Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State basketball vs. Nebraska: Odds, prediction

By Jacob Rhymer

Dec 11, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) celebrates a basket with forward Justin Ahrens (10) during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2021; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) celebrates a basket with forward Justin Ahrens (10) during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It has been a long three weeks since they last played a game but the Ohio State basketball team is finally returning back to the court tonight. The Buckeyes will be hitting the road tonight to take on Nebraska as they resume conference play.

There are a few important keys for the Buckeyes tonight in order for them to get the victory in Lincoln:

Dominate the glass

According to NCAA.com, Nebraska ranks 180th in total rebounds in all of D1 college basketball. Now Ohio State is right behind them at 182nd, but if they can control the boards it’ll put them in a position to win the game. It’ll be a close game on the boards, but I’m confident that Zed Key, E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, and others can give this team the opportunity at a lot of second-chance points.

Defend on the perimeter against Nebraska’s tough scoring backcourt

Most of Nebraska’s scoring comes from their guard play. Their two leading scorers, senior Alonzo Verge Jr. and freshman Bryce McGowens, are both averaging over 15 points per game. It sure is nice having a guy like Jamari Wheeler on our side that can lock up someone on the perimeter. Malaki Branham is someone who will need to step up defensively to help stop their elite scoring backcourt.

A track meet could lead to a loss

Nebraska plays at the fastest pace in the Big Ten at a 73.2 pace. The Buckeyes can’t let them get in the open floor and run it up and down, it’ll turn into a track meet. If the Buckeyes play at their own pace, their own game, and take care of the ball, it will not be close.

Keep the crowd noise down and not involved

Pinnacle Bank Arena is almost always packed up for when the Buckeyes come to Nebraska. The Cornhuskers, who since joining the Big Ten, have been towards the bottom of the conference in basketball. For a team that is as bad as Nebraska, they will do anything they can to get the crowd into the game and ride that momentum to upset the 13th ranked Buckeyes.

The Ohio State basketball team is listed as 9.5 point favorites to win today according to WynnBET. This Buckeye team has been itching to get back on the floor. For how fired up they’re going to be I’m predicting a blowout win in Nebraska, 76-54.

Next. Marcus Williamson tweets accusations about Urban Meyer. dark

It will be interesting to see how this Ohio State basketball team performs today for not being in action in a little over three weeks. There will probably be some rust from some guys, but there will be more excitement too. This will be a big game for the Buckeyes to get back on track heading into a tough Big Ten schedule.

Home/Ohio State Basketball