Records
Ohio State 18-6 (12-6), Iowa 17-7 (11-6)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: SUnday, Feb. 28
Game Time: 4 p.m. EST
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Network: CBS
The games continue to be huge for the Ohio State basketball squad in the deep, talented Big Ten. Michigan is looking to run away and hide when it comes to the regular-season conference title, but there’s still a lot on the line. The Buckeyes are trying to hold onto a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, and need to grab some momentum as the postseason nears after losing two straight games.
Iowa is the team just behind the Buckeyes in the standings, and a win would allow Iowa to leapfrog OSU into the third spot in the league. It’s a huge matchup between two big-men when you consider what will happen in and around the post between Luka Garza and E.J. Liddell. There’s sure to be a lot of points scored between two highly efficient offenses.
Back at it at 4PM on CBS 🤝#Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/M8OHLyEu47
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 28, 2021
Let’s dive into all this game has to offer, and end it off with a prediction.
Next … The Ohio State game plan
Ohio State Cliffs Notes game plan
Ohio State forward Kyle Young game time decision vs. Iowa https://t.co/8ny7LMwQey
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) February 28, 2021
Much like the first time around, Ohio State can’t fall in love with working things through the post in this one. With center Luka Garza down on the blocks, this has to be a game where all players get involved on multiple spots on the floor. You can’t completely forget about the post, but some of that has to come from perimeter drives with Garza out pulled out while guarding E.J. Liddell outside of the paint. OSU finished with four of its five starters in double figures in Iowa City, and that’s the same type of effort it’ll need Sunday in Columbus.
On defense, Iowa is extremely tough to guard. There’s really no option but to double down on Garza when he gets the ball, then try and closeout and help on shooters that will spread the floor on the perimeter. The team that plays the best scrambling, help defense in this one is going to win the game.
NEXT … Key Players For Both Teams
Key Player For Ohio State
After stinging loss to Michigan State, E.J. Liddell, Ohio State, turn focus to Iowa https://t.co/kz03nsdKYb
— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) February 28, 2021
Forward, E.J. Liddell – With or without Kyle Young potentially out, Liddell needs a huge game. He’ll likely draw the task of guarding everyone’s player of the year, Luka Garza, and he has to battle like crazy. Ohio State will need scoring from him, but also a well-rounded game against the Iowa big man when it comes to rebounds and defending in the post without fouling.
Key Player to Know for Iowa
Iowa DOWNS No. 12 Maryland 😤
Joe Wieskamp balls out with 26pts to lead the #Hawkeyes past the Terps! pic.twitter.com/rnQtubN4t7
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 11, 2020
Guard, Joe Wieskamp – Everybody knows about Garza, but Wieskamp is the underrated part of a dynamic duo of players averaging in double figures. He’s got length at 6-foot, 6-inches to dribble drive and get a shot off against almost anyone, but he can also fill it up from deep, shooting 48.3 percent from beyond the arc. Ohio State cannot afford to put so much attention on Garza, that it forgets about what Wieskamp can do.
NEXT … The prediction
How It’ll All Go Down
We said it last game, and we’re going to reiterate it here. Ohio State looks like a tired team. OSU has played more games than any team in the Big Ten, it is dealing with some banged-up players, and shots on Sunday often fell short, a sign of tired legs. Iowa plays a style that will punish you if you don’t have the energy to guard, run the floor, and rebound, and the Buckeyes need a break. They’ll get it after this one, but won’t be able to pull this one out.
Final Score
Iowa 80, Ohio State 74
Line
Ohio State -3.5 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.)
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