INJURIES: A BIG FACTOR
One major reason for the Buckeyes being double-digit favorites? Injuries.
Neither center Liam Robbins (sprained left ankle) nor guard Gabe Kalscheur (broken finger) played in Wednesday’s game due to injuries, and their statuses for Thursday afternoon’s tilt are unknown. Earlier in the week, Pitino said Kalscheur was “definitely further away” from returning than Robbins, though he declined to give details on how close either was from playing. Robbins would appear to be the more likely of the two starters to play on Wednesday, though Pitino didn’t make a declaration one way or another after beating the Wildcats.
“I don't know about Liam. I guess we'll kind of see tomorrow,” Pitino said after beating Northwestern. “Obviously he was terrific that game. That was his best game of the year, by far.”
Ohio State knows Robbins and Kalscheur well. In fact, they accounted for more than half of Minnesota’s 77 points in the Jan. 3 game between these two teams. Robbins, a 7-foot, 235-pound center, accounted for 27 points and 14 rebounds, and Kalscheur added 13 points and five boards.
If neither can get cleared, the Buckeyes would avoid two of the Golden Gophers’ better players and two of the guys who have given them trouble in the recent past. Robbins, who averages 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and a Big Ten-most 2.7 blocks per game, thrived against Ohio State. Kalscheur is his team’s third-leading scorer with 9.2 points per game.
Whether Robbins plays or not, the Buckeyes will want more out of forwards E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young and Zed Key.
They are dealing with some injuries, too, though nobody is expected to be a game-time decision. Justice Sueing, who has dealt with a groin issue, was expected back at practice on Wednesday after having a procedure. Seth Towns (knee) and Musa Jallow (ankle) continue to battle their nagging ailments. Kyle Young, Holtmann said, is “feeling really good right now” despite battling lower-leg pain for much of the season.
