Ohio State vs. Akron basketball preview, prediction,…

Ohio State vs. Akron basketball preview, prediction, and odds

Records

Ohio State 0-0 (0-0), Akron 0-0 (0-0)

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date | Tuesday, November 9
Game Time | 6 p.m. EST
Venue | Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Network | ESPN2

After months of waiting, and in the midst of a potential College Football Playoff run for the football team, the Ohio State basketball team is set to officially break the seal on the 2021-2022 season.

The Buckeyes welcome the Akron Zips to the Schott to kick the dust off and start forming an identity for this team. It has to be a little like Christmas morning for head coach Chris Holtmann as he tries to see what this team is all about in the bright lights for the first time.

It’s a team that has a lot of new parts and pieces that need to come together for this team to do some things those around the program think it can, so getting off to a hot start against an in-state foe would be ideal.

Next … The Ohio State game plan

Ohio State potential game plan

One more sleep 😌🏀#Team123 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/eRgoVAV4OL

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 8, 2021

It’s really hard to piece together a game plan in game one. Look for Holtmann to try several different pieces together and get a lot of guys variable looks with a ton of personnel combinations. What you today isn’t likely what you’ll see once some of the bigger games start to roll up on the schedule, especially with a couple of key players out with injury.

Ohio State will most likely look to work inside out and take advantage of mismatches against a team that doesn’t have the depth and skill of what the Buckeyes have, all while playing straight-up man-to-man defense. Bottom line — you’re going to see a lot of experimentation, a lot of bodies, but not to the point of putting the game in jeopardy.

NEXT … Key Players For Both Teams

Key Player For Ohio State

E.J. Liddell also shoots threes in case anyone was wondering! Pretty much can do whatever you want when it comes to basketball, really.#GoBucks #Team123 pic.twitter.com/seK9eCvGrB

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 2, 2021

Forward, E.J. Liddell – OK, when you have a lot of unknowns, and a couple of important pieces out of the lineup, you have to go with what’s tried and true. That would of course be junior forward E.J. Liddell. Look for Ohio State to run the offense through Liddell like a warm glass of milk, and let others around him look to relocate and drive to open lanes.

Key Player to Know for Purdue

Guard, Bryan Trimble, Jr. – Akron lost its leading scorer from last year, guard Loren Christian Jackson, so a lot is going to be expected from Trimble who was the team’s second-leading scorer last season at 12.0 points per contest. He doesn’t look to pass the ball a whole lot but is a shooter first who likes to launch it from beyond the arc. Akron will need him to be on from the perimeter to have a chance.

NEXT … The prediction

How It’ll All Go Down

🎟 Free tickets for students!! Don’t miss your chance to see #Team123 in person this Tuesday as we open the season. We’ve missed you!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/xiyTKJ9AgQ

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 6, 2021

Despite being undermanned, Ohio State should handle this game pretty easily. There will be some times when the Buckeyes look disjointed with some odd combinations on the court, but OSU is simply more talented and more skilled and will pull away in the second half.