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Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes to take on high flying Hawkeyes

By Charlie Lockhart

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes team will once again face another ranked team and try to pull out a win to enhance their NCAA Tournament resume, but it will be a difficult task against the high-flying Iowa Hawkeyes.

After winning five of the last six games Iowa’s record stands at 21-6 and is 10-6 in the conference. Ohio State is 17-9 and 7-9 in the Big Ten and has lost three of the last four games.

The Hawkeyes bring a high-powered offense to town, averaging 80.4 points per game which is tops in the conference. It will be difficult for the Buckeyes to keep up the scoring pace with the offensive woes they are having.

Ohio State has only scored 70 or more points three times in 2019. Iowa has only failed to do so three times since last November.

A look at the leading scorers for the Hawkeyes you can see why they are a difficult team to stop.

  • Forward Tyler Cook  16.0 points per game
  • Forward Luka Garza  13.3
  • Guard Jordan Bohannon  11.7
  • Guard Joe Wieskamp  11.1
  • Guard Isaiah Moss  9.9

Iowa has terrific balance with both guards and forwards who can put the ball in the basket. One player to watch is Bohannon who is averaging 17.8 points the last five games.

These five players are scoring 62 points per game between them. Ohio State scored 62 points against Maryland Saturday but failed to reach that mark the previous four games.

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Ohio State’s two players averaging double figures are Kaleb Wesson 14.4 ppg and C.J. Jackson 12.5. Luther Muhammad and Andre Wesson are each scoring at a 8.9 ppg clip.

Jackson missed the Maryland game due to an injury but Eleven Warriors reported he is expected to play tonight. It would certainly be a plus for the Buckeyes to have their second leading scorer back.

But it does raise questions.

Will Justin Ahrens get his second consecutive start? And with Jackson returning will he and fellow freshman Duane Washington be featured on offense as much as they were in the Maryland game? Ahrens was 3-5 from the arc and Washington scored 15 points against the Terrapins.

Two questions leading into spring practices. dark. Next

Whatever the case the Buckeyes have an opportunity to a get a signature win tonight at home. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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