College Basketball: How Penn State Can Beat the Ohio State Buckeyes

The Penn State Nittany Lions will host the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes Tuesday night in a Big Ten matchup.

The casual college basketball fan may not see this game as much of a matchup, but it has the makings of a good one.

Here are a few ways Penn State can come out on top against the Buckeyes.

Penn State Has Played Well at Home All Season

Penn State plays very well at home.

This season, they have won 13 out of 17 home games, beating quality opponents like Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Ohio State better come into the Bryce Jordan Center ready for a fight.

Talor Battle

The key to Penn State's success will be in the capable hands of Talor Battle.

Battle needs to have a good game and keep his team focused; otherwise, this matchup could get ugly.

Rebounding

Penn State ranks 311th overall in rebounding, an awful statistic for any team.

The Nittany Lions must rebound better than that if they expect to win Tuesday. They don't have to dominate the boards, but they at least need to make their presence felt.

Defense

Penn State scores an average of 64.3 points per game (285th overall), but the key for Penn State will not be scoring a ton of points.

The key will be controlling the Buckeyes' offense.

Penn State can't let the Buckeyes run all over the floor. They need to control the tempo, and pressure the Bucks into making mistakes.

Ohio State May Be Looking Ahead

Ohio State's next game after their road trip to Penn State is a home bout against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Maybe the Buckeyes will get caught looking ahead and be surprised by the Nittany Lions.

Ohio State Brings a Dangerous No. 1 Ranking

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 15: Jared Sullinger #0 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts while playing the Michigan State Spartans on February 15, 2011 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Over the past three weeks, the No. 1 team has fallen.

It started with Ohio State, then Kansas, Duke and now it's Ohio State again. Will the Buckeyes crumble under the pressure of the No.1 ranking? 

That's All Folks

If Penn State can do what they need to do, and Ohio State loses focus, then Penn State will come away from this game with a win, locking a tournament spot.

The Nittany Lions are playing for their first real shot at the NCAA tournament in a long time; that in its own right may be the deciding factor that puts Penn State over Ohio State.

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