Saturday’s Wisconsin-Ohio State matchup will be significant for both teams. Big Ten title implications. Ohio State hasn’t beaten a contender on the road this season. The Badgers have won six straight, and if they upset the Buckeyes, four Big Ten teams will have three losses (Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State) entering Sunday’s Michigan at Michigan State encounter.

And let’s not forget what happened last year. Ohio State’s hopes of an unbeaten season were spoiled the last time the Buckeyes traveled to the Kohl Center.

The Badgers possess the nation’s best scoring defense (49.6 ppg allowed) and they’re ranked second on Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted defensive efficiency list.

The following play, a sequence in Ohio State’s 64-49 win against Michigan on Sunday, showcases what should be Wisconsin’s greatest challenge Saturday: staying between Jared Sullinger (17.1 ppg, 9.1 ppg) and the basket.

(Play begins at 0:04 in the video)

Three Ohio State players are spread around the perimeter. William Buford rotates the ball to Deshaun Thomas who goes to Lenzelle Smith Jr. on the wing.

As the Buckeyes move the ball, Michigan’s Jordan Morgan is working to stay close to Sullinger. The massive sophomore, however, does a great job of muscling Morgan out of position with a forearm and his frame, typical rugged Big Ten basketball. Sullinger seems to establish position when and where he wants.

Once Sullinger turns Morgan, the latter has zero chance of recovering in time to defend the basket. As soon as Sullinger is free, Smith goes over the top of Morgan, who’s lost his balance, and Sullinger gets the easy dunk.

The Badgers will definitely give Ohio State a different look compared to the scheme that the zone-oriented Wolverines employed. But Sullinger will present the same problems for Wisconsin’s defense.

Ohio State’s perimeter weapons demand attention, too. But Sullinger is the vortex of Thad Matta’s offensive attack.

Jared Berggren is leading the Big Ten in blocked shots (1.9 bpg). The 6-foot-10 junior, not Jordan Taylor, will be the most important Wisconsin player in Saturday’s game.

We know that Ohio State has struggled on the road. In their losses to Illinois and Indiana, the Buckeyes were defeated by two teams that boast 7-footers inside.

Berggren won’t have to do it alone. But as the aforementioned clip proves, staying in front of Sullinger is the first, and sometimes the toughest task for players trying to guard him.