Busting Brackets
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Ohio State Basketball: Keys for the Buckeyes to upset Iowa State

By Curtis Wilkerson

BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the first half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 15: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts in the first half against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 15, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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oEAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
oEAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 17: Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes handles the ball while defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 17, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Big Minutes from Kaleb Wesson

It is safe to say that the Buckeyes are a much better team when 6-foot-9, 270-pound sophomore Kaleb Wesson is on the floor. The problem is keeping him there. Wesson has struggled with foul trouble throughout the season and recently missed three games down the stretch for Ohio State for a violation of athletic department policy. The Buckeyes struggled to score in his absence and dropped all three games, nearly bursting their NCAA Tournament bubble.

The bruising big man was reinstated prior to the Big Ten Conference Tournament and made his presence felt right away with a huge 17 point, 13 rebound performance in a must-win game against Indiana. He is averaging team highs in points (14.4) and rebounds (6.8) per game and was recently named an Honorable Mention All Big-Ten performer.

Against an Iowa State defense that is strong on the perimeter but vulnerable at times around the rim, the Buckeyes will need a heavy dose of Wesson inside if they plan to pull off the opening round upset. The Cyclones are not deep in the front-court. If Wesson can establish himself on the block, and avoid foul trouble himself, he could be primed for a big-time performance.

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