By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

Ohio State’s coach said he doesn’t think his two best players have had their best games yet, but several Boilers said they hope it doesn’t happen against them.

The Buckeyes, led by All-America candidates Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd, will play Purdue at 8 p.m. Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Penn and Redd each average over 15 points per game, but their coach, Jim O’Brien, said the two aren’t playing up to their potential

"They’re not shooting as good as they can," he said. "We still think that we haven’t played our best game yet."

Purdue coach Gene Keady and forward Mike Robinson both said the Boilers have their work cut out for them with Penn and Redd. Guard Carson Cunningham said the Boilers must play tenacious team defense to stop the duo.

"They’ve got some nice crossovers, some nice pull-up (jumpers) and some sweet moves around the bucket," he said. "We’ve got to hope that Penn and Redd don’t catch too much fire."

The Buckeyes, because of the way the schedule panned out, did not play during the week. O’Brien said his team needed the week to recuperate from the Buckeyes’ previous two games. He said he was highly pleased that his team was able to beat Michigan State at home and St. John’s in New York’s Madison Square Garden last week.

Keady said there is nothing definite about the effect a week of rest has.

"That’s always varied," said Keady. "Some years I like that, some years I don’t. I’ve never had a feel on that."

Keady said to win his team needs to start strong and establish the game’s tempo.

Cunningham, who made only 3 of 13 shots in Purdue’s 55-45 loss at Wisconsin Wednesday, said the Boilers need to shoot better if they want to win. Purdue shot a season-low 28.6 percent from the field in the loss.

"Generally speaking we don’t like to shoot 29 percent," said Cunningham. "If I had the secret to shooting 50 percent every game I’d market it and become a multi-billionaire. We’ve just got to focus on taking good shots and hope they start sinking."

O’Brien thinks Purdue’s guards will compete well with Ohio State’s.

"They’re real good, particularly Jaraan Cornell and his 3-pointers," said O’Brien. "Cunningham is at his best when he gets by people and creates shots for himself and others."

Cunningham said the Boilers want to revive their offense. Robinson said the game is about more than that.

"This game is about getting Purdue on track," said Robinson.

Robinson also said the performances of Penn and Redd are not important.

"We don’t care if they have their best game, just as long as Purdue comes out with a win," said Robinson.