Big Ten Basketball: Projecting each team’s key player production for 2021-22

Ohio State – Zed Key and Justice Sueing

Decrease in production: Zed Key

The freshman season lined up pretty well for Zed Key to find success with the Buckeyes. After 6’8 and 225-pound starting center Kyle Young, the Buckeyes had no inside presence, aside from 6’8 /245-pound freshman Zed Key, yet Key averaged fewer than 12 minutes per game as Head Coach Chris Holtmann opted to use a three-guard front and put Justice Sueing at power forward which would force leading scorer EJ Liddell to the center spot.

This season will see Key slide down the depth chart further as Indiana transfer Joey Brunk becomes the solidified backup for Kyle Young. At 6’11 Brunk will continue to average around 20 minutes a game as he provides the height the Buckeyes were missing last season, leaving far fewer minutes for Zed Key in his sophomore season.

Increase in production: Justice Sueing

A season removed from losing in the Big Ten Tournament Finals, Ohio Buckeyes are going to be a contender to win the Big Ten regular season, as well as the Big Ten tournament. A major reason for their projected success is the addition of Joey Brunk and ensuring EJ Liddell never has to start at center and more importantly making Justice Sueing a permanent fixture at small forward.

The 6’7 senior averaged over 10 points while starting all 31 games, although his 36 percent from beyond the arc will need to improve, His ability to take defenders to the basket will be required with the loss of Duane Washington Jr, since Jamari Wheeler is not likely to attempt over thirteen field goals a game, Sueing will get a few more quality looks this season.