KenPom predicts outcome of next five Ohio State games ahead of key stretch
The Big Ten has been, in a word, chaos. It looks like it’ll stay that way through the last few regular-season games, and KenPom predicts Ohio State will be squarely in the mix.
The Buckeyes have five games left on the schedule, including one against Illinois, which is tied for second place. KenPom predicts the league race will stay hotly contested, including three teams tying for sixth place at 11-9. That means the No. 8 seed in the Big Ten tournament could be a .500 program.
But before we get to the league tournament, here’s what KenPom predicts for Ohio State in its final games.
What KenPom predicts for the Ohio State’s last five games
Feb. 24 at Illinois
Predicted winner: Illinois
Predicted final score: Illinois 74, Ohio State 69
Ohio State chance of victory: 34%
Feb. 27 at Maryland
Predicted winner: Ohio State
Predicted final score: Ohio State 73, Maryland 70
Ohio State chance of victory: 61%
March 1 vs. Nebraska
Predicted winner: Ohio State
Predicted final score: Ohio State 84, Nebraska 67
Ohio State chance of victory: 94%
March 3 vs. Michigan State
Predicted winner: Ohio State
Predicted final score: Ohio State 75, Michigan State 70
Ohio State chance of victory: 67%
March 5 vs. Michigan
Predicted winner: Ohio State
Predicted final score: Ohio State 74, Michigan 69
Ohio State chance of victory: 68%
Buckeyes hold off Indiana in overtime
At one point, Ohio State led Indiana by 11 points in the second half. But the Hoosiers forced the game to overtime, which is when the Buckeyes pulled away for the 80-69 victory on Monday night.
Malaki Branham had a massive night for Ohio State, scoring 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting to lead the charge. EJ Liddell added 16 points and seven rebounds as the Buckeyes shot 48.1% from the field as a group.
Four Hoosiers scored in double figures, led by 16 points from Xavier Johnson and 13 points and nine rebounds from Trayce Jackson-Davis. Indiana had a rough go on offense, shooting just 34.4%, as it fell to 16-10 overall and 7-9 in Big Ten play.
For Ohio State, it was a huge victory in terms of the Big Ten standings. The Buckeyes currently sit in fourth place and two games back of first-place Purdue. That’s why the matchup with Illinois on Thursday is such a big one, considering Ohio State is 1.5 games behind the second-place Fighting Illini.
It appears to be a three-team race to the top of the league between Purdue, Illinois and Wisconsin, but there’s still plenty of basketball left before the league tournament in Indianapolis.