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The Bulldogs have the tallest player in the NCAA in 7’7” senior Kenny George. George also happened to lead the nation in field goal percentage for the 2007-2008 season shooting 69.6% from the field. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) George may not play this season because of a foot injury.
Dec. 27 West Virginia (Big East)
Athletic junior Wellington Smith will fill the shoes of superstar Joe Alexander and the Mountaineers have plenty of other talented players returning including forward Da’Sean Butler. This may be the Buckeyes biggest non-conference test of the season.
Dec. 31 Iowa and Mar. 03 at Iowa
Iowa is consistently solid and the Hawkeyes will look to improve upon last seasons record under second year coach Todd Lickliter. Iowa returns Cyrus Tate who lead the team in rebounds last season, three point sharp shooter Jake Kelly, and last season co-captain Jarryd Cole.
Jan. 03 at Minnesota and Feb. 07 Minnesota
The Gophers were a scrappy bunch last season and will certainly be much improved under second year head coach Tubby Smith. Minnesota returns center Jonathan Williams, guard Jamal Abu-Shamala, and guard Lawrence Westbrook form last season’s NIT team.
Jan. 06 at Michigan State and Jan. 25 Michigan State
Michigan State is a perennial Big Ten contender and this season should be no different for the Spartans who return a talented group of players that include Marquise Gray, Goran Suton, and Raymar Morgan.
Jan. 09 Houston Baptist (Great West)
This should be a break from conference play for the Buckeyes, but the Huskies are talented and can score a lot of points. Ohio State will have to be ready to play.
Jan. 13 Indiana and Jan. 31 at Indiana
Kelvin Sampson left the Hoosiers in shambles, but Tom Crean will get the program turned around and back to their winning ways. It won’t happen this season though as the Hoosiers and short on experience and players because of NCAA sanctions. Eight of the fifteen players on the roster are true freshman.
Jan. 17 at Michigan and Jan. 28 Michigan
The Wolverines will field a young and inexperienced team to start the season, but coach John Beilein will have his team ready to play once they get to the meat of the Big Ten schedule. Talented incoming freshman and seven footer Ben Cronin will add some much needed height to the roster.
Jan. 20 at Illinois and Feb. 21 Illinois
The Illini are young, but always a dangerous. Bruce Weber will use a relatively easy non-conference schedule to get his team ready for the Big Ten which could give the Illini confidence, but not necessarily prepare them for the tough Big Ten schedule.
Feb. 03 Purdue and Feb. 28 at Purdue
Purdue looks like the team to beat this season. This is by far Matt Painter’s best team yet as head coach of the Boilermakers and they will be a tough team for anyone to beat. The Buckeyes will have to be at their best.
Feb. 14 at Wisconsin
Wisconsin is always tough and solid. This season will be no different. Last season’s Big Ten Champs had a disappointing effort in the NCAA Tournament and will look to rebound this season and defend their title.
Feb. 18 at Northwestern and Mar. 08 Northwestern
Northwestern has been at the bottom of the basketball ranks in the Big Ten for a number of years, but they did show some improvement last season. Coach Bill Carmody hopes this season is the season his team puts it together, but it will be a tough test.
Feb. 24 Penn State
Coach Ed DeChellis and the Nittany Lions will try to build off of last season’s moderate success and improvement. The Lions will need leadership from seniors Jamelle Cornley, Will Leiner, Joonas Suotamo, and Danny Morrissey.
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