Ohio State forwards produce points, rebounds

Ohio State presents a pair of matchup concerns with forwards Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate. Bates-Diop, a junior, is taller at 6-feet-7 and 235 pounds, the senior Tate is brawnier at 6-4 and 230.

The duo combines for 34.6 points and 17.5 rebounds per game. Bates-Diop can stretch the floor with a team-leading nine 3-pointers. Tate, making his 81st career start, operates closer to the basket.

The Zags have slowed opposing wings thus far – Texas Southern’s Donte Clarke (5 of 15 FG, 13 points), Howard’s Charles Williams (0 for 10, 4 points) and Utah State’s DeAngelo Isby (4 of 9, 13 points).

The two Buckeyes should see some combination of Silas Melson, Zach Norvell Jr., Corey Kispert, Killian Tillie and possibly Johnathan Williams, if GU elects to put a bigger body on Bates-Diop, in the defensive rotation.