Ohio State was playing better, it had built some momentum and started to feel confident in itself — a crucial development for this young basketball team.
Then, the game against Connecticut happened.
| WHO | WHERE | WHEN | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois (7-1) | Schottenstein Center | 7 p.m. | BTN |
The Buckeyes were routed their last time out, 75-55, in their first true road game of the season. The Huskies are a legitimate top-20 team, but Ohio State was never really in the game, consistently playing catch up throughout.
It was a disappointing performance for Thad Matta's group, but one they must quickly put behind them as another game awaits Wednesday with Northern Illinois coming to the Schottenstein Center.
"You could say [there was disappointment] because ... we felt prepared and we felt ready to play the game," sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop said. "Like I said, we can’t dwell on it too much, turnaround is quick in college basketball, you’ve got to play another game. So that’s what we’re doing we’re just focusing on the next game.”
Opponent Breakdown
Northern Illinois may be surprising some folks in the Mid-American Conference with its fast start to the season. The Huskies began the year with seven-straight victories before surrendering their first loss their last time out — a 78-71 defeat at Missouri.
NIU hasn't played a game in almost two weeks — that loss to the Tigers came back on Dec. 4. Ohio State will be playing a very-well rested team.
The Huskies were picked to finish near the bottom of the MAC in the preseason, so their 7-1 start has captured the attention of some — no matter the schedule strength.
Northern Illinois has done it with a balanced attack. The Huskies have three players averaging in double figures — nobody is over 13 points per game. Leading the way is junior guard Aaric Armstead at 12.6 points per game. Right behind Armstead are Marshawn Wilson (12.4 ppg.) and Marin Maric (11.0 ppg.). Wilson does not start for NIU.
Despite their 7-1 mark to start the year, the Huskies still rank just 168th in KenPom's advanced statistical ratings; NIU is 180th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and 160th in adjusted defensive efficiency.
“No. 1 a very deep basketball team; they’re going to run 10 guys in. They’ve got size at all positions, they’re a veteran team," Matta said of Northern Illinois. "They’ve got a good mix of inside-out guys that can stretch a defense. They’ve got guys that can drive it. They’re going to play hard, they rebound the ball really well and I think it’s going to be another great test for us.”
Buckeye Breakdown
Saturday's performance against UConn was Ohio State's worst game of the season. The Buckeyes simply didn't play well in any facet of the game for any extended period of time.
Ohio State didn't get much from its freshman point guard JaQuan Lyle, who was held scoreless, missed all seven on his field goal assists and had just one assist to three turnovers. Lyle wasn't the only one who struggled, though, as the Buckeyes shot a dismal 35.7 percent from the field for the game and didn't get things done at the other end of the floor either, allowing the Huskies to shoot it at a 60.4 percent clip over 40 minutes.
"I see some of our young guys making mistakes that I’ve seen young guys make before, but what we’re probably lacking right now is a group of underclassmen to cover up for those mistakes," Matta said. "I think that’s something that probably leads itself to compounding itself. They’re nine games into the season now, we’re all who we are and we have to play better and that’s also kind of been the message.”
Ohio State has also struggled shooting it from deep of late, in particular from behind the 3-point line. The Buckeyes are just 19 for 70 (27.1 percent) from downtown over the last three games. With a group of capable shooters, the hope is those numbers are just the team going through a rough stretch.
"Every shooter has slumps that he goes through," freshman guard Austin Grandstaff said. "Getting out of that slump, it’s going to happen and I think we’ll be OK.”
How It Plays Out
Despite being under .500 and the Huskies boasting a 7-1 record, Ohio State is still the favorite Wednesday night. At the end of the day, the Buckeyes are the more talented side.
As we've learned over the first month or so of the season, however, there's no such thing as a sure thing with this Ohio State team. This game could be close in the first half, but a late Buckeyes run in the second half should help guide them back to the .500 mark with Kentucky looming Saturday.
Tim's prediction: Ohio State 74, Northern Illinois 67
Author's note: Matta again stated there was no update on the status of freshman forward Mickey Mitchell, who has been ineligible since Nov. 3 and has not yet played for Ohio State this season. “Hopefully we’re getting closer to a decision, but we literally just talked about it a couple hours ago and we were all checking our phones and nobody’s heard anything in terms of it," Matta said Tuesday. "I don’t know the answer on it.”
