The Ohio State basketball team ran its record to 5-0, but it’s not a game that anyone is going to be pleased with. That’s because the Buckeyes were barely able to escape a Cleveland State team that just got blown out of the water by the Ohio University Bobcats by 55 points. OSU outlasted the Vikings en route to a 67-61 final.
Still, we pause in these types of things because we have to remember that OSU just came off a pretty impressive win on the road against Notre Dame, and the Buckeyes were without their leading scorer and rebounder, E.J. Liddell. Oh, and it is 2020, so there’s that.
Still, it was a pretty sloppy game that saw Ohio State get outhustled and outshot by a team with a lot less skill and ability.
As usual, here are three things we learned after this one.
NEXT … E.J. Liddell’s presence
Ohio State really needs E.J. Liddell in the mix
E.J. Liddell out for indefinite time with non-COVID illness https://t.co/stis4V8PV9
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) December 12, 2020
Ohio State is a fairly deep team, but not when it comes to guys that can work in and around the bucket and get their own shot off. That’s where E.J. Liddell comes in. So far, it looks like he’s taken that next step in development and looked to be the big man on campus for the Buckeyes.
However, with him out now indefinitely, Ohio State seemed to have lost its identity and purpose somewhat in the paint, and lost a leader, scorer, and rebounder that is going to be an even bigger absence once Big Ten play starts.
Take nothing away from freshman Zed Key or Kyle Young, but Liddell’s absence was very noticeable and it’s going to be tough to figure out how to soften the blow until he gets back.
NEXT … Post defense is an issue
Where was the defense underneath
5️⃣-0️⃣#Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/2ANBGwNz7s
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 13, 2020
Maybe it’s just a one-time thing, but there were far too many easy baskets out of the half-court set for Cleveland State. The Vikings did a great job with pick and pops and finding the open creases in the lane, but guys had their backs to their men far too often in the paint.
It’s one thing to help out, it’s another to lose track of your man in prime real estate. Ohio State got outscored under the basket in this one, and that should have never happened against this squad. Certainly, Liddell’s absence had something to do with it, but if OSU doesn’t get that fixed, it’s going to be a long game Wednesday. It’s going to be even more of a problem against the likes of Iowa and Illinois who can get points on the interior at almost will.
NEXT … C.J. Walker’s impact
C.J. Walker is the calming presence
Float it, CJ! pic.twitter.com/hsTpMu9k1M
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) December 13, 2020
Cleveland State would have pulled off a shocker if not for guard C.J. Walker. Every time it seemed like the Vikings were close to reeling things back in, it seemed like Walker would dribble-drive for a finish at the rim, or get Ohio State into a good shot opportunity with his calming presence and running of the show.
His sixteen points were huge in this one, but when he got them was even bigger. More than that, his ability to more or less handle some pretty aggressive pressure defense was key in winning the turnover battle that was huge in this one. Ohio State looked sloppy, but it could have been a lot worse.
Walker is the general on the floor, and I have a feeling there are going to be times when he’ll be called upon for even more scoring in the not-too-distant future. But, good job in this one.
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