Ohio State just keeps winning games in multiple ways. Monday night, Maryland came out intent on punching the Buckeyes in the mouth, and for a while, it worked.
The Terrapins played a physical brand of ball with a lot of movement towards the rim that resulted in an early lead. Just like so many games before this season though, OSU found a way to get points with what the opposition was giving it, clamped down on defense, and won another road contest in the rough and tumble Big Ten by the score of 73-65.
There is a lot to unpack with this one, especially with the way the Buckeyes responded and took care of business in the face of a team that seemed motivated and bent on turning some heads across the college basketball world tonight.
As we do with every game, here are three things we observed and can take away from Ohio State’s fifth-straight win, and a victory in eight of the last nine.
NEXT … You can’t shut it all down
Ohio State can beat you even when you take away the top option
Textbook. 😅 https://t.co/rZ9C6GRMcz
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 9, 2021
It was clear early on that Maryland was going to put a lot of effort into taking Ohio State’s leading scorer, E.J. Liddell, out of the game — at least offensively. The Terps did that well, holding the sophomore forward to just seven points, but that’s not the story here.
The Buckeyes have so many options that others picked up the slack. There was a barrage from deep, with Duane Washington leading the charge. Others chipped in too. Justin Ahrens, Kyle Young, and a whole host of others provided scoring from all spots on the floor. That’s what makes this team so tough to play against. You just can’t gameplan against one person and expect to shut things down.
NEXT … Hello Mr. Washington
This is the Duane Washington we love
Splish, splash! #GoBuckeyes https://t.co/CaC56sM5Vd
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 9, 2021
You love him, you hate him, but when Duane Washington is going right and engaged on both ends of the floor, he can be a hard guy to stop. He always has confidence, but he seemed to be a little more involved with effort in the flow of the offense tonight. It didn’t hurt that he splashed a few from beyond the arc, but it was more than that tonight. He didn’t just settle for jump shots, but put the ball on the floor and got to the rim several times.
On defense, he turned the heat up, chipped in four assists, and even grabbed four rebounds. It was an all-around effort Monday and one that coach Chris Holtmann no doubt has been trying to get from him on a more consistent basis. Hopefully, the light went on in this one, because he can do so much more than launch the pumpkin from just over half-court. He was the best player on the court tonight with 18 points and a full box score.
NEXT … Toughness
You can’t question Ohio State’s toughness
📈📈📈 #GoBuckeyes https://t.co/kF2sEkbewN
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 9, 2021
One of the things I am beginning to really appreciate with this Ohio State team is the combination of its physical and mental toughness. The hallmark of a Chris Holtmann squad is strong, physical defense, and there’s no doubt that exists this season as well, even though it is still developing. More than that though is the mental side of it.
OSU has been in several situations this year where the opposition came out hard and intense and knocked the Buckeyes on their heels. Frankly, in other seasons of recent past, we saw Ohio State fold in those situations. But not this team. It happened early again Monday night with Maryland looking to provide a gut punch early. Ohio State just kept playing, turned the tide, and eventually imposed its will.
I hear that trait plays well in the postseason.
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