Scarlet and Game
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No. 16 Ohio State needs get right victory against Rutgers

By Willie Lutz

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle prior to the start of the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle prior to the start of the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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Following a week of bad basketball in ugly losses, Ohio State needs to right the ship at home after problems on the road.

If you weren’t paying attention last week, congratulations because you missed some incredibly discouraging performances from No. 16 Ohio State. Losses on the road to Penn State and No. 17 Michigan made the Buckeyes look unprepared for March basketball. Now, they get a much easier opponent in 13-16 (3-13) Rutgers in the Schottenstein Center.

First and foremost, Ohio State already pounded Rutgers on the road, 68-46 earlier in the season. In that game, the Buckeyes held Rutgers to 28.8-percent from the field, outrebounding the Scarlet Knights 46-30.

Also clear from that previous Rutgers victory, Keita Bates-Diop played well; he didn’t play well against Michigan or Penn State.

In the January 14th victory over the Scarlet Knights, Bates-Diop scored 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting, grabbing 9 rebounds. Last week, Bates-Diop averaged 13.5 points with 6 rebounds, shooting just 32.1-percent. The stand-out junior needs to get back on track tonight.

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As a whole, Ohio State needs to get out of a shooting hole. The Buckeyes shot 38.9-percent against Penn State and 41.4-percent against the Wolverines. In a game that’s truly about getting right, the Buckeyes need to find ways to get the ball through the rim.

Overall, Ohio State can’t afford to let Rutgers hang around. The Scarlet Knights are 2-8 in their last 10 games and have no wins over Top 25 opponents this season.

Tonight presents a chance for the Buckeyes to run their offense and get the bench some minutes in the game. The closer we get to March, the more important those bench minutes become, considering the impact depth plays in the NCAA Tournament.

Next week is the conference tournament, where the Buckeyes can really boost their tournament resume, but this week is about solidifying what they’re already accomplished. Failing to seal the first of two easy wins would be a tremendous disappointment.

Next: Ohio State ready to reclaim top spot in FBS

Tonight’s game tips off at 7 PM at the Schottenstein Center and will be on the Big Ten Network.

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