Nebraska Cornhuskers at #7 Ohio St Buckeyes
Value City Arena – Columbus, Ohio
Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 6:30 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Network
Opening Line: Ohio St -23 1/2
Current Line: Ohio St -23 1/2
Opening Total: 125 1/2
Current Total: 124 1/2
Opening Money Line: Ohio St -6870 / Nebraska +2870
Current Money Line: Ohio St -6870 / Nebraska +2870
Nebraska’s entry in the Big Ten has been rough going so far. The 8-5 Cornhuskers are 0-2 in conference with double digit losses at home to Wisconsin and Michigan St, both of whom are ranked in the top 25. It doesn’t get any easier for the Huskers as they go on the road to take on the #7 Ohi0 St Buckeyes, who are 13-2 this season.
Nebraska is coached by Doc Sadler. The Cornhuskers have wins over USC, Rhode Island, South Dakota St, TCU, and Central Michigan. Nebraska has additional losses to Oregon, Wake Forest, and Creighton. All of the Cornhuskers’ losses are to likely NCAA tournament teams.
Ohio St is coached by Thad Matta. The Buckeyes are coming off their second loss of the season Saturday at then #15 Indiana 74-70. Ohio St also has a loss at Kansas, but the Buckeyes were playing without star forward Jared Sullinger in that game. Ohio St has wins over Wright St, Florida, Valparaiso, Duke, South Carolina, Miami-Ohio, and Northwestern. Nebraska and Ohio St haven’t played since 1989 in the NIT. Ohio St leads the series 4-2.
Nebraska is outscoring opponents 64-62 this season. The Cornhuskers are shooting 43.3% from the field, including 33.9% from 3 point range. Nebraska makes 76.6% of their free throws, which is seventh best in the nation. The Huskers average 33.3 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.8. Nebraska averages 13.1 rebounds, 13.2 turnovers, 6 steals, and 3.4 blocks a game. Nebraska opponents are shooting 41.9% from the field and 36.8% from 3 point range. The Cornhuskers force 12.8 turnovers a game.
Nebraska guard Bo Spencer averages 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists to lead the team, and and 1.5 steals a game. Center Jorge Brian Diaz averages 10.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks a game to lead the team. He has missed the last 4 games with a foot injury and is questionable for this game. Toney McCray averages 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds a game. Dylan Talley averages 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. He has also missed the last 4 games with a thigh injury and is out indefinitely. Caleb Walker, Brandon Ubel, and Brandon Richardson also contribute to the scoring. Ubel leads the Huskers in rebounding with 6.2 a game, and Richardson leads the team in steals with 1.6 a game.
Ohio St is outscoring opponents 79-56 this season. The Buckeyes are shooting 49.3% from the field including 33.9% from 3 point range. Ohio St makes 68.4% of their free throws. The Buckeyes average 37.2 rebounds a game, and has a rebounding margin of +7.7. Ohio St averages 17.6 points, 11.2 turnovers, 8.2 steals, and 2.6 blocks a game. Buckeye opponents are shooting 40.1% from the field, including 31.9% from 3 point range. Ohio St is forcing 18.1 turnovers a game, and opponents only average 8.9 assists a game.
Sullinger averages 16.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He leads the Buckeyes in scoring and rebounding, and blocks, but he only averages 0.9 a game. Guard William Buford averages 16.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a game. He is shooting 40% from 3 point range. Forward Deshaun Thomas averages 15.1 points and 4.1 rebounds a game. Point guard Aaron Craft averages 8.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 2.7 steals a game. He leads the team in steals and assists.
Ohio St is 5-5 against the spread and the total is 6-4 this season. Nebraska is 3-6 ATS and the total is 5-4 this season. The Cornhuskers are 5-2 as a road underdog of 13 points or more, 2-5-1 after a double digit home loss, 2-5 in road games, as an underdog, and in road games against teams with winning home records, 1-5 against teams with winning records, 1-6 overall, 1-10 in road games after 3 or more consecutive home games, 0-4 after a straight up loss, and 0-5 after failing to cover.
With two of their top scorers out, we don’t know how good Nebraska will be in the Big Ten. Certainly they won’t compete for the conference title, and the ceiling might be making the NIT field. Ohio St should be angry after a tough loss to a very good Indiana team, and should roll against a banged up Nebraska team.
