After losing two straight heartbreakers to Butler and Clemson, Ohio State took to the road for the first Big Ten conference game of the Chris Holtmann era and took it to Wisconsin.
| Who | Where | When | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan (7-2) | Value City Arena | 6:30 p.m. | FS1 |
The Buckeyes rolled the Badgers, 83-58, in Madison, Wis., to improve to 6-3 on the season and end a two-game skid coming back home to Columbus.
The Buckeyes are set to welcome a Michigan team that has dropped just two games this season, one of which came against defending national champion North Carolina. Holtmann said Sunday that while the win over Wisconsin had its benefits, he expects a stiffer challenge Monday night.
"Each game is so unique and so different, I don't know that you can ever take a whole lot from one game to the next. It's nice that we played well. Obviously we probably caught Wisconsin on a good day to be honest with you," Holtmann said. "I think each game presents its own set of challenges. Michigan is really good. I think they are a bona fide NCAA Tournament team. They present a ton of challenges in their own right."
Opponent Breakdown
The Wolverines have a plethora of weapons, but perhaps their most dangerous player is center Moritz Wagner, a 6-foot-11 junior that is dominating in the post so far this season.
Wagner is averaging 15.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the floor and a 34.4 percent clip from behind the three-point line.
His ability to play inside and out makes him a threat and a future NBA prospect, according to Holtmann.
"We all know about the big fella and how talented and skilled he is," Holtmann said. "(Michigan's) ability to spread you out, to make shots, play downhill in transition, play inside-out and their length. They are across the board a really complete team."
Adding to Michigan's talent is Kentucky transfer guard Charles Matthews. A 6-foot-6 junior, Matthews sat out last season after spending the 2015-16 campaign with the Wildcats.
Through nine games this season, Matthews is averaging 15.2 points per contest, is tied for the team lead in assists (33) and blocks with seven rejections on the year.
Forward Duncan Robinson also averages double-digit points for the Wolverines, pouring in 11.1 points per game and is Michigan's biggest threat from long range. He is shooting the ball at a 36.1 percent clip from behind the three-point line this season, with 61 of his 84 shot attempts this year coming from behind the arc.
Buckeye Breakdown
After blowing back-to-back games in which they held a double-digit second half lead, the Buckeyes blasted the Badgers thanks to an impressive shooting display.
Ohio State shot a blistering 78.3 percent from the floor in the first half against the Badgers, converting on 7-of-8 shots from behind the three-point arc. For the game, the Buckeyes shot 66.0 percent as four players scored in double figures.
The other surprise, other than the score and Ohio State's hot shooting, was the Buckeyes' starting lineup to open the game. For the first time all season, C.J. Jackson started the game on the bench as Kam Williams was re-inserted into the starting lineup, leaving Jae'Sean Tate to run the point to open the contest.
Holtmann would not commit to whether or not that will be a permanent change moving forward, adding that the situation will likely remain fluid as the season rolls along.
"I think he played both opening-half segments (at the point), so that is probably about 10-12 minutes total," Holtmann said. "I think it will be game-to-game on how teams play us and what their defensive system is."
Against the Badgers, Tate dished out four assists and scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor in 28 minutes of action. In his first action off the bench this year, Jackson scored 10 points and committed just one turnover against Wisconsin.
Despite Tate playing more of the point, Andrew Dakich continues to play significant minutes for the Buckeyes at the one-guard spot. Monday night's game is unique for Dakich, who is set to take on his former team. Dakich lettered three years at Michigan before pursuing a grad transfer to Columbus this season.
Holtmann said that while Dakich spent a good amount of time as a Wolverine, his experience at Michigan might not help the Buckeyes as much because of the uniqueness of Michigan's system.
"Andrew is pretty perceptive, but they run a lot of different stuff. People always talk about one-day prep for Princeton, (but) I would say a one-day prep for Michigan is equally if not more difficult," Holtmann said. "The one thing you know about Andrew Dakich is, he is more than willing to give you his opinion. He is not one that is going to sit back and wait for you to ask."
As Ohio State prepares to take on the multi-dimensional Wolverines, it might be without Micah Potter. The sophomore center has played reduced minutes since suffering an ankle injury in a win over Northeastern on Nov. 19, playing just three minutes against the Badgers.
With Ohio State playing just two games between Monday and Dec. 15, Holtmann said there is a chance the Buckeyes will shut Potter down until his ankle is back to 100 percent.
"We desperately want him back in the lineup, and we need him. He was playing very well before he got hurt," Holtmann said. "With ankles, it may be the right thing to just let it heal and limit anything he does until he can be completely confident in its strength."
Holtmann added that he does not believe the injury is serious enough to where Potter would be forced to miss a significant period of time.
How It Plays Out
The Wolverines check in ranked No. 42 in Ken Pomeroy's advanced statistical rating system, while the Buckeyes have moved up to No. 61, their highest ranking of the season.
With Potter unlikely to play, freshman Kaleb Wesson is going to have his hands full against Wagner. Outside of Wesson, Ohio State doesn't quite have the size to match Wagner in the post, which could create some matchup problems.
If Wagner can find open shooters out of double teams, Michigan has a good chance to pick up the road win. If Wesson can stay out of foul trouble, or better for Ohio State get Wagner into foul trouble, the Buckeyes have a shot to pull the minor upset at home.
Prediction: Michigan 67, Ohio State 62
