Big Ten Basketball: 5 biggest takeaways from 2019 recruiting classes

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes meets with Duane Washington Jr. #4 and Keyshawn Woods #32 in the first half against the UCLA Bruins during the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center on December 22, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Andre Wesson #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts with C.J. Jackson #3, Musa Jallow #2 and Kaleb Wesson #34 against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half in the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 22, 2019 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Ohio State scores big with several top-50 recruits

The Buckeyes were the clear No. 1 team in terms of Big Ten recruiting. They landed one of the point guards in the entire class in DJ Carton, who just missed a five-star rating. He’ll be the replacement for outgoing starting point guard CJ Jackson. EJ Liddell and Alonzo Gaffney are a pair of forwards who should be key frontcourt pieces in the future, especially considering that there’s a very good chance that both Kaleb and Andre Wesson will be gone after next season.

Liddell has the chance to breakout of the group. The undersized power forward is an elite athlete who can score in bunches. Even if he’s just a sixth man next season, look for him to have a pivotal role on the Buckeyes on the offensive end.

Head coach Chris Holtmann has been known as one of the better developers in NCAA Basketball, including his days at Butler. He was credited with turning Keita Bates-Diop into a Big Ten Player of the Year two seasons ago and has done well with under the radar players. Now that he has some top-50 talent to work with, Ohio State could start becoming a perennial top-25 program again like they were at Thad Matta’s prime with them.

Next. Analyzing top class of 2019 Big Ten recruits. dark

This is an important season for the Buckeyes as they look to become a recruiting power out in the midwest. The opportunity is there and several key class of 2020 recruits have Ohio State on their radar. But the team will have to perform up to standards to keep their attention. This 2019 group is a great start though and could be the beginning of a Midwest power.

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