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On paper, the Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the best all-around teams in the country. They rank in the top 10 in points per game and in the top 50 points allowed per game. However, OSU has struggled against above-average opposition since the beginning of the season.
No team that Ohio State has beaten this year is projected to go to the 2015 NCAA Tournament, which is why a win over a potential bubble team like their next opponents, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, will be crucial to the success of the Buckeyes’ season. The two Big 10 teams face off on Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN at Minnesota.
The Golden Gophers have an extremely impressive early season resume, but they need to get a good win over a ranked opponent to wash away their close win over the Purdue Boilermakers. Minnesota has struggled with their inside game all season long, so they will be more than ready to face a guard-heavy rotation like the Buckeyes tend to favor.
This game should come down to whether Ohio State can contain the scoring of the Golden Gophers, as Andre Hollins, DeAndre Mathieu, Joey King, Nate Mason, Carlos Morris and Maurice Walker all average at least nine points per game. Likewise, Minnesota’s guards must step up defensively, because the Golden Gophers are nowhere near as talented defensively as Ohio State.
Expect Ohio State to finally beat a potential 2015 NCAA Tournament team in an entertaining battle of the guards that should come down to three or four crucial and-one plays.
Prediction: Ohio State 84, Minnesota 78
Taylor Sturm is a Featured Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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