So about that whole winning streak. Ohio State traveled to Wisconsin with a three-game winning streak in hand, thinking it had turned some things around. Instead of continuing that theme, the Buckeyes reverted back to some ugly trends that were a part of the January slide that brought on so much concern and resulted in the team dropping from the top five to completely out of the rankings.
Ohio State now sits at 15-8 overall, and just 5-7 in the Big Ten. We’re now entering the home stretch of the regular season with just eight games to go. What happens over the next few will determine whether OSU is soundly in the NCAA Tournament, or finds itself on the bubble.
Anyway, as we do after every game, here are three things we took from the game in Madison.
Next … Toughness defined
Ohio State still lacks the toughness to compete on the road in the Big Ten
If you listen to Chris Holtmann, he brings up the word toughness almost every press conference when describing what his team needs in the rugged Big Ten. Everyone likes to define the league as a “physical” one, which really means there’s a ton of fouls that simply don’t get called. And Wisconsin is generally exhibit A. If you talk to former and current players and coaches, it’s well-known that the Badgers scrap it up with the best of them.
But it’s in the DNA of the league right now, and you better bring your big boy pants or you’ll get exposed and embarrassed. Nothing is changing either with how the league is officiated, so it’s something you just have to deal with. And with how young this team still is, how the game is played and what it takes to battle through it all just isn’t there yet.
I have been a firm believer that this team will have more success once it gets out of the league and in the postseason, but it has to get there first. Right now, Ohio State is who it is. You can probably expect more performances on the road like this unless the Buckeyes somehow figure things out at the tail end of the season here.
Next … Shot making
The shots aren’t falling
It’s tough to get good looks against Wisconsin because of the aforementioned play and culture of the program. We said before the game that OSU has to work its half-court sets and get as deep into the shot clock as it takes to get a solid attempt.
That happened a little today as we thought, but even when Ohio State got open looks, it failed to convert. Whether it was deep in the paint, or out on the perimeter, you have to wonder if there was just too much pressure to knock it dead because of how few good possessions there were.
Basketball is about putting the ball through the hoop, and if players on the team can’t do that when given the chance, it’s probably going to result in a loss like we saw today.
Next … A second, consistent scoring option
Who else is going to step up in the absence of Kaleb Wesson?
We’re tired of talking about the turnovers, so we’ll go here this time. At what point will we find out who’s going to be a consistent threat behind Kaleb Wesson? He went out with his second foul right around the time Wisconsin went on that game-changing run at the end of the first half, and then there was no turning back. The team seemed to lose its identity and knowledge of who to rely on to get scoring.
And that’s the problem. Right now there are a bunch of guys surrounding Wesson that can get points on any given day, but not one of them seems ready to do that on a consistent basis. Going forward, that’s a fatal flaw for this team once the postseason rolls around.
You can bet your bottom dollar that Wesson will eventually get in foul trouble again, or have issues around the basket against a tough matchup. If there’s not someone proven to make the opposition pay, it’s going to be a long, long day, or a short season — however you want to look at it.
OSU’s big man had 11 points today. The next highest scorer had eight. That’s not going to get it done.
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