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November 23, 2015While the Ohio State football regular season is in its final week, the Buckeye basketball team’s 2015-16 campaign has just begun. With one week under their belt, one of the youngest teams in college basketball (seven freshmen, four sophomores, one junior, and one senior) began their season with three cupcakes. At least, that’s what their opponents were supposed to be.
Buckeyes make it look easy in 76-54 win over Mount St. Mary’s
In their season opener, Ohio State hosted to the Mountaineers of Mount St. Mary’s (MD). The Buckeyes manhandled them and had a 42-21 lead after the first 20 minutes. They dominated the boards, outrebounding Mount St. Mary’s, 50-22.
Ohio State shot 50 percent from the field and five players scored in double digits, including two true freshmen, JaQuan Lyle and Daniel Giddens. Jae’Sean Tate led the Buckeyes with 21 points, followed by Marc Loving (15), Lyle (12), Giddens (11), and Keita Bates-Diop (10). Freshmen Lyle, Giddens and Austin Grandstaff all scored on their first shots as Buckeyes. The team’s four true freshmen (those three and A.J. Harris) combined to make 10-of-18 shots from the field.
The win was head coach Thad Matta’s 300th win as the Buckeyes head coach, coming in his 12th year at the helm.
Ohio State dominates Grambling State in 82-55 win
Similar to their season opener, the scarlet and gray broke open the game early, led 44-20 at halftime (a half that consisted of 25 fouls with 15 on Grambling State), and never allowed the Tigers to make a comeback.
While the Buckeyes scored 82 points, their defense was the key as the defense allowed the Tigers to make just under 35 percent of their shots from the field. Even though Kam Williams had 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting (3-of-5 from three-point land) off the bench, the sophomore focused on his defensive play following the game.
“I want to attribute [my 22 points] to my defense, I felt like I was active. I was locked in,” Williams said.
I was using my athleticism on defense and that got me going offensively,” the guard said. “My job is to bring energy off the bench and whatever my role is, I’m just going to follow what coach says.”
Along with Williams, who also had five rebounds, two assists, and four steals, two other Buckeyes scored in double digits – Keita Bates-Diop (14) and Marc Loving (14). But, the defense was the star. Ohio State forced 13 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, which led to 18 points. Also, a decisive 14-0 run mid-way through the first half all but put the game away.
However, even with the 27-point win, Matta was not too happy about the Buckeyes making just 13-of-26 free throws and committing 17 turnovers.
Texas-Arlington shocks the Buckeyes, 73-68
Yes, you read that correctly. In an opening week supposed to be filled with three easy victories, the Mavericks of Texas-Arlington upset Ohio State in Columbus, 73-68.
After leading 34-32 at the half, the scarlet and gray were outscored 41-34 in the second half, including a 7-0 run coming out of the locker room, as they were upset by the team from Texas.
Ohio State was dominated on the boards, out-rebounded by Texas-Arlington, 46-37. They also made an abysmal 13-of-27 free throws. When a team shoots under 42 percent from the field and 48 percent from the free-throw stripe, the end result will rarely be favorable.
Three Buckeyes did manage to score in double digits – Keita Bates-Diop (16), JaQuan Lyle (15), and Marc Loving (12). Daniel Giddens was one of the few bright spots for the Buckeyes as he finished with seven points, nine rebounds, and six blocks.
Although there is plenty of time to add to their resume, such a loss could really hurt the Buckeyes in March when the NCAA Tournament committee looks at their resume. But, then again, Ohio State has plenty of season remaining to improve and give themselves a chance of making it into March Madness.
Coming up this week:
Tuesday vs. Louisiana Tech (3-0), 8:00
Friday vs. Memphis (2-1) at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, 7:30
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