Facing – no, pursuing – the possibility of playing three games in three days, the Buckeyes demanded a teensy bit less from their core five players and outlasted Michigan, 68-61, in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals Saturday afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse.

With forward David Lighty and point guard Aaron Craft in minor foul trouble, coach Thad Matta turned to freshmen Deshaun Thomas and Jordan Sibert, and they produced a combined 11 points in 32 minutes.

When the Buckeyes began to find some comfort late in the game after a slight scare midway through the second half, Matta sent out senior Dallas Lauderdale to give a break to star Jared Sullinger. Lauderdale blocked two shots in the space of 30 seconds.

It was still Sullinger at the center of everything, of course. He scored 14 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and, perhaps most impressive, limited Michigan’s promising freshman center Jordan Morgan to only six shots and the same number of points.

Buckeyes senior Jon Diebler relocated his shooting touch and struck three times from 3-point range and led the team with 16 points.