GAME NOTES: The Ohio State Buckeyes gun for their first 3-0 start in Big Ten play since 1991, as they host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena tonight. The Buckeyes are off to a good start in conference play, as they defeated Illinois (74-58) and most recently Northwestern (62-51) on Sunday. The team how now won seven straight games, and 18 in a row against Big Ten foes dating back to last season. With the recent run, OSU has improved itself to 11-3 overall and 8-1 at home. As for Iowa, it has yet to enter the win column in league play, losing in each of its first two outings. Following a conference opening loss to nationally-ranked Indiana (79-76), the Hawkeyes were topped by another ranked team in Wisconsin (64-51) this past Saturday. The team has now dropped four of its last five outings in falling to just 7-8 overall. Iowa however, does own a 74-67 edge in the all-time series with OSU, although the Buckeyes won last season's meeting, 82-63, in Columbus.

The Hawkeyes have been sound on defense this season, limiting their foes to a mere 57.5 ppg and a lackluster 39.1 percent shooting from the field. Offensively however, Iowa has struggled itself, scoring just 58.5 ppg while committing 16.7 turnovers per game. Justin Johnson currently leads the team in scoring with 15.5 ppg and he is also grabbing 4.8 rpg and shooting 39.7 percent from long distance. Tony Freeman is next in line with 11.8 ppg and he is dishing out 3.8 apg. In the squad's last game, Iowa was outscored at the foul line, 19-7, and outrebounded, 34-31, in a loss at Wisconsin. The team also committed 14 turnovers compared to just seven by Wisconsin. Johnson guided the Hawkeyes in defeat with 13 points and four rebounds.

Much like Iowa, OSU has suffocated its opponents on defense this season, holding them to only 59.4 ppg and just 37.0 percent shooting from the floor. Unlike the Hawkeyes though, the Buckeyes have been successful at the offensive end, where they are scoring 70.0 ppg and making 46.2 percent of their total shots. Seven-foot freshman Kosta Koufos has been a force down low for OSU this season and he tops the roster in both scoring (15.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg). Jamar Butler is another key player for the Buckeyes, as he contributes 14.4 ppg and a team-high 6.1 apg, while shooting 44.1 percent from long range. In the team's most recent outing, Koufos notched a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds in leading OSU to a win over Northwestern. Butler recorded his own double-double with 11 assists and 10 rebounds, although he finished with no points on 0-of-8 shooting from the floor. The Buckeyes dominated the boards, 46-23, and they also held Northwestern to a dismal 31.0 percent shooting effort from the field.

OSU is playing with a lot of confidence right now and with another strong showing on the boards and on defense, it should be able to defeat an Iowa club that lacks a scoring punch.