Ohio State Basketball: How big of an impact can Cedric Russell make?

The Ohio State basketball team may have found their much-needed spark off the bench. That spark is Cedric Russell. Russell provided a big boost off the bench in the win over TTUN and made some timely shots for the Bucks. How much can his game impact the Buckeyes and help them make a strong finish to the season?

On Saturday, Russell played 24 minutes and was the second-leading scorer in the game vs TTUN chipping in 12 points, shot 62.5% from the field, and was perfect from beyond the arc going 2 for 2.

This hasn’t been the only time this season Russell has provided a boost off the bench. There was the upset over Duke that could also be known as “The Cedric Russell Game” where he basically came out of nowhere and had another 12-point outing, going 3-4 from deep, and helped the Buckeyes towards a huge upset win over the Blue Devils. Just recently he had 9 points against Purdue that contributed to the Bucks getting back in the game and almost completing the comeback in Mackey Arena.

Russell is only averaging 4.4 PPG this year in 11.8 minutes per game off the bench this season, but he can help make this Ohio State team even more dangerous. He shoots a nice 46.2% from the field and an efficient 45.5% from deep. Russell has no fear when it comes to scoring the ball. In his last year at Louisiana before transferring to Ohio State, he averaged 17.2 PPG.

The impact Russell can make is huge for this Ohio State team. He is an experienced guard that knows how to score as well as create for the offense. Also, Russell has been a consistent three-point weapon off the bench for the Bucks. If he can keep playing the way he is, the Buckeyes are in for a strong finish to the season.

Russell and the Buckeyes are back in action this Tuesday when Minnesota comes to Columbus. The Buckeyes just beat the Golden Gophers in Minneapolis a few weeks back. Russell played well in that game providing 8 points off the bench. Let’s hope Russell stays hot and the Buckeyes complete the season sweep against the Golden Gophers Tuesday night.

In the past couple of years, teams that make a deep run in March have good guard play. Ohio State already has their star forward in EJ Liddell, if Branham, Wheeler, and Russell can be that threat on the perimeter, then they are poised for a strong finish and a deep run in March.