storminspank
Justin VanLaere
By Justin VanLaere
The odds are stacked against Iowa as they host Ohio State tonight inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The undefeated Buckeyes are arguably the best defensive team in the nation, as well as one of college basketball’s best offensive teams. Iowa will have to play their best ballgame of the year just to stay with Thad Matta’s squad at home. If Iowa drops this contest, Iowa might not get above .500 the rest of the year.
Game Info
Ohio State Buckeyes (14-0, 1-0) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (7-6, 0-1)
POMEROY RATINGS: OSU – 1, Iowa 72
RPI: OSU – 19, Iowa – 179
Tip Off: Tuesday, January 4th, 2010; 8:06 PM CST
Iowa City, IA – Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,550)
TV: BTN (HD) • RADIO: AM-600, AM-800, AM-1040, Sirius 122, XM 143
SERIES: Iowa leads series 75-72
LIVE CHAT LINK HERE
Probable Starters
IOWA
G – Bryce Cartwright, 6’1â€, 180 lb, JR
G – Matt Gatens, 6’5â€, 215 lb, JR
F – Eric May, 6’5â€, 225 lb, SO
F – Melsahn Basabe, 6’7â€, 225 lb, FR
C – Jarryd Cole, 6’7â€, 250 lb, SR
OSU
G – William Buford, 6’5â€, 205 lb, JR
G – Jon Diebler, 6’6â€, 205 lb, SR
F – David Lighty, 6’5â€, 220 lb, SR
F – Jared Sullinger, 6’9â€, 280 lb, FR
C – Dallas Lauderdale, 6’8â€, 255 lb, SR
VanLaere’s Analysis
The Hawkeyes will face Ohio State on the basketball court the same night as the Buckeyes play in their bowl game. Iowa hasn’t seen such an event like that since… uh… their last game, when they played Illinois the same time the Illini battled in a bowl game.
Well, last time out on the court Iowa’s perimeter defense once again allowed a team to go bananas from behind the arc. Illinois shot an incredible 10-12 from three-point land in the first half and finished 13-18 from there. McCamey and Richardson teamed up to make 9 of 12 of those three pointers. I wouldn’t bring it up if this was an aberration; instead, it appears to be a trend. The Hawkeyes have had a very difficult time defending the long ball this year. Guess what? Ohio State shoots the 3 ball really well. Not good for Iowa.
There’s really not a lot to breakdown in this matchup. Ohio State is one of the best basketball teams in America; Iowa is trying to recover from being one of the worst teams in the nation the past several years. Each member of the Buckeyes’ starting five is better than each of the members of the starting five for Iowa. Ohio State has an established system with an established coach. Iowa is learning a new philosophy under a new coach. On top of it, Ohio State also brings in one of the best recruiting classes to the table, including the nation’s best frosh (in my opinion) in Jared Sullinger.
KEYS TO GAME FOR IOWA:
- Defend the Three. This key has been on my preview/prediction quite a bit this year, yet it still remains a deciding factor in the game. I have a sick feeling that Diebler will go bonkers tonight against Iowa. Historically, Jon has not scored well inside Carver-Hawkeye (averaging just 6 PPG; point totals of 0, 12, and 6); however I think this year he finally shoots it well in Iowa City.
- Forget about the Super Frosh. Jared Sullinger is going to get his. Expect him to net 25 pts and 8 boards tonight. If he gets more, that’s fine. The Hawkeyes will gladly give up 30 points to Sullinger if it means Lighty, Buford, and Diebler are held in check. Sullinger won’t win the game by himself. Iowa has to be careful not to collapse too much on Jared and forget their man in the process.
- Handle the Pressure D. It’s no secret, Ohio State plays fantastic defense. I don’t think there is a better defensive team in the nation than the Buckeyes. There will be added pressure on Bryce Cartwright in the game, as he is the only player, sans perhaps Marble, that can slash to create opportunities for himself and others. If Iowa is stuck shooting jump shot after jump shot, they will not put up enough points to compete (unless the 3 ball is falling). Additionally, the OSU defense forces a ton of turnovers, which gives them a lot of extra possessions in a game. Possessions in a Thad Matta offense are highly coveted; Iowa cannot afford to give OSU any more advantages than they already have.
PREDICTION: If Iowa can beat Ohio State, it will be the biggest win for this program in the last half decade. I just don’t see it happening, FINAL SCORE: Iowa 62, Ohio State 77
MBB: Iowa vs. Ohio State Preview/Prediction | Hawkeye Nation
