By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) — COLUMBUS, Ohio — Saturday felt something like an official introduction of the Ohio State basketball team to its fans. Backers of the Buckeyes, this is what a Final Four contender looks like up close and personal.

Playing its first home game of the season against a major conference team, playing before the second crowd of more than 15,000 fans, playing a nationally televised game on CBS, No. 2 Ohio State rolled overmatched South Carolina, 79-57, behind another monster game from freshman big man Jared Sullinger, who had 30 points and 19 rebounds.

“I think we had our minds right before the game started and we came out and executed the game-plan to a T,” senior David Lighty said.

The crowd responded to every dunk, transition layup and drive through traffic, and after road wins over Florida and Florida State, the Buckeyes (10-0) responded to legitimate home enthusiasm. One-third of the way into the regular season, during a football lull, the fans seemed to fully accept that a lot more games like this are ahead.

Sullinger is the best freshman in the nation and one of the best five players; Lighty, Jon Diebler and William Buford are all 1,000-point career scorers; OSU coach Thad Matta proudly pointed out that every starter is from Ohio; and guess what . . . basketball season is here.

“As a team we’ve been excited since summertime,” senior center Dallas Lauderdale said. “When we’re able to put all our talent together, we have a pretty special team.”

Now here’s what basketball players can’t talk about without risking the wrath of their coach. It should be another good month……

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