Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes exposed in loss to the Scarlet Knights
The Ohio State basketball team’s 64-61 loss to Rutgers may have given the rest of the Big Ten a blueprint for how to defeat the Buckeyes.
When the Ohio State basketball team was defeated by the Michigan State Spartans it could be chalked up to a loss to a talented veteran team. Losing to the Scarlet Knights may have given the rest of the Big Ten a blueprint of how to defend the Buckeyes.
Rutgers often employed a zone defense which gave Ohio State problems. Other teams have tried the same approach but it hasn’t been a problem with the exception of the loss to Syracuse. So why should it be an issue now?
It’s because the long athletic players for Rutgers made it difficult to get the ball inside and the Big Ten is loaded with those types of players. While hitting outside shots can break a zone, open looks on the perimeter usually come when a team plays inside out with a presence in the paint.
Kaleb Wesson is that guy for the Buckeyes, but too often he is in foul trouble and sitting on the bench. That was the case again last night.
More from Ohio State Basketball
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State basketball: Zed Key cleared for all basketball activities
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes land three-star in-state forward
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes draw UCLA in CBS Sports Classic
- How adding two new teams to Big Ten affects Ohio State basketball
When the big center is on the floor it’s not usually a problem getting an entry pass to him with a lob high in the paint. He can then attack the basket or hit brother Andre or Kyle Young down low. If Wesson gets double teamed he often hits a player for an open three.
When he isn’t on the floor those options aren’t there and the offense doesn’t flow against a zone. Three point shots are often contested because the defense doesn’t have to close down to help out. Last night Ohio State only shot 30 percent from behind the arc because Rutgers’ defenders were contesting outside shots instead of playing help defense inside.
Coaches are copycats and when one team has success slowing down another you can be sure others will use the same defensive strategy. Chris Holtmann will now have to make adjustments until he finds a way to make teams pay for employing a zone.
dark. Next. Changes Ryan Day must make to dethrone Clemson
Hopefully the head coach will find a way to get the ball into the paint when Wesson isn’t in the game, either through scheme or with a player who can get there off the dribble. If not, it could be a long and disappointing Big Ten season for the Buckeyes.