Records
Ohio State 19-13 (No. 11 seed) Iowa State 23-11 (No. 6 seed)
Broadcast, TV, Game Time
Date: Friday, March 22
Game Time: 9:50 PM (approximately)
Venue: Bank of Oklahoma Center, Tulsa, OK
Network: TNT | You can also tune in online with FuboTV. (Try it for free)
Now all the madness begins. After an roller coaster season that saw Ohio State barely get into the NCAA Tournament, it now has new life in a one and done format. And the challenge is a big one.
Iowa State underachieved most of the year, but then put it all together to make a run through the Big Twelve Tournament and win the whole thing. The Buckeyes will need to fire all weapons and play a smart and aggressive game to try and pull an upset.
Next … The Ohio State Game Plan
Ohio State cliff notes game plan
This Iowa State team likes to spread you out, share the ball and get good looks. It has four players that average double figures, and three guards that can shoot the ball from the perimeter. The Buckeyes must get out on shooters and make those guards penetrate. They can’t help off the ball too much on the outside for fear of leaving a better kick out open.
On offense, the pace needs to slow, and of course Kaleb Wesson will be key down in the post. Play through him, let a hot Keyshawn Woods bring the ball up and let the others create off the ball. But take time. The Buckeyes cannot afford to play one-on-one matchup basketball and have to be patient, run offense and get good looks themselves.
Next … Key Player And Prediction
Key Player For Ohio State
Kaleb Wesson. There’s no way around it. Ohio State’s chances of advancing rest on the broad shoulders of its big man. He has to be effective and aggressive offensively, stay out of foul trouble and get his teammates engaged. If he’s playing well on both sides of the floor, it makes this team much more dangerous. It’s a tall order even with him being at his best — Ohio State stands no chance without him.
How It’ll All Go Down
It’s great that Ohio State got into the NCAA Tournament in a year that was supposed to be a rebuild. But that’s where it’ll end. Iowa State has too much talent on the perimeter, plays with too much pace and can shoot the lights out. Simply put, the Cyclones are on a roll. The Buckeyes will try and slow things down, but won’t shoot well enough to do so. The Cyclones pull it out in rather easy fashion.
Final Score
Iowa State 77, Ohio State 66
Line
Iowa State -5.5
