No one expected much from the Ohio State Buckeyes heading into the year. They were breaking in a new coach, and while they had an experienced roster, the roster had yet to do much at the college level. It took a while, but the Buckeyes are rolling right now and have found themselves firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble heading into the stretch run of the season.
Nebraska was a team who entered the Big Ten season firmly in the NCAA tournament and with an early win over UCLA things looked great for a return trip to the NCAA tournament. Then the Huskers had a six-game losing streak, and everything unraveled. Nebraska had a week and won some games in style by beating ranked Illinois in Lincoln, ranked Oregon in Eugene, and then had a huge second half to blow out Washington in Seattle. The Huskers are back and are playing with extreme confidence.
Nebraska is on the bubble; Ohio State is on the bubble. That should say everything that needs to be said about the importance of this game for both teams. Taking this a step further each team is going to want another quad 1 win on the resume when it comes to the NCAA tournament and the likely selection of these teams. The Huskers have struggled at home over the last month but are usually tough in Lincoln and got the magic back against Illinois. The Vault is going to be at another level with another sell-out. Ohio State has won at Purdue and had a lead at Illinois before losing in the second half. The Buckeyes and Huskers are set to do battle in a crucial matchup in the Big Ten.
How to watch Ohio State vs. Nebraska
- Date: Sunday, February 9
- Time: 1:00 PM CST
- Venue: Pinnacle Bank Arena
- How to Watch (TV): BTN
- Streaming: fuboTV
- Ohio State record: 14-9
- Nebraska record: 15-8
Ohio State vs Nebraska odds, spread, and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- Ohio State +104
- Nebraska -125
Spread
- Ohio State +1.5
- Nebraska - 1.5
Total
- Over 143.5
Ohio State injury report
- Meechie Johnson Jr, G: Out (undisclosed)
- Taison Chatman, G: Out for season (Knee)
Nebraska injury report
- None
Nebraska and Ohio State series history
- Nebraska all time record vs Ohio State: 5-17
Ohio State vs Nebraska prediction
Pinnacle Bank Arena is a house of horrors for a lot of teams, and it has been just that for Ohio State, while Fred Hoiberg has been the coach of Nebraska. This year’s game will be between two very evenly matched teams. Like so many other Huskers games this year, the three-point line is going to be the great equalizer. Nebraska runs a unique defensive style that is hard to prepare for, especially when playing with intensity. They will double everything from the backside and force a big or double-teamed player to the baseline.
Teams have been able to get open threes against Nebraska. That is part of how their defense is meant to operate, but when the Huskers are not flying around, they won’t even contest them. That may bode well for Ohio State, given that Bruce Thornton (17.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists) and John Mobley (12.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists) are fantastic three-point shooters. The two guards are the players who are going to be at the top of the scouting report for Nebraska and who the Huskers will force to get rid of the ball. The Huskers have done a good job of containing Thornton in his career. The point enters the crucial game, playing the best basketball of his career.
Ohio State defends the three-point well and wants teams to drive the lane and get baskets at the rim. The Buckeyes foul a lot. Those are two things that play right into the hands of Nebraska and are what have allowed them to win games. Brice Williams (19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists) is one of the best players in the country because of his ability to score at all levels. Williams is at his best when he is being aggressive and driving the ball to the lane. He is elite at getting fouled, and if he goes to the line a lot, the Huskers usually win the game. Juwan Gary (12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds) is another player who is at his best in the paint. He also gets fouled a lot and will do a lot of damage at the free throw line. Nebraska is going to have to control this game from the free throw line and in the paint. The Huskers need to finish their layups, especially without Ohio State having an elite rim protector.
Nebraska can not let Ohio State get going from deep, and the Huskers are going to have to be at their best on the glass. Ohio State will need to minimize the free throw opportunities for the Huskers and will have to make sure that they don’t let Brice Williams move freely with the ball. Nebraska has a chance to pick up a huge win and get themselves back off the bubble. The Huskers are great at home when they are right and they have a lot of confidence now after their recent three games.