Justin VanLaere’s preview/prediction for the Iowa-Ohio State game in Value City Arena .

Game Info

Iowa (8-15, 2-8) at Ohio State (17-6, 7-3)
POMEROY RATINGS:  Ohio State – 12, Iowa – 161
RPI: Ohio State – 32, Iowa – 192
Feb. 7, 2010 • 11:06 a.m. (CST)
Columbus, OH • Value City Arena (19,049)
TV: BTN (HD) • Live Stats: hawkeyesports.com • Satellite Radio: XM 196
Series Record: IOWA leads 75-71 (Last Meeting, OSU, 65-57, Jan. 27, 2009)

Probable Starting Lineups

Ohio State
Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. Statistical Summary
G 44 William Buford 6-5 190 So. 14.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, .432 FG%, .791 FT%
G 33 Jon Diebler 6-6 205 Jr. 12.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, .439 FG%, .871 FT%
F 23 David Lighty 6-5 220 Jr. 12.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.8 apg, .507 FG%, .582 FT%
F 21 Evan Turner 6-7 205 Jr. 18.9 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, .559 FG%, .728 FT%
C 52 Dallas Lauderdale 6-8 255 Jr. 7.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.4 bpg, .767 FG%, .439 FT%

Iowa
Pos. No. Name Ht. Wt. Yr. Statistical Summary
G 3 Cully Payne 6-1 190 Fr. 8.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, .358 FG%, .633 FT%
G 5 Matt Gatens 6-5 215 So. 12.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.5 apg, .367 FG%, .841 FT%
G 25 Eric May 6-5 225 Fr. 9.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 bpg, .399 FG%, .679 FT%
F 24 Aaron Fuller 6-6 230 So. 8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, .453 FG%, .689 FT%
C 50 Jarryd Cole 6-7 250 Jr. 8.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.4 apg, .591 FG%, .627 FT%

VanLaere Notes

No VLOG for this game.
No Live Chat for this game.

Well, just a few weeks ago we could say Iowa had won 3 out of 4 with the one loss to Michigan State being a “good loss.”  Unfortunately, we now have to say Iowa has lost 4 out of its last 5.   While Iowa had its chances to beat Illinois last time out, the bottom line is they didn’t and the Hawkeyes are now stuck at seven games under .500.

Cully is still dealing with pneumonia, so it will be interesting how much he can go.   Will Lickliter rely on his son to spell Cully or is he willing to allow Tucker back into the game?

Looking at the Big Ten Conf Only Stats – Aaron Fuller is doing a terrific job on the boards, Payne is dishing a good number of dimes, and May is getting some boards and blocks.  Other than that, it’s pretty ugly.

Ohio State can ill afford to lose this game if they want to remain on course to compete for the Big Ten title.   Granted, they need help from Michigan State, but there isn’t another team in the Big Ten that is playing better than the Buckeyes.  It’s just an awful time for Iowa to meet them on the road.  Iowa is reeling and Ohio State is surging.  This Iowa game is sandwiched between Penn State and Indiana for Ohio State, so this is far from a trap game.  Thad Matta is going to have his guys ready for this one, especially after how they came out against the Hawkeyes in Carver-Hawkeye Arena earlier this year.

PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR:

Turner. Last time these two teams played, Evan was 3 assists from completing the quietest triple-double I have ever witnessed.  Turner was shut down the entire first half, and it was until the last 10 or 12 minutes of the game until he started to get going.  Once he did, it was over.  Look for Eric may to guard Turner once again, and to do an admirable job on him.  However, let’s face it, Evan is a Player of the Year candidate.  To phrase Sportcenter, “You can’t stop him, you can only hope to contain him.”

Lighty.  Iowa doesn’t have two or three guys on the D end to stop both Turner, Lighty, and Buford.  The Hawkeyes found that out last time when Lighty tore them apart at the start of the second half.  I don’t know who Iowa has to stop his dribble penetration.  He should have another great game for the Buckeyes.

Titus.  Don’t be fooled.  The founder of Club Trillion might say he’s hurt, but I have  sources that say he’s 100% healthy.  We’ve seen what he can do when given the opportunity.   Even if he has a bum arm, he still has the potential to drop 30 on Iowa with his off-hand.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

• Put Lauderdale on the Line.  While Iowa needs to be careful about getting into foul trouble, they can afford to waste them on Dallas Lauderdale.  Hell, let Brommer use all five of his fouls on Fort Lauderdale, it’s almost like a turnover for OSU.
• Get Tucker into the Game.  It’s time.  He’s paid his due to the University and done what has been needed to be done on that end.  Now it’s up to Coach Lickliter to decide when Tucker sees the court again.  Anthony is expected to travel to Columbus with the team.  Why not let Anthony try to redeem himself on the court?  With the alternatives Iowa has, it’s definitely worth it.
• Wake up.  This is a morning game, and Iowa has shown signs in the past that they are still sleepwalking during these early games.  The Hawkeyes can’t afford starts to games like they have had in the past two.  If Ohio State gets up by double digits early on, there will be no chance for Iowa to get back in it.

PREDICTION: Thad Matta’s teams just doesn’t lose at home.  They aren’t on the same level as Bo Ryan’s Badgers at the Kohl Center, but they are close.  It’s almost been a full year since the Buckeyes have lost inside Value City Arena.  It’s pretty safe to expect that streak to continue.   Iowa 54,  Ohio State 68

Tags: Hawkeye Basketball, Hawkeye Nation, hawkeyenation.com, Justin VanLaere, prediction, Preview