Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten (19-14, 8-12)
Ohio State has spent most of this season right in the middle of the Big Ten pecking order. It was their strong 12-1 start, which included a huge season opening victory over Cincinnati, that the Buckeyes rode to the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 11/7 at Cincinnati (64-56), 12/2 Minnesota (79-59), 2/26 Iowa (90-70)
Bad Losses: 1/9 at Rutgers (61-64), 2/14 Illinois (56-63), 3/6 at Northwestern (50-68)
Coach: Chris Holtmann
Why They Can Surprise:
Coach Chris Holtmann’s team often plays good enough defense to at least keep them in the game. The opposition shoots 41.7 percent from the floor, which ranks 65th in the nation and sixth in the Big Ten. Kaleb and Andre Wesson are asked to do much of the scoring. Kaleb, a 6-9 sophomore, leads the Buckeyes with 14.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Andre adds 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. Both Wesson’s are capable shooters and that adds another, and much needed, dynamic to often anemic offense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is not a Buckeyes team that is going to score a lot of points. Ending up in the 50’s or 60’s is common for this team. Sometimes that is enough, but usually that is not the case. C.J. Jackson is the leader of the backcourt, but he has not been scoring much at all lately and the case is the same with Luther Muhammad. Justin Ahrens has been able to pick up the slack on occasion, but Ohio State needs their backcourt to score or this group will struggle offensively and have an early exit.
Probable Starters:
Luther Muhammad, Freshman, Guard, 8.0 ppg, 1.8 apg
Keyshawn Woods, Senior, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.4 apg
C.J. Jackson, Senior, Guard, 12.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
Andre Wesson, Junior, Forward, 8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Kaleb Wesson, Sophomore, Forward, 14.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg
Key Role Players:
Kyle Young, Sophomore, Forward, 6.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Justin Ahrens, Freshman, Forward, 3.3 ppg
Duane Washington, Freshman, Guard, 7.2 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.3 (267th in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.6 (39, 5)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.6 (227, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.7 (65, 6)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.4 (212, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.8 (216, 9)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.6 (104, 6)
Rebound Margin: 1.4 (140, 7)
Assists Per Game: 13.8 (140, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4 (111, 8)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over South Dakota State |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Gonzaga |
| 2016 | NIT | First Round win over Akron |
| 2016 | NIT | Second Round loss to Florida |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over VCU |
| 2015 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Arizona |
| 2014 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Dayton |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Iona |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Iowa State |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Arizona |
| 2013 | NCAA | Regional Final loss to Wichita State |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Loyola Maryland |
| 2012 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Gonzaga |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Cincinnati |
| 2012 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Syracuse |
| 2012 | NCAA | National Semifinal loss to Kansas |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Texas-San Antonio |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over George Mason |
| 2011 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Kentucky |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over UC-Santa Barbara |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Georgia Tech |
| 2010 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Tennessee |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Siena |
| 2008 | NIT | First Round win over UNC-Asheville |
| 2008 | NIT | Second Round win over California |
| 2008 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Dayton |
| 2008 | NIT | Semifinal win over Mississippi |
| 2008 | NIT | Final win over Massachusetts |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Central Connecticut State |
| 2007 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Xavier |
| 2007 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal win over Tennessee |
| 2007 | NCAA | Regional Final win over Memphis |
| 2007 | NCAA | National Semifinal win over Georgetown |
*all team stats through 3/10
