By: Matt Snyder (Fanhouse.com) — Minnesota is going to be sweating it out for the Selection Show. The Golden Gophers made a nice run to the Big Ten championship game, but the Ohio State Buckeyes proved to be too much Sunday, thrashing Minnesota 90-61. The game was close for a half, as Minnesota’s Devoe Joseph hit a three-pointer at the first half buzzer to cut the Buckeye lead to three, but Evan Turner simply took the game over in the second half. The 6-foot-7 junior who is arguably the best college basketball player in America went 12 for 18 from the floor and scored 31 points — 22 coming in the second half. He threw in 13 rebounds and six assists for good measure.

The blowout was likely a nice reprieve from nail-biters for Ohio State head coach Thad Matta. Friday, Ohio State needed a near 40-foot three at the buzzer from Turner to prevail over Michigan. Saturday, it took the Buckeyes two overtimes to outlast Illinois. Sunday, Ohio State put together an effort that should quell some of the whispering about whether or not their lack of depth will be an achilles come tournament time. They played for the third time in three days (something they won’t have to do from here on out) and flat out dominated the second half against a good Minnesota team.

Minnesota dismantled Purdue on Saturday after upsetting Michigan State Friday. That pair of victories is probably good enough to get the Gophers into the Big Dance, but they are firmly on the bubble and won’t know for sure until they see their name revealed (or don’t) during CBS’ Selection Show at 6:00 PM ET.

Ohio State, who also won a share of the Big Ten’s regular season championship, will likely be looking at a No. 2 seed in the tournament and will be a tough out for anyone. They aren’t deep, but Turner can take over a game against anyone. Jon Diebler is a sharp-shooter from the outside and David Lighty is an incredibly underrated player on both ends (he added 20 points, seven boards and five assists Sunday). William Buford and Dallas Lauderdale round out the formidable starting five that is easily among the best in the nation. The 27-7 Buckeyes have only lost four times with Turner in the lineup.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 5:53 pm.
Categories: BUCKEYE COUNTRY, MEN's BASKETBALL.

3 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. BuckeyeCountry.net

    Ohio State Steamrolls to Big Ten Title http://bit.ly/9vcyf1

  2. Fred Williams

    Ohio State Steamrolls to Big Ten Title: Reply to “Ohio State Steamrolls to Big Ten Title”. Name (required). Mail (… http://bit.ly/c8j8Zb

  3. Brutus Report

    Ohio State Steamrolls to Big Ten Title: The Golden Gophers made a nice run to the Big Ten championship g… http://bit.ly/aMh4is @TweetMeMe

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