The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (14-2, 2-1) look to keep pace in the tight race atop the Big Ten standing by earning a valuable road win over the Iowa Hawkeyes (10-6, 2-1) on Saturday afternoon.
The Buckeyes learned a harsh lesson about the value of road games in the Big Ten when they lost at Indiana last Saturday. After pounding Nebraska at home on Tuesday, Ohio State can reestablish themselves as the best team in the Big Ten with a solid effort at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Jared Sullinger (19 points) and Deshaun Thomas (15 points) led the way against Nebraska as the Buckeyes wasted little time putting away the Cornhuskers. Things shouldn't be so easy on Saturday as the Buckeyes will need a 40-minute effort to take care of Iowa on their home court.
After losing their first Big Ten game at home to Purdue, Iowa has been impressive, hitting the road to upset No. 11 Wisconsin prior to winning at Minnesota on Wednesday. Those two big road wins certainly turned heads around the Big Ten and should ensure Ohio State is focused and ready to play.
The Hawkeyes are led by a pair of 6' 5" guards in Matt Gatens with 13.6 points per game and Roy Devyn Marble with 10.6 points per game. Iowa relies on a small-ball attack starting three guards and two forwards. Sullinger and the athletic front court for Ohio State should be able to expose this matchup to give Ohio State an advantage.
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