Game Day Essentials: Game #30 at Ohio State

Ohio State Info

Head Coach: Chris Holtmann

Location: Columbus, OH
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Buckeyes

Mascot: Brutus Buckeye

Last time out: Lost to Maryland
Line: Wisconsin by 14.5
Typical Rotation Depth: 8+

KenPom rank: 23

Other:

Ohio St won in Lincoln in OT 87-79 back on Jan 2nd
This is a makeup game for a covid postponement
Nebraska's best two games in offensive efficiency in conference has been the last 2 games they've played

Player to watch: EJ Liddell

Junior EJ Liddell, one of the unanimous selections to the all-B1G preseason team, leads the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. Nebraska frustrated Liddell back in January, holding him to 10 points

Player to watch: Malaki Branham

The Buckeye's version of a freshman phenom is averaging 12.6 and 3.7 rebounds for Ohio St, shooting 44.1% from 3. Last week he was the freshman of the week after averaging 23.7 points. Had his coming out party in Lincoln, erupting for 35 points.

Possible Ohio State Starters

55 Jamari Wheeler G 6-1 170 Grad. Live Oak, Fla. The Rock School / Penn State

22 Malaki Branham G 6-5 180 Fr. Columbus, Ohio St. Vincent-St. Mary’s

3 Eugene Brown III G 6-6 195 So. Conyers, Ga. Southwest DeKalb

25 Kyle Young F 6-8 225 Grad. Canton, Ohio Jackson

32 E.J. Liddell F 6-7 240 Jr. Belleville, Ill. West

The Rest of the Roster

Sophomore guard Eugene Brown has worked his way into the starting lineup. Defensive/glue guy type player. Senior Forward Justin Ahrens is still one of the best shooters in the conference, earning a starting role this year. Forward Zed Key is a beast inside in the paint with his post moves and rebounding ability. Senior Kyle Young brings seemingly unlimited energy off the bench. Joey Brunk is simply post depth on this team. Meechie Johnson and Cedric Russell are guard depth.

Probable Rotation

10 Justin Ahrens F 6-6 195 Sr. Versailles, Ohio Versailles

23 Zed Key F 6-8 245 So. Bay Shore, N.Y. Long Island Lutheran

2 Cedric Russell G 6-2 190 Grad. Alexandria, La. Peabody Magnet / Louisiana

0 Meechie Johnson Jr. G 6-2 172 Fr. Cleveland, Ohio Garfi eld Heights
1 Jimmy Sotos G 6-3 200 Grad. Elk Grove Village, Ill. Conant / Bucknell
50 Joey Brunk C 6-11 255 Grad. Indianapolis, Ind. Southport H.S. / Butler / Indiana

Bench
24 Kalen Etzler F 6-8 200 Fr. Van Wert, Ohio Crestview
42 Harrison Hookfin F 6-6 195 Sr. Lebanon, Ohio Lebanon

Injured

31 Seth Towns F 6-8 230 Grad. Columbus, Ohio Northland / Harvard

14 Justice Sueing F 6-6 210 R-Sr. Honolulu, Hawaii Mater Dei / California

UNL Game Notes

Probable starters for Nebraska
1 Alonzo Verge G 6-3

2 Trey McGowens G 6-4

5 Bryce McGowens G 6-7

11 Lat Mayen F 6-9

13 Derrick Walker F 6-9

Rotation

0 C.J. Wilcher G 6-5

35 Eduardo Andre F 6-11

10 Kobe Webster G 6-0

Bench

30 Keisei Tominaga G 6-2

23 Keon Edwards G 6-7

3 Quaran McPherson G 6-3

33 Oleg Kojenets F 7-0
4 Jackson Cronin G 6-1

12   Sam Hoiberg   G   6-0
15   Chris McGraw   G   6-0
21   Jace Piatkowski   G   6-3

Injured

32 Wilhelm Breidenbach F 6-10

14 Trevor Lakes F 6-8

The Skinny:

Everyone knows Nebraska had a heck of an offensive showing vs Penn St but did you know the last two games vs Iowa and Penn St have been Nebraska's two best offensive efficiency games in conference? Maybe it's announcement about Hoiberg coming back or maybe it's Trey McGowens getting healthier but Nebraska is starting to show the offense expected from them all season. Ohio St offers a further test.

The Buckeyes had games canceled for covid and even the weather so this is the 2nd of 4 games they're playing in 8 days. People think Nebraska will play a little closer than the 14.5 point spread because of improved play but with both Michigans on tap, I think you'll see a Buckeye team that will just try to handle the Huskers.

Look for both teams to try and bury the other to start the game and if Nebraska can hang in during the first 8 minutes this could be an interesting game. Then again, Ohio St is quite capable of winning this one by 20+ at home.

Prediction: Ohio St 85 - Nebraska 75