Preview: Ohio State at Minnesota Set for Top-15 Big Ten Showdown MINNEAPOLIS (Interstat) — A pivotal Big Ten women’s basketball matchup with conference title implications is set for Wednesday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Williams Arena. Both teams enter with impressive resumes. Ohio State (21-4, 11-3 Big Ten) looks to rebound from a narrow 76-75 home loss to Maryland on Sunday that snapped a four-game winning streak. Minnesota (20-6, 12-2), meanwhile, rides a seven-game winning streak and sits just a half-game out of first place in the conference standings. The game features a marquee backcourt duel between two of the nation’s top guards. Ohio State is led by dynamic sophomore Jaloni Cambridge, who is averaging 26.5 points over her last six games. She scored 29 points with eight rebounds and five assists in the loss to Maryland. Minnesota counters with senior Mara Braun, a steady force who has scored in double figures in five of the last six contests, including a 20-point performance at Wisconsin. The Buckeyes’ high-octane offense, which averages 80.2 points per game, will be tested by a disciplined Golden Gophers defense that has held opponents to 60 points or fewer in four of its last seven wins. Ohio State won the first meeting this season, 89-76, in Columbus on Jan. 11. Minnesota’s surge has been fueled by balance. Alongside Braun, post player Sophie Hart (13 points vs. Wisconsin) and guard Tori McKinney (12 points, 4 assists) have provided consistent support. Ohio State will need secondary scoring behind Cambridge, likely from guard Chance Gray, who had 25 points against Maryland. With only a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the outcome carries significant weight for Big Ten Tournament seeding and NCAA Tournament positioning. A win would solidify Minnesota’s claim as a conference contender, while Ohio State aims to reassert its dominance on the road. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST Wednesday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis.