Preview: Ohio State was favored this season to win its seventh Big Ten title in a row, but the Buckeyes have been the league's biggest disappointment, with a 5-6 Big Ten record (14-9 overall) despite returning almost all of last year's key players, including three-time defending Big Ten player of the year Jantel Lavender. ... OSU had lost three in a row before beating Purdue 90-67 Thursday behind Lavender's 21 points and nine rebounds. ... The Gophers (11-13, 3-8 Big Ten) had won three in a row before losing at Iowa 64-62 Thursday.
The Gophers will win because: Minnesota appears to have turned a corner after starting the Big Ten season 0-7. The loss at Iowa came on a layup by Kachine Alexander with 5 seconds remaining. ... OSU, which started the season 7-0, has been called a team lacking in heart by Columbus media. ... In post players Katie Loberg and Kristen Dockery, the Gophers have a pair of defenders to match up with Lavender.
The Gophers will lose because: Former Minneapolis South standout Tayler Hill appears poised for a memorable homecoming after recording 17 points and five steals in Thursday's victory over Purdue. Hill is averaging 12.6 points and leads OSU with 40 steals. ... The Buckeyes, despite their struggles, still have the most talented lineup in the Big Ten, led by Lavender, averaging 22.3 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. ... The Buckeyes forced a season-high 22 turnovers against Purdue while committing just nine turnovers.
DENNIS BRACKIN
