Ohio State’s last chance to go ahead in a quest to improve to 13-1 came with just over seven minutes to play in the first half. With Indiana up 20-19, LaQuinton Ross missed a potential go ahead shot and Victor Oladipo grabbed the rebound and ran the floor to score six seconds later to make it 22-19. From thath point on, Oladipo and Cody Zeller showed why they are two of the top 10 players at Value Add in an easy 81-68 win for the No. 1 team in the land.
The two dominated from the outset to combine for 50 points on 16 of 21 shooting from the floor, 17 of 21 from the line, and 19 rebounds. Oladipo added 3 assists and two steals to have a slight edge among the two teammates who both deserve to be All-Americans and consideration for Player of the Year.
Zeller got to the hoop on the next trip to make it 24-19, and then Zeller and Oladipo two free throws apiece to make it 31-25 with 3:16 to go in the half. The two powerful players even helped each other.
Zeller hit a layup off a pass from Oladipo with 2:20 to play to make it 33-27, and even when Zeller missed a shot with 1:40 to go in the half, Oladipo grabbed it and slammed it home to make it 35-29.
Indiana looked like Ali keeping away a great opponent with a jab – knowing they were never going to get close enough for the upsets. The left and the right of the jab were Oladipo and Zeller.
Zeller’s jumper and Oladipo’s two free throws in the final minute made it 41-35, and then Oladipo reminded everyone why he is the most versatile player in the country. He showed his guard skills picking guard Lenzelle Smith, Jr. for a steal, and got it ahead to Zeller who drew a foul and hit both free throws.
Oladipo then buried a three-pointer with 15:35 to make it 48-39. A minute later he grabbed a rebound on one end, then fed the ball to Zeller for a layup to make it 53-41 and the Indiana simply made the case they are still Number 1 by never letting the Buckeyes seriously threaten again.
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