Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten (21-10, 11-9)
Ohio State got off to a great start to the 2019-2020 campaign. They were 9-0 with wins against Cincinnati, Villanova, North Carolina and Penn State. A four game losing streak and a 2-6 start in Big Ten play quickly sent the Buckeyes back to reality though. Coach Chris Holtmann managed to turn things around after that and the Buckeyes are playing very good basketball heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/13 Villanova (76-51), 12/21 vs Kentucky (71-65), 2/23 Maryland (79-72)
Bad Losses: 12/15 at Minnesota (71-84), 1/11 at Indiana (54-66), 1/23 Minnesota (59-62)
Coach: Chris Holtmann
Why They Can Surprise:
The Buckeyes can beat anybody on any given day thanks to their stifling defense and three-point shooting ability. The Buckeyes allow just 62.9 points per game and allow the opposition to shoot a mere 39.7 percent from the floor. On the other side of the floor, Ohio State is loaded with consistent outside shooters. Kaleb and Andre Wesson are a couple of prolific and consistent three-point shooters who can stretch the defense. Kaleb leads the team with 14.0 points and 9.3 rebounds and shoots an impressive 42.5 percent from beyond the arc. Duane Washington will knock down plenty of long balls and backcourt mates CJ Walker and Luther Muhammad are at least threats to knock down some shots.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The backcourt does lack a major scoring threat though. This team has to rely on the Wessons for their consistent scoring. At times somebody will need to create their own shot, especially on those rare occasions when the Buckeyes are not hitting their outside shots consistently. Turnovers have also been an issue for this group. They commit nearly 13 per game and do not force many of their own. If Ohio State is losing out on too many possessions and not shooting at their usual level, they will be going home earlier than hoped.
Probable Starters:
Luther Muhammad, Sophomore, Guard, 7.0 ppg, 1.3 apg
CJ Walker, Junior, Guard, 8.7 ppg, 3.5 apg
Andre Wesson, Senior, Forward, 9.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg
Kaleb Wesson, Junior, Forward, 14.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Kyle Young, Junior, Forward, 7.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg
Key Role Players:
E.J. Liddell, Freshman, Forward, 6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Duane Washington, Sophomore, Guard, 11.5 ppg, 1.4 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.1 (140th in nation, 6th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.9 (23, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.6 (130, 5)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.7 (25, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.4 (58, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.3 (20, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.2 (43, 2)
Rebound Margin: 5.4 (36, 5)
Assists Per Game: 13.3 (161, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.7 (133, 13)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iowa State |
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Houston |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over South Dakota State |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Gonzaga |
| 2016 | NIT | First Round win over Akron |
| 2016 | NIT | Second Round loss to Florida |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over VCU |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Arizona |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Dayton |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iona |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Iowa State |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Arizona |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Wichita State |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Loyola Maryland |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Gonzaga |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Cincinnati |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Syracuse |
| 2012 | NCAA | National Semifinal loss to Kansas |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over George Mason |
| 2011 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Georgia Tech |
| 2010 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Tennessee |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Siena |
| 2008 | NIT | First Round win over UNC-Asheville |
| 2008 | NIT | Second Round win over California |
| 2008 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Dayton |
| 2008 | NIT | Semifinal win over Mississippi |
| 2008 | NIT | Final win over Massachusetts |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Central Connecticut State |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Xavier |
| 2007 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Tennessee |
| 2007 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Memphis |
| 2007 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Georgetown |
| 2007 | NCAA | National Final loss to Florida |
*all team stats through 3/8
