Ohio State Rolls as Sullinger Returns

by David Cassilo / @dcassilo

After missing two games with back spasms, Jared Sullinger returned to the floor for the Buckeyes on Wednesday night, and No. 2 Ohio State breezed by South Carolina Upstate, 82-58.

Sullinger, who missed the team’s loss to Kansas on Saturday during his time out, recorded his usual double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He didn’t start the game, and he didn’t need to, as sophomore Deshaun Thomas carried the scoring load with 23 points.

While Sullinger had his normal line in the stat sheet, he still says he has a lot to do to feel like he’s back in game shape.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

“I was tired. Taking two weeks off is killer,” Sullinger said. “I tried to do some stuff [while sidelined] like the underwater treadmill, and I tried to get my wind back. But obviously today I was very, very out of shape.”

Without Sullinger, Ohio State held steady at No. 2 in the rankings, even despite the loss to Kansas. The sophomore will next test his back on Saturday against South Carolina, who he notched a career-high 19 rebounds against last season.