Buckeye Basketball A Major Work In Progress

The Buckeye basketball team was always going to be a work in progress this year.

D’Angelo Russell did it all last year for the Buckeyes. The number 2 overall pick of June’s NBA draft, Russell averaged 19 points a game, and also chipped in just under 6 rebounds and 5 assist per game. All of that came in an offense that, even despite Russell’s contributions, struggled to score the basketball. Sam thompson, Shannon Scott, and both big men also departed, leaving returning minutes few and far in between.

With the do-everything point guard entering the draft after just one season, the Buckeyes have been forced to turn to a significant amount of raw talent to try to carry the load. Jae’Sean Tate, Kam Williams, and Keita Bates-Diop all saw valuable time as freshman. Trevor Thompson transferred to Ohio State from Virginia Tech prior to last season and was cleared to play at the start of the season. Junior Marc Loving, disappearing act and all, is now the elder statesman on the team.

Any optimism for this basketball season was drawn from the recruiting class that Thad Matta was able to bring in for the 2015-2016 season. The class consisted of five four star recruits. At the head of the class was JaQuan Lyle, a four star recruit from Indiana. Joining him was big man Daniel Giddens, giving Buckeye fans hope that there would finally be a legitimate presence in the front court, something that has been severely lacking since Jared Sullinger left.

Talent is certainly not a question on this basketball team. Execution and energy certainly is. After starting the season off with two easy wins, the Buckeyes now find themselves in a three game losing streak. The first two of those losses were to UT-Arlington and Louisiana Tech. In both of those games turnovers proved to be costly for the Buckeyes. Effort level was decidedly against them as well. The Buckeyes were out-rebounded in both games and they lost more lose balls than they won.

Offensively, talent has been on display. Fluidity and structure have yet to show up. Their game against Memphis last Friday was a perfect example of that. Memphis was playing catch up for the better part of the night. After an 11-2 run in the second half, the Buckeyes had a nine point lead. But Memphis immediately responded with a 14-2 run of their own, fueled by Ohio State turnovers and bad shot selection. The game ultimately went into overtime, where the Buckeyes would miss all six of their attempts as they lost the game by five.

Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The game did offer reasons for hope, especially given what JaQuan Lyle was able to do. Lyle’s talent was on display, showing nice touch outside and the ability to get to the rim and finish. His 18 points and 8 assist weren’t enough, but they were a glimpse of what he can become with a little more seasoning. The time to be able to develop at his own pace is not a luxury Lyle has, though, as Coach Matta continues to ask a great deal from his freshman.

Loving continues to shoot the ball well, averaging almost 17 points a game. Loving has been a bit of a disappearing act early in his career, but any chances of this team putting together a run at a tournament bid will have to include Loving consistently being a factor.

Daniel Giddens has been as advertised as a defensive presence. He is blocking shots and cleaning up on the glass. How raw his offensive game is limits some situations that he can be on the floor, and his development through the year will be vital to the team’s capabilities of becoming a threat as the season rolls on.

Things do not get any easier for the Buckeyes from here on out. Losing three games early to unranked basketball teams has already put them up against it in regards to a bid come March. Still left in the non-conference schedule are games against a top 10 Virginia team, an always talented Connecticut team on the road, as well as the top ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Conference play is a known beast that may be even more formidable this year as Maryland and Michigan State both reside in the top five.

Next: How the Buckeyes get into the playoff

Can the Buckeyes build off of the good things that they did in Miami on Friday? They were just a couple of made shots or stops away from getting a nice win against a very athletic team on Friday night. Tomorrow’s game against Virginia (7:30 EST) is a tough task for a team badly in need of a win, and badly in need of a good win. Growing pains were always going to be evident during this season, just maybe not quite this evident. Or this early. Talent will eventually meet understanding, and when it does, this team will be dangerous. Until then, try not to let their maddening play completely demoralize you.