Ohio State Basketball: 2019-20 keys for Buckeyes against Villanova

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) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddle prior to the start of the second half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena on February 10, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Iowa 82-64. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Key #1 – Free Throws

I’ve said this before, but free throws are so important in any game. If you are not able to knock down free throws, those can lose you points in the long run and can be a factor of getting into the NCAA Tournament. We’ve all seen people miss key free throws that can be game-changers and we see how much of an effect it takes on the players who miss them too. Thankfully this is a non-conference game and the chances of a low-scoring game will be slim, but the free throws will be a huge factor in this game.

In the game against UMass-Lowell, Kyle Young shot 50% (2/4) and Gaffney Alonzo shot 25% (1/4). Two key players who both scored double digits in the game can’t be having low percentages at the free throw line. This is going to be one of those games where free throws are going to be crucial in the 2nd half. It’s going to be important for the Buckeyes to hit those shots and cause the Wildcats to be nervous.

The Wildcats could have the possibility to use the Buckeyes’ low free throw percentage to their advantage, so the Buckeyes need to be able to capitalize and knock down shots throughout the game, in both the 1st and 2nd half.

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