Ohio State Basketball: Projecting 2021-22 starting lineup for Buckeyes

PISCATAWAY, NJ - JANUARY 09: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks to his team during a college basketball game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Ohio State defeated Rutgers 79-68. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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Jamari Wheeler Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Guard: Jamari Wheeler

Coach Holtmann pulls another player out of the portal and one from an in-conference rival. Wheeler will be replacing fifth-year senior guard CJ Walker who has opted to not use his extra year of eligibility and enter into the NBA draft. The Buckeyes will be counting on Wheeler to be one of the leaders of this team and be the true point guard that Walker was.

The Florida native’s stats aren’t going to blow you away by any means but his presence is going to be felt every game. Wheeler only averaged 6.8 points per game along with 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Not the guy who’s going to be taking big shots down the stretch but has a good enough three-point shot to keep defenders honest.

Wheeler makes his money on the defensive end. He was named to the first-team All-Big Ten defensive team and outside of Maryland’s Darryl Morsell is hands down the best defensive guard in the conference. He reminds me a lot of Aaron Craft, a fan favorite of the Buckeyes, with his swarming defensive style and never being afraid to get down and dirty for loose balls.

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