Ohio St Buckeyes at Penn St Nittany Lions, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA
Tuesday, March 1, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: Big Ten Network.
Opening Line: Ohio St -6 1/2
Current Line: Ohio St -6 1/2
Opening Total: 130 1/2
Current Total: 129
Money Line: OSU -300 / Penn St +250
Ohio St regained the number one ranking this week after losing 2 of 3 games a couple of weeks ago. They won two games last week against Illinois 89-70 and Indiana 82-61. An Ohio St win tonight would clinch at least a share of the Big Ten Title. Ohio St is 27-2 overall and 14-2 in conference. The Buckeyes narrowly escaped with a 69-66 victory over Penn St in Columbus January 15. Ohio St has wins over Florida, Florida St, South Carolina, Oakland, Indiana twice, Iowa twice, Minnesota twice, Michigan twice, Illinois twice, Purdue, Northwestern, and Michigan St. The Buckeye’s two losses occurred at Wisconsin and Purdue. Penn St was on the bubble few weeks ago to make the NCAA tournament but a three game losing streak put an end to those hopes. The Lions have won 3 out of 4 games since then though. They are 15-12 overall and 8-8 in the Big Ten. They will be lucky to make the NIT unless they win couple of games in the Big Ten Tournament. Penn St has wins over Indiana, Michigan St, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Northwestern twice, and Minnesota. PSU has losses to Ole Miss, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Maine, Michigan twice, Purdue twice, Illinois, Michigan St, and Wisconsin. Penn St won at Northwestern Thursday 66-52 in their last game.
Ohio St leads the overall series 25-12 against Penn St. Ohio St has won 4 straight games in the series straight up but are 2-2 ATS in those games. All four games have gone over the total. Penn St is 17-8 ATS against conference teams with winning records the last 2 seasons. Penn St is 6-0 ATS versus conference teams scoring 77 points a game or more the last 3 seasons. Ohio St is 8-0 ATS when playing with 1 day or fewer rest the last 3 seasons.
Ohio St guard/forward David Lighty is listed a probable for this game with a wrist injury. He injured it against Indiana and only played 25 minutes when he normally averages 32. The Buckeyes have four players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman Forward Jared Sullinger, a national player of year candidate, is averaging 17.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1 steal a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding. Guard William Buford averages 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a game. Lighty averages 12.5 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. Guard Jon Diebler averages 11.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Aaron Craft leads the team in assists with 4.6 a game and steals with 2 a game. Dallas Lauderdale leads the team in blocks with 1.6 a game. Ohio St is outscoring opponents 77-60 on the season. The Buckeyes shoot 49.3% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range. Buckeye opponents are shooting 42.9% from the field. The Buckeyes shoot 70.7% from the free throw line. The Buckeyes average 34.2 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +4.2. Ohio St averages 16 assists, and 10.5 turnovers a game. They force 16.1 turnovers a game on defense. The Buckeyes average 7.7 steals and 3.1 blocks a game.
Penn St reserve guard Taran Buie has missed the last 16 games due to a suspension. He is not expected to play in this game either. He only plays 15 minutes a game and averages 5.8 points a game. The Nittany Lions are led by guard Talor Battle. He is averaging 20.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists a game. He leads the team in scoring, and is second in the conference in scoring. Forward Jeff Brooks averages 13.6 points, 6.6 rebounds to lead the team, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks a game to lead the team. Forward David Jackson averages 10.4 points and 4.7 rebounds a game. Tim Frazier leads the team in steals with 1.1 a game and assists with 5.1 a game. Penn St is outscoring opponents 64-63 on the season. The Lions are shooting 44% from the field and 33% from 3-point range. PSU opponents are shooting 43.9% from the field. Penn St shoots 72.5% from the free throw line. Penn St averages 31.6 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +1.4. Penn St averages 12.7 assists and 10.7 turnovers a game. Penn St forces 11.2 turnovers a game on defense. They average 4.5 steals and 2.5 blocks a game.
Ohio St and Penn St usually play each other pretty close. They are 13-13 ATS against each other since 1997. Ohio St could be looking ahead to a showdown with Wisconsin on Saturday. Ohio St is clearly the superior team in every category. I thank Penn St hangs around for a while but Ohio St pulls away late.
Don’t miss out out on any more winners as tournament time approaches. Our college basketball handicappers are red hot going into the last week of the regular season.
