NCAA West Regional matchup: Ohio State vs. Wichita State

OHIO STATE vs. WICHITA STATE

SCOUTING REPORT: The pressure is on Big Ten Conference member Ohio State, which is trying to live up to its No. 2 seeding in the regional. The Buckeyes required a last-second shot to get past Arizona and now they meet a physical Wichita State team that welcomes the opportunity to mix it up inside. “They’ve got nothing to lose,” Ohio State forward Deshaun Thomas said. “So they’re going to come out there and try to get every loose ball, every rebound, so we’re going to have to match that.”

KEY TO THE GAME: Ohio State, seeking its first national title since 1960, needs a solid performance from Thomas as a rebounder as well as a shooter and will probably get a boost from a Buckeye-friendly crowd at Staples Center. Wichita State outrebounded smallish La Salle, 47-29, in a semifinal, but Ohio State is a much larger challenge. The Shockers need forward Cleanthony Early to shoot better than his four-for-11 performance against La Salle.