The Ohio State basketball team is 11-2, nationally ranked and fresh off a dominating 100-55 victory in its last nonconference game of the season. There’s really nothing to worry about heading into Big Ten play, right?
Wrong.
The Buckeyes have looked impressive against weak competition all season but struggled against the likes of North Carolina and Louisville. There is plenty of reason for concern before conference play begins, and it goes beyond just the fact that Wisconsin looks like a potential Final Four participant.
Here is a look at the biggest reasons for worry before the Big Ten schedule starts.
Struggles Against Elite Competition
There is no other way to put this: Ohio State has struggled against elite competition.
The Buckeyes are a perfect 11-0 against overmatched opponents, and not a single game was even close. They beat Marquette by 11 points, but every other win came by at least 17.
It was easy to get excited about some of those performances when watching the team run up and down the floor, D’Angelo Russell drain threes, Sam Thompson throw down dunks in transition and Shannon Scott dish out assists left and right.
There have been games where Marc Loving had the hot hand, Kam Williams had the hot hand or even Amir Williams impressed. The Buckeyes have more depth than in past years, as well, and are fourth in field-goal percentage, eighth in points per game and eighth in assists per game.
Still, the two times Ohio State had a…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes’ Biggest Concerns Ahead of Big Ten Play
