The Ohio State basketball program has been tied to what Bruce Thornton has been able to give them over the past three seasons. He has been their best player almost since he stepped foot on campus, and that is no different this season as a senior.
Thornton hasn't gotten a lot of help around him in his career. It's why he's never made the NCAA Tournament. He is trying to change his fortunes this season by leading the Buckeyes to the Big Dance in his final season of eligibility. Against Purdue Fort Wayne, he showed his best.
Thornton had a career-high 38 points on an incredible 14-17 shooting. He added five rebounds and five assists in Ohio State's 94-68 victory over the Mastodons. He was able to take the game over late in the second half to help the Buckeyes pull away for the win.
Bruce Thornton was spectacular in an Ohio State victory over Purdue Fort Wayne
The only shots that Thornton missed all night were from beyond the 3-point arc, and he still made 5-8 from there. He showed that even though the Ohio State Buckeyes have some solid transfers this season, he is still the top dog when it comes to performing.
Because he was so good at scoring, only two other Buckeyes had double-digit points. John Mobly Jr. had 19 points, while big man Cristoph Tilly added another 15. Thornton was just in such a zone that it didn't make sense for him to give the ball up to his teammates very often.
Ohio State has one more cupcake game against Appalachian State before it plays its first power conference opponent in Notre Dame. That game will give fans a better idea of how good this basketball team actually is, and whether or not they will challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Jake Diebler believes in this group. Offensively, things have been very good so far against inferior opponents. The game against the Irish will really tell fans something.