Records
Ohio State 12-5 (2-4), Penn State 12-5 (2-4)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, January 18
Game Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
Network: ESPNU
For some reason, these games against Penn State have been wildly entertaining over the last couple of years, aside from the one earlier this year in the Schott. In that one, Ohio State administered a public flogging of the Nittany Lions, winning by 32 points in what was likely the peak of dominance for the Buckeyes.
Since then though, both teams seem to be on parallel paths. Both have had a little good, but more bad so far in the Big Ten season. Both teams are sitting at a surprising 2-4 in the league and looking to move closer to .500 and a shot at beginning a run back to the upper half of the league.
Ohio State has both suspended guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington back, and it’ll need both to be active and effective to find a way to win a Big Ten game on the road for the first time this year.
Next … The Ohio State Game Plan
Ohio State cliff notes game plan
The Buckeyes are what they are at this point and there’s unlikely to be any sort of surprises in this one, especially on the road in a tough environment. It’ll be mostly a man-to-man affair with a little zone mixed in on defense to keep Penn State honest.
The ingredients for winning the first time around will likely be a rinse and repeat affair in this one — or at least that’s what will be attempted. Rebounding will be key, and so will turnovers on the road.
Kaleb Wesson had a big impact in the first game and the offense will likely play through him again. He was able to get loose for 28 points, and that opened things up on the perimeter as well.
Look for Penn State to really focus on collapsing down low and making the OSU guards beat it from the outside. Duane Washington, Luther Muhammad, C.J. Walker, D.J. Carton and company have to have to be ready to locate on the perimeter and knock down open shots when the defense rallies on Wesson.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
Kaleb Wesson. Yes, again. He had a monster game in Columbus and everything fell into place. He’s been forcing things a little too much recently and it’s resulted in far too many turnovers for a big man. If he can settle himself down in the post, pass out of double teams and knock down the occasional outside shot, the Buckeyes have a chance in this one.
How It’ll All Go Down
I don’t like how this one sets up at all. Penn State got run over in Columbus and it’s going to come out looking to make a statement at home. Winning on the road in the Big Ten this year has been a Lord of the Rings type journey, and it’ll be that Saturday as well. Behind the home crowd, and with a little bit of OSU drama occurring with the team dynamic of Washington and Muhammad, this one doesn’t sound like a victory for the Buckeyes. I hope I’m wrong.
Final Score
Penn State 72, Ohio State 63
Line
Coming …
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