Ohio State vs. Penn State basketball preview,…

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

Records

Ohio State 5-2 (0-0), Penn State 4-3 (0-0)

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date | Sunday, Dec. 5
Game Time | 7:30 p.m. EST
Venue | Bryce Jordan Center, State College, PA
Network | Big Ten Network

On the road 👀

🆚 Penn State
⏰ 7:30 PM
📺 Big Ten Network
📍 Bryce Jordan Center pic.twitter.com/18nw2670We

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 5, 2021

Ohio State vs. Penn State is usually quite the matchup on the gridiron, but it’s also had some pretty significant ramifications on the hardwood. This year, the two aren’t expected to be at the top of the league, but OSU has the potential to be in the upper division as long as it can continue to develop and round into the form we think it can. Look no further than the win against Duke as proof that this team can compete.

Penn State, on the other hand, is just looking to lay a foundation toward turning a program back around with a new head coach. Many players transferred out of the program last season (OSU has one in Jamari Wheeler), so breaking the seal on the Big Ten season in winning fashion would be a great start towards all that the Nittany Lions want to do.

It’s a primetime matchup to tip-off the Big Ten season, and it would be well worth your time to watch Ohio State hopefully get things started on the right note on the road.

Next … The Ohio State game plan

Ohio State potential game plan

🚨 B1G day today 🚨 pic.twitter.com/YDCHmB1xNh

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 5, 2021

This will probably not be an up and down game. Both teams would rather get into half-court sets and run offenses in set plays rather than get into a free-flowing, fast-paced game. Penn State is only averaging 67.3 points per game with OSU putting up 74.7 points per contest.

With that in mind, look for the Buckeyes to do what we will see from them more often than not as the backcourt develops. Holtmann and staff will run things through the post with E.J. Liddell, Zed Key, and Kyle Young, then look for action off of it on the perimeter for spot-up attempts once the defense collapses.

On defense, it’ll be a straight man-to-man lockdown defense on the perimeter and a collapsing one on the interior. It’s who Ohio State is and there’s no reason to get out of structure and system against a similar attack from Penn State.

NEXT … Key Players For Both Teams

Key Player For Ohio State

It doesn't happen without Cedric Russell's clutch plays down the stretch. 💪@CeddypDaChief // @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/oMYTcZlcmI

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) December 1, 2021

Guard, Cedric Russell – Ohio State is in dire need of getting a guy going on the perimeter. We know what the Buckeyes can offer in the frontcourt, but this team will only go as far as its guards develop. Cedric Russell showed some promise last game, and it’s time to let him start to rip it a little more. Penn State is prone to dribble drive penetration, and he offers the best chance to catch fire and start to develop into a scoring threat on the outside.

Key Player to Know for Penn State

Seth Lundy confirms he’s staying at PSU. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/53ZiOICbeU

— No Names All Game (@nonamesallgame) April 16, 2021

Forward, Seth Lundy – If you followed Ohio State’s game against Penn State last season, you know Lundy well. The forward scored in all kinds of ways in the first matchup, going for 26 points and getting to the free-throw line often. He’s athletic with a varied offensive skill set and is leading the Nittany Lions in scoring again this season at 15.1 points per game. He’s a guy OSU will need to try and limit if it has designs of starting out 1-0 in the Big Ten.

NEXT … The prediction

How It’ll All Go Down

Don’t believe for one minute that this won’t be a tough game for Ohio State. Penn State might be still looking for itself this season, but there’s still some returning talent on this team, and we all know how difficult it can be to win on the road in the Big Ten. Look for a physical, tight game that OSU finds a way to pull out with defense and free throws at the end.