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New Story #10 Iowa at #2 Ohio State WBB Preview

Adam Jacobi

HR MVP
Staff
Dec 30, 2022
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New from Braydon previewing tonight's game:

In the conference race, Ohio State sits a game ahead of Iowa and #6 Indiana, and two games ahead of #11 Maryland and #14 Michigan. This is Iowa’s only matchup with Ohio State in the regular season. If Iowa wins this game, it's squarely back in the Big Ten Title race. An Ohio State win, and the Buckeyes and Hoosiers are the heavy favorites.

Ohio State’s calling card is its offense. Almost every Buckeye can shoot from three, and most shoot the three very well. That shooting prowess helps Ohio State space the floor well and opens up driving lanes. Those drives are arguably what kills teams. Ohio State shoots 35.2% from three (44th in the country) but shoots 55.5% from two (7th in the country). All told, the Buckeyes average 86.3 points per game (5th in the country) and score the 10th-most points per 100 possessions.

The big change for Ohio State this year is that its defense has gotten better. It surrenders 80.3 points per 100 possessions, which is 21st in the nation. Last year, Ohio State was 102nd in the same category.

Preview: Iowa WBB at No. 2 Ohio State
 
Well, Creighton was good at shooting the 3, and when they missed, they always ended up getting the rebound, too. That bounced us from the NCAA. Will everyone, including the guards block out?
 
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I wouldn't make too much out of the win. tOSU only shot 16% from 3. One bad night shooting and take the "L". Iowa is in the same boat.
 
I wouldn't make too much out of the win. tOSU only shot 16% from 3. One bad night shooting and take the "L". Iowa is in the same boat.
Part of that was Iowa's defense. Iowa spent much of the game in a triangle-and-two face guarding Ohio State's two best three-point shooters and ceding shots to its bad three-point shooters. Sure 16% is abnormally bad, but you just can't ignore that Iowa's strategy made a poor shooting night much more likely.
 
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