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2012 NCAA Final Four, Ohio State: Sullinger, Buford Among Keys To Buckeye Success

The excitement of Kansas' Elite Eight victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels is starting to fade as the week progresses. That excitement quickly turns into anxiousness and anticipation for the Final Four, where the Kansas Jayhawks will take on a fellow No. 2 seed -- the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Buckeyes lost to Kansas earlier this year, though that game doesn't mean a whole lot, as Jared Sullinger didn't play for Ohio State.

Bill Self addressed the media on Tuesday, and as you'd expect, he spoke highly of the Buckeyes, and singled out a few of their players as keys to their success.

"Their team has gotten better. People should talk about (sophomore forward) Jared (Sullinger) because he's terrific. He's an All-American without question, but I think (senior guard William) Buford is pretty good and (sophomore forward) Deshaun Thomas is averaging 22 points per game in the tournament. (Sophomore guard Aaron) Craft is as good as any guard around and (sophomore guard Lenzelle) Smith (Jr.) has played exceptionally well throughout Big Ten play. Their bench is good too, and they're big. Jared is terrific and deserves the accolades, but they're not a one-man band."

Self is correct that they're not a one-man band, but Sullinger is certainly a special talent. In Ohio State's Sweet 16 win over Cincinnati, Sullinger posted a double double, scoring 23 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Sullinger scored 19 against Syracuse in the Elite 8 as well, and pulled in seven rebounds as Ohio State punched its ticket to New Orleans.

Still, Ohio State will need a supporting cast to play well around Sullinger -- and it looks like Self is cognizant of that.

For more on the Jayhawks, be sure to head over to Rock Chalk Talk and join the discussion.