Ohio State Men's Basketball 2019 NCAA Tournament Capsule

 

Ohio State Buckeyes

Big Ten (19-14, 8-12)

 
Ohio State has spent most of this season right in the middle of the Big Ten pecking order. It was their strong 12-1 start, which included a huge season opening victory over Cincinnati, that the Buckeyes rode to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Big Wins: 11/7 at Cincinnati (64-56), 12/2 Minnesota (79-59), 2/26 Iowa (90-70)
Bad Losses: 1/9 at Rutgers (61-64), 2/14 Illinois (56-63), 3/6 at Northwestern (50-68)
Coach: Chris Holtmann
 
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Chris Holtmann’s team often plays good enough defense to at least keep them in the game. The opposition shoots 41.7 percent from the floor, which ranks 65th in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten. Kaleb and Andre Wesson are asked to do much of the scoring. Kaleb, a 6-9 sophomore, leads the Buckeyes with 14.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Andre adds 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. Both Wesson’s are capable shooters and that adds another, and much needed, dynamic to often anemic offense.
 
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is not a Buckeyes team that is going to score a lot of points. Ending up in the 50’s or 60’s is common for this team. Sometimes that is enough, but usually that is not the case. C.J. Jackson is the leader of the backcourt, but he has not been scoring much at all lately and the case is the same with Luther Muhammad. Justin Ahrens has been able to pick up the slack on occasion, but Ohio State needs their backcourt to score or this group will struggle offensively and have an early exit.
 
Probable Starters:
Luther Muhammad, Freshman, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 1.8 apg
Keyshawn Woods, Senior, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg
C.J. Jackson, Senior, Guard, 12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
Andre Wesson, Junior, Forward, 8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Kaleb Wesson, Sophomore, Forward, 14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg
 
Key Role Players:
Kyle Young, Sophomore, Forward, 6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Justin Ahrens, Freshman, Forward, 3.3 ppg
Duane Washington, Freshman, Guard, 7.2 ppg
 
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.3 (267th in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.6 (39, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.6 (227, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (65, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.4 (212, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.8 (216, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.6 (104, 6)
Rebound Margin: 1.4 (140, 7)
Assists Per Game: 13.8 (140, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (111, 8)
 
Recent Postseason Appearances:
 
2018NCAARound of 64 win over South Dakota State
2018NCAARound of 32 loss to Gonzaga
2016NITFirst Round win over Akron
2016NITSecond Round loss to Florida
2015NCAARound of 64 win over VCU
2015NCAARound of 32 loss to Arizona
2014NCAARound of 64 loss to Dayton
2013NCAARound of 64 win over Iona
2013NCAARound of 32 win over Iowa State
2013NCAARegional Semifinal win over Arizona
2013NCAARegional Final loss to Wichita State
2012NCAARound of 64 win over Loyola Maryland
2012NCAARound of 32 win over Gonzaga
2012NCAARegional Semifinal win over Cincinnati
2012NCAARegional Final win over Syracuse
2012NCAANational Semifinal loss to Kansas
2011NCAARound of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio
2011NCAARound of 32 win over George Mason
2011NCAARegional Semifinal loss to Kentucky
2010NCAARound of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara
2010NCAARound of 32 win over Georgia Tech
2010NCAARegional Semifinal loss to Tennessee
2009NCAARound of 64 loss to Siena
2008NITFirst Round win over UNC-Asheville
2008NITSecond Round win over California
2008NITQuarterfinal win over Dayton
2008NITSemifinal win over Mississippi
2008NITFinal win over Massachusetts
2007NCAARound of 64 win over Central Connecticut State
2007NCAARound of 32 win over Xavier
2007NCAARegional Semifinal win over Tennessee
2007NCAARegional Final win over Memphis
2007NCAANational Semifinal win over Georgetown
 
*all team stats through 3/10