Buckeyes bounce back from a two-game losing streak by improving their play vs Rutgers

Ohio State bounced back from a tough loss to Maryland with an 80-66 win over Rutgers, showcasing adjustments in both their lineup and approach that proved highly effective. Missing starting center Aaron Bradshaw for the fifth consecutive game, Ohio State found a way to counter their frontcourt challenges through a small-ball rotation, leading to a much-needed victory.

The game began evenly, but Ohio State's offense, spearheaded by Devin Royal's breakout performance, took control. Royal led the Buckeyes with 22 points, shooting an impressive 9-for-12 from the field. He was particularly effective in the paint, helping Ohio State score 46 points in the paint compared to just 18 from Rutgers.

Despite being undersized in the frontcourt, Royal, alongside Sean Stewart and Evan Mahaffey, helped maintain a balanced offense. Mahaffey, although only scoring 4 points, contributed significantly with ball movement and setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Rutgers struggled to adjust to Ohio State’s rotation. They couldn't take full advantage of Aaron Bradshaw’s absence, as Sean Stewart and Austin Parks, held their own defensively. Stewart did get into foul trouble but grabbed 7 rebounds in only 22 minutes of play. Parks, who chipped in with 6 points and 4 rebounds, also added an intangible edge by diving for loose balls and maintaining high energy.

Ohio State's defensive game plan was equally impressive. Micah Parrish was tasked with guarding Rutgers’ standout freshman and future NBA lottery pick Ace Bailey. Parrish limited Bailey to 12 points on 6-of-16 shooting, forcing him into tough shots and holding his own despite Bailey’s size, athleticism, and talent. Parrish also added 12 points on the other end, including a key 3-pointer late in the game that helped secure the win.

Bruce Thornton was another standout for Ohio State, scoring 22 points and keeping the Buckeyes' offense in rhythm. He shot 8-for-13 from the field and contributed to the team's solid ball-handling, which was crucial given the increased defensive pressure Rutgers applied to their guards.

Despite John Mobley Jr. being contained by Rutgers’ defensive schemes, Ohio State’s ability to pivot away from relying on the 3-point shot was pivotal. The Buckeyes shot only 33% from beyond the arc but compensated by dominating inside, showcasing a newfound versatility.

Rutgers’ Dylan Harper led the Scarlet Knights with 18 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Ohio State’s offensive execution. Ohio State’s defense forced Rutgers into 14 turnovers, capitalizing with 22 points off those mistakes.

Overall, the Buckeyes showed resilience, with key contributions from players like Royal, Mahaffey, and Parrish, who stepped up to fill the void left by Bradshaw. There is still no timeline for when Bradshaw will return to the team or if he even will at this point. But fans sure need to give credit to head coach Jake Diebler’s adjustments in rotations and strategies, which were evident as Ohio State improved to 6-3 on the season.