Appalachian St. @ Ohio St. preview

Ohio State looks to extend its winning streak to four games when it hosts Appalachian State on Saturday. The Buckeyes have downed Wisconsin (83-58), Michigan (71-62) and William & Mary (97-62) since their 79-65 setback to Clemson in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Nov. 29, and hope to continue on the right track under first-year coach Chris Holtmann by besting Appalachian State for the second time in program history.

Ohio State has been buoyed by the play of Keita Bates-Diop, who was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after averaging 22.5 points and seven rebounds in the wins over the Wolverines and Tribe. Bates-Diop missed the final 18 games of last season due a stress fracture in his leg, but is back to his pre-injury self and the Buckeyes hope the junior forward continues his stellar play and helps them improve to 7-1 at home in the process. "It's a mindset and coach is doing a great job of getting me there," Bates-Diop told reporters. "Coach is not afraid to pull me or sit me for a stretch of time if I'm not doing the things I need to be doing and it keeps me on my toes." Appalachian State has dropped back-to-back games, including a 94-89 loss to Akron, and the Mountaineers hope to move back to .500 by notching their first road win of the season.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE (5-6): Senior center Griffen Kinney exploded for a career-high 28 points on 9-of-13 shooting to go along with six rebounds in the loss to Akron. Ronshad Shabazz also scored 28 points and dished out five assists while Justin Forrest had 13 points but it wasn't enough despite the Mountaineers shooting 50 percent from the field and committing a season-low five turnovers against the Zips. Tyrell Johnson added seven points, seven rebounds and five blocks in a losing effort.

ABOUT OHIO STATE (8-3): Bates-Diop poured in a career-high 27 points to go along with four rebounds as the Buckeyes shot 65 percent from the floor in the win against William & Mary. Freshman forward Kaleb Wesson continued his strong play, adding 17 points and seven rebounds to finish in double figures for the third time in four games while C.J. Jackson contributed 16 points and six assists. Kyle Young missed the win against the Tribe with a sprained ankle while Micah Potter has missed the last two contests with an ankle injury and both players are questionable for Saturday's clash.

TIP-INS

1. Ohio State is 8-0 when scoring 70 or more points.

2. Bates-Diop has recorded six double-doubles this season.

3. Appalachian State has lost seven straight non-conference road games.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 83, Appalachian State 63