Records
Ohio State 17-8 (7-7), Purdue 18-8 (9-6)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Thursday, February 20
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
Network: ESPN
The Ohio State basketball team seems to have righted the ship a bit after having an issue keeping up with any New Year’s Resolutions in January. After winning five of the last six, it now hits the road to take on a very talented Iowa team that likes to get up and down the court.
It’s another road game in the Big Ten, and getting a win away from home hasn’t been easy for anyone in the league. It’ll be no different here. The Buckeyes must bring their best game to have any shot of pulling off what would be considered an upset.
A win would be huge and would get Ohio State over .500 in the league for the first time since early December. A loss, and there’s still some work to do in a very difficult conference.
Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Next … The Ohio State game plan
Ohio State cliff notes game plan
Iowa would like to make this an up-tempo game and push things up the court. Knowing that, it’ll be a struggle to see which team can impose its will. Wisconsin was able to slow things down a bit and get the Hawkeyes out of their rhythm just enough to create issues scoring the basketball. Ohio State needs to get that tape out and remember to get back on defense, help out down low on Luka Garza and then make Iowa shoot jumpers from the outside.
On offense, it’s much of the same. Get into half-court sets and move the ball well. Try to get dribble-drive penetration and find the open shooters when the defense helps out. The Hawkeyes aren’t the best defensive club, but you have to still take good shots and knock them down. Kaleb Wesson might be more effective out on high sets on the perimeter on this one to draw Garza out of the lane rather than going toe-to-toe with him down low.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
Justin Ahrens. Someone will have to have a good shooting night from the outside if Ohio State’s going to win this one. Duane Washington has been asked to be more of a ball-handler than shooter since D.J. Carton took a leave, so it’s unlikely to be him. We’re making the call for Justin Ahrens to get more looks than normal out on the perimeter. If he can find open spots on the floor and bomb away from deep, it’ll stretch Iowa’s defense and open up other options.
How It’ll All Go Down
It’s going to be a Lord of the Rings Journey to go to Iowa City and win this one. Look for Ohio State to be more competitive and purposeful in this road contest than what we saw at places like Penn State and Wisconsin, but it won’t be enough. The Hawkeyes have too many scoring options and are very comfortable at home for the Buckeyes to pull off the upset.
Final Score
Iowa 78, Ohio State 69
Line
Iowa -2.5
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