Big Ten ACC Challenge: Jared Sullinger Will Push Ohio State Past Overrated Duke

Make no mistake, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils are an excellent college basketball team that will have something to say come March.

Because of their name, however, they are perceived to be much better than they are, and will receive a wake-up call against No. 2 Ohio State on Tuesday as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Both Duke and Ohio State are undefeated on the young season, and while the Blue Devils have had the tougher competition, the Buckeyes have been the more physically imposing squad. Duke has been able to get by with good guard play to this point, but they haven't yet seen a dominant interior force like Ohio State's Jared Sullinger.

At 6'9" Sullinger may seem to be a bit undersized, but his 280-lb. frame makes him an absolute load to handle in the paint. The Blue Devils aren't short on bodies that they can throw at Sullinger, but they are short on overall talent when it comes to bigs.

The Plumlee brothers will likely draw the assignment of dealing with Sullinger, but their frames are quite slender when compared to the powerful Sullinger. Because of that, there is a good chance that both Plumlees could get into some foul trouble while trying to hold Sullinger at bay.

Duke's best chance will be hot shooting from perimeter players like Seth Curry and Austin Rivers. That formula has worked to this point, but it isn't as if Duke has been blowing out the opposition. The Blue Devils beat Belmont by just a point in the season opener, and they have played close games against Michigan State, Michigan and Kansas.

While all of those teams are good ones, none are currently at the level of Ohio State. Sullinger alone won't be enough to beat Duke, particularly if Curry and Rivers are on their respective games. The Buckeyes aren't slouches when it comes to perimeter play either, though.

The great equalizer figures to be stout guard William Buford. Not only should Buford be able to impose his will on the offensive end, but he should be able to physically dominate less built and less experienced players like Curry and Rivers.

Ultimately, this game will come down to how Sullinger plays, though. College basketball may be a guard-driven game now, but having a dominant post player gives a team a distinct advantage. Duke simply doesn't have one that can go blow for blow with Sullinger at this point.

In all likelihood the Blue Devils will have to commit extra defenders inside to stop Sullinger. While it may slow down Sullinger a bit, it will also open up opportunities for shooters like Buford and Deshaun Thomas. If Sullinger is on his game, then the Buckeyes can beat any team in the nation, and I believe that will hold true on Tuesday.