Basketball Preview: Ohio State Braces for Challenging Big Ten Schedule, Seeking Revenge Against Penn State to Break Three-Game Losing Streak.

In the early stages of Big Ten play, Ohio State has faced setbacks with three consecutive losses, nullifying any momentum gained from a promising 12-2 start to the season. As January progresses, the Buckeyes are confronted with a challenging schedule, including upcoming road matches against Nebraska (13-5) and Northwestern (13-4). The team then returns home to contend with No. 14 Illinois (13-4) before heading to Iowa (11-6).

Navigating this formidable lineup poses a significant challenge, and securing two victories in this stretch would be deemed successful, particularly as it involves breaking a 12-game road losing streak. The crucial point is that if Ohio State fails to secure a win at home against a .500 Penn State team on Saturday, their overall prospects could take a steeper downturn.

A sense of revenge adds intensity to the matchup, given that Ohio State suffered an 83-80 loss to Penn State on December 9, squandering an 18-point lead. The Nittany Lions displayed remarkable shooting, with a 60.6% field goal percentage and 53.3% from three in the second half. This game marks Ohio State’s first repeat opponent in Big Ten play.

Coach Chris Holtmann acknowledges Penn State’s strong performance, describing them as a team playing well with athleticism, excellent guard play, and solid interior presence. The upcoming clash holds significance for Ohio State’s long-term trajectory.

Key Information:

**Badgering the Competition:** Penn State comes into the game with momentum from a notable 87-83 victory over No. 11 Wisconsin, a team that recently defeated Ohio State. The Nittany Lions employ a turnover-heavy defense, leading the Big Ten with 9.3 steals and 16.4 takeaways per game.

**Weaknesses (Usually) from Three and Rebounding:** Despite Penn State’s lower rankings in three-point shooting percentage (30.3%) and rebounding, these factors did not hinder their performance against Ohio State in the previous encounter.

**Mahaffey’s Revenge Part Two, Electric Boogaloo:** Ohio State’s Evan Mahaffey, facing his former team, aims for another impactful reunion after transferring from State College to Columbus in the offseason.

**Three Important Buckeyes:**
– **Bruce Thornton:** The star point guard’s performance, particularly in three-point shooting and maintaining a solid assist-to-turnover ratio, is crucial for Ohio State’s rebound.
– **Roddy Gayle Jr.:** Facing a recent shooting slump, Gayle emphasizes the mental aspect of the game and relies on teammates and coaches for support and accountability.