Jared Sullinger’s father, Satch, said his son had two goals. The first was to win a national title, which Ohio State was favored to do this season, coming into the N.C.A.A. tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.

“That’s exactly why he’s coming back,” Satch said. “He’s coming back because his goal is to win a national championship. He’s won A.A.U. and high school championships, and he wants to win a national championship.”

Jared Sullinger also needs to become a more complete player. He played primarily at center this season, but Satch Sullinger said that his son, who is listed at 6 feet 9 inches, was not going to be a center in the N.B.A. (And that 6-9 is probably going to end up 6-7 or 6-8 without an assist from the media guide.)

“He has to learn the 4 position,” Satch Sullinger said. “He and I have talked a little bit, not about the N.B.A., just in general, that you can only get better by playing, not practicing. He’ll play at a high level at Ohio State and learn from one of the best in Thad Matta.”