We continue to keep an eye on ESPN’s continued releases of its way-too-early college basketball top twenty-five and how it relates to Ohio State. The Buckeyes have continued to be listed, but they’ve gone from as high as No. 13, all the way down to No. 22 at the last release.
But now a new version is out and Jeff Borzello has moved OSU up a couple of spots to No. 20. As rosters continue to shake out with NBA departures and transfers, its an ever-moving target, one that might continue to move as we get closer and closer to the season if injuries or other news breaks.
So why does Borzello have Ohio State moved up to No. 20? Keep on reading and we’ll tell you.
Next … The latest narrative on Ohio State basketball
No. 22 – Ohio State
What Borzello says
“E.J. Liddell could be the biggest key for Ohio State next season, given the various personnel losses and departures this offseason for the Buckeyes. C.J. Walker is back at the point guard spot, and Duane Washington Jr. brings shooting to the wing. Harvard graduate transfer Seth Towns and California transfer Justice Sueing are both proven scorers, and Kyle Young brings energy and rebounding down low. But it’s Liddell who could be the X factor. Of the three ESPN 100 prospects who signed with Ohio State in the 2019 class, only Liddell remains after D.J. Carton and Alonzo Gaffney both left. Liddell is a powerful forward who creates matchup problems with his strength and ability to score in a variety of ways inside the arc. Liddell showed flashes down the stretch when he had an expanded role, going for 17 points and 11 rebounds against Illinois and following that with 12 points and four boards at Michigan State.”
Borzello’s Projected starting lineup:
C.J. Walker (8.7 PPG, 3.5 APG)
Duane Washington Jr. (11.5 PPG)
Seth Towns (16.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG at Harvard)
E.J. Liddell (6.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG)
Kyle Young (7.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG)
In some ways, I feel like Ohio State might surprise people as long as everyone is healthy. Justice Sueing and Seth Towns should add some additional scoring and experience that could be huge additions to a roster that’s already pretty solid. At the same time, there’s so much turnover that you just don’t know how all the new puzzle pieces are going to fit together.
But hey, that’s what’s fun about all the speculation.
To see the complete way-too-early top 25 from ESPN, keep on going.
Next … Borzello’s complete college basketball preseason top 25
ESPN’s Way-Too-Early college basketball Top 25
1. Gonzaga
2. Villanova Wildcats
3. Baylor Bears
4. Virginia Cavaliers
5. Iowa Hawkeyes
6. Wisconsin Badgers
7. Kansas Jayhawks
8. Michigan State Spartans
9. Duke Blue Devils
10. Tennessee Volunteers
11. Kentucky Wildcats
12. Creighton Bluejays
13. Texas Red Raiders
14. North Carolina Tar Heels
15. Arizona State Sun Devils
16. Oregon Ducks
17. West Virginia Mountaineers
18. Texas Longhorns
19. Stanford Cardinal
20. Ohio State Buckeyes
21. Florida State Seminoles
22. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
23. Houston Cougars
24. Florida Gators
25. Arkansas Razorbacks
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.
