Ohio State matches Duke’s talent

By: Dick Vitale (ESPN.com) - Now is the time to determine which teams are contenders and which are pretenders. Let me tell you about a team that is a legit contender to make it to Houston to the Final Four. In fact, Ohio State has all the pieces in place to cut down the nets in April.

The Buckeyes, now 15-0 after Tuesday’s win at Iowa, are off to their best start since the 1990-91 campaign, when they opened 17-0. Thad Matta has all the parts to win a national title and Tuesday marked the first time that anybody has come within 10 points of Ohio State this season. The resume includes victories over Florida, Florida State and South Carolina, though the Big Ten will provide greater challenges along the way.

People constantly ask me, who can challenge Duke? The Blue Devils are the creme de la creme, though they took a hit when Kyrie Irving was injured. Irving was one of the premier guards in America as he put on a clinic against Jacob Pullen of Kansas State and Michigan State’s Kalin Lucas, two outstanding veteran backcourt stars. He made them look like freshmen with his dazzling performance.

When you lose a player of that stature, it has to hurt. Duke has that winner’s mentality with Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, plus ample threats in Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins. Those two are getting more playing time with Irving on the sidelines.

Ohio State has the talent to match up with Duke. There is the outside shooting ability of Jon Diebler, one of ther premier three-point weapons in America. You factor in the athleticism of David Lighty, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career; it is great to see him reaching his potential this season.

There is William Buford, a capable scorer and an experienced player. Dallas Lauderdale provides size and shot-blocking ability in the…..