Ohio State forward Keita Bates-Diop is sick and could miss Thursday night’s game against Penn State, according to an OSU spokesman.
Dan Wallenberg tweeted that the junior is “questionable” with an unspecified illness and that his availability would be a game time decision.
Bates-Diop is averaging 19.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and has blossomed into a legitimate star after missing most of the 2016-17 season with a stress fracture in his left leg.
He has been named Big Ten Player of the Week three times already this season, including back-to-back weeks earlier in January.
He was also named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy midseason watch list.
If Bates-Diop can’t play, the Buckeyes will lean on C.J. Jackson, Jae’Sean Tate, and Kaleb Wesson to pick up the scoring slack.
Ohio State currently stands 9-0 in Big Ten play, and is a 9.5-point favorite against the Nittany Lions.
The game is set to tip off at 8:00pm ET on Big Ten Network.
TheOzone will continue to update you on this story as new information becomes available.
Junior Keita Bates-Diop is questionable (illness) for the @OhioStateHoops home game vs. Penn State tonight. His availability will be determined at game time (8 p.m./BTN)..
— Dan Wallenberg (@OSUADAthComm) January 25, 2018
