Penn State-Ohio State Basketball Preview: A Lions Sweep?
Penn State men's basketball can achieve something Penn State football hasn't done in 60 years: beat Ohio State four times in a row. After their upstart win over ranked Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions visit Ohio State for a sneaky important game on their Big Ten schedule.
As Penn State coach Mike Rhoades builds his first-year program, he needs to string a few wins to generate momentum among players and the fan base. The Lions' 87-83 win over Wisconsin represented another starting point. Now, they need to keep going. Here's a look at Saturday's Penn State vs. Ohio State game.
Penn State (9-9) vs. Ohio State (12-5)
When: Noon ET Saturday
Where: Value City Arena, Columbus. Ohio
TV: Big Ten Network
Streaming: FuboTV (start your free trial)
Betting line: Ohio State is 10-point favorite, according to DraftKings
KenPom rankings: Penn State is No. 106; Ohio State is No. 44
NCAA NET rankings: Penn State is No. 120; Ohio State is No. 49
Series history: Ohio State leads 43-22
Last meeting: Penn State 83-80 in December
About the Lions: Penn State football is envious; the basketball team has won three straight over Ohio State dating to the 2022 Big Ten tournament. One more victory and the basketball team will equal the longest Penn State football win streak over the Buckeyes: a 4-game run from 1912-1964. But this season, Penn State streaks have fizzled on the road. The Lions are 0-3 in true road games and 1-7 away from State College, beating Michigan at the Palestra in early January. The last time they played Ohio State, the Lions rallied from an 18-point, second-half deficit to stun the Buckeyes. It proved to be the first signature win of Rhoades' first season at Penn State. The second came this week, when the Lions handed then-No. 11 Wisconsin its first Big Ten loss of the season. It was a big-picture moment for Rhoades, who wants his team to be "bold, different and aggressive." Much of that involves defense. The Lions are at their best when Rhoades' pressure forces turnovers. Penn State leads the Big Ten in turnovers forced (16.39) and points off turnovers (17.7). That's how the Lions will continue to win. Well, that and shooting above 25 percent from 3-point range.
About the Buckeyes: Ohio State limps into Saturday on a 3-game losing streak, including home losses to Rutgers and Wisconsin. Prior to that, Ohio State had won 11 of 12, with the only loss at Penn State. At the Bryce Jordan Center in December, the Buckeyes succumbed to Penn State's second-half pressure and 3-point shooting, when the Lions made seven 3-pointers in the last 14 minutes. Bruce Thornton (16.8 ppg) has scored 20 or more in five games this season and will demand Penn State's defensive attention. But watch Felix Okpara, who is shooting 66.7 percent with seven rebounds per game over his last seven. Penn State transfer Evan Mahaffey had a rough go in his return to State College, finishing with five points and three turnovers. The home court will be much friendlier.
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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.
