COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State needed a win like this, with last weekends loss to UCLA in the rear-view mirror and the Big Ten schedule looming.Keita Bates-Diop, JaeSean Tate and Kam Williams each scored 15 points as the Buckeyes Ohio took advantage of poor-shooting Youngstown State in a 77-40 blowout Tuesday night.Trevor Thompson contributed a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds, and C.J. Jackson had eight points for Ohio State (9-3) in a game that was never in doubt.It was real fun being out there, Williams said. Its one of the best feelings in the world when you get your mojo back.Youngstown State (6-7) shot only 21 percent from the floor and was beaten badly on the boards by the Buckeyes, who scored 48 points in the paint and shot 50 percent on the night.Matt Donlan led Youngstown State with 10 points and six rebounds. The Horizon League team hasnt beaten the Buckeyes in four tries.It was an ugly game on our part, Youngstown State coach Jerry Slocum said. We obviously didnt shoot the ball very well. Were disappointed in our effort in a team that believe it or not is pretty good offensively. We certainly didnt help ourselves in transition defense. It was a poor performance by us.The Penguins were just 2 for 21 from the 3-point line while Ohio State managed five baskets in 15 attempts from beyond the arc.Ohio State rolled out to a 12-1 lead to start the game and led 42-14 at the half. The Penguins suffered a scoring drought of more than 5 minutes in the middle of the half and shot 14.8 percent in that first frame. They hit just two of their last 18 shots to finish the half 4 for 27 from the floor.I wanted to play like this for once, Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. We really challenged the guys Saturday after the game (with) lets see what were made of. The last two days have been hard for these guys, and Im fine with that.Ohio State center Micah Potter suffered a sprained ankle when he stepped on the referees foot on the opening tip and had to be helped off the court, with Thompson taking his place. Potter, a 6-foot-9 freshman, is averaging 4.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. Hes day-to-day.Hes a pretty tough kid, Matta said. Hell get back quick.BIG PICTUREYoungstown State: The cold-shooting Penguins couldnt take advantage of Ohio States less-than-crisp play at times. If Tuesday night was any indication, YSU might be in for a long season.Ohio State: The Buckeyes blew out an inferior team they were supposed to beat, but looked sloppy a lot of the time doing it. They are still a work in progress, with one more pre-conference game on the schedule.I feel like today we really played together, Thompson said. We had fun, and that was the big thing.UP NEXTYoungstown State: Returns home to open Horizon League play against Milwaukee on Dec. 29.Ohio State: Plays Thursday night at home against UNC Asheville. After the Christmas break, the Big Ten schedule opens on New Years Day.---More college basketball at http://collegebasketball.ap.org---Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacyYankees Jersey Authentic . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Alex Rodriguez Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. http://www.yankeesshoponline.com/mariano-rivera-jersey-cheap-clearance.html . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. Yankees Jersey Youth . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Dj Lemahieu Jersey Yankees .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch.This weeks Big Question: Who is the best player in the league?Wayne Gretzky: Sid is still the best player in hockey. Thats a mantle you earn over time. Its one of those things where you earn that right to have that title, until somebody takes it away from you. Is?Connor [McDavid] a great player? Absolutely. Does Connor have an opportunity to be the next [Sidney] Crosby? Absolutely. Right now, Sidney deserves to be known as the best player in the game. Hes been the best player consistently in his career. Hes won Stanley Cups and hes won gold medals. Until somebody takes that mantle away from him, hes still going to hold the crown.Joe Thornton, C, San Jose Sharks: Oh, Sidney Crosby. Im a Sidney Crosby fan. Hes ultracompetitive. Great speed, great shot, great passer. Just has a lot of the attributes youd want to start a hockey team with.Zach Parise, C, Minnesota Wild: Sid is playing great, but man, Connor McDavid is good, oh my God. But I still think today. ... Ive got to say I still think Sid. Its tough but I really do.Eastern Conference coach: Best player in the NHL right now would be?Carey Price?and Sidney Crosby. No. You know what? Sorry. I think its Connor McDavid and Carey Price, and Sid would be my third.Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay Lightning: I think you look at the way Sidney Crosbys playing right now, its hard to argue that theres anybody playing much better than him. What is he turning, 30 this year? Hes still pretty young. I know the leagues changed, kind of to the teens and young 20s, but, no, I think hes still right in his prime. He looks better than he has in years past. Hes got that fire, hes on a different level right now. Its fun to watch. Not so much fun to play against.Shane Doan, C, Arizona Coyotes: I think Sidney Crosby has established himself with what hes doing right now. Its amazing to see how he just does whatever he needs to do.Cam Fowler, D, Anaheim Ducks: Whew. I think its got to be Connor McDavid right now. Just his combination of speed and skill and being able to do things at a high pace is incredible. We dont get to see Sid that often, but the year that hes having with the injuries too, you can pretty much go eitther way with that one.ddddddddddddAaron Ekblad, D, Florida Panthers: Its got to be Sid, right? Hes consistently amazing. There are obviously a lot of great players that do a lot of great things on different nights, guys like him, and [Patrick] Kane, and [Jonathan] Toews, they are consistently amazing -- not good -- amazing every single night they step on the ice.Jarome Iginla, RW, Colorado Avalanche: McDavid has been very impressive, and playing against him you see what he can do and how he can control a game, but its hard to go against Sid. I think coming off a Stanley Cup, what he did at the World Cup, what hes doing already at the start of the season since hes been back [from a concussion], so I would still, personally right now, go with Sid. Ask me in another couple of years, maybe it changes, but right now Id probably say Sid.Nazem Kadri, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: Id have to go with Sid, with what hes doing this year and how hes putting that team on his shoulders, Id have to go with him for sure. Because hes just so dangerous.Jakob Chychrun, D, Arizona Coyotes:?100 percent [Sidney Crosby]. I was the biggest Sidney Crosby fan growing up. I grew up playing center and playing forward. He was my idol growing up. When I was a kid, all my friends, it was the stage between Ovi and Sid, that was the big argument when I was younger -- still is, but it was huge back then. All my teammates gave me heck, and said Ovi is way better. I stood by Sids side through it all. I would argue with everybody. I still believe that. For sure.Eastern Conference scout: Oh, man, thats tough. I think it comes down to McDavid or Crosby. McDavid is carrying that team. If you take him out of the lineup, theyre nowhere close to where they are today. McDavid hasnt done it long enough and hes still very young, still learning. I would say Crosby is the best in the league. He can do everything and anything he wants to do if he sets his mind to it. Thats what I love about Sids game.-- Joe McDonald, Pierre LeBrun, Craig Custance, Scott Burnside ' ' '