Ohio State basketball player grades: EJ Liddell leads Buckeyes past Niagara

The Ohio State basketball team moved past Niagara 84-74 at Value City Arena on Friday night to get to 2-0 on the season. EJ Liddell caught fire early on, scoring 15 points in the first eight minutes, and scoring a career-high 29 points to help hold off the Purple Eagles. Zed Key and Justice Sueing also played a major role in the victory, while Kyle Young returned after missing the season opener on Tuesday. Here are a few player grades for the Buckeyes recent performance.

EJ Liddell Player Grade: A

29 points (9-15 FG, 3-6 3PFG, 8-12 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, 5 turnovers

For a second consecutive game Liddell led the Buckeyes in scoring, this time a career-high 29 points on just 15 shots, to go along with five rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. The 6’7 forward was clearly the best player on the court and is looking like a potential Big Ten Player of the Year candidate. He needs to limit turnovers going forward but besides that, Liddell looks even more electric and versatile than last season. The Buckeyes would probably be 0-2 without him.

Zed Key Player Grade: B+

11 points (3-4 FG, 5-7 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1 assist

Another frontcourt player that really stepped up this week was Key. After having the game-winning layup against Akron a few days ago, the sophomore big man compiled 11 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks on Friday. At times he struggled to defend Niagara’s Sam Iorio on the perimeter but Key always gives maximum effort and protects the paint at a high level. Through two games, Key has also scored 25 points on 10-15 shooting from the field.

Kyle Young Player Grade: B-

5 points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3PFG, 1-1 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover

Young was unable to play in the final three games of last season after suffering a concussion in the Big Ten Tournament win over Purdue. Then he missed the exhibition game and season opener with vestibular dysfunction before returning last night against Niagara. Chris Holtmann must be happy to have Young in the lineup, catching lobs and grabbing rebounds again. He wasn’t able to find a rhythm from outside (0-2 from 3-point range) but finished with five points and seven rebounds.

Meechie Johnson Player Grade: C+

7 points (2-5 FG, 2-5 3PFG, 1-2 FT), 1 rebound, 0 assists, 1 turnover

Johnson started the season opener but was replaced by freshman Malaki Branham prior to the matchup with Niagara. He scored seven points including a pair of 3-pointers off the bench but didn’t make much of an impact elsewhere. I think Johnson has the potential to be Ohio State’s best guard, he just needs to improve other areas of his game. The Cleveland-product has elite handle and range but needs to become a better driver, defender, and passer to earn more minutes.

The Buckeyes will get the weekend off before hosting Bowling Green on Monday with an eye on 3-0. Holtmann’s team has allowed both opponents to hang around late into the second half despite being mid-major programs.

Akron and Niagara have a few skilled scorers but if the Buckeyes are going to compete for a conference championship again, then they will need to start playing a full 40 minutes with Big East programs Xavier and Seton Hall coming up before Thanksgiving.