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Ohio State Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Buckeyes

By Jerran Anderson

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: The Ohio State Buckeyes logo on the floor a college basketball game against the Villanova Wildcats at the Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: The Ohio State Buckeyes logo on the floor a college basketball game against the Villanova Wildcats at the Value City Arena on November 13, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State Basketball Michigan Vs Ohio State
Ohio State Basketball Michigan Vs Ohio State /

Key reserves

Guard – Cedric Russell, Senior

Cedric Russell is a late addition to the Ohio State basketball rotation out of the University of Louisiana. He’s a 6-foot-2 guard that developed into quite the player from 2018-21. Russell poured in 17.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 1.2 apg while shooting 40 percent from behind the arc for the Ragin Cajuns to take home first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020-21. He’ll look to bring a similar pedigree to the Buckeyes’ backcourt in 2021-22.

Forward – Seth Towns, Senior

Seth Towns is another returning face in the rotation for the Buckeyes that should make a solid contribution after making his debut for the squad last season. The former Ivy League Player of the Year out of Harvard (2017-20) produced 3.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg across 10.8 minutes per game through 25 appearances this past season.

Center – Joey Brunk, Senior

Joey Brunk is the help that was mentioned above for Kyle Young that’s arrived in the Ohio State basketball rotation. He’s another import from the Big Ten basketball ranks out of Indiana that should play a situational role in the lineup given his size at 6-foot-11. He put up 6.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg while shooting 52.2 percent from the field through 32 appearances (31 starts) in 2020-21 for the Hoosiers.

Forward – Zed Key, Soph.

Key has a chance to be an X-Factor type of player in the rotation after excelling off the bench this past season. He posted 5.2 ppg and 3.4 rpg while shooting 61.6 percent from the field through 31 appearances in 2020-21. He’ll get more minutes on the wing as a rim-runner and need to prove he can knock down shots on the perimeter.

Guard/Wing – Malaki Branham, Frosh.

Malaki Branham is an in-state product out of St. Vincent St. Mary’s that was named “Mr. Ohio Basketball” following the conclusion of his prep career, becoming the first SVSM player since LeBron James (2003) to win the award. The 6-foot-5 athletic slasher averaged 21.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg as they took home a state title.

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