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MEN'S BASKETBALL

Game preview: Penn State at Ohio State

By Mark Gokavi

Dayton Daily News

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

When: 8 p.m.

Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus

Extras

TV: ESPN Plus (none locally)

Radio: WING-AM (1410)

Records: OSU (24-3, 12-1 Big Ten); Penn State (10-15, 1-11)

Series: Ohio State leads, 19-12

Probable starters
Ohio StatePosHtYrPpg
Jamar ButlerG6-2Jr.8.5
Mike ConleyG6-1Fr.10.1
Ivan HarrisF6-7Sr. 8.8
Greg OdenC7-0Fr.15.5
Daequan CookG6-5Fr.11.9
Penn StatePosHtYrPpg
Jamelle CornleyF6-5So.14.1
Milos BogeticF6-10So.4.3
Ben LuberG6-0Sr.5.7
Danny MorrisseyG6-3So.10.2
Geary ClaxtonG-F6-5Jr.16.4

About Penn State

The Nittany Lions have lost 11 straight. But they showed they could play with Ohio State in a 64-62 home loss last week. This game concludes a five-game set in which Penn State played OSU and Wisconsin twice. Geary Claxton, Jamelle Cornley, David Jackson and Mike Walker all played well against the Buckeyes. In Columbus, Penn State must play even better to have any shot of making it a contest.

Buckeye facts

Tennessee, Michigan State and Penn State all have had a shot in the final seconds to defeat Ohio State. The first two were good teams, but OSU's near-collapse at Penn State on Feb. 14 caused OSU coach Thad Matta to shake some things up. One of those moves was starting Daequan Cook instead of Ron Lewis, and Lewis responded with 16 points. That starting spot is up in the air. OSU, No. 1 in the coaches poll and No. 2 in AP, put its foot down against Minnesota. Matta would like a similar performance before Wisconsin calls on Sunday.

Matta's take

"Our guys have a great realization that we're not even close to the end of the season. As a coach, I think that's part of your job ... finding ways to create an environment that is conducive to motivating your team and getting your team better and continuing to dwell on things that maybe you're not doing well and not really allowing your guys to relax." — Thad Matta, OSU coach

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