It sure looked like Rutgers was going to run Ohio State out of Value City Arena in the first half Wednesday evening in an important Big Ten clash. To the Buckeyes’ credit, they stuck with things and were able to slowly turn the tide and take control of the game in the second half en route to an 80-68 win over No. 11 Rutgers.
The win moves Ohio State’s record to 7-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. The loss was the first for No. 11 Rutgers, dropping their conference record to 2-1 after two impressive wins on the road against Maryland and at home vs. Illinois.
As always, there are some things to take away from the performance by OSU, and we’ve got three that stand out. Here are three things we learned from the Buckeyes’ big win against Rutgers.
NEXT … This team is at its best when it gets offense going to the rim
Ohio State’s best offense is one tailored around the paint
Bring it home, @kyle_young25
No. 23 @OhioStateHoops continues to narrow the gap on @BigTenNetwork. pic.twitter.com/PfiOHmOshL
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) December 23, 2020
The three-point shot is a big part of today’s college game, but this year’s Ohio State team seems to do its best work driving to the rim and dumping the ball into the post. Often times, the team can get too cute on the outside with ill-advised bombs from deep, but that’s not what the identity of this team is becoming.
With Justice Sueing, C.J. Walker, and others on the perimeter and wings, the Buckeyes have players that can beat their man off the ball and get into the paint. From there, they’ve been able to finish at the rim to draw fouls and get easy points at the free-throw line.
Of course, guys like Duane Washington and Justin Ahrens will fire away from beyond the arc at times, but it all starts with dribble drives and work by E.J. Liddell, Zed Key, and Kyle Young in the paint.
NEXT … E.J. Liddell can put the team on his back when he needs to
Liddell is the guy for Ohio State when it needs a basket
He ballin’ 🔥
New career high point total for @EasyE2432!#Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/f6SWsE90By
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 23, 2020
Liddell is quickly becoming the go-to option when things are on the line. It helped that Rutgers was in foul trouble through the second half of this one, but time and time again, the OSU forward found a spot on the floor in and around the lane and was able to play through contact and hit a barrage of mid-range jumpers.
To be frank, the Buckeyes haven’t had someone that can seem to get his shot off where he wants and when he wants in a long time, but Liddell is turning into that player. With his instincts and strength, he’s a bit of a throwback that is going to be an issue in the Big Ten the rest of the way.
NEXT … Ohio State is much better with turnovers so far this year
The Buckeyes take much better care of the basketball this season
Let’s go with the Jimmy Jacksons tonight ⚪️🔴#Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/caUPBqFNnC
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 23, 2020
It seems like it’s been three years since Ohio State has had the ball handlers and the floor presence to take care of the basketball. We saw long stretches last year where Ohio State was more charitable than your local church outreach program.
Not so this season so far. OSU was No. 5 in the country heading into this one in limiting turnovers at just 9.1 per game. The Buckeyes had eleven today, but you can still live with that. Limiting mistakes can cure a lot of other deficiencies. It takes away possessions from the other team, gets your offense into a flow, and doesn’t result in breakouts and easy baskets the other way.
Ohio State will be in a lot of games the remainder of the year if it can continue to take care of the pumpkin going forward.
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