Midseason grades for Ohio State basketball
The Buckeyes have been average despite an 11-1 start.
By Kyle Rowland / The Blade
Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:53:04 GMT
COLUMBUS — You may have looked at the most recent AP Top 25 and noticed Ohio State is missing.
It was not a misprint.
Since the Buckeyes began the season 11-1 and jumped to No. 2 in the country, they’ve had a precipitous decline, losing five of their last six games and plummeting to 12th in the Big Ten standings.
Ohio State had a similar January swoon last season and was able to make the NCAA tournament and win a game. So not all is lost. But the goals before the season and as recently as December were much loftier than to sneak into March Madness and advance to the second round.
There’s still time to reverse course. The clock, however, is ticking faster each day.
Guards
The arrival of C.J. Walker and D.J. Carton was supposed to end the years of misery at the point guard position. That hasn’t exactly been the case, as both have been wildly inconsistent. Walker leads the team with 54 assists, but he also has 30 turnovers. Carton’s assist-to-turnover ratio is even worse, nearly 1-to-1 (49 assists and 47 turnovers). The really good moments are spectacular, and the bad is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Keep in mind that Walker, a Florida State transfer, and Carton, a true freshman, are adjusting to Big Ten basketball.
Duane Washington, Jr., would have been an A grade in December. He has plummeted back to Earth since a rib injury, though. In the first 10 games, he was Ohio State’s best scorer and a 3-point threat every time he touched the ball. He has cooled off considerably ever since, averaging less than 10 points per game while shooting 30 percent from long range. A suspension for seemingly having a bad attitude and a lack of effort wasn’t a good sign. Washington did show signs of life at Penn State, finishing with 20 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field and 3 of 5 from 3.
Luther Muhammad was suspended with Washington and just hasn’t been able to find an offensive rhythm. He’s averaging less than seven points per game and can’t uncover a consistent avenue to the basket. Early last season, he looked like a future star. Ever since, there’s been a lot of single-digit scoring performances.
Grade: C
Forwards
The emergence of Kyle Young has been perhaps the most unexpected outcome so far this season. He’s averaging 7.9 points and the second-most rebounds (6.5), giving the Buckeyes tremendous energy. Senior Andre Wesson (9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds) has continued to play a leadership role and provide the same grit Young exhibits. Neither will be confused for the most talented player, but their effort is often rewarded on the court.
True freshman E.J. Liddell entered the year as one of the most hyped first-year players in the Big Ten. He’s shown flashes of that potential and the growing pains of being a freshman. Liddell is one of just four Buckeyes who’s played in all 17 games, averaging 6.8 points and 3.6 rebounds. Classmate Alonzo Gaffney has been limited to small minutes. The same can be said for Justin Ahrens, who’s dealt with an injury.
Grade: B
Centers
We’ll put Kaleb Wesson here since Ohio State lists the 6-foot-9, 255-pounder as a center. He’s really more of a stretch forward in today’s brand of basketball. His weight loss has clearly changed his physique, his playing style, and his production. Wesson is the team’s best scoring option, averaging a team-high 14.4 points (and 9.6 rebounds) and shooting 43 percent from 3.
Any time he touches the ball, he can create offense. Wesson also has the third-most assists, proof of his all-around game.
True freshman Ibrahima Diallo has played only five games and will be an afterthought the rest of the season. He could develop into a rotational player for the Buckeyes, but anything beyond that is far-fetched.
Grade: B
Coach
Chris Holtmann’s coaching ability is as good as anyone in college basketball. The head coach has to be held responsible anytime there’s a swoon, though. It isn’t all his fault, but the buck stops with the top guy. Ohio State’s lost a couple of games this season that got away from them late when coaching decisions could have changed the outcome. Fear not, Buckeye fans, you’re in good hands as long as Holtmann is patrolling the sidelines.
Grade: B-
Overall
Currently, this season can only be described as a disappointment. Not only were the preseason expectations high, Ohio State got off to a dream start. When it all goes kaput, it can only be cast as a letdown. The next few weeks could determine which direction OSU’s season goes.
Grade: C
Ohio State's C.J. Walker (13) and Penn State's Myreon Jones (0) go after a loose ball during an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in State College, Pa.
Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann reacts during an NCAA college basketball game against Penn State, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020, in State College, Pa.