Ohio State Men’s Basketball starts off 7-2 (1-0 in Big Ten Play) despite new faces. The first nine games were a good measurement point to see what this team can be down the stretch and in March. Ohio State has played three ranked opponents (Duke, Texas Tech, San Diego State) and is 1-2 on the year.
Expectations
Team 124 is going to have its ups and downs just like every basketball team will, but this group feels special. Under Chris Holtmann, Ohio State is 114-58 (.663). Overall and 59-40 (.596) in Big Ten Play. The Battle Tested Buckeyes are t-2nd in Big Ten and are currently ranked 25th in AP Top 25.
Ohio State is in for a great season led by junior Zed Key and superstar freshman Brice Sensabaugh. This team feels like they can make a run in March as the ingredients require reliable depth, solid defense, efficient offense, control of the boards, and grit.
The expectation for Holtmann is a Sweet 16 Appearance. Ohio State hasn’t made it into the second weekend since 2013 when they made it to the elite 8 and fell short of a Final Four appearance after a 70-66 loss to the 9th-seeded Wichita State Shockers
Can Ohio State meet Expectations?
Yes, I do in fact believe this is the year a Chris Holtmann-led Buckeye squad can get over the hump and make it into the second weekend. The path is pretty simple, the Buckeyes are going to keep getting better, and the mixture of Zed Key and transfer experience mixed with elite youth will result in Holtmann’s first Sweet Sixteen Appearance as an Ohio State Head Coach.
Breaking Down the Numbers
- Ohio State’s rebounding- the Buckeyes are t-29th in rebounds per game and 9th in Rebound Margin.
- The Gritty Buckeye Defense- Ohio State is T-69th in OPP PPG (63.5)
- The Buckeyes’ Young Offense- The Buckeyes are t-64th (79.0 PPG)
- Ohio State’s Discipline- Team 124 is 72nd (11.8 TO per game)
- The Buckeyes’ Dominance- Ohio State comes in at T-32nd in Scoring Margin (+15)
How has Ohio State’s 2022 Recruiting Class Done so Far?
Jake Diebler (Ohio State Assistant Coach, and main recruiter) has kicked it into second gear on the trail.
48th OVR 4 Star SG Roddy Gayle Jr -4.8 Pts 1.7 REB 1.3 AST 14.1 MINS 43.6 FG% 37.5 3PT% 75.0 FT%
49th OVR 4 Star PG Bruce Thornton- 9.9 Pts 2.4 REB 2.8 AST 29.0 MINS 49.2 FG% 46.7 3PT% 92.9 FT%
64th OVR 4 Star SF Brice Sensabaugh- 14.1 PTS 3.2 REB 0.6 AST 19.2 MINS 48.8 FG% 48.1 3PT % 80.0 FT%
65th OVR 4 Star C Felix Okpara- 3.7 PTS 3.9 REB 0.2 AST 0.9 BLK 12.7 MINS 56.5 FG% 100.0 3PT% 85.7 FT%
313th OVR 3-star SG Bowen Hardman- (has played in 3 games but recorded no stats)
Upcoming 2023 Recruiting Class
Ohio State is going to put together 2 back-to-back top 10 classes which hasn’t happened since 2010-2011 recruiting classes under former head coach Thad Matta.
The next-level recruiting looks to become a yearly thing as Holtmann and Diebler have developed great relationships with recruits and are doing a great job scouting them as well. Let’s take a look at another elite recruiting class under Chris Holtmann.
37th OVR 4-star SF Scotty Middleton- 6’6 180 LBS
- Hometown- Miami, Florida
- High School- Sunrise Christian-Bel Aire, Kansas
42nd OVR 4-star CG Taison Chatman- 6’4 170 LBS
- Hometown- Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
- High School- Totino Grace High School- Fridley, Minnesota
47th OVR 4-star SF Devin Royal- 6’7 215 LBS
- Hometown- Pickerington, Ohio
- High School- Pickerington Central
170th OVR 3-star C Austin Parks- 6’10 230 LBS
- Hometown- Saint Mary’s, Ohio
- High School- Memorial High School
Recap
Ohio State Basketball has been pretty exciting so far and it will only get better. Ohio State will have this week for finals and next weekend will return to action. The depth talent and coaching are there. The team will only get better each time they step on the court.
3 Upcoming Key Games
SAT Dec 17th CBS Sports Classic vs North Carolina
- Location- Madison Square Garden
- Channel- CBS
- Time- 3:00 PM EST
THU Jan 5th vs No. 1 Purdue
- Location- Value City Arena
- Channel- FS1
- Time- 7:00 PM EST
SUN Jan 8th at No. 20 Maryland
- Location Xfinity Center (College Park Maryland)
- Channel- ESPN
- Time- 1:00 PM EST
