Ohio State Buckeyes vs Valparaiso Beacons Picks and Predictions December 17th 2024

Ohio State Hosts Valparaiso in Coaches’ Reunion Game

Ohio State and Valparaiso are set to meet on Tuesday in Columbus, but beyond the game, it’s also a reunion between two coaches whose paths have crossed for years. With the Buckeyes needing a bounce-back performance and the Beacons riding momentum, both teams come into the matchup with different motivations.

Ohio State: Searching for a Confidence Boost

The Buckeyes (6-4) are looking to regroup after a humbling 91-53 loss to No. 2 Auburn last Saturday. The lopsided defeat exposed execution issues that Ohio State must address quickly, especially with a massive showdown against No. 4 Kentucky looming this Saturday.

Guard Michah Parrish summed up the Buckeyes’ mindset heading into Tuesday:

“We’re just trying to keep fighting, keep preparing for the next game,” Parrish said. “Each game is different, but you can’t worry about the last game. We’ve just got to be better with our execution.”

The Buckeyes will be leaning heavily on leading scorer Bruce Thornton, who averages 14.9 points per game. However, Thornton struggled mightily against Auburn, scoring just three points on 1-of-8 shooting in 33 minutes. Coach Jake Diebler emphasized the need to put Thornton in better positions to succeed.

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“We’ve got to be able to get him catches at different spots on the floor,” Diebler said. “It can’t always be up top in the middle third with the ball. We’ll get better at that quickly.”

Valparaiso Riding High After Offensive Explosion

While Ohio State seeks redemption, Valparaiso (5-4) enters the matchup with momentum following a 93-77 win over Central Michigan last Saturday. The Beacons put up their highest point total against a Division I opponent in seven years, showcasing their offensive firepower.

Freshman guard All Wright stole the show, dropping a career-high 26 points. Wright, whose full name is Andre All Wright Vargas, was efficient and confident, going 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and hitting four 3-pointers. The performance earned him his second Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Week award this season.

“All (Wright) can score at all three levels,” Valparaiso coach Roger Powell Jr. said.

The Beacons will need another standout effort from Wright to contend with Ohio State’s size and athleticism.

A Reunion Between Friends and Colleagues

While both teams are focused on the game, there’s an undeniable subplot: the connection between Ohio State coach Jake Diebler and Valparaiso coach Roger Powell Jr.

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Diebler is deeply rooted in Valparaiso history, having played for the Beacons from 2005-09 and starting all 98 games over his final three seasons. He later joined the Valpo coaching staff from 2009-13, where Powell also coached from 2011-16. The two worked together again under Bryce Drew at Vanderbilt from 2016-19.

Powell spoke warmly about Diebler’s legacy at Valparaiso and his excitement for his former colleague’s success.

“Jake Diebler is not just my friend, someone I coached with, he’s a Valpo legend,” Powell said. “Anybody at Valpo should be extremely excited for him, and the opportunity he has because he represents us.”

Key Matchup: Wright vs. Thornton

The battle between Valparaiso’s All Wright and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton will be a focal point. Wright is coming off a career-best performance and will look to test Ohio State’s perimeter defense. Meanwhile, Thornton will be aiming for a bounce-back game after his struggles against Auburn.

What’s at Stake?

For Ohio State, this game represents a chance to rebuild confidence and fine-tune their execution before facing another top-5 opponent. The Buckeyes cannot afford to overlook Valparaiso despite their upcoming showdown with Kentucky.

For Valparaiso, it’s an opportunity to compete against a Big Ten powerhouse and build on the momentum of their recent win. Powell’s squad has shown flashes of offensive promise, but they’ll need near-perfect execution to hang with the Buckeyes.

The Takeaway

Will Ohio State use this game to steady the ship ahead of tougher tests, or can Valparaiso ride All Wright’s scoring and make it interesting? With history, connections, and momentum on the line, Tuesday’s game promises more than just basketball—it’s a meeting of friends with something to prove.