Penn St. @ Ohio St. preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 7, 2019 ) Penn St. 70, Ohio St. 74

Sixth-ranked Ohio State and Penn State are playing at a high level entering Saturday's Big Ten opener at Value City Arena in Columbus, but the question is whether Penn State is playing well enough to challenge red-hot Ohio State. The Buckeyes hope to ride the momentum of their stunning blowout win at No. 7 North Carolina to another victory that could catapult them to near the top of next week's national rankings.

Ohio State handled North Carolina in dominating fashion Wednesday night in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge matchup, using defense to smother the Tar Heels in a 74-49 victory. The Buckeyes ranked fourth entering Friday in scoring defense, giving up 52.3 points per game, and second in field goal defense at 32.2 percent. In addition, Ohio State is first nationally in scoring margin (25.5). Penn State isn't quite as hot as Ohio State, but the Nittany Lions have lost once - by two points to Mississippi in the NIT Season Tip-Off - and have won two in a row over ACC teams, including Wednesday's 76-54 victory over Wake Forest in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT PENN STATE (7-1): Like Ohio State, Penn State has played respectable defense, limiting Wake Forest to 54 points Wednesday and giving up an average of 61.8 points per game this season. The Nittany Lions are outscoring opponents by 18.8 points per game and outrebounding them by 9.1. Coach Pat Chambers has used the same starting lineup in all eight games, and three of the starters are averaging in double figures - Lamar Stevens (17.5 points), Myreon Jones (13.6) and Mike Watkins (11.3 points, 10 rebounds per game).

ABOUT OHIO STATE (8-0): The performance against North Carolina bodes well for Ohio State's future after receiving multiple contributions that included 18 points from Duane Washington Jr., a career-best 12 points from freshman E.J. Liddell, and 10 points and nine rebounds from Kaleb Wesson. The Buckeyes' defensive prowess against the Tar Heels was reflected in a 16-rebound advantage and North Carolina's 27.4 percent shooting from the field. Wesson leads Ohio State in scoring (12.4 points) and rebounding (9.3), but has averaged seven points and 3.3 boards in his career against Penn State.

TIP-INS

1. Ohio State has found success in holding opponents' top scorers below their season average, allowing those players a combined 10 points per game after they come in averaging 15, including North Carolina's Cole Anthony (20.7 average but 15 versus the Buckeyes).

2. Ohio State is 8-0 for the first time since the 2013-14 season.

3. Jones scored a career-best 22 points in Penn State's win over Wake Forest on Wednesday and Watkins' 16 rebounds pushed him past 800 for his career.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 69, Penn State 57