THE STORY: Top-ranked Ohio State seeks a second straight Big Ten tournament title and an overall No. 1 seed for the upcoming NCAA tournament when it plays surprising Penn State on Sunday. The Buckeyes, who won two earlier meetings against the Lions, are playing in their third straight title game and are attempting to become only the second team to win in consecutive seasons (Michigan, 1999-2000). Talor Battle’s 3-point binge in Saturday’s 61-48 semifinal win against Michigan State carried Penn State to its first Big Ten tournament final, and may have locked up the Lions’ first NCAA tournament berth in 10 years.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
ODDS: Ohio State opened as high as a 10.5-point favorite following Saturday's Big Ten semifinals.
ABOUT OHIO STATE (31-2): Many feel the Buckeyes are the favorite to win the national title because of their balance. That was on display Saturday as Big Ten Freshman of the Year Jared Sullinger had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and wings Jon Diebler and William Buford added 16 points apiece as Ohio State used 11-0 and 16-0 runs to pull out a 68-61 semifinal win over Michigan. Sullinger, who was double-teamed on the low block by the smaller Wolverines all game, shot 5 of 13 from the floor and 4 of 10 from the foul line. The Buckeyes survived a major scare in the quarterfinal before putting away Northwestern 67-61 in overtime.
ABOUT PENN STATE (19-13): The Lions won the NIT two seasons ago before stumbling to an 11-20 record last season, including a Big Ten-worst 3-15. The Lions looked strong early in conference play this season after wins against ranked Illinois and Michigan State before slumping. However, they’re recovered to win four straight, five of six and seven of nine. Battle, who has 2,167 career points, drained four 3-pointers to stretch a one-point lead to 42-33 Saturday, and the Spartans couldn’t recover. The senior sharpshooter finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and got plenty of help from sophomore backcourt mate Tim Frazier, who averages five points per game. Frazier, the lone non-senior starter, scored a career-high 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and added eight rebounds and seven assists. Battle, who shot 3 of 18 in the Lions’ 36-33 quarterfinal win Friday over Wisconsin, shot 7 of 16 in this one, including 6 of 11 from the arc.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: Sullinger converted two three-point plays in the final minute to provide Ohio State a 69-66 home win Jan. 15. Sullinger finished with 19 points as did fellow freshman Aaron Craft. Battle was held to 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting, including 1 of 10 from the arc. David Jackson led the Lions with 19. The Buckeyes got a school-record 10 3-pointers in 12 attempts from Diebler - he missed his first and last attempt - in an 82-61 demolition March 1 in Happy Valley. He finished with a career-high 30 points. Sullinger had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Battle led the Lions with 18 in his final home game.
UP NEXT: Win or lose, Ohio State is expected to receive a No. 1 seed, while Penn State may have already done enough to save coach Ed DeChellis' job with an NCAA bid.
TRENDS:
- Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
- Nittany Lions are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.
- Buckeyes are 1-4 ATS in their last five neutral site games as favorites.
- Under is 7-3 in Nittany Lions' last 10 neutral site games.
- Over is 5-1-1 in Buckeyes' last seven overall.
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PREDICTION: $20
