The Ohio State basketball ball team needs a win in the worst way. After getting out of the game with some mighty impressive wins, it has fallen into a bit of a downward spiral. The Buckeyes have lost three games in a row, and four of the last six. Now it has to go on the road again and try to fight through the doubt and environment to get back into the winning column.
But it won’t be easy.
Playing at Assembly Hall in Bloomington is never easy especially with what has to be a team with a very fragile psyche in tow. Add that to the fact that the Buckeyes have ruined the day of Indiana over the last couple of years, and this one will be a challenge.
Getting out of a funk won’t be easy by any means.
Records
Ohio State 11-4 (1-3), Indiana 12-3 (2-2)
All-time series record
74-56 Indiana leads
Last meeting
Ohio State won 79-75 in 2019 Big Ten Tournament
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, December 21
Game Time: Noon Eastern
Venue: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
Network: FOX
Next … The Ohio State Game Plan
Ohio State cliff notes game plan
The Buckeyes are unlikely to get very cute in this one. With the issues scoring over the last few games, look for Ohio State to take a very defensive approach in this one — especially on the road. Defense travels, as they say.
On offense look for OSU to slow things down a bit and get into half-court sets designed to go to the one known commodity it has right now, Kaleb Wesson on the blocks. But it can’t be all him. You can bet Indiana knows the same thing and will look to limit Wesson’s touches on the blocks and collapse down as needed. Ohio State has to then have shooters relocate to knock down kick-outs out of any double teams.
Defensively, it’s all hands on deck as usual. It’s a scramble man-to-man affair with help and rotation on the inside. The Buckeyes will likely force jump shots from the outside rather than allowing easy baskets at the rim. There have been issues getting bodies on shooters and would-be rebounders on the box out lately though, and that has to be a focus in this one. One or two possessions could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
D.J. Carton. It’s time. With the issues scoring the ball, the athletically gifted freshman point-guard has to start looking for his shot. He’s one of the few on the team that has the first step and explosiveness to create things off the dribble. Things have bogged down recently and look to the Hoosiers to make it another drag-out and physical Big Ten game.
Carton has to take care of the ball, yet be aggressive and assertive enough to be the next known option behind Kaleb Wesson. This team desperately needs him to make that next step soon. Why not Saturday?
How It’ll All Go Down
I don’t know if this team is ready to break out of its funk just yet. Not against an Indiana team that’s having a pretty good year, and not in Bloomington. Ohio State needs to get its confidence back on the offensive end, but it’s not likely to happen in a game that won’t be free-flowing enough to allow for some open looks. If the Buckeyes win, it will be an ugly one. Unfortunately that’s the Big Ten, and this team is still learning how to win the style of game this conference affords.
Final Score
Indiana 68, Ohio State 62
Line
Coming …
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