 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds against Arizona.

Valparaiso will be hoping he gets off to a fast start against Ohio State.

Ohio State Player to Watch: Jared Sullinger, F

This one's easy.

Sullinger is considered by many to be a top-five NBA prospect right now, and he could have easily declared for the 2011 NBA Draft after a spectacular freshman season.

This season, Sullinger is averaging 20.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.5 steals, while shooting at a 60 percent clip and committing only 1.5 turnovers per game.

He's doing little to quiet the enormous hype surrounding him, and if the Buckeyes reach the promised land this season, a big part of it will be because of Sullinger.

Key Matchup: Valparaiso offense vs. Ohio State defense

The Crusaders have the ability to put up big points, averaging 77.8 points per game.

But they're going to have to score more than the 64 points they did against Arizona to topple vaunted Ohio State.

Ohio State is averaging 81.0 points per game this season, but you get the feeling they are just about ready to explode.

This team has overwhelming talent and depth, and they scored 81 points against a tough Florida defense on Nov. 15.

The Valparaiso offense is going to have to come ready to play against a defense that limited a Florida offense currently averaging 85.5 points per game, 17th in the nation.

Prediction: Ohio State 85, Valparaiso 68