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Ohio State Basketball: Huge game for both Buckeyes and Hoosiers

By Charlie Lockhart

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts from the sideline in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 20: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts from the sideline in the second half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during their game at Madison Square Garden on January 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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When the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Indiana Hoosiers in the Big Ten Tournament it could be a must win game for each team.

Both Ohio State and Indiana are on the bubble to receive an NCAA Tournament bid and the loser of tomorrow’s game may have to settle for playing in the NIT. The two teams finished the Big Ten schedule tied for 8th with 8-12 records, one game back of the Minnesota Gophers.

Many have speculated that there will be 8 or 9 teams from the conference invited to the tournament this year. It would be hard to imagine the committee selecting the Buckeyes if they lose to the Hoosiers though as that would be four consecutive losses to finish the season.

While Ohio State has struggled lately Indiana has won the last four games. Not only are the Hoosiers on a roll but two players have been difficult to shut down all season.

Freshman guard Romeo Langford is averaging 16.7 points per game and senior forward Juwan Morgan 15.1 ppg while pulling down 8.3 rebounds. Other players capable of putting up points are Justin Smith (8.7 ppg), Devonte Green (8), Aljami Durham (7.7) and Rob Phinisee.

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Fortunately for the Buckeyes Kaleb Wesson will suit up for the first time in four games. Hopefully that will jump-start the scoring, especially in the first half. With Wesson sidelined Ohio State hasn’t scored more than 20 points in the first 20 minutes in any of the three losses.

In addition to Wesson’s scoring, it will certainly help to have his inside presence on the defensive end. Kyle Young has done a nice job but he doesn’t look like he is 100 percent at the moment, and it will certainly help to have another big body in the middle.

It’s hard to believe after the Buckeyes began the season 12-1 and 2-0 in the conference that they would be playing a must win game in the Big Ten Tournament but that appears to be the situation. Ohio State won the first meeting this season 55-52 but that was during a stretch where Indiana lost 12 of 13 games.

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The Hoosiers are simply a different team now than the one the Buckeyes faced in February. And a dangerous one.

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