Kansas forward Justin Wesley pulls a rebound from Florida Atlantic forward Jordan McCoy during the second half on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Jesse Newell: Welcome back to the GameDay Cram Session, as Kansas is taking on No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom, which bench player is most important for KU if it hopes to beat the Buckeyes?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Justin Wesley pulls a rebound from Florida Atlantic forward Jordan McCoy during the second half on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Tom Keegan: I think Justin Wesley could make a difference if he can pitch in with tough defense on Jared Sullinger for a spell here and there without sending him to the foul line.

JN: I almost don’t consider him a bench player any more, but Conner Teahan could play a huge role as well.

OSU has been one of the best defensive teams in the nation this year, led by point guard Aaron Craft, who is one of the nation’s top on-ball defenders.

Still, the Buckeyes actually haven’t defended threes as well as they have twos.

Teahan has made 11 of 20 three-pointers at Allen Fieldhouse this season (55 percent) and 8 of 12 three-pointers in the first halves of those games (66.7 percent).

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Conner Teahan pulls up for a three prior to tipoff against South Florida on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse in this file photo.

KU will need all the help it can get offensively, so we’ll see if Teahan is able to help the Jayhawks avoid long scoring droughts by knocking down outside shots.

OK, Tom, call your shot now: Who will have the better game, Thomas Robinson or Jared Sullinger?

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson heads in to the bucket against the Long Beach State defense during the second half on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

TK: Thomas Robinson. It’s been a blast watching his offensive development. He has so many ways to score now. Put-back slams, designed-play slams, drive left, drive right, baseline jumpers.

JN: I’d have to go with Robinson as well, but more because we just don’t know how healthy Sullinger will be with his back spasms.

One of the latest reports said that Sullinger has been limited in practice this week and that he’s still a gametime decision against KU.

OSU coach Thad Matta has tried to emphasize that this is only a non-conference game in December, but that’s a tough sell when Sullinger-Robinson has the potential to be one of the best individual matchups in the country this season.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson celebrates for the television cameras after a put-back dunk against Long Beach State during the second half Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

My guess is Sullinger will play whether he’s fully healthy or not. Because Robinson is healthier, I’ll give him the edge in the Saturday’s matchup.

All right, Tom, what’s your prediction for this game?

TK: Ohio State by nine.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Jayhawks huddle around head coach Bill Self late in the game against Long Beach State on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

I’ve been voting the Buckeyes first the past few weeks. Kentucky might pass them, but for December, I think Ohio State’s the best team in the country because it has such a strong blend of talent and experience.

JN: I’ve been telling folks for weeks that the Allen Fieldhouse crowd will win this one for the Jayhawks, and I’m not backing off now.

Give me KU by two. Ohio State hasn’t played outside of Columbus all year, and this isn’t the best place for a team’s first road game.

photo by: Nick Krug

The Kansas student section goes wild after Tyshawn Taylor converted a bucket after being fouled by Long Beach State during the second half on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Here’s something else to consider: Ohio State gets 63 percent of its scoring from two-pointers (13th nationally), while KU’s greatest strength defensively is defending two-pointers. Opponents are shooting just 39 percent against the Jayhawks from inside the arc.

If Robinson and Jeff Withey are able to stay out of foul trouble to bother shots inside, I think the Jayhawks have a great chance at pulling off the home upset against KenPom’s No. 1-ranked team.

Tom, who’s your Hawk to Rock?

TK: Thomas Robinson.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas forward Thomas Robinson shoots over Long Beach State forward Eugene Phelps during the first half Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

He’s a tough competitor and facing a National Player of the Year candidate could bring out the best in him.

JN: I’ll go with Travis Releford.

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas guard Travis Releford elevates to the bucket between Long Beach State defenders James Ennis (11) Casper Ware (22) and teammate Elijah Johnson during the first half Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

The one guy who can shoot threes for OSU is William Buford, who has made 12 of 26 threes this year (46.2 percent) while averaging 16 points per game.

Releford needs to channel his inner Brady Morningstar and chase Buford all over the court to ensure he doesn’t get clean looks.

I think we’ll see the junior do that while also contributing double-digit scoring on the other end.

Tracking the picks

Predictions tally (through seven games)
Tom: 7-1 record, 58 points off (7.3 points off/game)
Jesse: 8-0 record, 62 points off (7.8 points off/game)

Hawk to Rock

Tom Keegan
Towson: Tyshawn Taylor (4th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Tyshawn Taylor (2nd in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
FAU: Jeff Withey (4th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Tyshawn Taylor (1st in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Elijah Johnson (7th in Keegan ratings)
Average: 3.4th in Keegan ratings

Jesse Newell
Towson: Conner Teahan (6th in Keegan ratings)
Kentucky: Elijah Johnson (4th in Keegan ratings)
Georgetown: Kevin Young (9th in Keegan ratings)
UCLA: Elijah Johnson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Duke: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
FAU: Tyshawn Taylor (7th in Keegan ratings)
South Florida: Elijah Johnson (6th in Keegan ratings)
Long Beach State: Thomas Robinson (1st in Keegan ratings)
Average: 4.4th in Keegan ratings