Ohio State only got six points from their bench in their 79-71 loss at Nebraska on Sunday afternoon. Two of the Buckeyes’ starting five only had two and three points. The Buckeyes only had three players who scored more than five points. Micah Parrish had 30 (a career high) for the Bucks, and John Mobley Jr. added 21. Bruce Thornton was quiet with nine after his explosion against Maryland on Thursday night.
You’re not going to win many games when, after your top three scorers, the rest of the team combines for 11. Ohio State was also out-rebounded 37-28. Despite having only four more fouls (20-16), the Buckeyes were outscored (by the margin of defeat) 18-9 at the free-throw line by the Huskers. Nebraska outscored Ohio State 40-26 in the paint, too. The Huskers shot 51.9% from the field, and the Buckeyes shot 42.6% from the field.
When you’re out-rebounded, outscored in the paint, and outscored at the free-throw line, and your opponent shoots over 50% from the field, there are a few things that you can deduce are happening. The main thing is that you’re playing poorly around the basket. Your opponent is attacking the rim, working to get closer to take those high percentage shots. The next is that you’re not playing very good defensively.
The Ohio State basketball team clearly needs to play with more consistency if they want to make the NCAA Tournament and actually do something. They have to be able to close games better and with some more consistency.
Ohio State next gets Washington at home on Wednesday night before hosting that team up north next Sunday at 1:00 PM. If the Buckeyes continue to play poorly near the rim, they’ll lose to their rival, and their NCAA Tournament bubble will burst, and they’ll miss the big dance for the third straight season.