Buckeyes Vs. Fighting Illini: No. 5 Ohio State Downed By Lights Out Illinois, 79-74

Few players in the Big Ten can match Jared Sullinger, but the Illinois Fighting Illini may have one in Meyers Leonard. Leonard has been impressive for most of the season so far for the Fighting Illini, but the Buckeyes will present a stiff test for them according to SB Nation's Hail to the Orange:

We know very well that Meyers Leonard has been frustrated lately. Smaller teams from St Bonnies to Northwestern to Nebraska have sent an ever increasing number of defenders against him to try and and neutralize his scoring advantage, and to force the wings to actually make jump shots. It is a game plan that has led to Illinois turning the ball over at an amazing pace, and reducing Meyers' effectiveness overall. But it is a plan that we probably wont see against Ohio State. With Jared Sullinger, a player just as strong, and just as talented as Leonard, the Buckeyes probably wont think they will need to roll the extra help onto the big man down low.

Illinois has been very steady in Big Ten play, as the Illini sit at 3-1 with their only loss coming at Purdue. They have been very lucky in a few games, however, beating Northwestern by one on the road and surviving a double overtime contest at home against Minnesota.

For more on the Ohio State Buckeyes, check out Along The Olentangy. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NCAA Basketball hub at SBNation.com/NCAA-Basketball.