Ohio State University freshman guard Meechie Johnson Jr. (0) prepares to shoot from behind the three-point line during Monday's Ohio State Bowling Game. Ohio State University won 89-58. Image Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

After winning the top ten opener against Pennsylvania State University, the 21st-ranked Buckeyes turned to the mid-term challenge before Sunday's battle with 22nd-ranked Wisconsin. 

In order to avoid setbacks in the game against Towson (6-3, 0-0 Colonial Athletic Association), Ohio State University (6-2, 1-0 top ten) assistant coach Jack Diebler emphasized the Buckeyes Don't be too complacent to enter their meeting with the Tigers. 

"Although they are not ranked, they are a good team. All indicators show that they are a very good team," Diebler said. "In this season's college basketball game, this seems to be more than a typical season; we are reminded many times a week that you can't take it lightly." 

Torson started the first six games of the season and then scored three consecutive victories against the Buckeyes. The Tigers defeated New Mexico State, Long Island and Kent State University in the game, averaging 13 points higher than their opponents. 

The Tigers have the best defense in the CAA, averaging only 62.2 points per game, while the opponent's shooting percentage is 38.4. In rebounding, Towson's rebound rate is +8.9, the best in the league. 

Due to Towson's defensive strength, it also has three double-digit scorers and its offensive speed is above average. 

Redshirt junior guard Nicholas Timberlake led the Tigers in three games, averaging 18.6 points per game. Timberlake led all scorers in Towson's recent game against Golden Flashes, scoring 22 points on 8 of 14 shots. 

Timberlake is in the middle of the Tigers' scoring trio, averaging 13.6 points per game so far this season. Along with Timberlake, the guard partner of senior Cam Holden and graduate Terry Nolan Jr. also found himself in double digits. 

Horton leads the Tigers in points and rebounds, averaging a double-double of 16 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. The Forsyth, Georgia native is also very efficient in terms of offensive opportunities-shooting 51.6% from the field and 41.7% from the arc. 

Although Holden dominates the offensive end, he also contributed to the defensive end-leading the Tigers with 17 steals. 

Nolan missed Towson's recent game against Kent State University, but he is the third person in charge of the Tigers offense. Nolan averaged 12.9 points and 3.4 assists per game, which is an inefficient gear in Towson's scoring machine, shooting only 38.7% from the field and 24.4% from three-pointers.

Since Towson has proven to be one of the best mid-level teams in the country, freshman guard Meechie Johnson Jr. stated that the Buckeyes need to treat this game like any other game. 

"You just continue to work hard as a team, you keep in touch, you pay a lot of attention to details," Johnson said. "We know that as a team, you have a team like this and they will go all out. This is their champion. We must be on our P and Q." 

When Ohio State University looked forward to the Towson game, the timing of the Buckeyes game was also inappropriate, as it landed between the top ten games-Wisconsin ranked 22nd on Saturday is imminent. 

As the Buckeyes enter December, Diebler said that in the difficult period of the mid-season, the team's growth is still imperative. 

"We hope to continue to grow throughout the year, and I think this is very important to us," Diebler said. "There is no doubt that you see everything in college basketball: the benefits of experience." 

At 9pm on Wednesday night, the Buckeyes and Tigers kicked off at the Schottenstein Center. ESPNU will broadcast the game. 

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