Ohio State Basketball: Kaleb Wesson key to Buckeyes success in 2019-20
Ohio State Basketball was quite reliant on big-man Kaleb Wesson in 2017-18, and he could be just as important this upcoming season.
Chris Holtmann’s Ohio State Basketball squad lost its final three regular season games but managed to upset 6-seed Iowa State in the first round of last season’s NCAA Tournament. To explain this quick turnaround, one has to look no further than one player: Kaleb Wesson.
(Credit to KenPom and sports-reference for statistics and Big Ten Network for GIFS)
The Importance of Wesson
Wesson was suspended for the final three regular season games due to a violation of team rules but returned for March Madness, scoring 21 points on 8-15 from the field in the victory against the Cyclones. After the season, he unsurprisingly withdrew from the draft process and announced he would be returning for his junior year.
No matter how one slices the numbers, the Buckeyes have really counted on Wesson. Per KenPom, the 6-9 Wesson utilized the 57th most offensive possessions in the nation when he was on the court last season.
Ohio State (19-13 overall) was 5-1 when Wesson scored >= 20 points and 14-3 when he scored >=15. Wesson, who averaged 14.6 points per game, averaged 17.3 in Buckeyes wins and 11.5 point in losses.
Getting to the Line
Arguably Wesson’s biggest strength offensively is his ability to draw fouls, get to the line and knock down foul shots. He was 17th nationally last season in fouls drawn per 40 minutes and made 73.4% of his free throws.
He was also one of only eight players in the NCAA last season to meet each of the following statistical criteria (per sports-reference): effective field goal percentage >= 54.2%, >= 6.9 rebounds per game, >= 5.5 free throw attempts per game, AND free throw percentage >= 73.4%.
- Mike Daum – South Dakota State
- Grant Williams – Tennessee
- Anthony Lamb – Vermont
- Tres Tinkle – Oregon State
- Zac Cuthbertson – Coastal Carolina
- Chris Silva – South Carolina
- Jordon Varnado – Troy
- Kaleb Wesson – Ohio State
Along with scoring, Wesson provides solid rebounding, recording the 170th best offensive rebounding rate and the 229th defensive rebounding rate in the nation last season. He offers some value defensively as well (409th block percentage, 413th steal percentage).
Although only averaging 2.3 attempts per game, the forward has turned himself into a capable 3-point shooter. After going only 4-14 (28.6%) from long-range his freshman year, Wesson went 26-75 (34.7%) last season. His ability to pick-and-pop can give plenty of opposing big-men fits.
Next Season
If things go roughly according to plan, Chris Holtmann’s squad will earn better than an 11-seed this upcoming season. Early preseason rankings have Ohio State ranked somewhere in the range of 9-25.
The disparity in rankings can likely be attributed to the importance the Buckeyes’ incoming freshmen trio will play on the team’s success. If they hit, Ohio State should be in great shape, but it can be difficult to project the performance of freshmen that aren’t big-time five-star recruits.
The trio is comprised of top-50 four-star recruits in DJ Carton, Alonzo Gaffney and E.J. Liddell. Carton, a point guard out of Iowa, is the highest rated of the three (34th per ESPN).
Helping these freshmen and Wesson will be sophomore guard Luther Muhammad and Kaleb’s brother in 6-6 senior wing Andre Wesson. Additionally, after sitting out last season, Florida State transfer CJ Walker will provide a veteran presence to the point guard position (counterbalancing Carton’s inexperience).
Next. Updated early 2019-20 Big Ten power rankings. dark
With an improved roster, Holtmann should be able to make the most of next season. He’s one of six active coaches (with >=3 opportunities) with a perfect record in the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament, and it won’t be surprising at all if that streak is extended next season.