Another game in the Big Ten, another win for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are arguably the hottest team in the league after they won their sixth game in seven tries, and third in a row over Michigan State 79-62.
It was a game OSU controlled mostly from start to finish even though the Spartans put a couple of mini-runs in there to make things somewhat interesting. When all the dust settled, Ohio State won rather handily and now sits in third place in the conference behind only Michigan and Illinois.
There’s plenty to take from this game as we continue to see marked improvement from the beginning of the season until now. Here are three takeaways from an impressive win over Tom Izzo’s crew as this team continues a journey towards the postseason.
NEXT … Pick your poison opposition
Ohio State has can beat you in multiple ways
𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵: No. 13 @OhioStateHoops 79, Michigan State 62 👀
The Buckeyes, winners of six of seven, travel to Iowa on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/zxLIy2pHsu
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 31, 2021
You want to slow the game down against the Buckeyes? OK, there’s personnel for that. Want to speed things up and go at a frenzied pace? Fine, Ohio State can deal with that too. Go with a big lineup or a four-guard template? It doesn’t matter, because Ohio State has so many different ways it can play and be effective on the offensive end.
Michigan State tried to go Michigan State on OSU and push the pace in the transition game, but OSU had the horses to deal with it. This Buckeye team is deep, yet has guys that can both finish in transition or work half-court sets. More than any of the last few years, knowing that this team can play against all sorts of matchups makes one believe the postseason could be a lot of fun.
NEXT … E.J. Liddell continues to impress
E.J. Liddell’s game is now a consistent one
💪🏾leading all scorers today with 13 … this 𝗗𝗨𝗗𝗘. pic.twitter.com/SLykdGnxJH
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 31, 2021
Definitely last season, and even some earlier this year, you knew forward E.J. Liddell had talent but didn’t know if it was going to show up in the box score every week. Those days seem to be gone. Liddell is now a consistent threat almost every game no matter how defense keys in to stop him.
A lot of that has to do with his ability to do work in and around the lane, and to now step outside and bomb away from deep. Add that well-rounded game with guys surrounding him that can make defenses pay for double teams, and you have a guy that’s looking to get 15 to 20 points a ball-game.
Liddell’s game has developed with confidence and playing time, and he’s one of the best in the Big Ten now. Not just every once in a while, but almost every game.
NEXT … C.J. Walker’s presence
C.J. Walker in the lineup makes a huge difference
Chris Holtmann said the other day that CJ Walker adds some speed. There was that speed. His first points off the night.
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) January 28, 2021
The team did an amazing job covering for the loss of point guard C.J. Walker when he was absent from the lineup with torn ligaments in his hand. That doesn’t mean Ohio State was the same team though because his presence and ball-handling in the lineup makes a huge difference.
He was sensational today running the show against an athletic Michigan State team. It was so good, the Buckeyes had just one turnover in the first half. Walker knows when to push the ball, when to prod and pry in the lane, and when to get things to the hot hand. More than anything, there’s confidence in his ability to add that calming presence as a ball-handler you can count on in the face of teams trying to speed things up.
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