Ohio State at Michigan State

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 3, 4:00 PM
#4 Ohio State (19-3, 7-1) at Michigan State (17-6, 4-4)
TV-Nationally on CBS

Ohio State likely starters, stat leaders
Mike Conley Jr., guard, 6.5 assists/game
Ivan Harris, forward
Ron Lewis, guard
Jamar Butler, guard
Greg Oden, center, 15.2 points/game, 30.1 minutes/game, 9.5 rebounds/game

Michigan State likely starters, stat leaders
Drew Neitzel, junior guard, 35.1 minutes/game, 18.3 points/game
Travis Walton, sophomore guard, 5.4 assists/game
Raymar Morgan, freshman forward
Goran Suton, sophomore center, 6.5 rebounds/game
Idong Ibok, sophomore center

It is not likely that players at Ohio State or Michigan State forget the game that occurred last Saturday. Ohio State watched a 20-point practically disappear, thanks to Drew Neitzel, who scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half. The Spartans missed possible winning shots in the last minute, including an open three attempt by Maurice Joseph. Michigan State made great half-time adjustments, preventing Oden from hitting a field goal in the second half. In fact the entire team did not hit a field goal in the final six minutes, scoring only one point on a free throw in the final 3.5 minutes. Ohio State shot 62.5% in the first half and only 23.8% in the second half. Matta has had plenty of time to analyze the tapes to see what Michigan State did in the second half. The Spartans often had two guys, 6'10" and 6'11" guarding Oden. Oden still needs to to touch the ball and then pass it back out to the perimeter if he is double teamed. Oden, with his left hand, kept the Buckeyes in the game last weekend shooting11 of 14 from the free-throw line. I think this will be another close game, and free throws will be vital. The Breslin Center in East Lansing is never an easy win for visiting teams. The Buckeyes seem to be peaking at the right time of the season, as is the case with most Thad Matta teams. A win at Michigan State would not only keep the Buckeyes in the hunt for the Big Ten season title, but it would be an important road win for their NCAA resume, considering they have lost three big road games to Florida, North Carolina and Wisconsin.