Ohio State vs. Arizona in the NCAA Sweet 16 at Staples Center

STARTERS

OHIO STATE; HT.; WT.; Stats; P; ARIZONA; HT.; WT.; Stats

Deshaun Thomas, 6-7; 225; 19.7 ppg; F; Solomon Hill; 6-7; 220; 13.3 ppg

Sam Thompson; 6-7; 190; 7.8 ppg; F; Kevin Parrom; 6-6; 220; 8.3 ppg

Amir Williams; 6-11; 250; 3.9 rpg; C; Kaleb Tarczewski; 7-0; 255; 6.2 rpg

Aaron Craft; 6-2; 190; 10.0 ppg; G; Mark Lyons; 6-1; 200; 15.4 ppg

Lenzelle Smith Jr.; 6-4; 205; 9.4 ppg; G; Nick Johnson; 6-3; 200; 11.6 ppg

RESERVES

Shannon Scott; 6-1; 180; 4.9 ppg; G; Jordin Mayes; 6-3; 200; 2.9 ppg

LaQuinton Ross; 6-8; 225; 7.7 ppg; F; Brandon Ashley; 6-8; 235; 7.6 ppg

SCOUTING REPORT: Ohio State’s Thad Matta and Arizona’s Sean Miller coached together at Miami in Ohio and also at Xavier. “I wouldn’t be here today without him,” Miller said Wednesday of Matta. Ohio State defeated Iona and survived Iowa State in the tournament, extending its winning streak to 10 games. Arizona defeated Belmont and Harvard to advance to the Sweet 16.

KEY TO THE GAME: Forward Deshaun Thomas and guard Aaron Craft must continue to perform at a high level for the Buckeyes, who are playing in Staples Center for the first time. And Ohio State must find a way to slow down Arizona guard Mark Lyons, who scored 50 points in the Wildcats’ first two tournament games. Arizona’s Solomon Hill, a former Fairfax High standout, will be called upon to neutralize Thomas. The Wildcats are accustomed to Staples Center from previous Pac-12 Conference tournaments.

— Gary Klein