Game 15: Ohio State – Purdue (Rivals)

When Purdue meets No. 15 Ohio State at 9 p.m. tonight in Mackey Arena, one of college basketball’s most difficult matchups awaits.

The Boilermakers don’t have to worry about the interior dominance of Jared Sullinger anymore when facing the Buckeyes, but Deshaun Thomas presents an entirely different set of problems.

The Ohio State power forward is using his unique blend of strength and perimeter ability to average better than 20 points per game this season.

“A lot of different people will be on him,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said of the preseason All-American and Fort Wayne native. “You don’t stop a guy like that. You just try to make it tough on him and slow him down. Don’t let him catch the ball in his sweet spots, because when he gets in a rhythm he makes them when people are on him, so you have to try to keep him out of a rhythm, but that’s easier said than done.”

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