Ohio State's Jared Sullinger (0) fights for a rebound with Kansas' Thomas Robinson, left, during the second half of an NCAA Final Four semifinal college basketball tournament game Saturday, March 31, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)By JIM
O'CONNELL
AP
Basketball Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Ohio
State's starters could have used some help in the 64-62 loss to Kansas on
Saturday night.
Any help could have made
the difference in whether the Buckeyes headed home or moved on to the national
championship game.
The three reserves who
played for Ohio State (31-8) combined for zero points without taking a shot,
four rebounds and two assists. In a game that came down to the final seconds
any help could have made the difference.
Sam Thompson, Amir
Williams and Evan Ravenel weren't offensive forces all season, combining for a
total of 8.3 points per game. But on a night when every point was so crucial,
they came up empty.
The Kansas reserves
weren't much better. Their two subs -- Conner Teahan and Kevin Young combined
for three points but they got off seven shots, the only successful one a 3 by
Teahan with 8:19 to play. Young had five rebounds, four on the offensive end,
for Kansas (32-6).
There won't be much talk
about the Jayhawks' lack of depth because they are celebrating moving on to
face Kentucky for the title on Monday night.
