Scarlet and Game
Fansided

Ohio State Basketball: Wesson ranked No. 6 in CBB, could have huge year

By Steven Koesterman

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while being guarded by Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while being guarded by Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Ohio State basketball team begins its new season tonight and the country has taken notice of the Buckeyes. That’s especially the case with Kaleb Wesson.

According to ESPN, Kaleb Wesson ranks as the No. 6 overall player in college basketball entering this season. The top five ahead of Wesson include:

  1. Cassius Winston, Michigan State
  2. Markus Howard, Marquette
  3. Cole Anthony, North Carolina
  4. Udoka Azubuike, Kansas
  5. Jordan Nwora, Louisville

Wesson enters his junior season after a dominant sophomore year for the Buckeyes. Leading the team with 14.6 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game and with 21 total blocks, he earned 2019 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors.

As a freshman, he averaged 10.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, earning a spot on the 2018 Big Ten All-Freshman team.

In their 2019 NCAA Tournament run, the Buckeyes upset six-seeded Iowa State before losing by five points to three-seeded Houston. After the season though, Wesson entered his name into the 2019 NBA Draft.

Despite not being invited to the NBA Draft Combine and ultimately deciding to return to school, Wesson got invaluable experiences throughout the process that will improve his game this season.

Expectations are high this season for head coach Chris Holtmann and his team. Ohio State is ranked 18th in the AP rankings and Wesson’s impact on the court this year will be a major factor in determining the Buckeyes’ success.

Ohio State tips off the 2019 season against the Cincinnati Bearcats tonight. In last year’s matchup, Wesson scored a team-high 15 points with 7 boards and 2 blocks. Look for him to have a similar stat line this year.

The 6-foot-9, 270-pound forward was one of fifty college basketball players to be named to the Naismith Award preseason watch list given to the most valuable player in college basketball.

Next. Big Ten Week 11 predictions, undefeated teams clash. dark

This talented Buckeye team, with a good amount of experienced players, could be a perfect combination for Holtmann’s staff this season. There will be too much talent on OSU this season for opposing teams to only game plan around Wesson. This could lead to Wesson averaging a double-double all season long.

Home/Ohio State Basketball