Ohio State is undefeated and #1 in the country in college basketball. That means every team they play will be gunning for them, looking to be the first team to beat them. Northwestern is next on the list for the Buckeyes when the two teams meet tonight at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, IL.
The Wildcats are a tough out, especially in their own building. At 13-7(3-6), NU is trying to assure themselves of a solid seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They are also trying to break a 2-game losing streak, having lost to Wisconsin at home 78-46 and on the road at Minnesota 81-70.
Ohio State played their best game of the season on Tuesday night when they knocked off #12 Purdue 87-64 in Columbus. It's trips like these, however, after big wins that likely give Buckeyes coach Thad Matta nightmares.
The Wildcats could be short-handed tonight against the Buckeyes as well. John Shurna enters today 4th in the Big Ten in scoring and is nursing a head injury suffered in the Wildcats loss to Minnesota. He did return to the game, but the Wildcats are being extra cautious with him. Shurna is well known by the Buckeyes - it was his 3-pointer that beat the Buckeyes the last time Ohio State went to Evanston.