Super Saturday: Minnesota vs Ohio State
Madison Square Garden is the most famous arena in the world. For that reason alone it was only right to host the Big 10 Conference Super Saturday event. Super Saturday matches two of the best teams in the conference for a basketball game during the day and and a hockey game at night. The Big 10 is one of the best conferences in the country a there was no doubt that the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers were going to put on a show for the New York City crowd.
Ohio State boast a #22 National ranking coming into the contest. Keita Bates-Diop seemed to have his way in the paint and had 17 points and 12 rebounds leading the buckeyes to a 67-49 win over Minnesota. Down 10 points in early in the first half, Ohio State settled down and started to clamp down on defense. They won the defensive battle and forced Minnesota into 15 turnovers as opposed to 8 on their end. The Buckeyes simply appeared to show a sense of urgency with respects to wanting the win.
Kaleb Wesson, a freshman Ohio State forward, brought the Buckeyes much needed energy that fueled the win. He was 7-9 from the field and even sank an unlikely 3-pointer. Although Keita Bates-Diop shot 7-21 from the field and 0-6 from the arc he managed to find his spots, and aided the Buckeyes’ win. He was very active on the glass and was a defensive presence. They are going to need him to step up consistently as they approach the Big 10 tournament.
Returning home to New York City was Isaiah Washington, the freshman guard out of St. Raymond’s in the Bronx, NY. He has shown flashes of greatness this year but is coming around slowly.
“He’s only a freshman, He’s got talent… and understanding it’s not as easy as people think… to jump into the Big 10”
-Coach Pitino.
He only played a few minutes in the game on Saturday but he’s got a bright future and will prove a lot of doubters wrong.
Minnesota seemed very fatigued from their stretch of recent games and travel but ultimately the ball simply didn’t want to go in. They missed easy shots and didn’t protect the ball. Minnesota small forward Amir Coffey returned to action after suffering a shoulder injury, but was clearly getting himself back into game shape. The Gophers will need Point guard Nate Mason to play at an elite level leading up to the Big 10 tournament. He is fully capable of doing so and is one of the best guards in the conference. Only time will tell.