It looked bleak for a while, but Ohio State was able to use a pretty dominant second half to reel Notre Dame in and eventually take — and hold — the lead in the second half on the way to 90-85 victory.
It was the first time the Buckeyes went on the road, and there’s no argument it was the most talented squad OSU has faced so far this season. With the win, the Buckeyes remain undefeated and improve their record to 4-0.
As with any game, especially in the young year, we are able to observe some things and learn a little about what this team is all about. Each game we go through the same exercise and highlight three things that stood about the team’s effort.
Here are three things we learned about this Ohio State basketball team after an impressive win at Notre Dame.
NEXT … E.J. Liddell is becoming a man among boys
E.J. Liddell has a raw knack for scoring
“Absolutely the second half story is E.J. Liddell!l” #GoBuckeyes #Team122 pic.twitter.com/wFmZl9skvh
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 9, 2020
I have to admit, I’ve been a little surprised by Ohio State forward E.J. Liddell’s ability to do his best work in and around the rim. I know that was his game in high school, and many said he plays bigger than his size, but I really thought he would struggle in the paint against the taller, more brawny bigs in the big-time college game.
So far, I am happy to report that I was wrong.
Sure, there was a little feeling out process in the middle of the year last season, but Liddell just has a way to get off his feet quickly and use his body to work well under the rim on both ends of the floor. He scored 19 points to lead Ohio State once again in this one and did most of that work among the trees.
NEXT … Defense when it matters
The defense stepped up when it mattered most
🛣 Road Warriors #GoBuckeyes #Team122 pic.twitter.com/F2lXqttnHp
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 9, 2020
It would be easy to look at this game and think there wasn’t a lot of defense being played. I mean, a 90-85 score doesn’t exactly scream defensive clinic to anyone that didn’t watch the game.
And look, I’m not saying the Buckeye defense was what Chris Holtmann wanted in this one because there were definitely some miscues and missed assignments throughout the game. However, OSU did clamp down on possessions that really mattered, especially on the last possession of the game when each guy was dialed in to not allow the Irish to pull the trigger from beyond the arc, then forcing a dribble off the foot out of bounds.
Ohio State did create 13 turnovers in this one, and frankly, that was the difference in the game. This team will continue to win games with defense, and not by scoring 90 points in contests going forward.
NEXT … Taking it to the rim
Ohio State can do damage going to the rim this year
That was fun ☘️ #Team122 #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/U3uMJ90EaY
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 9, 2020
It was clear in the second half that the Buckeyes made a concerted effort in taking the ball and getting points going towards the basket. And unlike the last couple of campaigns, this team seems to have the guys to do it.
Between E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, Justice Sueing, and C.J. Walker, each can find room in the paint, go through contact and finish. OSU scored a whopping 56 points in the second half and it was because it shot a high percentage on some easy looks, and also got points from the free-throw line.
It had everything to do with taking the rock to the rack.
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