Ohio State’s roster has taken another hit ahead of their crucial Big Ten matchup against Penn State on Monday. The Buckeyes will be without starting center Christoph Tilly and key guard Gabe Cupps, who has stepped into a significant role since Brandon Noel suffered a serious foot injury. Additionally, reserve wing Mathieu Grujicic is also unavailable for the game.
Tilly, who transferred from Santa Clara, has been a vital asset to Ohio State’s offense, averaging 12.3 points and 2.6 assists per game. However, his performance has been inconsistent in areas such as defense, rebounding, and shooting. With both Tilly and Noel missing, the Buckeyes are expected to shift sophomore center Ivan Njegovan into the starting lineup. Njegovan, who averages 2.7 points and 3.2 rebounds in limited minutes, will need to step up considerably.
In the absence of Cupps, small forward Colin White is poised to take on the sixth man role. The bench will be limited, with only guards Taison Chatman and recent addition Puff Johnson available for rotational support. Depending on the game flow, Johnson, who stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 190 pounds, may need to fill in at power forward. Freshman Amare Bynum may also contribute at small-ball center to give Njegovan some rest.
There is a chance that Ohio State could employ a small-ball lineup, with White starting at small forward. Chatman will have to provide essential minutes alongside star guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. should they require breaks during the game.
The Buckeyes face a struggling Penn State squad, which currently holds an 0-8 record in conference play. Despite this, the Nittany Lions nearly pulled off a victory against No. 3 Michigan earlier in the season, indicating that no victory is guaranteed. Ohio State will need to overcome their challenges and play at their best despite being below full strength.
The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. on FS1. This matchup presents an opportunity for Ohio State to rally together and make a statement, despite their depleted roster.