Ohio State Buckeyes vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Picks and Predictions December 7th 2024

Ohio State Tries to Recover From Blowout, Hosts Rutgers

Ohio State looks to bounce back from a humiliating loss as it returns home to face Rutgers in Big Ten action on Saturday in Columbus.

Buckeyes Struggle at Maryland

Ohio State (5-3, 0-1 Big Ten) endured a rough outing on Wednesday, falling 83-59 to Maryland in a game that was effectively over by halftime. The Terrapins raced out to a 50-17 lead at the break, fueled by early success from beyond the arc, and extended the margin to 63-23 shortly after the second half began.

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Devin Royal led the Buckeyes with 18 points, while Bruce Thornton, the team’s leading scorer at 15.5 points per game, was held in check.

Head coach Jake Diebler lamented his team’s lackluster defense and inability to apply pressure early.

“I thought we lacked real urgency and pressure defensively,” Diebler said. “It was uncharacteristic of who we’ve been. They were able to look at us and hit some early 3s that gave them some momentum.”

Diebler emphasized the importance of improving defensive pressure and returning to the fundamentals Ohio State has worked on throughout the season.

Rutgers Searches for Consistency

Rutgers (5-3, 0-0 Big Ten) has shown flashes of brilliance this season but enters the matchup still searching for stability. The Scarlet Knights competed in Las Vegas last week, defeating Notre Dame 85-84 in overtime before dropping close games to then-No. 9 Alabama (95-90) and then-No. 20 Texas A&M (81-77).

Head coach Steve Pikiell sees promise in his young squad but recognizes the need for improvement, particularly on defense.

“We’ve got to find a consistency with this group; that’s the next step in this thing,” Pikiell said. “We’re scoring 80, 90 points but you can’t give up 95. We’ve got to get some fiber on that end of the floor.”

Rutgers has historically been known for its defensive intensity, but this season the team ranks last in the Big Ten in points allowed, giving up 75.0 per game. Meanwhile, their offense has been potent, averaging 81.4 points per contest.

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Harper and Bailey Leading the Charge

Rutgers’ success has been fueled by two standout freshmen, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who have emerged as one of the best young duos in the country.

• Dylan Harper: The younger brother of former Rutgers star Ron Harper Jr., Harper leads the team with 23.8 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. He scored a career-high 37 points against Alabama and 36 against Notre Dame, showcasing his scoring prowess.
• Ace Bailey: Complementing Harper, Bailey averages 18.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. He recorded his second career double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the loss to Texas A&M.

Key Matchup: Buckeyes’ Defense vs. Scarlet Knights’ Offense

The game will likely hinge on whether Ohio State can tighten its defense to slow down Rutgers’ high-powered offense. Diebler’s squad must find ways to disrupt Harper and Bailey, who have proven difficult to contain.

Meanwhile, Rutgers must address its defensive lapses and find a way to contain Thornton and Royal, who will look to rebound from Wednesday’s disappointing performance.

High Stakes in Big Ten Play

With both teams eager to bounce back from tough losses, this matchup could set the tone for their respective Big Ten campaigns. Ohio State will seek to restore confidence at home, while Rutgers aims to prove it can compete on the road against a conference opponent.