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Villanova at Ohio State: 5 key storylines for the 2019 Gavitt Games matchup

By Lukas Harkins

VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles the ball against Chris Mann #4 of the Army Black Knights in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on November 5, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl #24 of the Villanova Wildcats dribbles the ball against Chris Mann #4 of the Army Black Knights in the first half at Finneran Pavilion on November 5, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Wesson of the Buckeyes looks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
TULSA, OKLAHOMA – MARCH 22: Wesson of the Buckeyes looks. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Who wins the rebounding battle?

Villanova and Ohio State, in my opinion, project as two of the better rebounding teams in the entire nation this season. Both squads feature plenty of talented frontcourt pieces and are managed by head coaches that preach discipline on the glass. These teams should exhibit positive rebounding differentials in just about every game that they play this season and that makes monitoring who wins the battle underneath in this one so important. Whoever comes away with the most total offensive possessions, and thus scoring opportunities, will likely be the one taking the W.

For the home team, Ohio State will heavily rely on their star player to clean the glass. One of the most physical players in the country, Kaleb Wesson comes in at 6-foot-9 and 270 pounds. He is nearly impossible to move in the paint and does an excellent job clearing out space inside. Wesson led the team in rebounding with 6.9 per game last season while the ultimate “glue guy” Kyle Young was not too far behind.

A fellow junior, Young is the unsung contributor on this team. He brings plenty of size to the forward slot at 6-foot-8 and does just about everything well. He can be a contributor in the starting lineup or off the bench. Through Ohio State’s first two contests this season, Young is averaging 12.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Although he does not stretch the floor as a shooter, Young is a capable offensive threat that never forces the issue. His biggest impact is typically felt on the glass.

The other high-quality rebounder worth mentioning is uber-athletic 6-foot-9 freshman Alonzo Gaffney. He needs to add some weight before emerging as a true star but holds his own by virtue of his size and athleticism.

On the other side of this matchup, Villanova boasts one of the best frontcourts in the entire country. Although not the most experienced group, I love what Coach Wright has put together up front. The Wildcats are versatile, athletic, and intelligent – the three keys to success in the modern age.

In terms of specific personnel, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is the clear star at the power forward slot. JRE is a five-star freshman that is known for being an extremely consistent performer. He brings a great motor to the court and can be very difficult to defend with his 6-foot-9 frame. JRE dominated in Villanova’s season-opener by bursting on the scene with a 24-point, 13-rebound performance against Army. He is obviously about to see an uptick in the competition level against (the) Ohio State, but JRE should be just fine.

Alongside him is rising sophomore Saddiq Bey. One of the more surprisingly superb freshmen in the country last season, Bey looks poised for a leap into stardom this season. He stands at 6-foot-8, can score at all three levels, and consistently fights for loose balls. He will be one of Villanova’s top overall performers this season. Speaking of rising sophomores, Coach Wright will also turn to Cole Swider for significant minutes off the bench. Swider was a highly-touted recruit out of high school but struggled last season due to injuries and confidence issues. The 6-foot-9 forward is an elite sharpshooter for his position but can also hold his own underneath. Swider posted 16 points and eight rebounds against Army.

Rounding out Villanova’s main frontcourt rotation is a pair of juniors with Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree and Jermaine Samuels. DCR is more of a true big man and is mostly confined to a high-motor rebounding reserve role while Samuels should be a full-time starter this season. Samuels can be a monster on the glass at 6-foot-7 and represents a matchup nightmare underneath for defending wings.