The Buckeyes beat Loyola 54-41 in their last matchup. Ohio State made 41.9 percent of its field goals (18 of 43) and only one of 15 three-pointers. The Buckeyes made 17 of 21 free throw attempts (81.0%). They grabbed 38 rebounds, six of which were offensive. They had 6 assists, 13 turnovers, and 7 steals throughout the contest. Defensively, Ohio State allowed opponents to shoot 26.8% from the field on 15 of 56 attempts. Loyola had 12 assists and 9 steals here. Loyola had 26 rebounds (8 offensive, 18 defensive), but no blocks. Loyola hit 3 of 10 free throw attempts (30.0%). So did they on eight of eight efforts from distance. The Buckeyes committed 16 personal fouls while Loyola got 19.
Ohio State is 20-11 overall. They average 73.2 ppg (119th in Division 1) and 47.2 % from the field. Ohio State shoots 36.6 percent from three-point range (244 of 666) and 76.1 percent from the line. Ohio State has 34.6 rebounds per game and 389 assists, which ranks 224th in the nation. They lose possession 11.2 times a game and foul 16.4 times per game.
On defence, Ohio State forces 10.2 turnovers and draws 17.3 fouls per game. They allow 33.7 percent of their opponents’ three-point shots and 133rd in PPG (67.6). Defensively, the Buckeyes allow 41.4 percent field goals (749 of 1,808) and 32.0 boards per game. They are now 84th in D-1 in assists allowed, with 360 so far this season.
The Villanova Wildcats defeated Delaware 80-60. In the rebounding department, Villanova let Delaware get 21. (5 offensive). They made 3 of 20 three-pointers and 13 of 16 free throws for a 15.0% three-point percentage (81.3 percent ). According to the Wildcats, Delaware made 22 of 50 field goals for a 44% field goal percentage. After the game, the Wildcats were 28 for 55 from the field, good for 50.9 percent. Villanova made 13 of 28 3-point tries (46.4 percent ). They made 11 of 12 free throws, 91.7 percent. The Wildcats were called for 15 personal fouls in the game, resulting in 12 free throw attempts. They gave it up 10 times while stealing 5 times. The Wildcats had 31 rebounds in this game, 22 defensive and 9 offensive.
This season, Villanova is 27-7. The Wildcats are ranked 191st in offensive efficiency, shooting 43.9 percent from the field. Villanova has 2,477 points (72.9 ppg) and 34.9 rebounds per game this season. They average 12.2 assists per game (241st in D-1) and 10.0 turnovers. The Wildcats average 15.2 personal fouls a game and shoot 82.5 percent from the line.
The Wildcats allow 63.0 points per game, 25th in NCAA basketball. They force 12.1 turnovers per game and allow 40.9 percent field goal shooting (45th in college basketball). Villanova’s defence allows 30.6 percent (347 of 807) 3-pointers and 74.7 percent free throws. Their 11.3 assists and 32.1 rebounds per game rank 69th and 60th in D-1.
Free Pick: Take Villanova (-6)
