Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes look to upset top ranked Duke

It’s certainly going to be difficult for the Ohio State basketball team to take down the undefeated and top ranked Blue Devils on Tuesday night but there’s always a chance for a shocking upset. Ohio State hosts the Blue Devils for the first time since 2011 as the ACC-Big Ten Challenge gets started. Ohio State hasn’t played Duke in nine years, dating back to a top-five matchup at Cameron Indoor Stadium in 2012, which the Blue Devils won 73-68.

The season before, Jared Sullinger and the Buckeyes blew out the Blue Devils 85-63 in Columbus. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski is in the midst of his 42nd and final season before retiring with the most accomplished resume of any men’s basketball coach in NCAA history. Coach K has a good chance to add to his illustrious career, leading the #1 team in the country following an 84-81 victory over Gonzaga last weekend.

Krzyzewski’s top ranked team is led by ultra talented freshman Paolo Banchero, who is a projected top-five pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero is averaging a team-high 18.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on 53.4% shooting from the field.

E.J. Liddell isn’t as highly rated a prospect but is nearly just as skilled on the perimeter. The junior forward leads Ohio State with 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game on 42.1% from 3-point range.

Liddell discussed how he is preparing for Banchero and the highly anticipated matchup with Duke: “Just locking in on the small details, learning about Duke’s team, and going out there ready to compete. It’s probably the best team we’re going to play all season.

Everybody knows how good of a player he is. I feel like he’s worked really hard to be in the position he’s in. I’m just going to approach this game how I approach every other and that’s to go out and play my hardest.”

Banchero is 2-3 inches taller than most of the Ohio State basketball team’s frontcourt including Liddell, which will likely create issues for the Buckeyes around the rim. Duke also has a couple of dangerous wings in Trevor Keels and Wendell Moore (17.9 points, 5.7 assists) that will look to attack downhill and create for others, and a 7’1 center that can score and protect the rim at a high rate in sophomore Mark Williams. Jeremy Roach is expected to start at point guard for Duke.

The Ohio State basketball team will need Justin Aherns, Zed Key, and Kyle Young to be at their best, while freshman Malachi Branham and Meechie Johnson make a positive impact. According to ESPN, the Buckeyes have a 55.9% chance to pull off the upset despite being 2.0-point underdogs at home. Duke might just have too much firepower and overwhelm Ohio State but the Buckeyes are experienced and should be able to compete into the second half.