Ohio State Basketball: Two tough tests for improving Buckeyes
The Ohio State basketball team faces two tough challenges against Iowa and Maryland as they find themselves back in the AP Top 25 after winning five of six.
Chris Holtmann’s Ohio State basketball team has gotten back to their winning ways. Since losing six of seven after an 11-1 start, the Buckeyes have been led by Kaleb Wesson to improve to 17-8 (7-7 Big Ten) and a ranking of No. 25 in the AP Poll and No. 24 in the Coaches’ Poll.
This week, the level of improvement will be tested as the Buckeyes face No. 20 Iowa (18-8, 9-6 Big Ten) and Wooden Award front-runner Luka Garza in Iowa City Thursday night. Then, it will be another challenge against conference leader, No. 7 Maryland (21-4, 11-3 Big Ten) – led by the talented duo of Anthony Cowan, Jr. and Jalen Smith – at home on Sunday.
Not only is this an opportunity for the Buckeyes to prove whether they are a team to watch in the NCAA Tournament. It is also a chance to move up in the Big Ten standings and move into a top-four position for a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes will have to stop Garza, who is averaging 23.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and has lifted Iowa to being tied for third in the Big Ten standings.
Ohio State will have to be careful double-teaming Garza though, because guard Joe Weiskamp averages 14.9 points per game and put up 30 against Nebraska, and could cause trouble for the Ohio State defense. With a 3-3 record in their last six games, the Buckeyes could be catching the Hawkeyes at just the right time for a key Big Ten win.
Against Maryland, Ohio State will have to prevent the duo of Cowan Jr. – 16.6 points, 4.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game – and Smith – 15.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game – from continuing their run of success which has led to eight straight wins and a No. 7 ranking.
A couple of wins against the Hawkeyes and Terrapins could send the Buckeyes soaring back up the rankings and back into the conversation of being a dark-horse contender to get to the Elite Eight. If the Buckeyes lose both games, they would tumble back out of the Top 25 and find themselves looking at being a No. 8 seed, at best, in the NCAA Tournament.
Next. Buckeyes need to lock up Corey Kiner. dark
With just six regular season games remaining, the Buckeyes are getting hot at the right time, but will be tested this week against two teams ahead of them in the Big Ten.