Minnesota Basketball: OPEN THREAD - Gopher hoops continues on the Big Ten Road, facing Ohio State Buckeyes

Where

Columbus

When

5:30 PM

How

FS1

Who

Ohio State

The first big win of the season for the Gophers came at the expense of Ohio State. The Gophers, behind Marcus Carr’s 35 points, dominated the Buckeyes and won a game that was never all that close.

Since that game the Gophers have struggled on the road while playing rather well at home. Ohio State has just plain struggled losing 5 of their last 6 games, the lone win was over Nebraska at home.

KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN

Find a new scoring source - Yes, Marcus Carr blew up for 35 in the last meeting, but I suspect Ohio State is prepping to ensure that doesn’t happen again. Maybe that’s Oturu getting 20+ in the paint, or maybe it is one of those games when a shooter gets hot. But let’s not assume that Carr had a career game against this roster before and therefore he’s likely to do so again.

Get to the Free Throw Line - This was a super key key last season and as we go along it becoming increasingly so this year. I know that we need to make threes, but we can’t settle. Attack the rim and get to the line. Attacking the paint opens up threes.

Defend the Three - Ohio State has the highest 3pt FG% in the league. We better not let them get too comfortable on their home court.

PREDICTION

Until we beat a decent team on the road, I will not predict a win. Ohio State has not been playing well lately, so there’s a chance. But we have not been good on the road.

Minnesota - 65
Ohio State - 70