Ohio State lost a 13-point second half lead at plucky Northwestern last February 29. At the end, Buckeyes star Jared Sullinger made sure that his team wouldn’t lose the game as well.
After a 3-pointer by the Wildcats’ Alex Marcotullio tied the game at 73-all with 7.7 seconds remaining, OSU point guard Aaron Craft received the inbounds pass and pushed the ball hard up the floor. He found Sullinger on the low block, and the big man dropped in a soft baby hook to put the Buckeyes up, 75–73. A desperation shot by Northwestern’s John Shurna fell short, and Ohio State escaped with the win.
The Buckeyes would make it all the way to the 2012 Final Four, and Sullinger earned First Team All-America honors for the second year in a row. A first round pick by the Boston Celtics in last June’s NBA draft, Sullinger’s rookie season came to an end in early February due to a back injury.
Fresh off an upset of Michigan State on Sunday, No. 16 Ohio State (20–7) travels back to Northwestern nearly one year to the day since Sullinger’s shot.
