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Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes to face Boilermakers without Kaleb Wesson

By Charlie Lockhart

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines blocks the shot of Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 29: Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines blocks the shot of Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half at Crisler Arena on January 29, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 65-49.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Purdue Boilermakers tomorrow without the sevices of leading scorer Kaleb Wesson.

It was reported today by Lettermen Row Ohio State center Kaleb Wesson has been suspended from the team. Pulling off a win against the Purdue Boilermakers was going to be a difficult task with a full roster but even more so with the Buckeyes down a man.

According to the article Wesson was suspended for violating the Ohio State Athletics Department policy. There was no mention of how long the sophomore center’s suspension will last.

Here is a statement concerning the situation as reported by Lettermen Row.

"“Kaleb Wesson, a sophomore center on the Ohio State men’s basketball team, has been suspended for a violation of Ohio State Athletics Department policy, Chris Holtmann, head coach of the Buckeyes, announced Friday,” the statement read. “Wesson will return this season.”"

We may not know how many games Wesson will miss but one thing is for certain. It would have been a challenge for Ohio State to pull out a win in West Lafayette with the big man in the lineup let alone without him. Purdue is riding high having won 15 of the last 17 games.

The Boilermakers are 21-7 overall and their 14-3 conference record has them tied at the top with the Michigan State Spartans. And they have yet to lose a Big Ten game at home.

Here is a look at the leading scorers who have certainly been a big part of Purdue’s success.

  • Guard Carson Edwards 23.9 points per game
  • Guard Ryan Cline 11.9
  • Center Matt Haarms 8.8
  • Guard Nojel Eastern 7.3

With the Boilermakers being guard oriented on offense it would seem to be a good matchup for the Buckeyes. Except for the fact that few teams have been able to slow down Edwards.

The 6-1 junior is one of the best players in the country and is a nightmare to guard. Luther Muhammad takes a lot of pride in playing defense so I’m sure he will be matched up with Edwards often. I have a feeling the freshman Muhammad will be worn out after the game.

Quick questions for the Purdue game:

Will Chris Holtmann have his players play an up-tempo game like he did against the Iowa Hawkeyes when the Buckeyes had their biggest scoring output in 2019?

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Will Justin Ahrens have the freedom to fire from downtown like he did last game when he scored 29 points and was 6-11 from behind the arc?

Will two other freshmen, Duane Washington and Muhammad, be aggressive on the offensive end of the court to pick up the slack with K. Wesson out of the lineup?

Will Kyle Young, Andre Wesson and Jaedon LeDee provide enough scoring inside to give Ohio State a balanced attack?

Next. Evaluating Buckeyes participating in the NFL Combine. dark

It’s not unusual for the Buckeyes to have to play without K. Wesson for an extended period of time as he has been in foul trouble for much of the season. Now the players will begin the game knowing they won’t be able to count on the big center so it will be interesting to see how they react.

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