Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 1/26/26
- rbowe7447
- Jan 26
- 3 min read
PENN STATE @ OHIO STATE (OSU -12.5, 154.5)
CBB ODDS, CBB PREDICTIONS, CBB PREVIEWS
COACH RICK CBB PREVIEWS
NITTANY LIONS @ BUCKEYES 1/26/26
When Penn State plays Ohio State in Columbus on Monday, the Nittany Lions are desperate to win their first conference game. The Big Ten’s youngest squad, led by third-year coach Mike Rhoades, has failed to provide results for the Nittany Lions (9-10, 0-8 Big Ten), who have dropped six straight games since defeating North Carolina Central on December 29.
"You have to play really good basketball to win in the Big Ten," Rhoades stated. "The truth is that we're not there. For this initiative to advance, there must be a certain amount of urgency, and I will do that."
Penn State started two freshmen, a sophomore, a redshirt sophomore, and a senior in Thursday's 98-71 loss to Wisconsin.
"We are at a disadvantage. "We're not good enough," Rhoades remarked. "I understand, but I'm to blame. I don't give up easily. Because these students are nice kids and are working so hard, I hope the fans will stand with us and support them."
The play of Kayden Mingo, the third-highest scoring rookie in the Big Ten with 14.6 points per game, is encouraging. He leads Penn State in scoring, assists (4.6) and steals (2.3).
A youthful player has also made a significant contribution for the Buckeyes (13-6, 5-4). After scoring 28 points against UCLA and 26 against Minnesota, sophomore John Mobley Jr. finished Friday's 74-62 loss to No. 3 Michigan with 22 points.
"John has been shooting the ball well and he did some good things," stated Jake Diebler, the coach at Ohio State. "He has performed well for us in a number of these games. His poise at the age of two was quite remarkable. He had one of his best games with it, I think.
The fact that top scorer Bruce Thornton (20.1) only scored 10 points against the Wolverines while shooting 3 of 11 from the field, including 1 of 5 three-pointers, is the issue Diebler wants to fix against Penn State.
"Bruce saw two (defenders) on nearly every ball screen," said Diebler. "We need to attack that more effectively. In general, their pressure caused too much disruption.
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FREE PICK: OHIO STATE 1H TEAM TOTAL OVER 39.5
The Buckeyes are coming off a 74-62 loss at Michigan on Friday night. Prior to that, Ohio State had won 3 of 4. Penn State has lost all 8 of its Big Ten games. Part of the problem is falling behind big early in games. Penn State has allowed 40 or more points in the first half in 4 of their last 5 games. Ohio State has only scored 40 or more first-half points once in the last ten games. Ironically, it was against UCLA, a team that plays a little slower and averages 68.5 possessions per game. Penn State isn’t much faster - 69.1 possessions per game - but their defense is much worse - 351st in Opponent FG% and 355th in total rebounds per game. At home, Ohio State is 10-2 SU in the last 12 and they are 16-3 SU at home against Penn State.
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