The Minnesota Golden Gophers will open their play at the Big Ten Tournament on Friday afternoon when they will rematch against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a meeting of the #4 and #5 seeds. Ohio State advanced to Friday’s game with a drubbing of Indiana 84-59 on Thursday afternoon. Star guard Jaloni Cambridge had 19 points for the Buckeyes while Chance Grey added 18.
With fellow projected #4 NCAA seeds Michigan State and Maryland losing in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday to lower seeded teams, the winner
of this game is almost guaranteed to lock down a #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The loser as long as the game is close should have a very strong argument for one as well. But the easiest way to lock one down to quote the infamous Al Davis—-“Just win baby.” Tip is scheduled for approximately 1:30 on Big Ten Network.
#11 Ohio State Buckeyes
Record: 25-6 (13-5)
NET Rank: 17
#19 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 22-7 (13-5)
NET Rank: 8
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN:
Keep Jaloni Cambridge in Check:
Key #1 remains the same as it did in Minnesota’s win over the Buckeyes in February, Keep one of the best players in the conference and in the nation in check. Minnesota held Cambridge to 23 points in their first meeting, but on a terribly inefficient 10-27 shooting. The Buckeyes definitely have other scoring options—led by Grey who scored 17 against Minnesota including going 3-4 from beyond the arc, but Jaloni is the player who stirs the drink. Tori McKinney and Amaya Battle did a great job on her the first game harassing her and getting her off her game, and that will need to happen once again.
Rule The Boards—Get Second Chance Opportunities:
Again, this one stays from the first matchup as this was THE key to the win over OSU the first time. Sophie Hart was dominant in the paint recording an 18 point and 10 rebound double-double. The Gophers killed the Buckeyes on the boards winning the rebound tally by a 47-32 margin, and Minnesota got 15 offensive rebounds allowing for a 17-6 edge in second chance points. It may take another effort like that to get pas the Buckeyes a second time. Minnesota will need to rule the rebounds and both get second chance opportunities, but limit the Buckeyes to second chance opportunities as well. Minnesota has a size advantage in their guards so getting great rebounding performances from McKinney, Battle, and Braun will be just as key.
Play Smart Basketball:
Minnesota likely will be a bit amped to start the game. They have not been in this situation before where they are the hunted rather than the hunter. The Gophers need to come out calm and collected and play smart basketball. No bad turnovers—protect the ball. If OSU goes with the full court press, break it and don’t lose focus and make stupid mistakes. No bad fouls—if Minnesota gets in foul trouble with their limited depth that could be a killer. Take advantage of OSU mistakes. The Gophers forced 20 Buckeye turnovers in their first meeting. Be aggressive but not stupid. If you get outshot, well there is not much you can do about that. But limiting mistakes and capitalizing on your opponents will go a long way towards a date in the Semifinals on Saturday.
Prediction:
This one is going to be close. These teams are evenly matched and whoever executes better should come away with the win. The pressure is definitely on Minnesota to see if they can live up to the expectations that have now been placed upon them. Assuming the Gophers don’t lock up under the pressure they do match up well with their size and grit. With so much on the line, the Gophers rise to the occasion and take out the Buckeyes 74-68.
Next Up:
The winner advances to the Big Ten Semifinals against either #8 seed Washington or #1 seed UCLA at 2 PM on Saturday on BTN.
