The Ohio State basketball team just missed out on being ranked in the latest Ferris Motors Coaches Poll. When it comes out again on Monday, there’s no way the Buckeyes won’t be included.
That’s because Ohio State went on the road and beat a very good Illinois team 87-81. If giving a game up on the road against Northwestern earlier in the year was a lost one, this was probably one nobody had going in the win column. However, the Buckeyes played a good team game absorbed some push back from the Illini, responded, and still pulled it out.
It was a big win, and as we sit back and decipher what we just saw, here are three things we took away and learned.
NEXT … This Ohio State team is getting better
Ohio State is starting to get things together
Happy Friday, #Buckeyes fans. Headed to Champaign later today, where Justice Sueing might be running the point again tomorrow against Illinois. Here's why it went so well the first time (with a great @FiveFootPhotog photo): https://t.co/YRVZrFewxQ
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 15, 2021
There were a lot of question marks heading into this season. After some transfers in and out of the program and a lot of new faces, not many had Ohio State as a team to reckon with in the Big Ten. But that’s starting to change, and this game is going to turn a lot of heads in the conference and country.
The Buckeyes may not have the highest of superstars (E.J. Liddell pending), but there’s a collection of talent and interchangeable parts that can make for some matchup issues on offense. The defense has always been good, but now you have to try and figure out who and where to defend OSU on offense. And remember, this is a team not at full strength yet.
NEXT … When E.J. Liddell is feeling it …
E.J. Liddell’s expanding game
E.J. Liddell is on a mission 😮@OhioStateHoops trying to hold off No. 14 Illinois in Champaign: pic.twitter.com/DjuglpiJFA
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 16, 2021
We know what Liddell can do down around the paint. He plays so much bigger than his 6-foot, 7-inch frame by using his body and length to get shots off, rebound, and provide an underappreciated presence under the rim.
In this one, he stepped outside though and hit some open looks, including four three-pointers. If he can continue to play that type of game, it’s going to be one heck of a matchup nightmare for opponents going forward. He’s blossoming into one whale of a player and he carried the team at times today.
NEXT … Toughing it out
This team’s identity is toughness
💪 He can’t be denied @EasyE2432 pic.twitter.com/82oyqJ3s5U
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 16, 2021
Say what you will about some of the flaws we see at times with this team. It can go cold offensively and sometimes commit turnovers in bunches, but one thing that seems to be a constant is toughness. The team is without its top two ball-handlers yet has found a way to gut it out with guys bringing the ball up by committee.
On top of that, Illinois has some very physical players that force you to be strong on the ball and down in the paint. You knew Illinois would make a late run in this one, and that’s exactly what happened. Give credit to Ohio State for hanging in, fighting, and being both physically and mentally tough, pulling out its most impressive win of the season.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.
