Buckeyes pummel Penn State

Jared Sullinger had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Ohio State took advantage of Penn State’s slow start, winning 78-54 in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday.

The Buckeyes (18-3, 6-2 Big Ten) won their third in a row and fifth in six games while tuning up for Sunday’s big home showdown with No. 20 Michigan. The Wolverines, Ohio State and Michigan State came into the week tied for the top spot in the Big Ten.

William Buford added 15 points and Aaron Craft had 11 – all in the first half – as the Buckeyes built a lopsided lead.

Big Ten scoring leader Tim Frazier had 16 points for Penn State (10-12, 2-7), which has lost its last 17 meetings with Ohio State.

No. 10 Michigan St. 68, Minnesota 52: Draymond Green had 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to help Michigan State beat Minnesota in East Lansing, Mich., and give coach Tom Izzo his 400th win.

Izzo downplayed what the milestone meant to him on Monday, but was wiping tears off his cheeks during the final seconds of the victory.

The Spartans (17-4, 6-2) moved into a first-place tie in the Big Ten with their second straight win after losing two in a row.

The Golden Gophers (15-6, 3-5) had won three straight, including their previous two on the road. Rodney Williams scored 15 points for Minnesota.