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2017-2018 Ohio State Men's Basketball (24-7, 15-3, #2 Seed in B1G Tourney)

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WHAT WE LEARNED FROM OHIO STATE'S 88-63 WIN OVER WOOSTER

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Ohio State played a lesser team with black and yellow uniforms and did what they were supposed to.

Behind a near double-double — 17 points, 9 rebounds — from Keita Bates-Diop and 16 points and seven rebounds from freshman Kaleb Wesson, the Ohio State men's basketball team defeated Wooster 88-63.

Here's a look at some of what we learned following the team's performance and the first game under Chris Holtmann.

KEITA BATES-DIOP IS HEALTHY AND VERY GOOD
After a stress fracture ended his junior season in early January 2017, the first in-game action for Keita Bates-Diop since went really well.

The forward was paramount in the success of the Ohio State offense. 10 points and six rebounds in the first half helped the Buckeyes get a little breathing room against Wooster. Seven more points in the second half helped lay it on for the Buckeyes.

Though it's early and the team hasn't played a regular season game yet, Bates-Diop looks to be back and better. Ohio State's season is contingent on the scoring and presence of Bates-Diop.

BUCKEYE FANS, SAY HELLO TO KALEB WESSON
Prior to coming to Columbus, Kaleb Wesson transformed his body and lost around 40 pounds to get in better shape for his freshman season. Early indications showed Sunday afternoon how much it paid off, with Wesson scoring 16 and making a fair share of effort plays.

After 10 first-half points for the younger Wesson, he got into foul trouble in the second. Though it didn't dismay him too much on the offensive end. Wesson was the second-leading scorer for the Buckeyes.

Of the other young Bucks, Kyle Young and Musa Jallow played 16 and 21 minutes, respectively. Young and Jallow each had six points.

Whether or not Wesson comes off the bench or starts for the Buckeyes remains to be seen, but regardless, fans should be excited. Though he didn't show as much mid-range touch as someone with a comparable body type like Jared Sullinger, Buckeye fans should feel very excited with Wesson's performance before the regular season starts Nov. 10 against Robert Morris.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...-we-learned-from-ohio-states-win-over-wooster
 
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Buckeye Freshmen Show Glimpses of Bright Future in First Action

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The Ohio State men’s basketball team has three freshmen on the roster this year, and had Chris Holtmann not been quick on his feet, it would have only been one.

Center Kaleb Wesson committed to the Buckeyes back in 2015, but guard Musa Jallow and small forward Kyle Young were late adds in July, about one month after Holtmann was hired. Together, they have bolstered an Ohio State roster that is very thin on players.

On Sunday, those three players got their first experience as Buckeyes, taking part in OSU’s 88-63 win over Division III Wooster.

Even though it was an exhibition game, and not without its struggles, Holtmann liked the experience that was gained for his young players.

“I think the opportunity for our guys to play in front of fans, and they brought a large contingent too, was great,” he said. “The reality is that teams are going to make runs on us and we have to respond the right way. I think we were a little slow to respond in some of the situations, but overall I thought it was good for us to get a chance for some of our young guys to play.”

Entire article: https://theozone.net/2017/11/buckeye-freshmen-show-glimpses-bright-future-first-action/
 
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Buckeyes Begin, End Exhibition Schedule with 88-63 Win Over Wooster

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The game won’t count in the standings, but the Chris Holtmann era finally got underway at Ohio State with the Buckeyes securing an 88-63 win over Division III Wooster on Sunday.

Ohio State was led in scoring by junior forward Keita Bates-Diop with 17 points. He showed great touch inside the three-point arc, dropping in five of his six two-point field goal attempts. He also led the team with nine rebounds and two blocks.

The Buckeyes opened the game on a 12-0 run before Wooster finally got on the board with a three-pointer from Simon Texidor. Ohio State eventually opened their lead to 19 points late in the first half.

The second half of the game was an up-and-down shootout, with the Buckeyes outscoring the Scots 49-41.

One week ago, Holtmann said he did not know what his starting five would look like, but he ended up going with the expected lineup of forwards Jae’Sean Tate and Bates-Diop, along with guards C.J. Jackson and Kam Williams, with sophomore Micah Potter at center.

Entire article: https://theozone.net/2017/11/buckeyes-begin-end-exhibition-schedule-88-63-win-wooster/
 
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Jake said:
I'm guessing this year's team won't win nearly as often. Coach is gonna need some time.
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We had a team in 2011 that won quite a bit, too. :lift:

That's the nice thing about low expectations...they're easily exceeded. There's no pressure this year, but the initial impressions of KBD and Kaleb Wesson look promising. :sneaky:

I'm still saying the NCAA is realistic, and probably even likely. The B1G is just one mediocre conference that will allow us to snipe some wins.
 
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Jake said:
I'm guessing this year's team won't win nearly as often. Coach is gonna need some time.
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Agreed. While I saw some things to be encouraged about, there's still a lot to clean up, and the roster is razor thin. But given the ditch we were in in March, it's nice.to have some things to look forward to. I anticipate an up and down year. I'm sure we'll lose some we probably shouldn't, but I also think we'll win a couple that nobody expects.

I'm not expecting an NCAA berth, but if KBD can stay healthy and Wesson can make an impact and get the fouls under control, I wouldn't be shocked.
 
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NFBuck said:
Agreed. While I saw some things to be encouraged about, there's still a lot to clean up, and the roster is razor thin. But given the ditch we were in in March, it's nice.to have some things to look forward to. I anticipate an up and down year. I'm sure we'll lose some we probably shouldn't, but I also think we'll win a couple that nobody expects.

I'm not expecting an NCAA berth, but if KBD can stay healthy and Wesson can make an impact and get the fouls under control, I wouldn't be shocked.
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Yep, I loved Thad but it was time for a change. Had he stayed I'd be far less optimistic - not so much this particular season, but where we're going in the future. Early signs are promising, recruiting etc.. I wish Thad the best in whatever he does next. He brought some great moments to Ohio State.
 
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Jake said:
This seems a tad optimistic.


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HabaneroBuck said:
Well, now I don't feel so homer-ish for saying that we can make the NCAA.
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Ha, just ran into Dakich walking into the Pacers game. Showed him my Ohio State background on my phone and said “Final Four?” He laughed and said, that’s what my son says and he almost called Michigan last year.

Also told him I need that after his boy Urban let me down last week.

We’ll see. He’s sticking by it, off the record (likely in some joking manner). Still like the positive vibes.
 
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OHSportsFan said:
Ha, just ran into Dakich walking into the Pacers game. Showed him my Ohio State background on my phone and said “Final Four?” He laughed and said, that’s what my son says and he almost called Michigan last year.

Also told him I need that after his boy Urban let me down last week.

We’ll see. He’s sticking by it, off the record (likely in some joking manner). Still like the positive vibes.
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Also, the lady he is with...smokeshow. Think she was/is the Syracuse softball coach.

I’m probably 30 years his junior and yes. Absolutely yes.
 
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