By all accounts and measures, big man Kaleb Wesson is Ohio State’s best player. He is averaging the most points per game, most rebounds per game, and draws the most attention from opposing game plans.
But there’s a glitch in the scarlet and gray matrix folks.
Head coach Chris Holtmann may have to put an APB out on the older Wesson in the second half of games, because there’s a troubling trend over the latest stretch of Big Ten conference drama.
Against Michigan State the first time around at home, Wesson started out on fire with eighteen points before half, only to step back into the shadows in the second half with seven. The same held true against Michigan on the road (9 and 3), against Rutgers at home (21 and 6), Illinios at home (9 and 2), and against a depleted Spartan front-line, he managed just four points in the last twenty minutes in East Lansing.
Next … under further examination
Further Evidence of Wesson’s fatigue
Want some more numbers?
Over the those same seven games, as the grind of Big Ten play has taken hold, the elder Wesson is averaging 10.6 points in the first half, and a pedestrian 4.1 points in the second half.
So what’s going on here?
I’ll say it. I believe Kaleb Wesson has a conditioning issue, and that’s a big problem for a team that’s offensively challenged in the first place. It’s most consistent and credible threat on the offensive end doesn’t seem to be able to get the same level of production as the game wears on.
Look, it’s not really his fault. Some guys are made differently than others. Wesson is not a lean, fast-twitch guy. It’s not in his genetic makeup. Somehow his brother got different genes. He’s got other attributes like size and footwork, but he’ll never be the most naturally conditioned athlete.
There’s no doubt he has to work extremely hard at it.
He’s been saddled with foul issues, and maybe that too has something to do with being winded and exhausted. Sure there’s been early fouls, but when he knows he shouldn’t foul anymore later in games, the appearance is that he doesn’t seem to be cautious enough to get out of the way.
Maybe he just can’t get out of the way. The first thing to go when you are fatigued is your desire and will to stay in good defensive position. It’s all connected.
Next … cause and effect
Wesson’s issues become Ohio State’s issues
Is there any wonder then that Ohio State lost a game to Michigan State twice in the second half — the last one perhaps the worst offensive display we’ve seen in a long, long time in Columbus. It also fell apart against Michigan after halftime.
There’s a correlation here no? If we look at margin of scoring between the first half and second half in those same seven games, Ohio State is getting outscored in the second twenty minutes in those games by 6.6 points per game. In the first half? Yeah, the Buckeyes own an advantage of 2.4 points.
As Wesson runs out of gas, so too it seems Ohio State does. Don’t take my word for it. Tom Izzo alluded to it after the game Sunday.
There. Opposing coaches are now understanding that if they tire Wesson out, they can outlast Ohio State. It’s started to become a theme, and you have to believe Chris Holtmann is on to it. If he’s not, it’s time to start game-planning against it.
Maybe it’s time to run more zone on defense to allow the big man to rest and not have to run all over the court guarding a guy through screens and clear-outs. Maybe a more liberal substitution pattern in the first half to have him more effective down the stretch?
There’s a clear pattern here, and Ohio State isn’t a tournament team if it can’t figure out a way to keep its best player from tiring out as the game (and season) wears on.
It’s time to get the glitch fixed. One way or another.
