Ohio State basketball: 3 things the Buckeyes need to do to avoid upset

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Malaki Branham (22), forward E.J. Liddell (32), guard Cedric Russell (2) and guard Jimmy Sotos (1) embrace during "Carmen Ohio" following the NCAA men's basketball game at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 6, 2022. Michigan won 75-69.Michigan Wolverines At Ohio State Buckeyes /

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The Ohio State basketball team needs someone else to help pick up the scoring. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Ohio State basketball team needs role player scoring

The Buckeyes this season have been relying way too much on E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham. If they want to make it out of the first round and have any shot at making a run in this tournament they will need a third consistent scorer to present themselves.

This is what hurt the Buckeyes in their loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament. Down the stretch of the game, no one else stepped up. I think Kyle Young can be that reliable third-scoring option as he is this team’s “glue guy”, but it’s looking like he’ll be unavailable. If Young is out, a third scoring option is a desperate need.

I know these things have been the main struggles for this Buckeyes team all season long, but they need to correct it now when it matters most. They control their own destiny in this NCAA Tournament. If they can be smart and take care of the ball, rebound, and get role players to start scoring more they could be in for a run in March Madness.

Next. Can E.J. Liddell carry the Buckeyes on a deep run?. dark

The 7-seeded Buckeyes square off with 10-seed Loyola-Chicago in the first game on Friday. If they don’t do the things above, we will be in for a long Friday.

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