Perhaps that was exactly what Ohio State needed.
The Buckeyes earned a hard-fought road win Saturday as they knocked off Michigan, 70-66. It was far from a perfect performance, but Ohio State found a way to win down the stretch in a true road game.
Maybe that's something the Buckeyes can build on.
| WHO | WHERE | WHEN | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers (13-11, 2-9 B1G) | Value City Arena | 7 p.m. | BTN |
But as we've seen on more than one occasion throughout the season with this team, there may not be such a thing as momentum — good or bad. After just about each and every game — win or lose — head coach Thad Matta talks about wiping the slate clean and starting over. Ohio State can never feel too good — or too bad — about itself.
The Buckeyes will look to start fresh Wednesday when they host Rutgers. Ohio State is in search of back-to-back league wins and a victory over the Scarlet Knights all of a sudden puts it back in the thick of the Big Ten's crowded middle tier. The Buckeyes are 4-7 in Big Ten play heading into Wednesday's game, but the league has just six teams currently above .500 in conference games — two of those teams are 6-5 in league play.
Ohio State has back-to-back road games at Maryland and Michigan State following Wednesday's tilt against Rutgers. It's important the Buckeyes play as well as they can in the matchup with the Scarlet Knights heading into that tough stretch.
"I want to see us string something together,” Matta said. “I think for this team to have confidence is not probably a good thing for them because we’ve still got a lot of work to do. I think we’re playing better in the last week but I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”
Let's break down Wednesday's matchup between Ohio State and Rutgers a little further.
Opponent Breakdown
Rutgers accomplished something Saturday it hadn't since joining the Big Ten: The Scarlet Knights won a league game on the road. With a win at Penn State, Rutgers won its second Big Ten game of the season. It took the Scarlet Knights until the regular-season finale a year ago to win one.
Under first-year coach Steve Pikiell, Rutgers is much-improved from a season ago. The Scarlet Knights started the year 11-1 thanks in large part to a weak non-conference schedule, but Rutgers won plenty of games this season it wouldn't have last year. That shows improvement.
"This is one of the better Rutgers teams in the last couple years," Buckeyes center Trevor Thompson said. "Even though it may not display with their record, they’ve played against a lot of teams pretty close. We definitely can’t come into this game — because we’ve learned our lesson coming into games — thinking that it’s going to be light. We’ve got to expect a fight but I think we’re going to be ready for a fight.”
Still, the Scarlet Knights are up against it when it comes to Big Ten play, and that's been fairly obvious as they've stumbled a bit on their way to a 2-7 mark in the league. In addition to Saturday's win at Penn State, Rutgers also defeated Nebraska back on Jan. 21.
Sophomore guard Corey Sanders leads the way for the Scarlet Knights averaging a team-high 13.0 points per game. Other double-digit scorers for Rutgers are junior forward Deshawn Freeman (11.5 ppg.) and junior guard Nigel Johnson (11.0 ppg.).
Rutgers currently ranks No. 134 in Ken Pomeroy's advanced statistical ratings. The Scarlet Knights are 46th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.8 points per 100 possessions allowed) but just 268th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency (100.3 points per 100 possessions).
Buckeye Breakdown
Ohio State was a nine-point underdog in Saturday's game against Michigan, but after a poor opening five minutes, the Buckeyes were in control throughout the rest of the game.
It was as impressive a performance as Ohio State had all season on the backboard as the Buckeyes pounded the host Wolverines on the glass, 42-24. Ohio State also held Michigan to just 26.7 percent shooting from the field in the second half as the Wolverines continued to launch somewhat challenged shots from the perimeter.
"It’s finishing the play," Matta said. "We always talk about finishing the play and you finish the play with a rebound. You challenge a shot then rebound the basketball.”
Marc Loving, Jae'Sean Tate and Thompson led the way for the Buckeyes as each reached double figures. Loving scored a team-high 17 points and Thompson recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds as Ohio State played shorthanded. Point guard JaQuan Lyle was limited with a sprained ankle and C.J. Jackson started in his place. Jackson scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in his first-career start.
Matta said Lyle practiced full-go Monday and he is expected to play against the Scarlet Knights. As of Tuesday, though, the Buckeyes' starters were still to be determined.
"Seems like he’s pretty good,” Matta said of Lyle.
It's become clear the Buckeyes must defend in order to win Big Ten games. In Ohio State's four conference wins, it held opponents to 72 points or fewer. In all seven conference losses, the Buckeyes' opponent scored 74 points or more.
How It Plays Out
With this Ohio State team, there is always a worry for a giant step backward, but the Buckeyes should feel pretty confident heading into Wednesday's game against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are the worst team in the conference and Ohio State is playing at home. This could potentially be the Buckeyes' first comfortable victory in league play all season.
KenPom gives Ohio State an 82 percent chance at victory against Rutgers and projects a 10-point win for the home team. We see it right along those lines.
Look for the Buckeyes to start fast and actually control a Big Ten game throughout. Anything less would be rather disappointing for Matta and Co. considering the back-to-back road games on Ohio State's upcoming schedule.
Tim's prediction: Ohio State 75, Rutgers 64
