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NCAA Basketball: Updated way-too-early top 25 rankings for 2021-22 season

By Cody Mitchell

Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans roam Georgia Street before the national championship game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 5, 2021, in downtown Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Fans roam Georgia Street before the national championship game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 5, 2021, in downtown Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /
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NCAA Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. Justice Sueing Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 33
NCAA Basketball Ohio State Buckeyes guard Duane Washington Jr. Justice Sueing Ceb Osu Mbk Mich Bjp 33 /

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Projected Starting Five:

G Jamari Wheeler
G Duane Washington Jr.
F Justice Sueing
F E.J. Liddell
C Kyle Young

Buckeye fans have to have their eyes glued to the NBA Draft decisions this offseason. With their top two guys currently in the process, the success of next season could be in jeopardy. Most expect both Duane Washington Jr. and EJ Liddell to be back in the fold next season. If either of them decides to stay in, you won’t be seeing the Buckeyes on anybody’s top 10 lists.

For the sake of the argument, we will assume are back on campus. Washington is an elite scorer of basketball. Averaging over 16 points a game last season, most notably with his 32 points against Illinois in the Big 10 title game. With the thought of missing the tying shot against Oral Roberts in his head, expect Washington to be a man on a mission next season.

Liddell really developed into a big-time player in his sophomore season. his 16.2 points and 6.7 rebounds earned him All-Big 10 first-team honors. The 6’7 forward can play 3-5 and really holds his own when the Buckeyes go small and he plays at center.

Jamari Wheeler comes over from Penn State and gives the Ohio State fans hope for this team defensively. He reminds me a ton of Aaron Craft with his in-your-face style of defense. It will be much needed after the Buckeyes were less than par when it came to defensive efficiency.

We will keep an eye on Washington and Liddell’s upcoming decisions, as our rankings will be reliant on it. Like most, I do expect both of them back in Columbus next season. The ceiling is super high, and the floor is also pretty high.

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