Game Day Essentials: Game #17 at Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio St Info

Head Coach: Thad Motta

Location: Columbus, OH

Conference: B1G 10

Nickname: Buckeyes

Mascots: Brutus Buckeye

Last time out: Lost at Minnesota

Last time vs Huskers: Won 84-53

Last either team won: Last time vs Huskers

Typical Rotation Depth: 7-8 players

Line: OSU by 8

What not to wear : Silver, Shirts with Os

Possible Starters

Huskers

0 Tai Webster 6-4 194 Fr

15 Ray Gallegos 6-2 182 Sr

5 Terran Petteway 6-6 209 Jr

31 Shavon Shields 6-7 219 So

35 Walter Pitchford 6-10 234 So

Buckeyes

4 Aaron Craft 6-2 195 Sr

3 Shannon Scott 6-1 185 Jr

32 Lenzelle Smith 6-4 210 Sr

10 LaQuinton Ross 6-8 220 Jr

23 Amir Williams 6-11 250 Jr

The Skinny

Last time out against the Buckeyes, foul trouble turned what had been a close first half game into a 10 point lead. The Huskers tried to use their young bench to make it to the second half and OSU went on a run. Nebraska didn't come out the second half vs. the Buckeyes and ended up being rolled by 31. Since that time neither team has been able to close out a game, including OSU losing their first 3 games of the year. The Buckeyes have been a little banged up, including a slumping Leznelle Smith, but have also been playing some pretty good teams.

Nebraska has had 8 days to prepare for this game and perhaps to stretch out the bench we will see some David Rivers (and maybe some Mike Peltz). While Tim Miles has never been a fan of zone, it seems like the lanky Rivers would make a great front man in some 3/4th court pressure against a Buckeye team that hasn't handled the zone all that well.

Keep OSU turning over the ball, never let them get into that comfort zone, and stay out of foul trouble...these are the things that can lead to a win against a vulnerable Buckeye squad on the road. The Huskers are continuing to show sings of team chemistry...can they play a complete game as a team?

Prediction: Ohio St 72 - Nebraska 64