The Ohio State basketball team met yet another significant challenge on Thursday night by disposing of a top ten Iowa ballclub at its place by the score of 89-85. It was one in which the Buckeyes got out to a lead early, but had to battle back from eleven down in the second half. It was OSU’s fourth win over a top fifteen opponent on the road, in a conference that’s hard enough to win night in and night out.
No matter how you look at this one, it was an entertaining, fast-paced, and high scoring affair with both teams playing at a very high level. It could have gone either way, but Ohio State found a way to make plays at the end of the game to come out with a victory that moves its record to 15-4 overall, and 9-4 in the Big Ten — in a virtual tie with Illinois for second place. Yes, you read that correctly.
There was plenty to take from this game, so let’s get to it. Here are three observations and things we think we learned about the impressive win in Iowa City by Ohio State.
NEXT … Bully of the block
Ohio State didn’t back down from Iowa’s frontcourt
The definition of "fight!"#GoBuckeyes #Team122 pic.twitter.com/5AcSjPUOzX
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 5, 2021
I really thought this would be a tough matchup for Ohio State. Not because the Buckeyes don’t have the talent to play with Iowa, but because of the Hawkeyes’ length and muscle in the frontcourt. Obviously, Luka Garza poses some problems on the post for any team, but it’s more than that. There’s length, offensive firepower, and physicality all over the court.
But Ohio State punched right back.
E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, Zed Key, and others found a way to get buckets in and around the rim through contact, and the Buckeyes even outrebounded an Iowa team that usually owns the glass. This team just keeps finding ways to win in multiple formats, and this was another one.
NEXT … Ahrens you glad he’s on our team?
Justin Ahrens is a difference-maker
Now THAT'S a dub! 💪#GoBuckeyes #Team122 pic.twitter.com/EkzozzilPF
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 5, 2021
Three-point assassin Justin Ahrens has elbowed his way into the starting lineup, and for good reason. E.J. Liddell has made a huge jump in productivity this season, but it might not be possible without Ahrens work on the perimeter. His ability to stretch the defense out as a 3-point sniper keeps the defense from doubling down when posting up on his side.
Even with that, there’s some good action that the OSU coaching staff runs to get Ahrens his shot, and he sure does make good on a slew of those looks. In this one, he missed a few early, but his ability to find the range deep is one of the main reasons why Ohio State pulled this one out. You almost expect the ball to go in when he releases with that smooth lefty stroke now.
I don’t know that he gets enough credit either for what his presence in the lineup means holistically for this team.
NEXT … The ceiling for this team?
How far can this team go?
It's time to start talking about the Bucks. ⌛️@OhioStateHoops just owned the second half in Iowa City.
📍 @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/oiEvGuSJvT
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) February 5, 2021
It’s the question everyone is wondering now. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if say Illinois, Iowa, or Wisconsin found a way to make it to the Final Four, and Ohio State beat all three of them on the road. The team is putting together one heck of a résumé with still plenty of season to go. The improvement from game two until now has been nothing short of extraordinary.
So how good is this team, and how far can it go? I think the Buckeyes are proving they can play with anyone and could make a deep, deep run if they continue to improve and play at a high level. Dare we even utter the two double-F words with this club? At this point, with as many options to score the basketball, the depth, and the coaching, maybe so.
Now, there’s plenty left in the season and we could see things turn around in a heartbeat in the Big ten, but man, this Ohio State team is starting to look Final Four potential good. There, I said it.
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