Ohio State basketball: Defense has been the focus this offseason

The Ohio State basketball team is just under a month away from the 2022-23 college basketball season. They have a completely different roster from last season, which includes ten new players from a year ago. Even with a revamped roster, the focus is still the same for this Buckeye basketball team; the effort on defense must be better.

The Buckeyes last season struggled mightily on the defensive end of the floor. According to KenPom, the Buckeyes ranked 111th in defensive efficiency in all of college basketball in 2022. In 2023, that ranking must lower.

Their biggest weakness on defense last season was not being disciplined on that end of the floor. They struggled to keep their man in front of them and gave up way too many wide-open looks. At this level of play, no matter the opponent, if a player gets an open look they’re more than likely going to capitalize.

The team last season also struggled on the boards. As a team, they gave up way too many offensive rebounds. Their lack of size was a result of that, but they did add some size in freshman Felix Okpara who should provide a huge boost off the bench this season with his length.

During the open practice that I attended on Monday, they did a lot of rebounding drills. Holtmann and the rest of the coaching staff are putting an emphasis on limiting second-chance opportunities. Their schedule consists of a lot of teams that love to attack the glass and get extra looks. In order for this team to compete with some of the best teams in the country, they will need to be a good rebounding team.

What impressed me the most about Team 124 at their open practice Monday night was how much they got after it on the defensive end. They were pressuring the ball handlers, keeping it a tight space. They were diving on the floor for loose balls and taking charges during scrimmages. It’s plays on defense like this that help build chemistry and a solid defensive nucleus.

If you look at the teams that made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament last season, they were all disciplined on defense. In order for an Ohio State basketball team to finally get to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2013, they will need to be much better on defense. After getting one look at this team, they could be a very solid defensive team.

We get to see Team 124 back on the hardwood in less than a month. If the effort in practices translates to the games this season, I think the Buckeyes are in for a great season.