The Minnesota Golden Gophers finally saw themselves rewarded for their 8-game winning streak when they came in at #23 in both the AP and Coaches polls this week. The last time the Gophers were ranked 13 months ago it was just one week and out for Minnesota. For the Gophers to avoid that fate this time it will take at least one ranked win at home as Minnesota ends their regular season home schedule with a pair of ranked opponents beginning Wednesday night with a visit from the #10 ranked Ohio State
Buckeyes. It’s the Gophers annual breast cancer awareness game as well and they will be wearing their pink uniforms that are available to be bid on in an auction with all proceeds going to breast cancer research. Bids can be placed HERE. Wednesday night’s game will tip off at 7 PM and will stream on B1G+.
#10 Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 22-4 (11-3)
NET Rank: 17
#23 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 20-6 (11-4)
NET Rank: 9
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN:
Keep Jaloni Cambridge in Check:
Minnesota has done a fairly good job of keeping their opponent’s star players in check during their 8-game winning streak—but that job will be significantly tougher Wednesday night against Ohio State’s Jaloni Cambridge. One of if not the favorite to win Big Ten Player of the Year, Cambridge was named to the Naismith Trophy’s late season watch list for National Player of the Year. Cambridge is second in the conference in scoring (22.8 ppg) and is also top 10 in steals (2.0 spg) and assists (4.5 apg). In conference play, Cambridge leads the Big Ten with 26.1 points per game. She is shooting 53% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc in Big Ten play this season. She has eleven games this season with 25 or more points including 29 in a one point loss to Maryland last Saturday. She averages nearly nine more point per game than any other Buckeye. If the Gophers can’t keep her in check, it could get ugly fast. But if they can, and force other players to need to account for her scoring, then Minnesota could pick up another huge home ranked win.
Break The Press:
Ohio State does one of the things that the Gophers have struggled all season with and that’s apply strong full court pressure. The Buckeyes are second in the Big Ten in steals and have forced their opponents to over 22 turnovers per game this season. Minnesota generally is very safe with the ball—they turn the ball over just 11 times per game, the best in Big Ten play. But they have struggled against a stiff full court press. It cost them a win over Maryland, it nearly cost them a win over USC, and Iowa made significant strides in coming back against the Gophers before they finally put them away. This is a massive opportunity for the Gophers, and if they blow it because they can’t handle the full court pressure yet again it will be very disappointing.
Rule The Boards—Get Second Chance Opportunities:
This is a game where the Buckeyes will match up will with the Gophers guards in speed and skill. They also have some size, so there will not be any distinct advantage for Sophie Hart and Finau Tonga in the paint. Where the Gophers will need to make up ground will be to dominate the rebounding totals. Minnesota averages three more rebounds per game that the Buckeyes, and Ohio State will give up plenty of rebounds. The Gophers also average nearly 3.5 more offensive rebounds that Ohio State per game. The Gophers need to get those boards and win the second chance points. Minnesota’s best looks from beyond the arc all night will likely come from offensive rebounds and kickouts to open shooters. Minnesota needs to knock those shots down and use that to their advantage.
Prediction:
Minnesota is on a roll and is extremely tough at home, but this is a very tough matchup for the Gophers. If Minnesota can do all the little things right a win is definitely possible, but the Buckeyes have only lost four games all season, all to ranked teams in UCONN, UCLA, Iowa and Maryland. Ohio State has dominated the Gophers in the recent past, but cracks are showing. Ohio State currently holds a 14-game win streak over the Gophers. Minnesota last beat the Buckeyes at home in 2016. It took then-ranked No. 5 Ohio State to overtime and won 90-88. But last season the Gophers took the Buckeyes to overtime in Columbus before falling 87-84. The potential is there—the Gophers just need to close. But I think they come up just a bit short yet again. Ohio State wins 84-79.
Next Up:
Minnesota celebrates Senior Night in their home regular season finale when they take on #18 Michigan State at 5 PM Sunday.
