Some might call the Ohio State Basketball’s 2021-22 season a failure after being upset by 15 seed Oral Roberts, but head coach Chris Holtmann has turned this program back into one of the best in the country. Yes, being the butt of the joke is never an easy pill to swallow. However, the future looks bright in Columbus with some added talent coming in and possibly every key piece coming back into the fold.
As I will be talking about later on, Ohio State is still waiting on decisions from Duane Washington Jr. and EJ Liddell as they have entered their names into the NBA Draft but have not hired an agent. Obviously, if they decide to forgo the rest of their eligibility a lot is going to change. Not only the starting lineup, as well as their success this upcoming season.
Coach Holtmann does have some talent coming into the program once again. Jamari Wheeler from Penn State, Joey Brunk from Indiana, along with recruits Malaki Branham and Kalen Etzler. Adding more talent to a team that already is poised for a top 10 season. You will see one of these guys on the list (spoiler) but wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone if another makes his way into the lineup later on in the season.
The defense was the big issue last season for the Buckeyes. According to KenPom, they ranked 82nd last season in defensive efficiency. With Wheeler coming in and returning some guys who a certainly capable of holding their own defensively, this shouldn’t be as big of an issue. As Michael Joran would say, the roof is the ceiling for the Buckeyes next season.
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.
Guard: Duane Washington Jr.
The 6’3 guard may be one of the most frustrating players I have seen in college basketball in a long time. Super talented combo guard with a crazy good shot and the ability to get to the rim. However, I always feel you want a little more from him. Even when he puts up 20+ points it seems like he could’ve scored 30. Or when he strings together a few straight buckets and then suddenly disappears and doesn’t shoot for ten straight possessions.
With all that being said he is still a super talented kid and anyone would be lucky to have him on their roster. He is coming off his best season in Columbus averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. With some notable games where he scored 32 against Illinois and 30 against Michigan.
Washington does still have his name in the NBA draft but has yet to hire an agent. With his name nowhere to be found on any big board or mock draft, I would be shocked if he doesn’t return to school. And when does he should easily be a preseason All-Big Ten first-teamer and in the running for Big Ten Player of the Year. With Washington back, the Buckeyes will be one of the most dangerous teams in the conference and in the country.
Forward: Justice Sueing
The former Cal Berkley transfer is entering his third season in Columbus, his second playing, with hopes of getting his first NCAA Tourney win. In his first season, he started all of his 31 games he appeared in.
Sueing is a great player but it wouldn’t surprise me if incoming freshman Malaki Branham eventually takes over the helm. Branham comes from Lebron James’s old high school St. Vincent St. Mary. A 6’5 combo guard who is extremely athletic and versatile, so we will see how he adjusts to the college game.
Sueing was the team’s third-leading scorer last year averaging a little over 10 points per contest. He also chipped in 5.5 boards and 1.5 assists. He is not a terrific shooter from the outside but certainly is capable of knocking down open looks.
As it sits right now, Sueing should be a starter. With a guy looking over his shoulder, expect maximum effort out of the senior this season. But whether he is starting or coming off of the bench, his contribution to Ohio State’s success is still going to be valuable.
Forward: EJ Liddell
Along with Duane Washington, Liddell has also entered his name into the NBA Draft. Similar to Washington his name just isn’t showing up on any draft boards. That being said we have seen some Buckeyes in the past enter unexpectedly and go undrafted. But for the sake of the argument, coach Holtman should expect Liddell back on campus in the fold.
Liddell took a huge leap from his freshman campaign. After taking on a bigger role this season he really saw his numbers pop. Improving his points from 6.7 to 16.2 and his rebounds from 3.8 to 6.7. This earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten first team.
After the loss to Oral Roberts, Liddell received death threats via his Twitter.
"Honestly, what did I do to deserve this? I’m human,” “Comments don’t get to me but I just wanna know why. I’ve never done anything to anyone in my life to be approached like this.” -@EasyE2432"
Now I don’t think that this is going to impact his decision whether to return to school or not, but I am sure it does play a factor. The way I see it it can work one of two ways, either it’s used as fuel to play his heart out for the true fans or it makes him distances himself from the program.
Growing up on the outskirts of Columbus, I know firsthand Buckeye fans are monitoring Liddell’s decision closely. If Liddell does decide to go pro the whole outlook of next season will change. If he returns as everyone expects, expect to see the Buckeyes amongst the top teams entering next season.
Center: Kyle Young
The Canton, OH native is the heart and soul that is the Ohio State Buckeyes. Originally a Butler commit, Young followed coach Holtmann to Ohio State when he left Butler back in 2017. After missing the NCAA Tournament due to a head injury he suffered against Purdue, Young decided to use his extra year of eligibility and return for his second senior season.
Young saw his minutes increase in 2020-21 along with his stats. His points jumped from 7.5 points per game to 8.6 points per game as well with his assists jumping from 0.9 to 1.3. He also developed a three-point shot. After never shooting higher than 17% from deep, he shot 43.3% hitting 13 of his 30 attempts. Limited sample size but helped control the spacing for the Buckeyes offense.
Returning to Columbus is going to drive the rest of the Big Ten crazy. Young at only 6’8 is a little undersized to play center but he makes up for it with his aggressiveness. He bangs around down low and makes it so tough to score on him down in the post. Shades of Wisconsin’s Brad Davidson, Young is known for his “acting” and draws a plethora of charges.
The biggest wonder of this was who was going to play center for the scarlet and gray in 2021. After striking out on some big-name transfers and no big recruits coming into the fold, Young’s return to Columbus is the exclamation point they needed to cap off the offseason.