Ohio State Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Buckeyes
Projected starting lineup
Point Guard – Jamari Wheeler, Senior
Jamir Wheeler is a player from Penn State’s program joining the Ohio State basketball program. He’ll bring an added toughness to their defense and playmaking ability as a scorer and distributor at the lead guard spot for the Buckeyes.
The 6-foot-1 guard put up 6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.8 spg for the Nittany Lions in 2020-21 and started in a total of 84 games for them from 2017-21. Wheeler was a two-time All-Big Ten defensive selection across the past two seasons while also leading the conference in total steals (48) in 2019-20 and finished second in 2020-21 with 44 steals. He’ll look to be a defensive pest and playmaker this time while donning new colors.
Guard/Wing – Justin Ahrens, Senior
Justin Ahrens is a returning name that had quite the junior year for the Buckeyes as a reserve and a starter. He’ll move into the starting rotation given his size and versatility at 6-foot-6. He’ll be looked upon to handle the ball and make plays, but he’s not afraid to let it fly from behind the arc, either.
Ahrens started in 18 of the 31 games he appeared in this past season while producing 5.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg. His most intriguing stat is his 3-point shooting. He shot 42.5 percent (54-of-127) from behind the arc in 2020-21 while making 1.7 3-pointers per contest. Look for that number to grow with a bigger role in the rotation.
Forward/Wing – E.J. Liddell, Junior
E.J. Liddell returns set to be this year’s primary scorer and rebounder in the rotation after a strong 2020-21 performance. He’s a 6-foot-7 hybrid wing/forward prospect with nice size at 240 pounds that allows him to roam inside and out on the floor.
Liddell produced 16.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 1.5 apg while shooting 33.8 percent from 3-point land and 47.4 percent from the floor from the field. With a bigger role on the horizon for Ohio State basketball, he’s due to grow into quite the threat on the wing and around the rim this year.
Forward/Wing – Justice Sueing, Senior
Justice Sueing is another returner for Ohio State basketball with a ton of experience inside and out for the Buckeyes. He averaged 10.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 1.5 apg while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range in 2020-21.
Sueing started in all 31 games for the Buckeyes this past year and returns bringing quite the pedigree at the forward spot, despite his size at 6-foot-6. He’ll be a player that will stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the ball and make plays on the wing alongside Wheeler and others.
Center – Kyle Young, Senior
Kyle Young is the glue guy for this group and at 6-foot-8, he may be another undersized big man, but he makes up for it with his ability to make plays and have a nose for the ball. He’s another player with a rebounder’s pedigree after posting 5.5 rpg along with 8.6 ppg and 1.3 apg.
Young is an unselfish player that should excel down low, especially now with help off the bench. With more touches and Liddell, Sueing, and Wheeler on the floor as distractions, look for Young’s production around the rim to grow.