Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2022-23 season

Like Wisconsin, Ohio State is another team dealing with a spate of losses and a lot of questions. Their upside gives them the edge over the Badgers.

In Chris Holtmann’s fifth season with the Buckeyes, Ohio State went 20-12 and qualified for the NCAA Tournament as a No. 7 seed, where they lost to Villanova in the second round. E.J. Liddell was the unquestioned star, while Malaki Branham was a key contributor as a freshman. They’re both gone.

This season’s success will likely be dependent on the play of senior Justice Sueing. He was reliable during his first season with the Buckeyes, but missed all but two games last season with an injury. Can he return to his previous level of play, let alone exceed it and be the team’s leader?

Zed Key is another key returnee. In a larger role last season, Key emerged as one of the best shot blockers and offensive rebounders in the Big Ten. He has no three-point game to speak of, but he can be consistent from close on the offensive end.

Where the excitement lays for the Buckeyes is in the transfers. Holtmann cleaned up in the portal, snagging a few major players who could help Ohio State make another NCAA Tournament if they successfully gel together.

Sean McNeil and Isaac Likekele arrive from West Virginia and Oklahoma State, respectively. Both should immediately slide into starting roles and it wouldn’t be a surprise if McNeil is the team’s leading scorer this season.

An X-factor is big man Seth Towns, entering his seventh season of college basketball. Injuries have decimated his career, leaving him with no games played last season and only 25 since 2018. Seeing him on the court would be great, but even if he can’t rival is old Harvard production, he might be able to give the team depth.

If all the pieces come together, Holtmann might have something going in Columbus. But none of the individual players rival the losses from last year.