- Jared Sullinger averaged a fraction more than 11 shots per game last season and, with David Lighty and Jon Diebler gone, was expected to get more scoring chances this season. He has only once in the first six games -- 16 field goal attempts against North Florida on Monday night.
In the other five games, he has averaged fewer than nine attempts. He made up for it the first four games by taking 37 free throws and making 33. But the past two games, he's attempted 10 shots in each and gotten only four free throws, making two.
"Eventually, teams will start double- and triple-teaming him," Valpo coach Bryce Drew said, "so, obviously, for them to make a deep run and repeat as Big Ten champs, (other) guys will have to step up and make shots."
William Buford was 9 of 16 from the field and 4 of 4 on three-pointers against Valpo. But the other perimeter shooting threats who played double-figure minutes were a combined 1 for 10 behind the arc.
Through six games, Buford is shooting 50 percent from behind the arc after going 6 for 6 in his past two games. But Lenzelle Smith Jr. is at 33.3, Jordan Sibert and Deshaun Thomas at 27.8 and Craft at 20.
As a team, Ohio State is shooting 51.5 percent overall but 31 percent outside the arc.
