Ohio will take on its first nonconference opponent in over a month when it travels to Arkansas to take on Arkansas State. Ohio has been hot in the Mid-American Conference and will look to keep its four-game win streak alive in a game that impacts the team a little less than what is to come in the final month of the season.
Ohio is coming off one of its closest games of the season after an overtime win against Ball State on the road.
Arkansas State has had an up-and-down year in the Sun Belt Conference with a 6-6 conference record. Arkansas State matched up with a familiar foe for Ohio when it took on Bowling Green in November, a game which it lost. Ohio also fell to Bowling Green earlier in the season.
Here is all you need to know for Saturday’s matchup:
Game Information
Head Coach: Bryan Hodgson (first season)
Probable Starters
#0 Caleb Fields
#3 Derrian Ford
#10 Avery Felts
#35 Izaiyah Nelson
#45 Dyondre Dominguez
Statistical Leaders
Points: Fields (13.1 per game)
Rebounds: Dominguez (7.5 per game)
Assists: Fields (5.8 per game)
Steals: Taryn Todd (1.1 per game)
Blocks: Nelson (1.8 per game)
Field Goal Percentage: Lado Laku (68%)
3-point Percentage: Zane Butler (46%)
History:
Ohio and Arkansas State have matched up once since 2011. Early in the 2011-12 season, Ohio defeated Arkansas State 69-54. Although the schools have barely any history, it’s worth noting that the last season in which Ohio faced Arkansas State is the same season that the school made an appearance in the Sweet 16 after winning the MAC.
Player to Watch: Caleb Fields
Fields is the senior leader of the Red Wolves. Averaging 13.1 points per game, Fields will be a problem for Ohio’s defense. Fields has scored 15-plus points in each of his last three games, including a 27-point performance versus Southern Miss.
