Penn State Basketball returns to the hardword after their crushing loss to Nebraska Thursday night at 8:00 pm on the Big Ten Network, hosting the No. 4 ranked team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Tale of the Tape:
KenPom: Ohio State #6, Penn State #38
NET Rankings: Ohio State #6, Penn State #38 (look familiar)
Conference Standings: Ohio State 3rd (11-4, 17-4 overall), Penn State 12th (4-9, 7-10 overall)
Spread: Ohio State is between a 4.5 and 5.5 point favorite (o/u 146)
Bracketology: Ohio State is a #1 seed, Penn State is not currently in the tournament picture
BPI: Ohio State is a 69.2% favorite
About the Buckeyes:
Ohio State has won their last six games to rise to #4 in the nation. Their last loss was almost a month ago at home versus Purdue. They have 9 wins in their last ten games, including four ranked wins. We will remember the brutal loss Penn State had in Columbus just three weeks ago where Penn State (stop me if you’ve heard this before) had a lead late but couldn’t hold on. E.J. Liddell leads the Buckeyes in both points (15.1) and rebounds (6.7) and CJ Walker leads in assists (4.1).
This is a must win for the Nittany Lions to get back on Joe Lunardi’s radar. A win will likely get PSU to “first four” or “next four” out status again. The Lions have to win at least four of their remaining six games, meaning a split with #4 Ohio State tonight and at #11 Iowa on Sunday is essential. Then, Penn State will need to win three of the last four (at Nebraska Tuesday– NEWLY ADDED, vs Purdue Friday, and then vs Minnesota and @ Maryland).
Penn State still has postponed games outstanding, but assuming no additional rescheduling, four out of six is what Penn State needs to #climb into the tournament.