Nebraska Hoops Game Day: Ohio State
After getting back on track with a home win over Northwestern, Nebraska returns to Pinnacle Bank Arena tonight to take on Ohio State.
Here is what you need to know going into the Huskers’ showdown with the Buckeyes…
Who, What, Where, When
Nebraska Cornhuskers (14-5, 4-4) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (13-5, 3-4)
Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 – 6 p.m. CT
Pinnacle Bank Arena (15,500)
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Internet: FOX Sports app
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Nebraska projected starters
Jamarques Lawrence GSo.6-3/183Scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting vs. Northwestern, matching his total point production over the previous four games.Keisei TominagaGSr.6-2/175Finished with 14 points and a career-high 6 rebounds in the win over Northwestern.Brice WilliamsGJr.6-7/213He scored 12 points and 4 rebounds in 32 minutes against Northwestern, finishing with a team-best plus/minus of +9.Josiah AllickFJr.6-8/231Posted a season-high 15 points and five rebounds vs. Northwestern after replacing Juwan Gary (calf) in the starting lineup.Rienk MastFJr.6-10/248 Had 8 points, a team-high 8 rebounds, and tied his career-high with six assists in the win over Northwestern.
Ohio State projected starters
Roddy Gayle Jr. GSo.6-4/210Averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.Bruce Thornton GSo.6-2/215Leads OSU in scoring (16.0 ppg) and assists (4.4 apg) while boasting a 4.4 assist-to-turnover ratio.Evan MahaffeyGSr.6-6/200Averaging 4.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and leads Ohio State with 1.4 steals per game.Jamison Battle FSo.6-7/220Minnesota transfer who averages 14.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 1.3 apg while shooting 45% from 3-point range.Felix OkparaFSo.6-11/235 Averages 6.6 ppg and leads the Buckeyes in rebounding (7.6 rpg) and blocked shots (2.6 bpg).
3 keys to victory
Keep attacking the rim
A significant reason Nebraska shot a season-high 55.3 percent from the field in its win over Northwestern was how well it got the ball to the rim. Especially early, the Huskers converted one point-blank layup after another to keep pace with the Wildcats’ hot start from 3-point range. Ohio State is a much different animal defensively than Northwestern. The Buckeyes only allow 66.6 points per game and rank fourth in the Big Ten with 4.67 blocks. Still, NU must convert at the basket at a high rate tonight and not fall into the trap of completely living and dying behind the arc. That starts with finding open cutters to the hoop against Ohio State’s physicality.
Value the basketball
Ohio State is one of the most efficient teams in the country on both ends of the floor. The Buckeyes rank 40th and 63rd nationally in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. They’re also 80th in offensive turnover percentage (15.7), meaning they rarely make unforced errors or buckle under pressure defense. On the other end, Nebraska has struggled mightily with its ball security lately. The Huskers gave it away 18 times – including 10 in the second half – for a 17-3 disadvantage in points off turnovers. That followed turning it over 13 times for 17 points at Rutgers. OSU doesn’t pressure much defensively, but it makes teams slow things down and work for every basket. Nebraska must be smart with the ball and maintain a composed offensive pace from start to finish tonight.
Win the defensive glass
Few teams in the Big Ten crash the offensive boards more than Ohio State. The Buckeyes are ranked 29th nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (35.2). Felix Okpara leads the way in that effort, ranking seventh in the conference with 2.6 offensive boards per game. You can bet OSU saw what Rutgers did to Nebraska a few nights ago and will try replicating that game plan tonight. The Scarlet Knights dominated NU to the tune of 25 offensive rebounds for 20 second-chance points. The Huskers hope Juwan Gary (calf), one of their best rebounders, can return to action. But with him or without, Nebraska has to finish off possessions on the glass and prevent Ohio State from racking up easy putbacks.
Quotable
“We don’t want to be the team that’s celebrating those wins all the time like we didn’t expect to do it. We’re expecting to win every single game.”
-Guard Sam Hoiberg on Nebraska taking on more of a buisiness-like approach following its win over Northwestern.
Prediction
Nebraska 71, Ohio State 69
Robin’s season record: 12-7
Vs. the spread: 7-12
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