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Men's Basketball
Buckeye Face Stiff Challenge in Virginia Tech in ACC Challenge
By John Porentas

The Buckeyes (2-0) will be back in action tonight at the Value City Arena in the ACC challenge when they take on Virginia Tech (5-1).

The Hokies will bring a dynamic backcourt to Columbus spearheaded by 6-3 junior guard Zabian Dowdell and 6-7 guard/forward Deron Washington. Washington currently leads the Hokies is scoring at 15.2 points per contest and is shooting 53.4% from the field. Dowdell is averaging 14.3 points per game.

"They've got tremendous guard play," said OSU Head Coach Thad Matta.

"That's something I've heard about them since we were on the schedule. They're guards are very good. The kid Washington is really a an active player as well," Matta said.

Rounding out VT's guards is 6-3 Jamon Gordon. Gordon is averaging 10.7 points per game and is the number one three point threat for the Hokies. Gordon has connected on nine of 18 attempts from three thus far this season.

OSU point guard Jamar Butler knows that stopping Virginia Tech's guards will be a challenge.

"It's going to take a group effort. These guys can get to the rim, they can shoot, it's going to be a great experience for us," said Butler.

"They're very athletic, they're very good," added fellow OSU guard Je'Kel Foster. "They're a good team. To beat them we have to play together and play smart."

The Hokies are strong in the backcourt, but are not exactly weak on the baseline either. Junior forward Coleman Collins (6-9) is averaging 15.0 points per game and leads his team in rebounding with 6.8 per game. Collins gets help on the glass from the guards as well. Gordon is the second-leading rebounder at 5.7 per game and Washington the number three guy at 5.3 per game.

Tech's starting five of Dowdell, Washington, Gordon, Collins and 6-5 Markus Sailes all average close to 30 minutes per contest. Freshman forward/guard A.D. Vasco (6-6) has logged over 17 minutes per game while forwards Cheick Diakite (6-8) and Chris Tucker (6-7) around twelve minutes each.

"These guys beat Duke last year. They have a lot of guys back from last year's team," said Matta.

At stake will be a win and a loss for each team, but also at stake will be bragging rights in the ACC vs. Big Ten challenge, an event in which the Big Ten and Ohio State have not fared well in in the past few seasons.

"Finally we're hoping to get a win this time. I haven't beat the ACC in quite some time, since my freshman year I think, so this group is excited to go out and play the ACC," said senior center Terence Dials.

"For us at Ohio State, this is a big game for us, because I think we have a very, very good opponent coming in here," said Matta.

"It's a unique opportunity for us to play early in the season to play a great team."

"They've have a good team. They bring people off the bench and bring shooters in, they have guys who come in and screen, that sort of thing. Matchup wise, they've got big guards. We know we have to slow those guys down. I don't think you can stop them."

Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The game will be aired on the Ohio Basketball Radio Network and on ESPN2.

Buckeye Hoop Notes:

* OSU Guard Je'kel Foster is off to a torrid shooting start this season. Foster has attempted 17 shots from the field and made 14 of them, including six-of-eight from three point range. Foster's overall shooting percentage is 82.4% and 75% from three point range.

* Guard/forward J. J. Sullinger is currently leading the Buckeyes in rebounding with 25 in two games. Sullinger has moved to the four spot this season after playing last season at the three. Sullinger, who at 6-5 is a bit undersized as a power forward, seems to have found a home.

"I think it shows James' athleticism, it shows his timing, and he knows that is something he can do to help this team," said Matta.

"I couldn't be happier with how he's rebounding the basketball right now, and we need that from him. He's a guy that has proven in the first two games that he can go get the basketball."

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