4:05 pm
February 28

#9 Iowa @ #4 Ohio State

Who will WIN this matchup?

#9 Iowa Hawkeyes (17-7)

@ #4 Ohio State Buckeyes (18-6)

 

Current odds:

Iowa Hawkeyes: (+120)

Ohio State Buckeyes: (-140)

 

• The spread for the game is Ohio State by 2.5 points.

• No. 9 Iowa plays at No. 4 Ohio State on Sunday, and they have more than their top-10 ranking in common. Each needs a bounce-back victory. The situation might be more dire for the Buckeyes (18-6, 12-6 Big Ten), who followed a loss to No. 3 Michigan on Feb. 21 with a 71-67 defeat at middling Michigan State on Thursday for their first two-game losing streak of the season.

• Iowa (17-7, 11-6), meanwhile, is stinging from a 79-57 loss at Michigan on Thursday that ended a four-game winning streak. The Hawkeyes lost to No. 1 Gonzaga in December, current No. 5 Illinois in January, and to Ohio State 89-85 in Iowa City, but center Luka Garza still feels his team can beat the top competition.

• The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes enter their matchup with injury concerns. Ohio State post Kyle Young missed the Michigan State game with a concussion and his status for Sunday was unclear. Not only does he average 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in 26-plus minutes, but the senior is the heart and soul of the team, Walker said.

• Iowa sophomore center Jack Nunge (7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds) sustained a torn meniscus to his right knee in the first half vs. Michigan. The team announced on Friday that his season is over. He missed much of last season after suffering a torn ACL in that knee. Also, McCaffery’s son, starting guard Connor McCaffery (3.9, 3.4), twisted an ankle and had to leave the game. It was uncertain whether he will be available Sunday.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes
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