Number 12 Purdue Takes On Number 1 Ohio St in Columbus

Purdue Boilermakers at Ohio St Buckeyes, Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Ohio St -8
Current Line: Ohio St -7 1/2
Opening Total: 134 1/2
Current Total: 134
Money Line: OSU -330 / Purdue +270

David Lighty and the Ohio St Buckeyes are undefeated and ranked #1 in the country. They take on the #12 Purdue Boilermakers in Colulmbus in a crucial Big Ten showdown.

The Purdue Boilermakers are 17-3 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. They are ranked #12 in both polls. They travel to the #1 Ohio St Buckeyes on Tuesday night. The Buckeyes are 20-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play. They are one of two undefeated teams in the country along with San Diego St. Purdue has losses to Richmond, Minnesota, and West Virginia on the season. Purdue has wins over Virginia Tech, Alabama, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn St twice, Iowa and Michigan St. Purdue won at home on Saturday night against then #18 Michigan St 86-76. Ohio St has wins over Florida, Florida St, South Carolina, Indiana, Iowa twice, Minnesota, Michigan, Penn St, and Illinois. Ohio St won at then #12 Illinois Saturday 73-68. Purdue leads the overall series 82-75, but Ohio St is 50-28 in Columbus. Purdue has won 3 of the last 4 straight up in the series. Three of the last four games have gone over the total.

Purdue has no injuries other than playing the whole season without guard Robbie Hummel who is out with a torn ACL. Forward Jujuan Johnson is averaging 20.5 points to lead the team, 7.9 rebounds to lead the team, 1.1 assists, and 2.2 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard E’Twuan Moore is averaging 18.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals a game to lead the team. Guard Lewis Jackson leads the team in assists with 3.9 a game. Purdue is outscoring opponents 75-59 on the season. The Boilermakers are shooting 45.9% from the field and 38.3% from 3-point range. The Boilermakers hold opponents to 40.7% shooting from the field. Purdue shoots 70.1% from the free throw line. Purdue averages 36.4 rebounds, and has a rebounding margin of +3.8. Purdue averages 17.3 assists and 10.9 turnovers a game. They force 15.9 turnovers a game on defense. Purdue averages 6.4 steals and 4.1 blocks a game.

Ohio st has no significant injuries right now. The Buckeyes have four players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman Forward Jared Sullinger is averaging 17.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1 steal a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding with a double-double average. Guard William Buford averages 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game. Guard/forward David Lighty averages 12.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists to lead the team, and 1.6 steals a game. Guard Jon Diebler averages 11.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. Aaron Craft leads the team in steals with 1.8 a game. Dallas Lauderdale leads the team in blocks with 1.9 a game. Ohio St is outscoring opponents 79-57 on the season. The Buckeyes shoot 49.5% from the field and 40.2% from 3-point range. Buckeye opponents are shooting 41.3% from the field. The Buckeyes shoot 70.9% from the free throw line. The Buckeyes average 35.5 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +5.4. Ohio St averages 17.5 assists, and 11 turnovers a game. They force 17.4 turnovers a game on defense. The Buckeyes average 7.8 steals and 3.7 blocks a game.

In big time college basketball it is almost impossible to go through the season undefeated. Ohio St is bound to lose at least one game before the end of the season. It could happen tonight against a Purdue team that isn’t afraid of them. Purdue gave Ohio St their only home loss last season. Since conference play began early this month, Ohio St is only beating teams by less than 9 points a game. Discounting blowout wins against Big Ten bottom-feeders Iowa and Indiana, Ohio st has 5 conference wins by 5 points or less. Eventually they will lose one of those close games.