Buckeyes advance in Fort Myers Tip-Off to take on #23 Florida

The Buckeyes will take on 23rd ranked Florida in their final game of the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Wednesday at 8:30 p.m., at Suncoast Credit Union Arena.

The Buckeyes are 8-5 all-time against the Gators, with their most recent matchup coming in 2016, a game the Buckeyes lost in Columbus as part of the NIT. However, one of their most high-profile matches came in the 2007 National Championship, a game in which the Gators also came out on top. The Buckeyes will look to get back in the win column against this familiar foe.

Now sitting at 4-1, Ohio State emerged as victors Monday night following a hard fought battle with the No. 21 Seton Hall Pirates. The Buckeyes trailed early, but would eventually take the lead and expand the deficit to double digits. The Pirates wouldn’t go away, tying things up in the final minute, before freshman Meechie Johnson would hit a game winning three-pointer with just over two seconds left on the clock.

The Buckeyes were again led in scoring by E.J. Liddell with 28 and teammate Justin Ahrens added 17 of his own, knocking down 5 deep balls. Graduate transfer Jimmy Sotos also played a key role in the victory with 18 huge minutes off the bench.

The Buckeyes’ opponent, the Florida Gators, sit at 4-0 following their blowout win over the Cal Golden Bears. Their young season has consisted of double digit wins over Elon, Florida State and Milwaukee. The Gators are led in scoring by forward Colin Castleton who averages nearly a double-double at 17 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Gators also feature two talented guards- Tyree Appleby and Penn State transfer Myreon Jones- who will provide a challenge defensively for the Ohio State backcourt.

Looking to add another ranked, non-conference win to their schedule the Buckeyes must focus on limiting turnovers, playing solid defense and knocking down the long ball.

Catch all the action at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Featured image via: Scott Audette, Associated Press