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KEYSHAWN WOODS BROUGHT “OLD MAN” EXPERIENCE TO OHIO STATE IN SEARCH OF WINS
Colin Hass-Hill on October 24, 2018 at 10:10 am @chasshill
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During his three seasons over four years at two different universities, Keyshawn Woods never played on a team that won a game in the NCAA tournament. He never suited up for a team that won more than 19 games or for a team that finished better than 10th in its conference. Just once did his team finish better than .500.
Woods averaged double-digit points off the bench last season for Wake Forest, but the Demon Deacons went 11-20 and finished second to last in the ACC. He figured it was time for a change.
“I pretty much just wanted to win,” Woods said last month at Ohio State basketball media day. “Just wanted to be in a winning culture. Just really wanted to win.”
He took a few visits, checking out Virginia and Louisville, before settling on Ohio State for his redshirt senior season. Woods said the team’s camaraderie ultimately sold him on it being the best option, but the Buckeyes likely wouldn’t have even been in play had they not surprised the country last year with a 25-9 record and second-place finish in the Big Ten.
For someone who was set on playing for a winning program, Woods couldn’t help but notice the success.
“It showed that coach Holtmann's a winner and he can bring a group of guys together,” Woods said. “That played a big factor into me coming here because of the man he is and the culture that he's built in just one year. For me, it was huge. And then, when I came on my visit and was actually around the guys, I can see why they won. And that's what drew me to come here.”
Woods is one of Ohio State’s five newcomers, but he’s the only graduate transfer on this season’s team that has just two other seniors – C.J. Jackson and Joey Lane. The Buckeyes lost four seniors, including Big Ten player of the year Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate, to graduation, so both production and leadership voids exist. Woods is expected to help full both.
“KEYSHAWN? OLD MAN. ALL THAT COMES WITH THAT IN A GOOD WAY, LIKE WISDOM, EXPERIENCE AND WANTING TO DO THE RIGHT THING THE RIGHT WAY.”– MICAH POTTER
In the offseason, Holtmann realized the team “desperately needed” a veteran perimeter player, so he targeted – and landed – Woods.
“He's been really solid for us. Kind of what we've expected,” Holtmann said two weeks ago at Big Ten media day. “I think he's waiting a little bit to assert a level of leadership. I think he wants his teammates to observe how he works on a day-to-day basis. But, as you mentioned, he is critical for this group.”
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...lEDPuTDss60ybwSq2PiB8IMKFTVlkJfrMZgYEwsVZ680I
Colin Hass-Hill on October 24, 2018 at 10:10 am @chasshill
Email this ArticleShare on RedditShare on TwitterShare on Facebook95
10 COMMENTS
During his three seasons over four years at two different universities, Keyshawn Woods never played on a team that won a game in the NCAA tournament. He never suited up for a team that won more than 19 games or for a team that finished better than 10th in its conference. Just once did his team finish better than .500.
Woods averaged double-digit points off the bench last season for Wake Forest, but the Demon Deacons went 11-20 and finished second to last in the ACC. He figured it was time for a change.
“I pretty much just wanted to win,” Woods said last month at Ohio State basketball media day. “Just wanted to be in a winning culture. Just really wanted to win.”
He took a few visits, checking out Virginia and Louisville, before settling on Ohio State for his redshirt senior season. Woods said the team’s camaraderie ultimately sold him on it being the best option, but the Buckeyes likely wouldn’t have even been in play had they not surprised the country last year with a 25-9 record and second-place finish in the Big Ten.
For someone who was set on playing for a winning program, Woods couldn’t help but notice the success.
“It showed that coach Holtmann's a winner and he can bring a group of guys together,” Woods said. “That played a big factor into me coming here because of the man he is and the culture that he's built in just one year. For me, it was huge. And then, when I came on my visit and was actually around the guys, I can see why they won. And that's what drew me to come here.”
Woods is one of Ohio State’s five newcomers, but he’s the only graduate transfer on this season’s team that has just two other seniors – C.J. Jackson and Joey Lane. The Buckeyes lost four seniors, including Big Ten player of the year Keita Bates-Diop and Jae’Sean Tate, to graduation, so both production and leadership voids exist. Woods is expected to help full both.
“KEYSHAWN? OLD MAN. ALL THAT COMES WITH THAT IN A GOOD WAY, LIKE WISDOM, EXPERIENCE AND WANTING TO DO THE RIGHT THING THE RIGHT WAY.”– MICAH POTTER
In the offseason, Holtmann realized the team “desperately needed” a veteran perimeter player, so he targeted – and landed – Woods.
“He's been really solid for us. Kind of what we've expected,” Holtmann said two weeks ago at Big Ten media day. “I think he's waiting a little bit to assert a level of leadership. I think he wants his teammates to observe how he works on a day-to-day basis. But, as you mentioned, he is critical for this group.”
https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...lEDPuTDss60ybwSq2PiB8IMKFTVlkJfrMZgYEwsVZ680I
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buckeyes_rock
Great day to be a Buckeye
Showed up in a big way last night against Creighton...this guy is going to be huge this season. What a great pick up by Holtmann!
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Keyshawn Woods provides consistent spark in bench role for Ohio State basketball
Updated Dec 15; Posted Dec 15
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Keyshawn Woods (32) reacts after making a three point shot in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bucknell Bison on December 15, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 15 Ohio State is riding a three-game winning streak after its 73-71 win over Bucknell, but they could very easily be 1-2 in that span.
In two of those three games, the Buckeyes trailed at halftime and needed the second half heroics of senior Keyshawn Woods to secure a victory.
“He’s a really poised kid and he’s one of those guys that can get his own shot,” head coach Chris Holtmann said. “We probably need a few more of those kinds of guys or we need our younger guys to get better in that area in terms of getting your own shot and making the right decision late. That’s why it’s important to have him in the game in those situations. He just brings a maturity and a poise and you need that.”
Woods isn’t a part of Holtmann's regular starting line up, but at the moment he sits third on the team in minutes and fifth in scoring. As the most experienced player on Ohio State’s roster there isn’t much that Woods hasn’t seen in his career. He’s played on almost every stage and in every role you can think of, but for Ohio State’s he’s found comfort in his role as the sixth man.
A sixth man is a guy who isn’t necessarily a starter, but very well could be. Depending on the team the sixth man may not be on the floor when the ball is tipped off, but will usually be one of the five players on the court in the final minutes with the game on the line. It takes a special type of player to be willing to accept a role that provides all of the benefits of being a starter without actually being one. You must be willing to stay engaged in games for the first five-to-seven minutes while sitting in your warm-ups next to the coaches. Your approach to the game can vary and is almost never within your own control. Some games your job is to come in a maintain the lead built by the starters, while other times you’re providing the spark the starters lacked.
Twice in the last three games, that has been Woods' role and he’s played it to perfection.
In a 77-67 win over Illinois on December 5, Holtmann inserted Woods for Kyle Young to start the second half leading to a 43-point second half by the Buckeyes led by Woods with 12 points. Woods finished that game with a game-high 18 points helping Ohio State improve to 2-0 in Big Ten play.
Ten days later Holtmann called on Woods to again lead an Ohio State team who’d given up a 12-0 run to the Bison as they trailed 40-39 at halftime. Once again Woods responded, scoring nine of his 13 points — his fourth game in double figures this season — in the second half leading a 15-3 run giving the Buckeyes the lead for good.
Of his four games in scoring double figures, three came in games where the Buckeyes needed it most. Whenever things have gone wrong or gotten chaotic, the coaching staff and the many underclassmen in the Buckeyes' rotation know they’re always able to look to him to be the calm amongst the chaos.
“He definitely calms everybody down because he’s played a lot of basketball,” sophomore Kaleb Wesson said. “Him being there, telling us what to do and helping us calm down, keep everybody tight in the circle it helps a lot.”
But that’s a role he’s grown accustomed to in his college career. Prior to joining Ohio State Woods played at Wake Forrest where he averaged 12.2 points over two seasons. He started just 27 of the 61 games he saw action in with 22 of those starts coming during the 2016-17 season. Before that, Woods started his college career at Charlotte where he averaged 8.4 points as a freshman starting in only three of 32 games.
“It’s something I’ve been doing my whole career,” Woods said. “My approach is to come in the game and do whatever I can to help the team...Regardless I just feel like starting or not I’m fine because I know what I can help bring to the team.”
Woods has started two games for Ohio State this season while coming off of the bench for the other eight. Holtmann stated that he’s spoken to him about what he prefers, but Woods doesn’t seem to care. He likes coming off the bench, he’s found comfort in it. He’s also mature enough to understand that not being a starter doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
The role of the sixth man has defined Woods' career and he’s made the best of it at every step of his college career. He embraces that role and so far, it’s worked out in Ohio State’s favor.
“The way I look at it is my job is to help bring a spark to this team off the bench,” Woods said. “That’s part of being a leader...Making sure everybody is calm is something I try to do for the team.”
https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/...-in-bench-role-for-ohio-state-basketball.html
Updated Dec 15; Posted Dec 15
Ohio State Buckeyes guard Keyshawn Woods (32) reacts after making a three point shot in a game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Bucknell Bison on December 15, 2018 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- No. 15 Ohio State is riding a three-game winning streak after its 73-71 win over Bucknell, but they could very easily be 1-2 in that span.
In two of those three games, the Buckeyes trailed at halftime and needed the second half heroics of senior Keyshawn Woods to secure a victory.
“He’s a really poised kid and he’s one of those guys that can get his own shot,” head coach Chris Holtmann said. “We probably need a few more of those kinds of guys or we need our younger guys to get better in that area in terms of getting your own shot and making the right decision late. That’s why it’s important to have him in the game in those situations. He just brings a maturity and a poise and you need that.”
Woods isn’t a part of Holtmann's regular starting line up, but at the moment he sits third on the team in minutes and fifth in scoring. As the most experienced player on Ohio State’s roster there isn’t much that Woods hasn’t seen in his career. He’s played on almost every stage and in every role you can think of, but for Ohio State’s he’s found comfort in his role as the sixth man.
A sixth man is a guy who isn’t necessarily a starter, but very well could be. Depending on the team the sixth man may not be on the floor when the ball is tipped off, but will usually be one of the five players on the court in the final minutes with the game on the line. It takes a special type of player to be willing to accept a role that provides all of the benefits of being a starter without actually being one. You must be willing to stay engaged in games for the first five-to-seven minutes while sitting in your warm-ups next to the coaches. Your approach to the game can vary and is almost never within your own control. Some games your job is to come in a maintain the lead built by the starters, while other times you’re providing the spark the starters lacked.
Twice in the last three games, that has been Woods' role and he’s played it to perfection.
In a 77-67 win over Illinois on December 5, Holtmann inserted Woods for Kyle Young to start the second half leading to a 43-point second half by the Buckeyes led by Woods with 12 points. Woods finished that game with a game-high 18 points helping Ohio State improve to 2-0 in Big Ten play.
Ten days later Holtmann called on Woods to again lead an Ohio State team who’d given up a 12-0 run to the Bison as they trailed 40-39 at halftime. Once again Woods responded, scoring nine of his 13 points — his fourth game in double figures this season — in the second half leading a 15-3 run giving the Buckeyes the lead for good.
Of his four games in scoring double figures, three came in games where the Buckeyes needed it most. Whenever things have gone wrong or gotten chaotic, the coaching staff and the many underclassmen in the Buckeyes' rotation know they’re always able to look to him to be the calm amongst the chaos.
“He definitely calms everybody down because he’s played a lot of basketball,” sophomore Kaleb Wesson said. “Him being there, telling us what to do and helping us calm down, keep everybody tight in the circle it helps a lot.”
But that’s a role he’s grown accustomed to in his college career. Prior to joining Ohio State Woods played at Wake Forrest where he averaged 12.2 points over two seasons. He started just 27 of the 61 games he saw action in with 22 of those starts coming during the 2016-17 season. Before that, Woods started his college career at Charlotte where he averaged 8.4 points as a freshman starting in only three of 32 games.
“It’s something I’ve been doing my whole career,” Woods said. “My approach is to come in the game and do whatever I can to help the team...Regardless I just feel like starting or not I’m fine because I know what I can help bring to the team.”
Woods has started two games for Ohio State this season while coming off of the bench for the other eight. Holtmann stated that he’s spoken to him about what he prefers, but Woods doesn’t seem to care. He likes coming off the bench, he’s found comfort in it. He’s also mature enough to understand that not being a starter doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
The role of the sixth man has defined Woods' career and he’s made the best of it at every step of his college career. He embraces that role and so far, it’s worked out in Ohio State’s favor.
“The way I look at it is my job is to help bring a spark to this team off the bench,” Woods said. “That’s part of being a leader...Making sure everybody is calm is something I try to do for the team.”
https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/...-in-bench-role-for-ohio-state-basketball.html
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OhioState001
Tressel Loyalist
He is shooting 28% from 3 this year. His previous years were 46%, 43%, and 37%. What do we attribute that to? ACC competition isn't any weaker than B1G competition and I don't think Wake had a better supporting cast than the team this year? Imagine if he could have been a 37%+ 3pt shooter for us. We probably would have at least a couple more wins.
The odd thing is he has gotten progressively worse every year. His best shooting year was at Charlotte and then his 1st year at Wake. Dude put up worse numbers the longer he stayed in college. Odd.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3132360/keyshawn-woods
The odd thing is he has gotten progressively worse every year. His best shooting year was at Charlotte and then his 1st year at Wake. Dude put up worse numbers the longer he stayed in college. Odd.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/3132360/keyshawn-woods
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