Ohio State at Iowa: 5 biggest storylines for top-10 matchup

Kyle Young’s impact

In the same fashion that Race Thompson was important for Indiana in their 81-69 victory over Iowa, Kyle Young will be equally as crucial for Ohio State on Thursday. If the 6’8 / 225 senior is able to guard Iowa’s Luka Garza for any amount of extended minutes, it will take the defensive responsibility off of EJ Liddell in the same fashion that Thompson relieved Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Two of the Buckeyes’ four Big Ten losses came versus the 7-4 Purdue, where they were taken advantage of in the paint as Trevion Williams led the Boilermakers in scoring in both games.  Young’s importance does not begin and end defending Garza in the post, as gaining possession after missed shots will be just as important as preventing Garza from shooting in the first place.

Over their current three-game winning streak Ohio State has not lost the rebounding battle, and it was Purdue who last outrebounded them in a game. After nine conference games, the Hawkeye’s are the top rebounding team, who also ranks No.2 in the conference in offensive rebounds with nearly 12 per game.

With Garza shooting 64 percent from two-point range, if Garza happens to miss, Ohio State needs to consider themselves lucky and prevent Iowa as a whole from getting an additional shot. If Young is unable to slow down Garza and the 6’7 /240 Liddell has to defend him, that is a lot more expended energy every time down the court.