Ohio State alumni team Scarlet & Gray might have to play small-ball if it wants to advance to the elite eight of The Basketball Tournament.
Head coach Scoonie Penn joined Matt McCoy of 105.7 The Zone in Columbus on Thursday and announced that both Jared Sullinger and B.J. Mullens will miss Friday night's game against the Primetime Players in the Super 16.
The @ScarletGrayTBT coach @Scooniep12 told us just now that Jared Sullinger is out (wedding) for tomorrow nights @thetournament game (9PM on ESPN).. and they're not expecting him this weekend. Greg Oden, however, will be with the team this weekend. No BJ Mullens either
— Matt McCoy (@MattMcCoyZone) July 26, 2018
Sullinger poured in 28 points and collected 20 rebounds in an 82-73 win over The Matadors on Sunday, but will miss Friday's game as he is set to be married on Saturday. Mullens, who threw down a monster alley-oop slam in the team's first round win, was not available in the second round and will not play the second weekend of the tournament either. Mullens scored 14 points in his lone appearance and announced on Instagram that he will no longer play for Scarlet & Gray, following a disagreement between him and the team that involved his cut of the $2 million jackpot that goes to the team that wins the tournament.
The Buckeye alums will likely lean on the likes of Dallas Lauderdale and Evan Ravenel for extended minutes in the Super 16, but are also expected to welcome former No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden into the fold. Oden missed last weekend's games due to a prior commitment, but is expected to play limited minutes with the team in Atlanta.
Scarlet & Gray is set to tip-off its third round game Friday at 9 p.m. on ESPN. Should the Buckeye alumni squad advance, they would play again on Sunday at 3 p.m. for the right to advance to the final four which will be played in Baltimore.
