(Sports Network) - The 16th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes open the 2009-10 season against the Alcorn State Braves as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer event.

This game also represents the season opener for Alcorn State, which split a pair of exhibition games in preparation for the Buckeyes. The Braves, who are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, lost 25 games a year ago, so expectations are quite low heading into this new campaign. Coach Larry Smith doesn't have much talent to work with, and considering that the team lost to Tougaloo College by 23 points in exhibition play, there is no reason to suspect even a competitive showing against Ohio State.

Speaking of the Buckeyes, they finished 22-11 last season, and while that record would be welcomed by most programs, it falls a bit shy of lofty expectations in Columbus. Head coach Thad Matta has a wealth of returning talent this season, so a run at the Big Ten Conference title is expected.

This game marks the first-ever meeting between Alcorn State and Ohio State on the hardwood.

One of the few players worth watching for Alcorn State in this opener is Jonathan Boyd, who shot 40.3 percent from three-point range last season. When not shooting the ball, Boyd would be best served dumping the ball in low to JaMarkus Holt. The team's center, Holt has been asked to be much more aggressive at both ends of the court, so expect him to significantly improve his 6.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg from a year ago. The hope is that the Braves will get legitimate contributions from some talented freshmen this season, beginning with this first game against Ohio State. Michael Martin is an explosive 6-8 forward who can score and rebound effectively, and he may be the best of the newcomers.

The top returning scorer in the Big Ten wears an Ohio State jersey, as Evan Turner brings back 17.3 ppg. Much more than just a scorer, turner posted 7.1 rpg and 4.0 apg a year ago, impressive numbers by any standards. Don't expect Turner to have to carry the load alone, as there are certainly some other impressive performers on the OSU roster. The supporting cast includes William Buford (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg), Jon Diebler (11.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg) and David Lighty (9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg). Diebler is the team's sniper from long range, while Lighty is the club's top defender. Junior Dallas Lauderdale will miss the first month or so with a broken hand, but he is expected back for the start of Big Ten play. There are some tough non-conference games on the schedule, so it is important that OSU works out the "bugs" against Alcorn State.





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