Ohio St Buckeyes at Purdue Boilermakers, Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, IN
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 1:00 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Purdue -2
Current Line: Purdue -1
Opening Total: 136
Current Total: 136
Money Line: Purdue -115 / Ohio St -105
When the rankings came out a week ago, Ohio St had just lost at Wisconsin for their first defeat of the season. The Buckeyes dropped to #3 in both polls behind Kansas and Texas and ahead of Pitt and Duke. Most experts agreed the top 4 teams had a good shot at the 4 number one seeds next month with Duke right up there too. However, the rankings will be drastically different tomorrow as 6 of the top ten teams have lost games this week, with Duke and Ohio St playing today. Kansas, Texas, Pitt, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Wisconsin have all lost this week. Only Mountain West upstarts San Diego St and BYU have survived the carnage so far. For Ohio St it won’t be easy for them to survive this week either as they travel to take on #10/#11 (depending on which poll) Purdue. The Boilermakers have already beaten Wisconsin at home this week 70-62. Purdue is 14-0 at home this year and is 84-12 at home under coach Matt Painter.
Ohio St is 25-1 on the season and 12-1 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are 2 games clear of second place Purdue. The Buckeyes only loss of the season came at Wisconsin February 12. The Buckeyes had a 15 point lead in the second half before Wisconsin mounted an epic comeback and won 71-67. The Buckeyes have wins over Florida, Miami-Ohio, Florida St, South Carolina, Oakland, Indiana, Iowa twice, Minnesota twice, Michigan twice, Penn St, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern, and Michigan St. The Buckeyes destroyed Purdue 87-64 the last time they played in Columbus January 25. Six Buckeyes scored in double figures in that game and OSU shot 55% from the field. Ohio St rebounded from the loss at Wisconsin by beating Michigan St 71-61 at home Tuesday night in their last game. Purdue is 21-5 overall and 10-3 in conference. The Boilermakers have additional losses to Richmond, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Since that loss Purdue has gone on a 3 game winning streak against Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. All five losses for Purdue are on the road or at a neutral site. Purdue has additional wins over Oakland, Virginia Tech, Alabama, Valparaiso, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn St twice, Michigan St, Iowa, and Minnesota.
The all-time series between Ohio St and Purdue is tied at 82 games apiece. The two teams have split the last 6 meetings, but Ohio St is 4-2 ATS in those games. Three of the last 5 meetings have gone under the total. Purdue is 14-7 ATS in all games this season, including 13-4 as a favorite, and 8-1 at home.
Ohio St has no significant injuries right now. The Buckeyes have four players averaging double digit scoring. Freshman Forward Jared Sullinger, a national player of year candidate, is averaging 17.8 points, 10 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding with a double-double average. Guard William Buford averages 14.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists a game. Guard/forward David Lighty averages 12.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals a game to tie for the team lead. Guard Jon Diebler averages 11.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2. assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Aaron Craft leads the team in assists with 4.7 a game and steals with 1.7 a game. Dallas Lauderdale leads the team in blocks with 1.7 a game. Ohio St is outscoring opponents 77-58 on the season. The Buckeyes shoot 49.5% from the field and 40.1% from 3-point range. Buckeye opponents are shooting 42.3% from the field. The Buckeyes shoot 69.6% from the free throw line. The Buckeyes average 34.4 rebounds, and have a rebounding margin of +4.5. Ohio St averages 16.4 assists, and 10.5 turnovers a game. They force 16.3 turnovers a game on defense. The Buckeyes average 7.5 steals and 3.3 blocks a game.
Purdue has also been playing without star guard Robbie Hummel the whole season who is out with an ACL. Forward Jujuan Johnson, also a player of the year candidate, is averaging 20.7 points to lead the team, 7.8 rebounds to lead the team, 1.0 assists, and 2.3 blocks a game to lead the team. Guard E’Twuan Moore is averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to lead the team. Guard Lewis Jackson leads the team in assists with 3.8 a game. Purdue is outscoring opponents 74-61 on the season. The Boilermakers are shooting 45.1% from the field and 38% from 3-point range. The Boilermakers hold opponents to 41.3% shooting from the field. Purdue shoots 72.7% from the free throw line. Purdue averages 35.6 rebounds, and has a rebounding margin of +2.7. Purdue averages 16.2 assists and 10.7 turnovers a game. They force 14.8 turnovers a game on defense. Purdue averages 6.2 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.
Though Mackey Arena is a tough place to play, Ohio St has proven they are not intimidated playing in tough environments. They have wins at Florida, Florida St, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Northwestern. If Ohio St shoots anywhere close to what they did in the last meeting against Purdue, they will blow them out again. Ohio St is looking to regain the number one ranking they feel is rightfully theirs.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
