The images from the closing stretch of last year are hard to shake. With four regular-season games to play, Ohio State had a viable path to at least a share of its first Big Ten title in a decade. From there, fatigue and injuries limited the Buckeyes, but so did a defense that looked more matador than bull. In dropping three of four to finish tied for fourth in the conference, Ohio State’s defense watched as the likes of Maryland’s Eric Ayala, Nebraska’s Alonzo Verge and Trey McGowens and Michigan’s DeVante’ Jones ran roughshod through the heart of the Buckeyes and to the rim. It wasn’t pretty, and it put a ceiling on what Ohio State could accomplish in spite of finishing 13th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency according to KenPom.com. The details of a defense that finished 111th in adjusted defensive efficiency, the program’s worst in Jim O’Brien’s final…
Continue Reading: Under Jack Owens, Ohio State defense showing signs of improvement with hopes for more
