Ohio State basketball needs to show improvement vs. Bowling Green

The Ohio State basketball team has had a rough start to the season. They needed a last-second shot from Zed Key to beat Akron at home in the opener. Then on Friday night, needed a career-high in points from E.J. Liddell to beat Niagra by just ten points.

Tonight, they take on Bowling Green on Big Ten Network at 6:30 pm. This is a game that I normally wouldn’t be worried about, but the Buckeyes haven’t made anything easy so far this season. They need to show that they can improve as a team and be better.

It should help that Kyle Young is back from his injury. While he didn’t start, he looked okay in his first action of the season. It will take time for him to ramp up and be the defensive force we are accustomed to him being. The same will be true for his low-post game.

The biggest concern is what to do with the backcourt. Only Malaki Branham has shown the ability to do anything offensively for the Buckeyes as a guard. While Jamari Wheeler did have 9 points and Meechie Johnson added 7 against Niagra, neither guard looks to be able to create their own shot.

If they can’t find someone who can create their own shot off the dribble from the backcourt, the Buckeyes are in trouble the rest of the season. Bowling Green isn’t good enough to win this game tonight without some help, so as long as Ohio State doesn’t turn it over, they should win.

I have the Buckeyes winning this game 72-65. I am done predicting double-digit victories and blowouts until this team has shown me that they can consistently score the ball without having to force-feed Liddell every time down the court. Someone else has to step up.

I am looking forward to what this team can do though. Maybe this is the night they show that much-needed improvement.