Ohio State Basketball: Why you shouldn’t underestimate the Buckeyes

Experienced guard play means something

Overall experience can make a big difference in college basketball but possibly the most important place to have this experience is in the backcourt. For college athletes, mistakes are bound to happen. However, with more experience and practice, turnovers and other mistakes can be cut down on. This is part of why having experienced guards can make a huge difference. The value of having a backcourt that takes care of the ball projects itself in total completed possessions by each team. With more possessions that end in a shot, a team has more opportunities to score and therefore a higher likelihood to win.

In addition, guard play is critical in the closing stretch of games. Due to the fact that most guards have the ability to score at all three levels at least to some degree, guards are often the ones with the ball in their hands when a team needs a bucket. Once again, talent will often win out in this case but having the experience and the confidence to take (and make) clutch shots comes with time.

In looking at the Ohio State basketball roster for this upcoming season, the team has experience in the backcourt. With seniors C.J. Jackson and Keyshawn Woods running the show, these two have seen extensive minutes at the college level and understand how to take care of the ball and operate in crunchtime situations. They might not be the elite of the elite when it comes to guard play but they are certainly better than most.