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Syracuse, Ohio State meet in NIT Season Tip-Off

Nov 21, 2007 - 4:28 PM No. 21 Syracuse (3-0) vs. Ohio St (2-0) 9:00 pm EST

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Syracuse has gotten off to a fast start thanks largely in part to a pair of freshmen - something Ohio State knows a thing or two about.

Freshmen Donte Greene and Jonny Flynn led the 21st-ranked Orange into their contest with the Buckeyes in Wednesday's semifinals of the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden.

Greene is averaging a team-leading 19.0 points while Flynn has averaged 13.0 points and a team-best 7.7 assists.

The 6-9 Greene scored a season-high 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds last Friday to lead Syracuse to an 80-63 victory over Fordham. Flynn dished out eight assists for the Orange.

Syracuse's quick start has mirrored the 2006-07 edition of Ohio State, which climbed to the top of the national rankings in December and reached the NCAA championship game in April behind freshmen standouts Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr., both of whom play in the NBA this season.

The winner of Wednesday's contest will face either No. 15 Texas A&M or Washington on Friday in the championship of the event.

Ohio State has started fast once again this season despite the losses of Oden, Conley and Daequan Cook.

Kosta Koufos, a 7-foot freshman, is averaging 18.5 point per game while Jamar Butler - the Buckeyes' lone returning starter from last season's Final Four team - is pouring in 17.5 points per game.