Records
Ohio State 14-4 (8-4), Iowa 13-4 (7-3)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Thursday, Feb. 4
Game Time: 7 p.m. EST
Venue: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, Iowa
Network: ESPN
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Ohio State basketball team. After two wins last week over an upstart Penn Stats squad, and a reeling, yet still talented Michigan State team, the Buckeyes now have the daunting task of traveling to Iowa City to take on one of the most talented teams in the country, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
It’s a top ten matchup with both squads in a virtual tie for third place, and just 1.5 games out of first. The winner stays in the conversation for a conference title run, while the loser is faced with a significant setback toward that end goal.
As we do before every game, we provide you with some key players, a potential game plan, and of course, a prediction.
Next … The Ohio State game plan
Ohio State Cliffs Notes game plan
Big one tonight… #Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/YJ0XcXMQOw
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 4, 2021
This is a tough matchup in the frontcourt for Ohio State. Iowa has arguably the most talented and physical big man in the country in Luka Garza. E.J. Liddell has been good going against anyone, but he may not have as much success in and around the paint in this one. Look for the Buckeyes to spread the floor more, pull Lidell out from the paint, and use the wings and guards to penetrate. If Iowa keeps its length on the interior, then OSU will have to look to dish off of dribble-drive action when things collapse and hope to have a hot shooting night.
On defense, with the size advantage the Hawkeyes have, and with Garza on their roster, it’s going to be a steady dose of post feeds and work around the rim. Garza is good enough that you have to double team on every touch on the paint then rally back to shooters on the perimeter if it goes back outside. From there, it’s all hands on deck when it comes to crashing the boards and limiting more touches for a long and physical Iowa ballclub.
NEXT … Key Players For Both Teams
Key Player For Ohio State
WATCH: Chris Holtmann and Duane Washington’s relationship as told by the Big Ten Network https://t.co/RCuAi2r9gn
— Phil Harrison (@PhilHarrisonBW) January 31, 2021
Guard, Duane Washington – OK. It’s time to shine Mr. Washington. He’s been in a shooting slump, but there probably won’t be as much success in the lane for Ohio State this game. That means guys on the perimeter have to make shots, and if there’s one guy that can get hot and score in bunches, it’s the inconsistent, yet streaky Washington. He probably has to have a big game tonight for the Buckeyes to overcome the advantage in the frontcourt with this one. He also has to be smart with the ball though and not force things just because he thinks he has to be the hero.
Key Player to Know for Iowa
Luka Garza with four rebounds in the first half becoming the 10th Hawkeye in program history to amass 800 career boards.
Jack Nunge with 11 first-half points, reaching double digits for the second time in four games. pic.twitter.com/VtMv9M6iZj
— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 3, 2021
Center, Luka Garza – You don’t run into a true center very often in the game of basketball any longer, but when you have a guy as good as the 6-foot, 11-inch Garza, you use him, then rinse and repeat. Iowa is its best when Garza is creating havoc and finishing through contact in the lane. He can score, get guys in foul trouble, rebound, and provide resistance at the rim. He’ll get points, but you just hope he doesn’t go off.
NEXT … The prediction
How It’ll All Go Down
This is going to be fun 🍿
Who ya got tomorrow night: No. 7 @OhioStateHoops or No. 8 @IowaHoops? 🙌
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 3, 2021
This is another stiff challenge in a run of stiff challenges for Ohio State in the Big Ten. The problem in this one is that is a mismatch nightmare for the Buckeyes. They simply don’t have a big enough post presence to neutralize big man Luka Garza. Ohio State will run guys at him in waves, and have proven that it can play in multiple ways this season, but unless the Hawkeyes have an off shooting night, this will be a tough one to put in the win column. Advantage Iowa in this one.
Final Score
Iowa 79, Ohio State 67
Line
Iowa -5.5 (Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.)
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