One day after Juice Thompson's record setting 35 point performance in the win over Minnesota, the Northwestern Wildcats are dogging the No. 1 Buckeyes, 28-23 at the half.
Neither team is shooting particularly well, and defense for both sides has been very tough, as we have come to expect at the Big Ten Tournament. Whether it is because of the week long lay off or the Northwestern defense the Buckeyes are having one of their worst shooting games of the year, making only 35% from the field, and going just 1-9 from three, including 0-3 from the normally reliable Jon Diebler. This is in stark contrast to when they made 90% against Wisconsin last Sunday.
If Northwestern can avoid a Buckeye shooting resurgence in the second half, and they can keep it close into the final minutes, they may have a chance at upsetting the No 1 team in America. It wont be easy though, the Buckeyes average 77 points per game and don't turn the ball over much at all, so it may take another inspired effort by Juice Thompson or John Shurna to pull this one out for the Wildcats.