There is a huge test for the Ohio State Buckeyes tonight as they go to Des Moines, Iowa to play the #20 Hawkeyes. As many of my friends inform me, Ohio State was just one win away from becoming the number one team in the nation before going to Minnesota and laying an egg. The Buckeyes are now back in the top 25 after a couple week hiatus and they are ready to end the season on a hot streak.
Odds
Iowa has opened as a three point favorite according to Bovada Sports Book. If Ohio State can somehow cover that spread I will be thoroughly (but very happily) surprised. Ohio State simply has been a completely different team in many aspects for this game.
Ohio State – Iowa Key #1
The first aspect is the fact that it is a different Buckeye team away from Value City Arena. Six of their eight losses have come on the road or a neutral site location. Their average margin of loss is just shy of ten points per game. They also seem like they couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean if they were standing on the beach.
Ohio State – Iowa Key #2
The other aspect is that they have problems guarding skilled big men. In their first loss to Minnesota, Daniel Oturu dropped 14 points and 13 rebounds. In their second meetup they had limited him to 11 and 6 but their focus was still cut short. Luka Garza is a Wooden Award finalist, who has been on a tear this season averaging 23.7 points and 9.7 rebounds.
It’s going to be very interesting to see if Coach Chris Holtman plays Garza. Do they continue to double down in the post like they did this past weekend? Do you put Andre or Kaleb Wesson on him? Can they keep running teams off of the three point line? These are all extremely important questions that we will have answered tonight during Ohio State – Iowa.