Ohio State Buckeyes' Keys to an Upset Over Iowa State in Round of 64

Ohio State Basketball: Keys for the Buckeyes to upset Iowa State

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the first half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: C.J. Jackson #3 and the Ohio State Buckeyes bench react during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

2. CJ Jackson Plus One

One recipe for success in March is quality, senior guard play. Ideally, this would include a dynamic back-court duo. CJ Jackson is a good start for the Buckeyes. He has been a critical piece to Ohio State’s guard play on both ends of the floor. He is second on the team in scoring at 12.2 points per game. He has Ohio State’s most three-point makes (58) at a solid percentage (38.2%) and also leads the team in assists and steals.

Jackson is no stranger to clutch postseason performances. In last year’s round of 64 game against South Dakota State, he delivered a 20 point, 9 rebound, 5 assist stat line followed up by scoring 18 in a close loss to Gonzaga.

Aside from Jackson, the back-court has been a bit up and down this season. He will need some help if they want to pull the upset, and it may come in the form of Wake Forest grad-transfer Keyshawn Woods. He is a seasoned weapon off the bench who averaged double-figure two straight seasons prior to transferring to Columbus. He has come on strong down the stretch for the Buckeyes, leading the team in scoring in 3 of their last 4 games.

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