Ohio State returns home for a 6:30 p.m. matchup with 16-11 Penn State, for which Jalen Pickett has averaged 36.5 points in the past two games.
Given that the Buckeyes have already lost to Illinois, Maryland and Michigan State – the three teams it plays after Penn State – a meeting with the Big Ten’s 10th-place Nittany Lions may be Ohio State’s best bet.
But Penn State is far from a pushover. At 7-9 in conference play, the Nittany Lions have more than twice as many league wins as the Buckeyes, and are riding back-to-back victories over Minnesota and Illinois into Thursday’s contest. Led by Big Ten Player of the Year candidate Jalen Pickett and a host of other seniors, Penn State is the oldest team in the conference and takes on a Buckeye team likely to start four true freshmen on Thursday.
“This is a good Penn State team. They’re experienced and well-coached and shoot it really well. They’re certainly one of the best teams in the country at making threes and attempting threes, so it’s gonna be a big key for the game,” Chris Holtmann said Wednesday. “They’ve got a player of the year candidate in Pickett, who’s had a phenomenal year. He’s an interesting matchup just with how big and physical he is at the point guard spot, and he’s had some monster games.
“I think he’s got to play better in terms of staying out of foul trouble,” Holtmann said. “He’s gonna be a guy that we’re obviously gonna really lean on next year, and he cannot have some of the careless fouls that he had against Purdue. … Learning that right now is important. I think that’s the biggest thing, and then just learning how he can impact the game. He’s obviously got tremendous size, really good athleticism.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
No. 14 Kansas State dumps No. 9 Baylor with big second halfNo. 14 Kansas State used an 18-4 second-half charge to seize control and knock off No. 9...
Read more »
Chinese government directs state firms to cut big four auditors over data security concernsChina has asked state-owned firms to stop using Ernst & Young and other major global accounting firms over prolonged concerns of data...
Read more »
Iowa State AD on Texas exiting Big 12 for SEC: 'Can't leave soon enough''(They) can't leave soon enough,' Pollard told 365 Sports host Craig Smoak. 'Does that answer your question?'
Read more »
Three tri-state area climbers killed in Washington state avalancheThe hikers had some mountaineering experience, but a sheriff official did not know how much.
Read more »
Ohio State Football an Early Underdog Against Michigan, Favorite Against Notre Dame and Penn StateOhio State is a one-point underdog against Michigan but a touchdown favorite against Notre Dame and Penn State in FanDuel Sportsbook’s early odds for the 2023 football season.
Read more »
State Board of Education members say no to state ed overhaulThree members of the Ohio State Board of Education publicly opposed an overhaul of the state education system on Tuesday.
Read more »