Ohio State Basketball: What to expect after the COVID pause
By Jacob Rhymer
With the Ohio State basketball program on a COVID pause, what is there to expect when the Buckeyes return to the hardwood?
The most important concern to factor in is health. We know this Ohio State team isn’t at full strength at the moment and per Chris Holtmann, Justice Sueing and Seth Towns were both unavailable against Kentucky prior to the cancelation. With Holtmann announcing that, there has to be some optimism that their return to the Buckeyes rotation will be soon.
Last season, Sueing averaged 10.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG and Towns averaged 3.8 PPG and 2.2 RPG. Sueing brings another reliable ball-handler to the Buckeyes backcourt as well as another facilitator that can create for himself and others.
Towns will add to the depth of this team and provide a nice spark off the bench with his ability to help stretch the defense by stepping out and shooting the three-ball at an elite clip. We’re not sure when these two will be back in uniform, but their return is looming large with Big Ten play approaching.
E.J. Liddell will continue his stellar play and keep his name in the conversation for National Player of the Year, but something still missing from the offense. Expect a second scoring threat to present themselves when the team returns. Malaki Branham could be that guy.
The freshman is only averaging 6.3 PPG on the year, but he has shown spurts of becoming that second scoring option. He has displayed his elite scoring ability by finishing at the rim and he has a nice shooting touch. Once it all starts to come together and on a consistent basis, he’ll make this team even more dangerous.
Pending any cancelations, the Buckeyes will be back in action Tuesday the 28th against New Orleans which will be a nice tune-up game before traveling to Nebraska to resume Big Ten play.
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There is a lot of things to look forward to when this Ohio State basketball team gets back in action. It’s only a matter of time until this team is back at full strength and, at some point this season, that second scoring option will start to breakthrough. With the pause still in action, it is uncertain when that will be.