Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State basketball tries to beat ORU in first round of NCAA

By Ryan Stano

Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) defends against Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Da'Monte Williams (20) defends against Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State basketball team takes on Oral Roberts today in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. It’s not a game they will take lightly.

The Ohio State basketball team had a really good run in the Big Ten Tournament. They made it all the way to the Big Ten Championship Game and fell just short in overtime. Despite losing at the end, they re-instilled some confidence in themselves with that run.

Today, the Buckeyes take on Oral Roberts in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes are a two-seed while Oral Roberts is a 15-seed. Even though Oral Roberts is just a 15-seed, this game should have a lot of offensive fireworks throughout.

That is because the leading scorer in the country plays for Oral Roberts. That man is Max Abmas and he averages 24.2 points per game while shooting almost 47% from the field and 42% from three. He is a threat from everywhere on the court to make a bucket.

Ohio State will be without Kyle Young for this game as he still recovers from a concussion he suffered against Michigan in the Big Ten semifinal. They shouldn’t need him for this one, although his defense is always a big key for the Buckeyes.

Duane Washington has been next to impossible to stop recently. He should continue that offensive show against Oral Roberts, as they are 287th in the country in defense. They give up 75.8 points per game, which is the worst of any NCAA Tourney team.

Game Prediction: Ohio State 96 Oral Roberts 80

Oral Roberts can still score the ball, as they have the 12th best offense in the country. Ohio State is just better though. They can score from everywhere on the floor and just have more talent than Oral Roberts does. The Buckeyes might have their highest scoring output of the season.

I would be absolutely shocked to see this game be close at all late in this game. I know the Buckeyes has had issues closing games out, but those were against teams from the best conference in the country. Oral Roberts doesn’t have that kind of talent.

Next. A love letter to March Madness. dark

The Ohio State basketball team takes on Oral Roberts at 3 pm on CBS.

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