Former Ohio State basketball player Mark Titus: 'Everything is fine' after loss to Nebraska

Ohio State started the month of January with a victory over Northwestern to improve to 10-3 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play and looked primed for a potential run in league play. Things haven’t gone well since — and former Buckeye Mark Titus made a bold prediction regarding the rest of the season.

Ohio State has lost its last five games, including Wednesday night’s 65-62 loss to Nebraska when Sean McNeil’s three-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer. The Buckeyes now find themselves 2-5 in conference action and a half game ahead of last-place Minnesota in the standings.

With that in mind, Titus made quite a prediction about Saturday’s game between the Buckeyes and Iowa. He’ll be in attendance and plans on seeing a victory.

“We’re fine,” Titus tweeted. “Everything is fine. I’m going to Columbus on Saturday to personally deliver a W and save the program. We will beat Iowa. Not a promise, a guarantee. Again, we are fine. Do not spread false rumors that we are not fine because they have no basis in reality. Thank you.”

Neither Ohio State nor Nebraska got off to a good start on offense as the Buckeyes took a 22-21 lead into the locker room at halftime. But the Cornhuskers outscored them 42-38 in the second half — fueled by 10 points from Sam Griesel — to pull away for the victory and leapfrog Ohio State in the standings.

Brice Sensabaugh had a game-high 18 points for the Buckeyes before he fouled out with 10 seconds to play. Ohio State struggled mightily at the free throw line, going 15 for 23 from the stripe — including two missed free throws from McNeil after officials assessed Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg a technical foul. The Buckeyes also shot 5-for-17 from the three-point line, including a 1-for-7 showing in the first half.

Now, Chris Holtmann and Co. turn their attention to Iowa Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Value City Arena.