Ohio State on a Two-Game Win Streak, Penn State Look to End Home Skid
Ohio State vs. Penn State: Big Ten Showdown as Both Teams Seek to Build Momentum
Ohio State (12-8) heads to State College for a crucial Big Ten matchup against Penn State (13-8) on Thursday night. The game will tip off at 6:30 PM EST as both teams look to build consistency after uneven starts in conference play. The Buckeyes are aiming for a third consecutive victory, while the Nittany Lions hope to snap a two-game skid as they battle for position in the competitive Big Ten.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Riding a Two-Game Winning Streak
The Ohio State Buckeyes will bring momentum into this contest after defeating Iowa 82-65 at home in their previous outing. The Buckeyes executed a dominant 20-4 run to start the second half, which allowed them to pull away from the Hawkeyes. Micah Parrish led the way for Ohio State with 18 points and six rebounds, while Bruce Thornton contributed 15 points and a career-high eight rebounds. The team shot nearly 57% from the field in the second half, showing offensive efficiency when it mattered most.
Defensively, Ohio State put together an impressive performance against Iowa, limiting the nation’s fourth-ranked scoring offense to a season-low 65 points on 39% shooting—also their worst shooting performance of the year. Ohio State also outrebounded Iowa 43-31, proving their physicality on both ends of the floor.
With the win, Ohio State improved to 12-8 overall and 4-5 in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes are ranked 8th in the conference in scoring (77.3 points per game) and excel in shooting, ranking 6th in field goal percentage and 3rd in 3-point shooting. On defense, Ohio State is strong, ranking 3rd in field goal defense and 3rd in 3-point defense, making them one of the top defensive units in the Big Ten. However, they still need to improve on the boards and in limiting turnovers, ranking 9th in both rebounding and turnover margin.
Penn State Nittany Lions: Seeking to End Skid at Home
On the other side, Penn State is hoping to turn things around after dropping their second straight game, a 76-72 loss to Michigan on Monday night. The Nittany Lions were competitive but fell short after a second-half surge by Michigan. Nick Kern Jr. led Penn State with a double-double (16 points, 10 rebounds), while Ace Baldwin Jr. added 15 points and six assists. Despite shooting 49% from the floor and 47% from beyond the arc, Penn State’s inability to control the ball—committing 18 turnovers—proved costly.
With a 13-8 overall record, Penn State sits at 3-7 in Big Ten play and is looking to snap their losing streak at home. The Nittany Lions are 4th in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 79.5 points per game, and rank 4th in field goal shooting. Their 3-point shooting has also been solid, placing them 8th in the conference. However, their defensive struggles have been evident. Penn State ranks 14th in the Big Ten in scoring defense, field goal defense, and 3-point defense. Their inability to stop opponents has been a major factor in their struggles, and it will be a challenge to contain the Buckeyes’ offense if they don’t improve defensively.
Penn State’s high-scoring offense is balanced, with key players like Kern and Baldwin contributing regularly. However, their defense remains a concern, especially when matched up against a disciplined team like Ohio State. Additionally, Penn State is ranked 14th in turnover margin, which could be a significant issue against the Buckeyes, who excel in forcing turnovers and capitalizing on mistakes.
Conclusion
Ohio State has shown solid form recently and is playing with confidence, especially after their dominant second-half performance against Iowa. While Penn State boasts an explosive offense, their defensive issues and turnover struggles could hold them back in this contest. The Buckeyes have the defensive prowess to stifle the Nittany Lions’ scoring and the offensive efficiency to keep the scoreboard ticking.
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