The missing piece for the Ohio State basketball team

The Ohio State basketball team is currently ranked 16th in the country. They have some really good wins on the season, having beaten Duke, Wisconsin, and Seton Hall. They really don’t have any bad losses. And yet, they are still missing a piece that would make them truly elite.

That missing piece is a knock-down three-point shooter. It’s what Chris Holtmann was hoping Justin Ahrens was going to be before he hit his massive shooting slump. That is the biggest missing piece from the team that could hold them back in March.

While Ahrens did go 4/7 on Sunday against Maryland, they need someone who can be more consistent. Right now, E.J. Liddell is the best three-point shooter on the team with any sort of volume to his shots. He shoots 40% while attempting 3.8 a game.

That’s a good percentage. But if the Buckeyes want to really compete in the NCAA Tournament, they need someone who can shoot closer to 45% because Liddell is going to get double-teamed a lot. He’s the Buckeyes’ best player and everyone will be giving him the most attention.

Liddell needs someone he can count on to throw it to out of the post when he gets those double teams. If that player can consistently hit open threes, teams will have to stop doubling Liddell and he will get easier shots down low. That makes Ohio State’s offense more efficient.

I think either Malaki Branham or Meechie Johnson has the best chance to be that great shooter. Both have really good strokes and have shown the ability to hit big shots. Branham is the better overall player of the two, but Johnson might be the better catch-and-shoot guy.

The Ohio State basketball team has about a month to figure this out. If someone can step up, this team has a real opportunity to be dangerous in March.