Notre Dame proved itself a worth competitor in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup with No. 22 Ohio State.
Notre Dame proved itself a worth competitor in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup with No. 22 Ohio State. In fact, it led for the majority of the contest. However, the good times couldn’t last as the Irish blew an 11-point lead in the second half and lost, 90-85.
Dec 8, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Nate Laszewski (14) goes up for a shot as Ohio State Buckeyes forward E.J. Liddell (32) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The game was tied at 75 with three minutes to go, and the Irish (1-2) got within one three times after that. They trailed, 88-85, with 17 seconds left and the shot clock turned off. Some tough defense by the Buckeyes (4-0) prevented an easy shot. Then, with time almost gone, the Irish got sloppy in desperation and ended up throwing the ball out of bounds without even getting an attempt, allowing C.J. Walker to ice the game with two free throws.
After missing all five field-goal attempts in the first half, E.J. Lundell came alive in the second to lead the Buckeyes with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. He and Walker (16 points) combined to shoot a perfect 13 for 13 from the free-throw line. Justice Sueing also scored 16, and Duane Washington Jr. had 13. Justin Ahrens’ 12 points off the bench were triple the scoring output of the Irish’s substitutes.
Dec 8, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) dribbles as Ohio State Buckeyes guard CJ Walker (13) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Prentiss Hubb scored a career-high 26 points and dished out a game-high six assists. Nate Laszewski came within a rebound of a double-double with 17 and nine. Dane Goodwin scored 16, and Cormac Ryan led all first-half scorers with 15 before being kept out of the points column in the second half. The Irish’s chances for victory were hampered after Juwan Durham fouled out with seven points and nine rebounds, which was pointed out on the ESPN2 broadcast as a rarity for a Notre Dame player.
Wisconsin hits the road to Columbus to take on Ohio State on Friday night. Badger fans should be sure to know these three opposing players.
Wisconsin (8-5) hits the road to Columbus to take on No. 5 Ohio State (11-2) on Friday evening. The Badgers are seeking their second win in a row against the Buckeyes after taking them down in a 73-67 overtime thriller in the most recent meeting between these squads last March.
Bucky has won three in a row leading into tomorrow’s matchup, most recently pummelling Rider at home on New Year’s Eve in a 65-37 decision. Meanwhile, Ohio State has to be considered one of the best teams in the nation at the moment based on its body of work so far this season. Head coach Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes started the season 9-0 before falling to Minnesota on Dec. 15. They’ve gone 2-1 since that loss, including a win over No. 6 Kentucky and a 67-59 loss at home to No. 22 West Virginia last Sunday.
Tomorrow’s matchup will be the toughest challenge the Badgers have been presented to this point in the season. Ohio State looks like the class of the Big Ten right now, boasting one of the deepest rotations in the country with eight players averaging at least 7.6 points per game.
Here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Friday evening’s contest.
There are quite a few talented players on this Ohio State squad, but Wesson is probably the only one who can be considered a true star at this point. The 6-9, 270-pound junior has enjoyed a fantastic career in Columbus so far, evolving from a 2018 Big Ten All-Freshman Team selection to an honorable mention all-conference performer last season, with first or second-team honors likely on their way this year.
Wesson has been Ohio State’s leading scorer for the second season in a row, putting up double figures in all but the Buckeyes’ first game. He’s also pacing the team in both rebounds and blocks.
He didn’t play in last year’s matchup with Wisconsin due to a suspension but was dominant against the Badgers as a freshman in 2017, scoring 19 points in just 17 minutes. With his ability to both wear down opposing big men in the post and drag them out to the perimeter as a capable three-point shooter, Wesson could give Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter some headaches tomorrow.
Dec 15, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard D.J. Carton (3) drives to the basket as Minnesota Gophers center Daniel Oturu (25) guards him during the second half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
Many Badger fans are probably already familiar with Carton, who was heavily pursued by Greg Gard and company on the recruiting trail in the class of 2019. Wisconsin was among the first programs to identify the 6-2 point guard’s considerable talent and offer him a scholarship, and the belief was early on that Bucky would be a top contender for the Bettendorf, Iowa native’s services.
Unfortunately, not long after Wisconsin extended the offer, other schools caught on and his list of suitors exploded. Carton proceeded to spurn the Badgers relatively quickly afterward, surprisingly not even including them in his Top 6 cut list.
Finishing his high school career as a four-star recruit and the nation’s fourth-ranked floor general, Carton has lived up to those lofty expectations so far this season. He’s been a dynamic playmaker off the bench for the Buckeyes, ranking third on the team in points and second in assists per game. His two-point field goal percentage is good for No. 13 in the Big Ten, and he also knocks in nearly 39 percent of his shots from long range.
Carton recently had the best performance of his young career against Kentucky, earning Big Ten Player of the Week honors for his 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal against the Wildcats.
Currently sitting as Ohio State’s second-leading scorer, Washington’s primary purpose when he is in the game is to get buckets. The sophomore guard has been one of the Big Ten’s deadliest shooters this season when he’s on, especially from long range, where he is knocking down a sizzling 49 percent of his looks. That’s the third-best mark in the conference.
Washington has been coming off the bench since returning from a rib injury that forced him to sit out a couple of games, but even if he doesn’t start against the Badgers, you can be sure that he will still be a focal point of Wisconsin’s game plan tomorrow with his knock-down shooting ability.
Previewing Saturday’s Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Kentucky Wildcats sports betting odds and lines, with NCAA basketball betting picks, tips and bets.
The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 1-1 Big Ten) and Kentucky Wildcats (8-2, 0-0 SEC) tangle in the CBS Sports Classic Game at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 5:15 p.m. ET. We analyze the Ohio State-Kentucky odds and betting lines, while providing college basketball betting tips and advice on this matchup.
Ohio State vs. Kentucky: Three things you need to know
1. Ohio State G Duane Washington Jr. (ribs), who averages 11.4 points and 1.8 assists, is questionable to play. He has missed the past two games.
2. Kentucky ranks a dismal 117th with 75.4 points per game, and an even worse 334th in 3-pointer percentage at just 27.5%. Defensively the Wildcats are 26th in the nation, allowing just 60.2 PPG.
3. These teams last met Dec. 19, 2015 with the Buckeyes coming away with a 74-67 victory.
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Ohio State vs. Kentucky: Odds, betting lines and picks
KENTUCKY (+3.5, -110) heads into this one with just two covers across its past eight games overall. However, the ‘Cats are 4-1 ATS in the past five as an underdog and 13-2-2 ATS in the past 17 neutral-site games as a ‘dog. In addition, they’re 23-11-2 ATS in the past 36 on a neutral court. Ohio State (-3.5, -110) is impressive at 8-1 ATS in the past nine games overall, but Kentucky gets it done here.
New to sports betting? Every $1.10 wagered on Kentucky will proft $1 if the Wildcats win outright or don’t lose by 4 points or more.
OVER 131.5 (-110) is the play here, going 7-2 in Ohio State’s past nine neutral-site battles. The Over is also 5-1 in Kentucky’s past six games following a straight-up loss. Look for the Wildcats to bounce back with a solid offensively showing after falling to the Utah Utes 69-66 on this same Las Vegas court Wednesday.
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