BIG TEN TOURNAMENT
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
TV: BTN
Radio: Purdue Radio Network
Purdue Particulars: Roster | Schedule | Statistics
More: Purdue primer and GoldandBlack.com coverage
Ohio State Particulars: Roster | Schedule | Statistics
GoldandBlack.com in-game updates: @GoldandBlackcom | @brianneubert
ABOUT THIS GAME
This game may or may not even be played, for all we know.
In the midst of concerns over the spread of COVID-19 — declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on Wednesday — sporting events nationwide are being affected. The NBA suspended Its season Wednesday, after Utah Jazz players were diagnosed with coronavirus.
The Big Ten announced Wednesday evening that starting Thursday, the Big Ten Tournament would be played without spectators, following the NCAA's similar announcement regarding the men's and women's NCAA Tournaments.
Then, Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg coached against Indiana visibly ill, left the bench before the game ended and was reportedly taken to the hospital and his team quarantined to its locker room.
The Big Ten made no immediate declarations that the games would go on as scheduled on Thursday, a day on which Purdue announced locally all of its athletic activities for the foreseeable future would be closed to the public.
If this game is played ...
Purdue — at just a game over .500 overall — opens the Big Ten Tournament figuring a tournament title is its lone path to the NCAA Tournament.
The Boilermakers and Buckeyes met just once during the regular season, a 68-52 Buckeye win in Columbus Feb. 15.
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS (REGULAR SEASON: 16-15, 9-11 B1G)
ABOUT PURDUE
• This game is dripping with Butler influence, as Ohio State's came from Butler — Chris Holtmann succeeded Brad Stevens' successor there — and former Stevens assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry is Purdue's associate head coach. Shrewsberry and Buckeye assistant coach Terry Johnson worked together at Butler.
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (21-10, 11-9 B1G)
Ohio State Particulars: Roster | Schedule | Statistics
ABOUT OHIO STATE
• Ohio State could again be down a significant piece, as forward Kyle Young has been sidelined lately by an ankle injury. The hard-charging forward scored 17 points in the first meeting with Purdue. His status is unknown, but it's reasonable to suggest Ohio State would consider preserving him for the NCAA Tournament.
• Since Purdue last met Ohio State, Buckeye guard Duane Washington is averaging 14.5 points over those six games. He's shot 39.5 percent from three-point range in that span.
BOTTOM LINE
Purdue's got to win, but it's been 9n that situation previously this season. Ohio State has its place in the NCAA Tournament sewn up and could be down an important player in Kyle Young. That would matter, but practically speaking, Purdue has to show it can score on these guys.
GoldandBlack.com Prediction: Ohio State 68, Purdue 65
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