The “Payback” Game Thread: Ohio State at no. 15 Rutgers

Ohio State (8-3; 2-3) at No. 15 Rutgers (7-3; 3-3)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: The RAC in Piscataway, New Jersey

Tip-off: Saturday, January 9 at 12:00 p.m. ET

TV: BTN - Brandon Gaudin and Stephen Bardo

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/Sirius 108/ XM 195, Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM - Troy DeSavino and Raj Shah

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers is 29, which is 10 spots worse since the 23 point loss to Michigan State; Ohio State is 21, which is 10 spots worse since a 17 point loss to Minnesota.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 110.3 (45th) Defense 92.1 (30th); Ohio State - Offense 114.6 (10th) Defense 94.7 (57th)

KenPom Prediction: Rutgers 70 Ohio State 69; Rutgers is given a 54% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Rutgers -4

Series History: Ohio State leads all-time 9-3, including a 80-68 victory over Rutgers this season on December 23.

Ohio State SB Nation Site: Land Grant Holy Land

Key Contributors

Ohio State - 6’3” junior Duane Washington Jr. (14.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 37.5% 3-pt FG, 94.1% FT); 6’7” sophomore E.J. Liddell (13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.1 steals, 51.1% FG); 6’7” junior Justice Sueing (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists); 6’1” senior C.J. Walker (8.7 points, 4.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 97.7% FT); 6’8” senior Kyle Young (7.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assist); 6’8” freshman Zed Key (6.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, 59.1% FG); ; 6’6” junior Justin Ahrens (5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds, 51.3% 3-pt FG); 6’8” redshirt senior Seth Towns (5.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 36.4% 3-pt FG); 6’5” junior Musa Jallow (5.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists); 6’6” freshman Eugene Brown III (2.5 points, 2.5 rebounds)

Rutgers - 6’6” junior Ron Harper Jr. (21.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 52.6% FG, 46.8% 3-pt FG); 6’2” senior Jacob Young (15.2 points, 4.8 assists, 2.4 steals, 2.2 rebounds, 41.7% 3-pt FG); 6’4” junior Montez Mathis (14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 42.1% 3-pt FG); 6’4” Geo Baker (9.4 points, 3.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals); 6’10” redshirt junior Myles Johnson (7.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 assists, 57.1% FG); 6’6” sophomore Paul Mulcahy (6.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 37.5% 3-pt FG); 6’11” Cliff Omoruyi (5.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 block, 72.2% FG); 6’10” freshman Dean Reiber (1.4 points, 1.3 rebounds); 6’7” junior Caleb McConnell (1.0 point, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals. 1.0 assist in just 2 games.)

Injury Updates

Heralded freshman Cliff Omoruyi hasn’t practiced since suffering a knee sprain against Illinois on December 20 and is doubtful to play on Saturday. Geo Baker rolled his ankle late against Michigan State, but Steve Pikiell said that he was fine on a call on Thursday.

For OSU, starting point guard CJ Walker is out with a hand injury.

Game Preview

Today’s game is an opportunity for Rutgers to get payback for the disappointing loss to the Buckeyes earlier this season, as well as get back on track. It’s time to get back to basics on the defensive end and on the glass, while looking to run in transition as well. Join us in the comment section during the game.