Ohio State will look to redeem itself after a tough loss earlier in the season when they host No. 18 Maryland on Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes, who were beaten by as much as 40 points in their Big Ten opener at Maryland, are determined to show their growth since that blowout defeat.
Head coach Jake Diebler acknowledged the sting of the 83-59 loss, saying, “We haven’t forgotten about that. I think it’s certainly in the back of my mind.” Since then, Ohio State (13-9, 5-6) has recorded notable wins over ranked teams like No. 4 Kentucky and No. 11 Purdue, and its five Big Ten losses have all been by eight points or fewer.
The Terrapins (17-5, 7-4), who come into this matchup riding a four-game win streak, are also looking strong, with victories over Indiana and No. 17 Illinois. Maryland coach Kevin Willard praised his team’s resilience after they bounced back from two straight early-season losses, stating, “Their attitude has been just phenomenal.”
Key players for Maryland include Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who has averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 assists during the streak, and Julian Reese, who contributes 15.8 points and 11.3 rebounds. Together with Derick Queen, who averages 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds, they form a formidable frontcourt that Ohio State will struggle to match. Diebler noted, “We’re gonna need everybody with size ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Ohio State will rely on perimeter play from Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr., both of whom are threats from beyond the arc. Thornton leads the team with 17.1 points per game, while Mobley averages 13.0 points and is also a strong 3-point shooter.
With a chance to show how far they’ve come, Ohio State is ready to take on the challenge, hoping to extend Maryland’s losing streak in Columbus.
