Records
Ohio State 14-7 (4-6), Penn State 8-14 (1-10)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Thursday, February 7
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Network: ESPN | You can also tune in online with FuboTV. (Try it for free)
Ah, welcome old friend.
Ohio State welcomes its nemesis from last year, Penn State. The Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes three times last year, even knocking them out of the Big Ten Tournament.
This is the only meeting between the two this year, and Penn State is not nearly the same team, sitting in last place in the Big Ten — finally getting a win in its lat outing against Northwestern.
For Ohio State, this one is about winning the game that it should to inch closer to .500 in the league, but it won’t be as easy is it appears on the surface. Penn State has lost a bushel of close ones and will still provide a stiff challenge.
Next … The Ohio State Game Plan
Ohio State Short Attention Span Game Plan
It’ll be a lot like the rest of the games at home. Kaleb Wesson should enjoy an advantage down low. The Nittany Lions are athletic but don’t have the length of other teams that have posed challenges in the past for Ohio State down on the blocks.
Really, the template should be the same it was last time out against Rutgers. Get Wesson involved in the game early and often, then shoot open looks on the perimeter and drive in gaps when available.
Take care of the ball and have high energy and purpose.
Defensively, Ohio State should focus on trying to limit the effectiveness of the Nittany Lions’ leading scorer, forward Lamar Stevens. He likes to drive against mismatches and get his shots in the lane. He doesn’t shoot a ton of threes but gets to the free-throw lane a lot.
It’ll be interesting to see who Holtmann elects to have defend him. More than likely it’ll be fresh bodies rotating in and out with help from off-the ball to force jump shots.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
Kaleb Wesson. Yes, again. We’ve singled the younger Wesson out the last couple of games because if he’s on the floor and healthy, this team is operating at its best. When he’s saddled with foul trouble, not so much.
He got involved in the game early against Rutgers and it set the tone for the rest of the game. He has to play smart defense, be aggressive on offense, and stay on the floor for large stretches.
How It’ll All Go Down
This one should be an Ohio State victory, but it’ll be closer than you think. Despite the record, Penn State has the ability to play with the Buckeyes and make this a battle.
In the end, the Buckeyes find a way to win at home. Wesson has himself a day again, and Ohio State rides the crowd and emotion to another step towards .500 in the league.
Final Score
Ohio State 72, Penn State 66
Line
Ohio State -7.5
