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Indiana vs Ohio State: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Matt Melton

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 18: at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 18, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Looking to bounce back from a slow start to Big Ten play, Indiana hosts No. 13 ranked Ohio State.

When: Thursday, January 6 at 7:00 pm ET on FS1

Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN

After a slow start to Big Ten play, the Indiana Hoosiers return home to face the red-hot Ohio State Buckeyes.

As mentioned previously, Indiana are off to a slow start to conference play, a stretch that includes a 61-58 loss at Penn State on Sunday. A back-and-forth contest for a majority of the game, the Nittany Lions were able to grab the lead due to a second half run, as well as Indiana struggling from three-point range shooting 23.5% (4-for-17) and being out-rebounded 39-29.

Sitting at 10-3 on the year (1-2 in Big Ten), the Hoosiers are led by the No. 14 ranked team in the country in defensive efficiency (KenPom) allowing only 61.6 PPG, while also averaging 75.7 PPG offensively. Leading the way for the Hoosiers is star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis who comes into this game averaging 19.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 3.1 BPG on 59.9% shooting, as well as two others averaging in double-figures in forward Race Thompson and guard Xavier Johnson.

Ohio State on the other hand comes to Bloomington as one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten having won five straight, a stretch that includes an 87-79 overtime win at Nebraska on Sunday. Outscoring the Cornhuskers 15-7 in the overtime period, the Buckeyes shot an impressive 47.1% (16-for-34) from three-point range in the contest, as well as receiving a career-high 35 points from freshman guard Malaki Branham.

Ranked as the No. 13 team in the country, the Buckeyes sit at 9-2 on the year (3-0 in Big Ten), and despite only averaging 76.7 PPG offensively, are the No. 7 team in the country in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. Allowing 68.5 PPG defensively, Ohio State are led by star forward EJ Liddell (19.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 3 BPG), while forwards Zed Key and Kyle Young also average in double-figures.

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This Big Ten matchup will obviously be headlined by the star power of Jackson-Davis and Liddell, but will also feature an extremely efficient Ohio State offense and a strong Indiana defense. However, for an Indiana team that matches up well with Ohio State, don’t be surprised at all if the Hoosiers pull off the home upset here in a close contest, a place where they have yet to lose this season.

Prediction: Indiana 75, Ohio State 71

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