Sometimes, after a big win, it can be difficult to maintain the intensity level required for the next game. That’s what the Ohio State basketball team faced after beating top-10 Purdue when they traveled to Happy Valley to take on Penn State, but after a 94-62 win, we say well done to staying the course.
The game was tight early on, but the Buckeyes took control midway through the first half and then ran away with the Nittany Lions’ lunch money entering a game they couldn’t afford to lose.
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After every OSU basketball game, we reflect on what we saw and offer some observations and perspectives that you may not have thought of. If you do, well, at least we’re all on the same page. Here are three things we learned from the Ohio State basketball team’s road win over Penn State on Wednesday night.
Is Ohio State getting better at the right time?
I don’t know about you, but after back-to-back losses at Michigan State and Iowa, I feel like this team is done. But then a few injured players persevered, returning to the court upset against Purdue and now a win over Penn State (thank God we don’t have to hear the Nittany Lions roar too much). I’m starting to believe this team may have its issues figured out by the end of the regular season.
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Turn on the tape — well, turn on the DVR — from a game earlier this year to now and you’ll notice the ball is moving better, the team’s defensive effort is better, the effort is better and the basketball is being shared more. These are good developments and bode well for a potential playoff run.
Speaking of which…
Ohio State University is heading into the NCAA Tournament
Don’t come to me just yet, because I know, I know — there’s at least two more games to go, but Ohio State’s run in the NCAA Tournament is actually looking good right now. A loss to Penn State would have put the team in jeopardy, but the Buckeyes took care of things. It’s a still life on the bubble, but now it’s more stable, if such a thing exists.
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If Ohio State beats Indiana this weekend, it could punch its ticket to the NCAA tournament for the first time in its past four attempts, which would be a big step in the right direction. No, OSU fans, media and players shouldn’t be content with simply making it to March Madness, but you have to rebuild it before hiring a maid.
Now, with the loss to Indiana, there’s still work to be done, possibly in the Big Ten Tournament, but let’s not think about that right now.
The countdown to Bruce continues
I’m very selfish. I was hoping that Ohio State would get a big win on Wednesday night so I could watch a relatively stress-free game, but I don’t want that because Bruce Thornton is out. He still had a great game, scoring 18 points, and now, hopefully, he can become the program’s all-time leading scorer in front of his home fans.
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Thornton ranks second all-time with 2,085 points, just 11 shy of Dennis Hopson’s 2,096 points. I like his chances of scoring 12 points against the Indians, as that’s well below his season average, so let’s get ready to party on Saturday. It’s not every day you see someone in scarlet and gray make history, so get ready for the appointment TV show at 5:30 PM ET.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State Basketball vs. Penn State: 3 Things We Learned from the Victory