For the majority of the first half, Ohio State was right there with host Iowa. The Hawkeyes closed out the first twenty minutes on a 12-0 run and the Buckeyes could never recover, losing 92-75.
It was another disappointing loss in a very forgettable season for Chris Holtmann and his program. For the most part, this was a loss that many should have seen coming, especially given the struggles of Ohio State since the turn of the calendar.
There was mostly bad to come out of the game, but there was one bright spot in another disaster. Find out below what we learned after this loss puts the Buckeyes season record at 11-15.
The first half play was great but…
At the half.
OSU: 3️⃣6️⃣
IOWA: 4️⃣7️⃣#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/afYcf9WEUr— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 17, 2023
Why it mattered
The Buckeyes couldn’t close out the half. With just under 3 minutes left, Ohio State held a 36-35 lead and wouldn’t score again. The Hawkeyes went on a 12-0 to close out the half, hitting four 3-pointers. It looked like the OSU offense had found its groove again, but things shut down when the Buckeyes need to close out the half. A great 17 minutes of basketball wasn’t enough for a team that is 0-9 when trailing at the half.
More turnovers than assists
🌀🌀@bricepsensa x @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/ORoSePkGcT
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 17, 2023
Why it mattered
This is not a formula to win games, especially on the road. In the first half, the Buckeyes had 9 turnovers to 3 assists, a horrendous ratio. Brice Sensabaugh had 4 turnovers, while Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle Jr. each had two. The bad ball-handling kept going in the second half as the total for the night was 14 to go along with 11 assists. The way this team has played this year, it can’t afford to be giving the ball away, let alone to the team that leads the conference in scoring.
Defense optional?
Brotherly love. 🤝@connor_m30 x @patrickmccaff22 pic.twitter.com/6T5GP8CHIa
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 17, 2023
Why it mattered
Mix the bad turnovers with not playing much defense and you lose a game by 17 points and allow 92. Clearly, the Iowa offense is one of the best in the conference, especially at home, but the pace of play fed right into what the Hawkeyes wanted to do. Too many open looks beyond the arc along with uncontested lanes to the rim and plenty of fast breaks. Holtmann tried to switch up looks, going from man to man and zone, but nothing worked. The Buckeyes needed to control the pace but instead tried to run with the Hawkeyes. It was not a good idea.
Zed’s Dead
Ohio State's Zed Key has been ruled out for the rest of the game.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) February 17, 2023
Why it mattered
For my Pulp Fiction fans, this is a great reference. For Zed Key fans, not so much. The junior center once again was off his game, this time scoring no points in the first half on two shots, with just one rebound. He’d finish with 4 points and 1 rebound. We know that Key has been gutting out a shoulder injury, that he most likely re-aggravated against Michigan State and again tonight which forced him to miss the majority of the second half. With no depth at center, Holtmann has little to go to beyond the big man, but it’s clear hKey should be shut down to heal up (something I called for weeks ago).
McNeil couldn’t miss
11:56 left in 1H: Iowa 21, Ohio State 20.
The #Buckeyes strung together an 8-0 run, thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from Sean McNeil (who is now 3-of-3 from deep; was 3-of-his-last-15) + a drive and score by Justice Sueing.
But a Tony Perkins layup returned the lead to Iowa. pic.twitter.com/AA14FlMzqt
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) February 17, 2023
Why it mattered
After a string of average shooting performances from Sean McNeil, he lit up the Hawkeyes. The senior transfer guard made all seven shots his from the field, four of them from 3, and was perfect from the line finishing with 20 points. He was the only constant offensive force for the Buckeyes. It was the best game McNeil has had since joining the team. Unfortunately, it was in a losing effort.
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