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Ohio State Basketball: Keys for Buckeyes in matchup with Boilermakers

By Shayne Nissen

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives instructions to his team against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center on December 05, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 77-67. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives instructions to his team against the Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center on December 05, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 77-67. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State basketball fans received some rather shocking news today as the team announced that star big man Kaleb Wesson would be suspended for the upcoming game with Purdue.

This is a major blow to Ohio State as Wesson has led the team in scoring with 14.6 points per game and rebounding with 6.7 rebounds per game. His absence puts the Buckeyes in a precarious situation heading into a big game.

With the big center out let’s look at the things they must do to pull off a win over the Boilermakers.

1. Keep Matt Haarms under control 

First and foremost, it means that both Kyle Young and JaeDon LeDee with receive increased minutes. It also makes the 7’3 big man for Purdue, Matt Haarms, all the more dangerous with Kaleb Wesson out of the game.

Kyle Young is going to have to work hard in the post to keep Harrms both off the scoreboard and off the boards.

It also means that the Buckeyes are going to have to be moving a lot more on offense, doubling down on Haarms, and then getting back to guard some elite shooters on the outside.

2. Limit the Boilermakers three-point shooting

It is no secret the Boilermakers have some elite three-point shooters on the outside in Ryan Kline and Carsen Edwards. The two Purdue bombers are 180-480 from beyond the arc, good for a 37.5% rate from long distance.

It is going to be up to the likes of Luther Muhammed, Andre Wesson, and C.J. Jackson to limit the three-point shots taken and make sure that they are contesting the shots that Purdue takes from out there on a consistent basis.

The Buckeyes’ three-point defense has been middle of the road this season holding opponents to 6.6 threes a game, good for 58th in the nation.

3. Continue to score like they did against Iowa

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All fans can agree that Tuesday’s showing against Purdue was a thing of beauty. Justin Ahrens was draining threes from all over the court to the tune of 29 points and the Buckeyes pulled off a huge win over a ranked team.

That needs to continue against the Boilermakers in order for them to defeat a second ranked team this week.

Frankly, the scoring for Ohio State this season has been abysmal. They are currently sitting at 215th in the nation averaging 70.8 points per game on the season.

The reason from that is that the Buckeyes just do not have a ton of consistent outside shooters, nor do they have a consistent scorer. Their leading scorer, Kaleb Wesson, will not be suiting up against the Boilermakers, which makes things even worse.

The scoring outburst from Ahrens needs to continue to be able to claim victory over Purdue, but with Wesson’s absence others need to step up too. Duane Washington showed flashes in the Iowa game like he has all year, but has yet to have a breakout game.

C.J. Jackson is coming off an injury and has not shot the ball as well as last season. Andre Wesson, has had some big games but has yet to put a solid stretch of that scoring together yet.

Next. Breakout stars against TTUN must lead. dark

All of those guys mentioned above needs to play well in order to replace the near 15 points a game that will be missing tomorrow afternoon.

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