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Ohio State basketball should shake things up vs. IUPUI

By Ryan Stano

Sun., Jan. 9, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; 55 and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) talk during a free throw during the first half of a NCAA Division I men’s basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats at Value City Arena.Sports Ncaa Mbk Northwestern Wildcats At Ohio State Buckeyes
Sun., Jan. 9, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; 55 and Ohio State Buckeyes forward Justin Ahrens (10) talk during a free throw during the first half of a NCAA Division I men’s basketball game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats at Value City Arena.Sports Ncaa Mbk Northwestern Wildcats At Ohio State Buckeyes /
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The Ohio State basketball team gets a reprieve from the tough Big Ten conference tonight when they take on IUPUI at home in the Schott. It’s an odd situation for the Buckeyes to take on a non-conference opponent in the middle of January where it’s normally just Big Ten foes.

Since they do get to face a team like this, it’s time for them to shake things up. They have had issues so far this month playing their best basketball. Part of it has been a lack of shooting from three. Justin Ahrens in particular has had a rough month.

Because he hasn’t been able to hit his open threes, the offense as a whole has been less effective once teams start double-teaming E.J. Liddell. Liddell does a good job passing out of the double team, and it leaves guys open on the perimeter. Ahrens has been one of those guys.

The problem is that he hasn’t been hitting those shots. Ahrens has only hit 6 out of 28 threes he’s attempted this month. That’s only good enough for a paltry 21%. That’s a terrible percentage for anyone, let alone someone who is relied upon to shoot threes in this offense.

It’s time for Chris Holtmann to do something about this. Ahrens should move to the bench. Ohio State should start Eugene Brown or have Kyle Young play the three. Having Ahrens out there missing threes isn’t doing anyone much good. Maybe he can come off the bench and be a bit better in that role.

Next. 3 recruits who could see immediate playing time. dark

The game is at 7 pm tonight on Big Ten Network, so be sure to look at what Holtmann decides to do with him. Holtmann is pretty stubborn so I wouldn’t expect any changes yet. That doesn’t mean changes won’t come if things don’t improve.

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