Battle Of Big Ten: No 8 Indiana Hoosiers vs No 5 Ohio State Buckeyes
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Frank Martin
Revenge is the theme of this Big Ten Sunday showdown. On New Year’s Eve, the Hoosiers shocked the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes 74-70 in Assembly Hall, claiming their place in the conference title race.
Indiana Hoosiers freshman star Cody Zeller was remarkable on both ends of the floor in that game, scoring 14 points and giving Ohio State standout center Jared Sullinger a hard time. The Buckeyes sophomore star got into early foul trouble, throwing a wrench in the Buckeyes’ offensive game plan.
Now, with Indiana ranked No. 8 in the polls and Ohio State coming in at No. 4, the Buckeyes have a hostile home court waiting for the Hoosiers. Indiana’s win at Ohio State snapped a six-game losing streak to the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers lead the all-time series 100-74.
- #8 Indiana Hoosiers @ #5 Ohio State Buckeyes
When: 4:30 PM ET, Sunday, January 15, 2012
Where: Value City Arena, Columbus, Ohio
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET; CBS
The Buckeyes have opened as 13-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Indiana Hoosiers (15-2, 3-2 Big Ten): The Hoosiers got caught looking ahead to this rematch, dropping a 77-74 decision at home to Minnesota Thursday. Head coach Tom Crean is aware his team could quickly start sliding if the Hoosiers don’t pick up the pieces in time for Sunday’s contest. Crean’s team doesn’t necessarily matchup on paper against the top teams in the Big Ten, so he demands more effort from his players to compensate. He voiced extra effort in talks with reporters this week, hoping to light a fire under scorers like Christian Watford, who is averaging almost 13 points a game but only mustered four in the loss to Minnesota.
Ohio State Buckeyes (15-3, 3-2 Big Ten): Not only are the Buckeyes fueled with revenge for Sunday’s game but they're also in a bad mood after falling to Illinois on the road this week. Head coach Thad Matta told reporters his team must get tougher down the stretch if it wants to win the close games. The Buckeyes’ two conference losses have come by a combined difference of nine points. Ohio State stumbled in the closing minutes versus the Illini, shooting 3 for 11 and coughing the ball up three times in the final 5:39.
1. While they trail the all-time series, the Buckeyes own a 50-34 edge against the Hoosiers in Columbus.
2. Sunday’s game is Indiana’s first all Top-10 matchup since the No. 10 Hoosiers faced the No. 9 Maryland Terrapins in December, 2002.
3. Indiana is the top 3-point shooting team in the country, hitting 45.9 percent of its shots from beyond the arc. The Hoosiers were 5 for 13 from 3-point range versus the Buckeyes on Dec. 31.
Bet on NCAA College Basketball games with SBG Global Sportsbook, click here!
Related Articles
- Sweet Sixteen Odds and Picks: Indiana Hoosiers vs Kentucky Wildcats
- Sweet Sixteen Predictions: Indiana Hoosiers vs Kentucky Wildcats
- NCAA Basketball Predictions: New Mexico State Aggies vs Indiana Hoosiers
- 2011-12 Indiana Hoosiers Odds to Win NCAA Basketball Tournament
- Sweet 16 Las Vegas Odds: Kentucky Wildcats vs Indiana Hoosiers
Category
Tags
christian watford - cody zeller - indiana hoosiers - ohio state buckeyes - thad matta - tom crean - value city arena
