Rutgers @ Ohio St. preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 9, 2019 ) Ohio St. 61, Rutgers 64

With a win over Ohio State last month and an upset of Indiana on Wednesday night, Rutgers brings some momentum and a three-game win streak into Saturday's Big Ten matchup at Value City Arena. Just the opposite is true for sputtering Ohio State, which has lost six of seven conference games since Jan. 5.

Ohio State lost 65-49 on Tuesday night at No. 5 Michigan in a rough-and-tumble affair that saw Kaleb Wesson get whistled for a technical foul and leave the game with 8:05 to play after some pushing and shoving. Wesson has battled foul trouble during the Buckeyes' skid, and is averaging 11.6 points and 6.9 rebounds in the past seven games. "He's got to get a little more decisive with his moves and figure out other ways to impact the game," Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. In the first meeting between Rutgers and Ohio State this season, Wesson scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but it still wasn't enough to elevate the Buckeyes to a win.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network

ABOUT OHIO STATE (13-7, 3-6 Big Ten): The Buckeyes will need a big turnaround if they hope to make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and the next two games against Rutgers and Penn State could be an opportunity to get back on track. Ohio State is forced to rely on Wesson, their leading scorer (14.8 points per game) and rebounder (6.9 per game), because he doesn't have help down low and the guards can't be counted on night in and night out. Senior C.J. Jackson averages 12.5 points and remains inconsistent, but freshman Luther Muhammad has shown he can contribute, averaging 9.6 points and shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range.

ABOUT RUTGERS (11-9, 4-6): The Scarlet Knights overcame a 10-point deficit Wednesday to win their third straight regular-season conference game for the first time in 15 years thanks to some tight defense and timely scoring. Geo Baker's 16 points against Indiana marked his 17th game to score in double figures this season and Eugene Omoruyi (14 points versus the Hoosiers) has reached double digits 14 times. Omoruyi (13.9 points) and Baker (13.6) are the only Rutgers players averaging in double figures.

TIP-INS

1. Rutgers' win at Penn State last weekend was its second Big Ten victory on the road since joining the conference.

2. Ohio State committed 19 turnovers in the loss to Michigan and has averaged 16.2 per game since their setback to Rutgers in January.

3. Ohio State F Kyle Young will miss his fourth straight game with a stress fracture in his right leg.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 65, Rutgers 59