Life in the Big Ten can be a rough and tumble affair. Rarely is there an opportunity to take a night off, and that was definitely the case again against an underrated Penn State squad.
The Buckeyes raced out to a ten-point lead, but the Nittany Lions clawed back in it and eventually took a lead of their own before Ohio State was able to tough out a win on the road 92-82. With the win, the Buckeyes improve their Big Ten record to 12-4, and overall record to 18-4.
As we do after every game, we take stock in what happened on the court and try to provide you with some things we learned or observed from the game. In such a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair, there is plenty to dissect, so let’s get into it.
NEXT … This is an elite offensive ball club
Ohio State can score against anyone
This team‼️
Another dub. #Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/MtUTLbFfpp
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 19, 2021
If you remember the first game against Penn State, the Buckeyes had all sorts of issues handling the stiff, on-ball pressure the Nittany Lions came out with in the second half. Ohio State would eventually win the game, but it was one that it probably shouldn’t have.
This one wasn’t nearly as scattered as before, and shows the growth this Ohio State ball club has gone through. E.J. Liddell had a great game, but it wasn’t just him. Eight players scored total, with three guys scoring in double figures. It seems we always expect Liddell and Washington to get their points, but then it seems to be a rotating affair based on what the defense allows. This team scored nearly 92 points tonight, with Walker chipping in 13 points, many when his team needed him.
This team is quite the offensive outfit and there doesn’t seem to be many ways to stop so many different scoring options.
NEXT … It’s official. E.J. Liddell is a star
E.J. Liddell is a problem for other teams
this dude ⬇️@EasyE2432
11 points in 11 mins #Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/Q18ATuwzce— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 19, 2021
We had a pretty good feeling that E.J. Liddell would take that next step this year in development, but he’s done that and then some. He was a highly touted product out of high-school, but the improvement at the next level has been remarkable.
Not only has Liddell polished his inside presence, playing much larger than his 6-foot, 7-inch frame, but he’s expanded things to the perimeter as well. He can hit mid-range jumpers, back guys down, and even step out and nail daggers from beyond the arc now.
There’s a reason Liddell was just named to the Naismith Award Midseason watchlist. He’s game is ever-improving, and he’ll only get better. In this one, he tallied 23 points and was the best player on the court. He’s going to be a problem for teams down the road.
NEXT … Duane Washington’s evolving game
Duane Washington is playing more within himself
💦 splish splash @dwizthekid4 💦 pic.twitter.com/GOMRn7ottT
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 19, 2021
Earlier in his career, heck — earlier this year, we wouldn’t blame you for getting frustrated with some of the shots Duane Washington took. He often had a quick trigger, or would make his way into traffic and attempt to pull off some low-percentage shots.
Something seemed to click though here recently, and it seems to have been the Maryland game. In that game, Washington began to take the ball to the rim and dish the ball when traffic arrived. He still scored eighteen points, but also got involved in other ways with assists and defense. It sure seemed like a more under control game that still resulted in a bushel of points.
The same thing happened tonight. Washington played within himself, took good, quality shots, but still scored 21 points on a very, very efficient 6-of-9 shooting.
He’s not frustrating as many Buckeye fans here as of late with some forced action because he’s accepting a more well-rounded game and letting things come to him.
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