koufos played one season of college basketball for the ohio state buckeyes. for the 2007–08 season, he was named third-team all-big ten and was named to the league's all-freshman team. he ranked fifth in the big ten in scoring (14.4 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg), and ranked second in blocked shots (1.8 bpg) and seventh in field goal percentage (.508). he helped the buckeyes reach the final of the national invitation tournament, where they won 92–85 over umass behind koufos' 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. he was subsequently named nit most valuable player. he declared for the 2008 nba draft following his freshman season.