Ohio State basketball player grades: Kyle Young sets tone

The Ohio State basketball team got off to a slow start against Towson at home on Wednesday night, just barely taking a 33-32 advantage into halftime as Zed Key nailed a turnaround jumper in the final seconds. The Buckeyes used a couple of big runs in the second half to create some breathing room and eventually hold on for an 85-74 win. Kyle Young scored a season-high 18 points and two rebounds. Here are a few player grades as Ohio State improved to 7-2 with Big Ten play approaching.

Kyle Young Player Grade: A-

18 points (6-7 FG, 2-2 3PFG, 4-6 FT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 steal

After setting a season-high with 16 points in the win at Penn State over the weekend, Kyle Young turned it up another notch against the Tigers. He caught fire from the perimeter, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers, and connecting on 6-7 attempts from the field for 18 points. EJ Liddell’s minutes were limited throughout but the Buckeyes were able to survive because Young and Key carried the offensive load for stretches at a time.

Zed Key Player Grade: B+

13 points (5-6 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 3-4 FT), 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 turnover

Key scored the Buckeyes opening bucket and played a very consistent opening half on both ends. The sophomore center led all scorers at the break with 11 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field. He only attempted one shot (which was a miss) in the second half but picked up nine rebounds and two blocks to protect the paint. Chris Holtmann has to love what he’s gotten out of his big men this season and Key’s growth has been a big part of that.

E.J. Liddell Player Grade: B-

15 points (3-6 FG, 1-4 3PFG, 8-8 FT), 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 7 turnovers

Despite being plagued by foul trouble early on, Liddell scored nine points, three rebounds, and two assists in the first half. Part of the reason Towson was able to hang around in this game is that the Buckeyes’ best player wasn’t able to stay on the floor enough. He finished with 15 points on just six shot attempts but committed an alarming seven turnovers. Liddell can’t continue to turn the ball over at that rate as Wisconsin and Kentucky are on the horizon.

Malaki Branham Player Grade: C+

9 points (3-8 FG, 1-2 3PFG, 2-2 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers

Branham has been progressing as a shot creator and lockdown defender in recent weeks but didn’t bring much to the table in the first half on Wednesday. He was held scoreless on just three shot attempts before getting to the line on the opening possession of the second half, which seemed to get him into the game. The freshman forward helped engine a 12-2 run to give Ohio State a 55-45 lead. He finished with nine points and five rebounds in a modest outing.

The Ohio State basketball team was far from perfect in the victory over Towson but the frontcourt continued to lead the way. Justin Aherns was also able to break out of his shooting slump, scoring 16 points on 5-10 shooting from beyond the arc, including four 3-pointers after halftime.

Ohio State will return to the court on Saturday afternoon as conference foe Wisconsin travels to Columbus. After that, the Buckeyes get a week off before facing Kentucky on December 18 in Las Vegas.