30 Jan 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes -Guard Micah Parrish (8) holds the ball when Penn State Nittany Lions ahead Zach Hicks (24) defends during the first half in rec Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images Ohio State will seek his fourth straight victory when it meets Fighting No. 18 Illinois on Sunday afternoon in Champaign, ill.
Buckeyes (13-8, 5-5 Big Ten) has turned their season with strong defense and the guard game by John Mobley Jr. And Bruce Thornton.
It has been a good distance for Ohio State.
After upsetting then no. 11 Purdue on January 21, Buckeyes published the following squares in Iowa (82-65 points) on Monday and in Penn State (83-64) on Thursday.
“There are two games in a row that defensively we have called in and really done a good job, and I think two matches in a row we have recovered really well now,” said Ohio State coach Jake Diebler.
“You have to know that every single game you can’t sit and be too happy on your performance. We celebrate this one and then we have to turn the page quickly. I’m proud of our guys to fight.
Illinois (14-7, 6-5) has not been able to overcome the absence of center Tomislav Ivisic, which has missed the last three games due to Mononucleos.
It was never clearer than during an 80-74 overtime loss on Thursday to a Nebraska team that had lost six straight.
Illini coach Brad Underwood criticized his players’ choice of shots.
“Stunk. It’s horrible,” he said. “But it’s part of the problem, not having Tomi, and that’s one of the things we have to figure out, because I have no idea when we get him back.”
Ivisic has an average of 13 points and 8.5 returns in 18 matches this season.
“It’s big, sure,” said the other guard pulling Gibbs-Lawhorn not to have Ivisic. “Tomi is an amazing player. He is one of our starting guys, one of our best players for sure. It’s not an excuse. We must have the next man’s mentality.”
Underwood suggested its radio program after the game Thursday that changes may be on its way to Ohio State.
“I have to do something with the starting lineup,” he said. “… we don’t know when we get Tomi back, so we have to find out in the meantime.”
However, Diebler said he likes the combination of Mobley – a beginner – and Thornton, a junior.
Mobley had 19 points and eight assists against Penn State to include an extended role with Guard Meechie Johnson who lacked the last 11 games to tend to personal questions.
“It feels good,” Mobley said. “My whole life grew up, everyone noticed me as just a shooter, but it feels good to show off my all-round game. Defense, crime, engage people, to come to the basket, also shoot.”
His game has noticed the defense, which makes Thornton more dangerous.
Thornton had 17 points against Nittany Lions and is 11 for 18 from 3-point intervals during the Ohio State winning line.
“It was fantastic because we could get Bruce Open appearance from three because we could move them around some, and I think it’s really important to us,” Diebler said. “We must continue to be versatile in the perimeter.”
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