Can we honestly keep this up? Ohio State at Illinois preview

It's Valentines Day weekend, a week since the madness of ESPN Gameday, and the game changing win over Michigan State. By the time the Illini play tomorrow, it will also have been 5 days since the unexpected and equally crucial win over the Badgers in Madison. You may or may not be like me. Exhausted from the excitement and a bit distracted by the festivities of Valentine's Day.

It is easy to get motivated for a game on a Saturday night in prime time, and to go on the road in a hostile environment with your tournament invitation on the line, but on a Sunday at noon after two very emotional wins, there is a very real danger of just kind of sleep walking and not being mentally ready for it.

I hope for their own sake, that the Illini aren't as easily exhausted as I am. Because in Ohio State, they are going to face the most talented single player on their schedule, and in my opinion in college basketball.

It used to be we had to ask ourselves whether or not Demetri McCamey would show up big for the game or not. I don't think we have to worry about that anymore. McCamey is playing consistently at a level that in previous years we have only seen for very brief stretches. The added motivation of having his former high school and AAU team mate Evan Turner guarding him will probably be more than enough to guarantee Demetri will give his A effort tomorrow.

So what about the rest of the two teams. As much as we might think of it that way, this game isn't just going to be a game of one on one between two extremely talented guards and friends, there are eight other starters to consider. As far as starters go, it would be hard to argue with Bruce that the Buckeyes have the best starting 5 in the Big Ten. Aside from the NPOY candidate Turner OSU also have very dangerous guards in David Lighty and Diebler. Throw in William Buford and you have 4 guards averaging in double figures for the Buckeyes. Unsurprisingly all four are averaging more than 30 minutes a game.

This is where the Illini do hold an advantage over the Buckeyes. While they are completely dependent on McCamey (nearly playing 40 minutes a game in the Big Ten) the other parts around him have provided a lot more production, and the bench seems to fill in very well without missing much. The play of Tyler Griffey, Jeff Jordan and Brandon Paul is going to be crucial. In Griffey and Paul you have two players off the bench that very well could explode for points if given the opportunity, and in Jordan you have someone that can hopefully slow the offensive juggernaut that is Evan Turner down somewhat.

If any of the starting five from the Buckeyes get into foul trouble I believe the Illini will hold an advantage. Especially inside. If the Illini can drive into the lanes and draw fouls or feed Tisdale, (whom I believe has a significant advantage over Dallas Lauderdale) the Illini should at the very least take neutralize the advantage the Buckeyes have over the Illini at the start.

I wont make a prediction about this game, I am not the best at those clearly. (See Tuesday's pregame) I will however say that the winner of this game is going to be the team which is better prepared and more mentally ready for it. Hopefully the last two wins haven't taken too much of a toll on the Illini.