The Ohio State Buckeyes, much like they were in January, are entering a pivotal stretch of the season.
The team had a solid few games prior to a road loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes, a performance that left many scratching their heads about this Buckeyes team. This wasn’t the same team we saw at the season commencement.
The lineup that took the floor Thursday didn’t even feel like the same team that defeated Michigan on the road just a few weeks ago. They were clumsy with the ball and failed to get their key playmakers going.
Living off their defensive intensity, the Buckeyes went seven-straight games holding their opponent to or under 70 points. The Hawkeyes put 85 on Ohio State.
Now, the Buckeyes will have to prepare for one of their most anticipated games of the season, at home against the No. 7-ranked Maryland Terrapins.
The Terrapins have already defeated the Buckeyes earlier this season.
However, both teams have grown since then, and Ohio State has regressed to a team falling down the seed line in the NCAA tournament versus one that was soundly a top-two seed after the first month of the season.
Ohio State desperately needs this game. It is in a rugged conference where every game will be a battle. If the Buckeyes lose, which many predict them to, Ohio State will drop to 7-9 in the Big Ten.
Yes, they have a terrific non-conference record, but it would be tough to see OSU not nearing bubble territory if it continues to go struggle down the stretch.
That said, Ohio State has both a shot at redemption on Saturday and a chance at solidifying their berth in the NCAA tournament. It’s early to say this, but Saturday is a very important game for the Buckeyes.