Coming off perhaps its best win of the season, an 86-74 thumping of UCLA in Columbus on Saturday, Ohio State tries to keep the momentum going in a positive direction on Tuesday night when it hosts Minnesota.
And there’s a chance the Buckeyes’ roster could receive a boost. Former North Carolina and Penn State forward Puff Johnson joined the program on Friday after a Franklin County, Ohio judge approved a temporary restraining order that grants Johnson immediate eligibility.
As to when he might be ready to play and help his team make a bid for the NCAA Tournament, coach Jake Diebler isn’t sure.
“He’s got to go through some things to get cleared at Ohio State,” Diebler said of Johnson. “He says he’s in good shape. I like to believe I’m in game shape right now, but that’s when I play with the managers. We’ll see.”
The 6-foot-8 Johnson has played in 111 games across five seasons, averaging a career-high 10.2 ppg last season at Penn State until an injury sidelined him after 17 games.
As for his new team, Bruce Thornton is pouring in 20.5 ppg, while John Mobley Jr. (14.6) is coming off a 28-point effort in the win over UCLA. Mobley hit 6 of 12 from 3-point range, a career best.
Ohio State (12-5, 4-3 Big Ten) is averaging 83.3 ppg.
Meanwhile, Minnesota (10-8, 3-4) is coming off a 77-67 loss Saturday at then-No. 13 Illinois, its third in a row. The Golden Gophers owned a 32-26 lead late in the first half but couldn’t cope with the Fighting Illini’s size and depth inside.
Minnesota was outrebounded 42-31, permitting 17 offensive boards, and hit just 26 of 65 shots from the field.
“We gave ourselves a chance,” first-year Minnesota coach Niko Medved said. “But ultimately (we) couldn’t drill enough shots and come up with enough rebounds to get the job done.”
North Carolina transfer Cade Tyson has found a much better fit with the Gophers, scoring 20.8 ppg and connecting on 50.2% of his shots.
This will be the only regular-season meeting of the year between the programs.
–Field Level Media
