Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the top for 2019-20 season

By Brandon Simberg

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: C.J. Jackson #3 of the Ohio State Buckeyes pokes the ball away from Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the first half on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
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)
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) /

3. Ohio State

Key players lost: Keyshawn Woods, C.J Jackson

Key players returning: Kaleb Wesson, Andre Wesson, Luther Muhammad, Duane Washington Jr., Justin Ahrens

Key newcomers: C.J Walker (transfer), E.J Liddell, Alonzo Gaffney, DJ Carton

Ohio State’s 2018 season was comprised of many ups and downs but ultimately ended with them beating Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Houston.

Losing seniors Keyshawn Woods and C.J, Jackson hurts, but they return their best player in Kaleb Wesson. Wesson was a force inside averaging 14.6 points per game but he also showed the ability to extend his range, making 26 three pointers. As if one Wesson isn’t enough, his brother Andre also returns after averaging 8.6 points per game.

The Buckeyes also return the trio of Luther Muhammad, Duane Washington Jr., and Justin Ahrens from their 2018 recruiting class. Muhammad and Washington will provide backcourt depth while Ahrens will use his versatility and shooting on the wing to make an impact. All three of these guys saw time last year and have areas to build on.

Related Story. Breaking down Ohio State's recruiting class. light

On top of all the returning talent, Ohio State brought in arguably the best recruiting class in the Big Ten. Top-40 recruits E.J. Lidell and D.J. Carton have generated a lot of noise so far. Lidell seems likely to be starting at the power forward spot for the Buckeyes, whereas Carton has a chance to start in the backcourt, but will definitely see minutes either way.

The biggest issue for the Buckeyes is still their offensive upside. Kaleb Wesson can be a top scorer in the Big Ten, but it remains to be seen who the number two guy will be. But there are a lot of candidates to step up. They also lack some size and depth up front but Lidell is a springy athlete who should help there.

When it comes to game coaches in the Big Ten, Tom Izzo and Matt Painter get a lot of praise. That being said, I believe Chris Holtmann is the most underrated. Do people realize he’s won a tournament game five straight seasons? Now he has one of his most talented, and experienced rosters and I think the Buckeyes could be a sleeper Final Four team.

Home/Big Ten