Ohio State Basketball: After game one this question will need answered

The Ohio State basketball team escaped Akron, but after one game there is one big question for the Buckeyes to answer if they want to be successful this season.

The 2021/22 men’s college basketball season is now underway and last night we got to see our first real-time look at our Buckeyes as they took on in-state opponent Akron. The 17th ranked Buckeyes escaped narrowly against a pesky Zips team 67-66 in the final seconds. Of course, we won’t get every answer early in the season, but what we do get are the questions we need answers to if this team is going to have real success this season.

What we do know and what we expected coming in is that E.J. Liddell is a baller as he finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds looking like the best player on the floor. The other thing we saw is sophomore forward Zed Key is going to be really good and a key contributor to this team as he was the other OSU player who finished in double figures with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

I understand a lot of questions will get answered as the games go along and this was just the first one. The biggest one that pops up after this Akron game is when the game is on the line down the stretch and the Ohio State basketball team is playing a good defensive opponent or the offense is struggling, who can they hand the ball to that can isolate and just get us a bucket?

Liddell is great and will get his almost every night, but he mostly gets it within the offensive scheme. Who’s going to be the guy that can create his own shot when they need it, whether it be through the jumper or the drive to the lane and finishing at the rim, or getting themselves to the free-throw line?

The Buckeyes did a great job of keeping their composure and winning a close battle. However, there will be times when they have to hand the ball to someone and say, “take this home for us.” With an all-new backcourt this season, I’m excited to see who steps into that role this year.