Iowa fans, get ready for Hurricane Evan Turner

IOWA CITY - An offensive hurricane rolls into Carver-Hawkeye Arena tonight, and Ohio State junior Evan Turner is the funnel cloud.

Turner, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward, has earned the Big Ten Player of the Week award four times and has eight double-doubles this year. He averages 18.6 points, which would rank third in scoring among Big Ten players, but he's missed six games with a broken back and doesn't qualify - he hasn't played in 75 percent of the Buckeyes' games. Same goes for his would-be league-leading 9.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists (second among Big Ten players) a game.

Turner's versatility is the first thing Iowa sophomore Matt Gatens notices, along with several highlight-reel plays.

“He's got great size, he plays the point guard but also can go inside and post you up,” Gatens said. “He's real good with his hands, and he can get to the rim pretty easily on some players.

“He's a tough challenge, but it's something we're up for. It's going to take the whole team defensive effort to stop him.”

Gatens will guard Turner, as will point guard Cully Payne, forwards Aaron Fuller and Eric May along with the team's reserves. Maybe even center Jarryd Cole might take a crack at him. At least that's what Lickliter wants his players to hear.

“I'm not going to announce that yet, so everybody gets the same amount of rest (last night),” Lickliter said. “Believe me you don't get a break. If you don't guard Turner, you've got to guard somebody who can really play.”

No. 20 Ohio State (14-6, 4-3 Big Ten) maybe is the Big Ten's most complete team. Along with a superstar in Turner, the Buckeyes might have the league's best defender in David Lighty, the Big Ten's leading 3-point shooter in Jon Diebler and the league's top shot blocker in center Dallas Lauderdale. Four starters average at least 12.7 points a game, and Ohio State leads the Big Ten in scoring margin at 13.9 points a game.

“I know there's been a lot said about Evan Turner,” Lickliter said. “He's terrific, but he's not alone. (Sophomore guard William) Buford and Diebler are both very good shooters, excellent players who can both drive it but set it up with great perimeter games. Lighty can shoot it and drive it. Lauderdale is a presence. He alters a lot of shots.

“If Turner doesn't get hurt, it's a totally different situation. They're not 14-6, I don't know what they are, but they're that top 10 team without question.”

Still, Iowa (8-12, 2-5) stayed close with Ohio State last year. The Hawkeyes lost both games by a combined five points and missed last-second shots to either tie the game (at Columbus, Ohio) or win it (in Iowa City).

“It would be nice to overcome those two losses,” Gatens said. “Obviously we can do it. We've just got to get over the hump and do it.”