Just three weeks ago, a performance like the one Ohio State put on Thursday seemed less than likely.
That’s because on Jan. 6, the Buckeyes got bullied, battered and bruised inside in a 16-point road loss to Indiana, which outscored Ohio State 38-10 in the paint during the blowout. Only one player outside of the Hoosiers’ two starting big men scored more than five points on the night, because Plan A was just that effective.
The final score may have been closer between Ohio State and Minnesota on Thursday, a 75-64 win for the Buckeyes, but the scarlet and gray showed they, too, can outclass a Big Ten opponent down low much like Indiana did to them three weeks earlier.