Sullinger leads Buckeyes

Jared Sullinger missed No. 2 Ohio State's shootaround earlier yesterday while he said goodbye to one of his favorite uncles at a funeral home.

He got in his shooting later.

Sullinger set an Ohio State freshman record with 40 points, leading the Buckeyes back from a nine-point second-half deficit to beat IUPUI, 75-64.

"I got to see my uncle for the last time," Sullinger said of the viewing for Harold Sullinger. "It was really tough. This game really does go to him."

Sullinger credited his uncle - whom he said yelled at him during a recent game when he only had three rebounds - for inspiring him.

The 6-9 Columbus native hit 12 of 17 shots from the field and 16 of 23 free throws - both of which were also records - and had 13 rebounds.

The Buckeyes (7-0) finished the game on a 34-14 run - with Sullinger scoring 22 points.

Alex Young had 20 points for the Jaguars (4-6).

The previous freshman scoring record at Ohio State was held by Michael Redd, who had 30 points against Southern California on Dec. 20, 1997.

* According to a report, Duke is considering a course of action for freshman guard Kyrie Irving, who suffered a toe injury in his right foot in a game against Butler last Saturday. ESPN.com, citing mulitple sources with knowledge of the situation, reported Irving suffered ligament damage and his season may be over.

* Alabama coach Anthony Grant said suspended forward JaMychal Green has been reinstated to the team. Grant said Green will play, but not start, tomorrow at Providence. Green was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team on Nov. 27, and has missed three games.

* Marquette will decide before next month's game at Pittsburgh whether forward Joe Fulce will return or pursue a redshirt after injuring his left knee again. Coach Buzz Williams says he's not convinced Fulce will ever play again after sustaining a severe bone bruise in a game against Texas A & M-Corpus Christi Tuesday night, despite a doctor's diagnosis that the injury wasn't as severe as initially feared. If Fulce doesn't play after the Golden Eagles' game against Pittsburgh on Jan. 8, the senior forward would be eligible for an NCAA medical hardship.