It’s the next all-important step in Ohio State’s journey to the postseason, and yet another big matchup. That’s the way things have been in a deep and talented Big Ten. Every week is a battle, and every game has serious implications — most of the time for both teams.
Such is the case in this one. Ohio State and Purdue are both pretty solidly in the NCAA field as of right now, but a loss either team in a downward slide towards the proverbial bubble.
It’s a home affair the Buckeyes simply have to win in order to stay out of danger territory. You have to hold serve at home, and OSU has already lost a pair of games at Value City Arena this year in the Big Ten. It can ill-afford to drop another at this point.
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Records
Ohio State 16-8, (6-7), Purdue 14-11, (7-7)
All-time series record
68-54 Ohio State leads
Last meeting
Purdue won 86-51 last season in West Lafayette on March 2
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Saturday, February 15
Game Time: Noon
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Network: FOX
Next … The Ohio State Game Plan
Ohio State cliff notes game plan
With the size of Matt Haarms underneath, this could be a game that’s a problem for Kaleb Wesson and company to score in the paint. The 7-3, 250 lb. center for Purdue is a rim protector that’s more agile than your average seven-footer. He may only average two blocks a game, but he changes a slew of others in and around the post.
Look for Ohio State to move the younger Wesson out of the post and on the perimeter more than normal so that Haarms has to come out and defend away from the paint. That will open up dribble drives and post-ups for others when he’s in the game. And Purdue will have to honor that with Wesson splashing home more than 40 percent of his long daggers this year.
On defense, the Buckeyes must defend the three-point shot almost to a fault. Allowing drives as opposed to letting a hot-shooting Purdue team bomb away from beyond the arc seems like more of a recipe for winning. Let the dump down in the post happen, don’t collapse and instead take the chances at one-on-one on the post and locate shooters on the perimeter.
Then, rebound like crazy, and take care of the basketball.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
Kyle Young. This is the type of game where Kyle Young could shine. There won’t be a ton — if any — plays drawn up for him, but if Haarms is indeed pulled out of the post, Young has the ability to do the dirty work around the rim. He could use his all-out effort to get extra opportunities and convert on some junk points that could be the difference in this one. He needs to get in on the rebounds, make the occasional move to score in the post, and play solid defense when left without help.
How It’ll All Go Down
It seems like we say it every time a team comes so the Schott, so we won’t go against the curve now. This won’t be a cakewalk. Still, Ohio State should be able to beat a Purdue team that plays much better at home than on the road. It got a big one against Indiana in Bloomington with some hot shooting, but that hasn’t been the norm.
The Boilermakers have struggled away from home for most of the year, even losing to a Nebraska squad that everyone else seems to be able to beat. Ohio State has been playing much more cohesive as of late and will get it done in front of the home crowd to get back to .500 in the conference.
Final Score
Ohio State 68, Purdue 64
Line
Coming …
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