Ohio State couldn't overcome Jared Sullinger's absence in its most recent game but might get by for the next couple of weeks should the All-American forward need to miss more time.
While Sullinger's status is unknown, the No. 2 Buckeyes might have freshman forward LaQuinton Ross on the floor when they attempt to rebound from their first defeat Wednesday night against South Carolina-Upstate.
After sitting out a 64-35 win over Texas-Pan American on Dec. 3, Sullinger was a late scratch from Saturday's visit to then-No. 13 Kansas due to nagging problems with his back.
William Buford tried to help the Buckeyes by scoring 17 of his team-best 21 points in the second half, but it was not enough in a 78-67 defeat. Deshaun Thomas had a season-high 19 points while playing all 40 minutes but couldn't help contain Thomas Robinson, who had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Jayhawks.
Sullinger, averaging 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds, would have likely been in charge of defending him.
"We're a great team with or without Jared," Thomas said. "We're a great team with him, don't get me wrong, but the positive thing is we just competed with them."
With or without Sullinger, Ohio State (8-1) would appear to have a chance to stay competitive in the near future as it faces no standout opponents in its four remaining non-conference games. The Buckeyes will play just one of those on the road, against a sub-.500 South Carolina squad Saturday.
Coach Thad Matta said Tuesday that Sullinger can run, jump and shoot but still hasn't recovered enough from back spasms. He added that he's taking it slow with the sophomore, who he said begged to play against Kansas.
Matta's team, though, likely will have Ross ready for those games. The 6-foot-8 forward left the team just before the start of this season to work on meeting NCAA academic requirements and was reinstated Sunday.
Ross averaged 25.4 points and 11.3 rebounds as a senior at Life Center Academy in Burlington, N.J. He could make his collegiate debut Wednesday as Ohio State seeks its second-longest home win streak in program history at 31 games.
The Buckeyes, who won 50 in a row at home Dec. 1, 1959-Dec. 2, 1964, will face a South Carolina-Upstate team that's dropped consecutive road games following its first four-game win streak as a Division I program.
Sophomore forward Torrey Craig had 21 points at Dayton on Sunday, his third straight game with 20 or more. The Spartans' rally from a late nine-point deficit, however, fell short in a 72-68 defeat.
Craig leads South Carolina-Upstate (6-4) with 16.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Thomas is seeking to extend his career-best streak of double-figure scoring performances to nine games. Buford, meanwhile, will try to register at least 20 points for the fifth time in six contests.
Ohio State has never faced South Carolina-Upstate and is 12-0 all-time against teams from the Atlantic Sun Conference.
