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Ohio State’s men’s basketball team is on a four-game losing streak. Credits: Katie Goode | Assist.photo editor
The Buckeyes are in the midst of their biggest challenge of the season so far.
The then-No. Ohio State suffered a losing streak for the first time this season with a struggling 1-Purdue from 71-69. Minnesota postponed a comeback bid on Thursday, and the Rutgers got revenge in overtime on Sunday as head coach Chris Holtman and the Buckeyes extended their losing streak to four.
Ohio State (10-7, 2-4) started the season with 10 wins in its first 13 games, but Holtman and the team are looking for leadership in moments like these. says.
“We’re going to need them all the way through. I think your leadership will be really clear in January and February,” said Holtmann. “They selflessly lead the way. They play at Ohio State. They come to work. They’re everyday guys. That’s what’s needed in this moment. , I think that’s the challenge that lies ahead of them.”
Ohio State is back on the road for Wednesday’s 7pm tip-off in Nebraska (9-9, 2-5 Big Ten), broadcast on the Big Ten Network, looking for a solution to their four-game losing streak.
It was the longest skid since 2020-21 when the Buckeyes lost the final stretch of the regular season, but bounced back and advanced to the Big Ten Tournament Championship in four games.
Forwards Redshirt Sr. Justice Suing and Jr. Zed Key, who averaged 10.7 and 5.2 points per game during the 2020-21 season, were part of the Buckeyes team that challenged Illinois in the March 2021 conference tournament game. bottom.
Swing said this losing streak was “a bit like” that season and would like to try to strike earlier than later in the season.
“I remember we were really together and really connected,” Suing said. I had no doubts, we were solid in the locker room, we weren’t disturbed by outside noise and we did great in the Big Ten Tournament.”
Unlike the 2020-21 season, the Buckeyes have 10 new players on their 14-man roster who joined the offseason.
“We have a lot of rookies and young players, so we’re just trying to stay positive,” Key said. “Losing four games in a row can take a toll on their psyche. to do
Ohio State ranks fourth among college basketball teams with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 118.6, which measures points per 100 possessions. According to Kenpom.
An area Holtmann hopes to improve from the Buckeyes is in their ability to “make better paint decisions.” During a four-game losing streak, Ohio State has scored 38.1 percent of points in the paint and is 160-for-138 outbound or giving up 5 1/2 more rebounds than downs.
Holtman cited former forward EJ Liddell, a second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, after spending three seasons with the Buckeyes and increasing his role in the final two years. At 6 feet tall, Liddell was a power last season. He played frequently as a forward and freelancer. Did.
“We’ve always been a pretty heavy dribble-driving team, and certainly have been this year and years past. This allows us to get to the free-throw line and get to the paint,” Holtmann said. “That’s where a guy like EJ really grew last year. He had the ability to read paint, make paint decisions, see help and get the ball on goal on time. And that. I think that’s where some of us have to grow.
Losing 3 points in the final minute to the Boilermakers, Ohio State gave up a 39-34 halftime lead in Maryland, unable to tear away from the Golden Gophers, surrendering an 11-point lead to the Scarlet Knights . His average scoring margin for the Buckeyes during his four-game losing streak is that he lost four points, which is good enough to consider what would have happened if he had regained multiple possessions.
Having played in five games in six seasons in college basketball, Suing has stepped up his game after playing two games last year due to an injury. He was his second-most scorer at Ohio State, his third-most rebounders in 17 games, and his 35 offensive rebounds in throwing put him second among the Buckeyes. am.
Holtman said the coaching staff is challenging Suing in a leadership role as he is one of Ohio State’s captains for the second year in a row, adding that Suing “want to control what he can control.” said.
“Whether it’s putting my team together, being a good communicator, or even just the little things that crash the board, it’s something I can control to contribute to the team,” Sueing said. increase. “That is, that is, [if] I can’t shoot A wide range of games will continue, so I’m not going to rely on that alone.
Three of Ohio State’s next four games will be outside the comforts of Columbus, including Wednesday’s game in Nebraska and trips to Illinois and Indiana.
Losing streaks are nothing new in basketball, and Holtman and Ohio State have been here midseason. But this group of his Buckeyes are under new pressure together and are focused on what’s next.
“We saw it a few years ago after we struggled in January. There was,” said Holtman. “I don’t know if there are certain patterns or factors other than the need to play better.”
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