Ohio State Basketball: Offensive woes continue in loss to Michigan
The Ohio State basketball team’s offensive woes continued against the Michigan Wolverines and the 49 points scored was a season low for the Buckeyes.
With the offensive problems the Ohio State basketball team has had recently it shouldn’t be surprising it would be a struggle to score points against Michigan. After all, the Wolverines are one of the best defensive teams in the country. But the 49 points was easily the lowest scoring output of the season for the Buckeyes.
Even though Ohio State only scored 26 points in the first half it still was a six point game heading into the break. But the Buckeyes couldn’t buy a bucket early in the second half and the Wolverines pulled away for a 65-49 victory.
The problems on offense began in the loss to Rutgers and have continued since. Prior to that game Ohio State had scored at least 70 points all but twice but has only reached that mark one time since. That was in the lone victory during those six games when the Buckeyes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 70-60.
A look at these numbers during that stretch that may explain why the offensive output has been lacking.
Ohio State is shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from behind the three-point line. The Buckeyes are committing 15.8 turnovers per game as well.
With those stats, it’s not surprising Ohio State is averaging 62 points per game.
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The last six games Kaleb Wesson’s numbers have been way down as well. The big center is only averaging 9,3 points per game and that includes an 18 point performance against Rutgers.
Therein lies part of the problem.
The big center hasn’t been able to stay on the court often enough due to foul problems. He has fouled out twice and had at least four personals in all but one game.
But even when he has been on the floor the offense hasn’t run smoothly. Opposing teams know he is the primary weapon and try to deny him the ball where he wants it, and they have been successful doing so.
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It’s just a fact that coach Chris Holtmann has to make changes in his offense, and other players beside K. Wesson will have to step up. If that doesn’t happen soon, the Buckeyes will be watching other teams play in March.