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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Kaleb Wesson finished Ohio State basketball’s 64-56 win over Cincinnati with eight points, 11 rebounds and two assists.
His scoring will go up as the season progresses. But if he can continue to rebound at that rate, then ESPN’s prediction that he’s the sixth-best player in the country isn’t that far off.
Offensively, the 6-9 Wesson was most effective on the perimeter against Cincinnati. He was responsible for two of the five made three-pointers for the Buckeyes and was the only player with a quality percentage.
Wesson’s body transformation makes him a viable threat from the perimeter even if at 270 pounds he’s more comfortable down low. Last season he was one of Ohio State’s most consistent outside threats and it may be that way again this year. His ability out there combined with the upgrade in post play from other players will allow him to be used in different spots on the floor.
“That’s critical -- playmaking as a big guy,” head coach Chris Holtmann said, who then cited Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic. “I’ve texted him back-and-forth about (Jokic) and ways that they utilize him out on the perimeter with his playmaking.”
How Kaleb Wesson could be Ohio State basketball’s version of Denver Nuggets’ All-Star Nikola Jokic
His scoring will go up as the season progresses. But if he can continue to rebound at that rate, then ESPN’s prediction that he’s the sixth-best player in the country isn’t that far off.
Offensively, the 6-9 Wesson was most effective on the perimeter against Cincinnati. He was responsible for two of the five made three-pointers for the Buckeyes and was the only player with a quality percentage.
Wesson’s body transformation makes him a viable threat from the perimeter even if at 270 pounds he’s more comfortable down low. Last season he was one of Ohio State’s most consistent outside threats and it may be that way again this year. His ability out there combined with the upgrade in post play from other players will allow him to be used in different spots on the floor.
“That’s critical -- playmaking as a big guy,” head coach Chris Holtmann said, who then cited Denver Nuggets star big man Nikola Jokic. “I’ve texted him back-and-forth about (Jokic) and ways that they utilize him out on the perimeter with his playmaking.”
How Kaleb Wesson could be Ohio State basketball’s version of Denver Nuggets’ All-Star Nikola Jokic
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Kaleb has some firepower in support now. Love to see him get a couple 30 and 15 games this season off of that support.
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Fungo Squiggly
Mortal enemy of all things Bucky
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I’m thrilled that they DON’T need 30 and 15 from him to win this year. Even if he’s just setting screens and pulling the opponent’s big away from the hoop, that’s so valuable when you’ve got guys like Walker and Carton that can penetrate and score. Throw in his passing ability and improved defense, and he can still be the best player on the floor even if he’s 5th in scoring, something I definitely wouldn’t have said last year.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
How Kaleb Wesson has transformed his game, body to become NBA prospect
After getting feedback from NBA teams last year, the Buckeye big man has begun to mold his game to that of modern NBA centers.
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As the 2018-2019 Ohio State Men’s Basketball season came to a close, few, if any, fans had considered the possibility of Kaleb Wesson leaving Ohio State. The Buckeyes made a late push to make the NCAA Tournament, upset a higher seeded team in the first round, and then were beat by an exceptionally talented Houston team in the second round. Only three weeks prior to that, Wesson, the focal point of Ohio State’s offense and undoubtedly their most talented player, was suspended for two weeks due to a “violation of athletic department policy.” Without Wesson, the Buckeyes crumbled. They limped to the finish line of their regular season schedule, losing to Purdue by 33 and last place Northwestern by 18. Ohio State looked lost without Wesson, and his return (and their subsequent success in the tournament) validated how vital he was to that team. Despite his disciplinary issues and weight providing potential red flags to NBA teams, it was announced 17 days after the season ended that Kaleb Wesson would enter the NBA draft, with the ability to withdraw later if he chose to do so.
Wesson worked out with the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics, however he was not invited to the NBA draft combine. He also was excluded from both ESPN and The Athletic’s list of top 100 prospects. The feedback he got from NBA scouts and executives was a bit harsh, but honest. Essentially, Wesson was told that he can’t play in the NBA at 290 pounds. His weight was affecting his lateral quickness, making it difficult to defend opponents without fouling. Although Wesson ended his senior year of high school at 316 pounds and had since cut down to 290, this was obviously not enough.
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After getting this feedback, Kaleb went to work over the summer. From running steps in Ohio Stadium early in the morning to boxing with strength and conditioning coach Quadrian Banks after practice, Kaleb had his sights set on lowering his weight, increasing his quickness, and expanding his game to match what more “modern” NBA centers are doing.
Come September, Ohio State had begun practice to prepare for the upcoming season and Kaleb Wesson looked nothing like his former self. Ohio State’s expectations for this season were huge, but Wesson was not. Slimmed down to 255 pounds and with some extra spring in his step, he was more comparable to the size of his brother Andre than to his former self.
By slimming down so drastically, he has made himself a much more flexible weapon for Chris Holtmann. During the past two NCAA tournaments, there were teams who would intentionally run a “smaller” lineup, forcing Kaleb to guard someone quicker than himself. This often resulted in Wesson getting into foul trouble, or him ending up on the bench anyway due to the bad matchup. Now that he is down over 30 pounds, that disadvantage has disappeared. ESPN even ranked Wesson as the #6 overall player in college basketball heading into this season.
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Entire article: https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2...sson-transformed-game-body-nba-draft-prospect
After getting feedback from NBA teams last year, the Buckeye big man has begun to mold his game to that of modern NBA centers.
As the 2018-2019 Ohio State Men’s Basketball season came to a close, few, if any, fans had considered the possibility of Kaleb Wesson leaving Ohio State. The Buckeyes made a late push to make the NCAA Tournament, upset a higher seeded team in the first round, and then were beat by an exceptionally talented Houston team in the second round. Only three weeks prior to that, Wesson, the focal point of Ohio State’s offense and undoubtedly their most talented player, was suspended for two weeks due to a “violation of athletic department policy.” Without Wesson, the Buckeyes crumbled. They limped to the finish line of their regular season schedule, losing to Purdue by 33 and last place Northwestern by 18. Ohio State looked lost without Wesson, and his return (and their subsequent success in the tournament) validated how vital he was to that team. Despite his disciplinary issues and weight providing potential red flags to NBA teams, it was announced 17 days after the season ended that Kaleb Wesson would enter the NBA draft, with the ability to withdraw later if he chose to do so.
Wesson worked out with the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics, however he was not invited to the NBA draft combine. He also was excluded from both ESPN and The Athletic’s list of top 100 prospects. The feedback he got from NBA scouts and executives was a bit harsh, but honest. Essentially, Wesson was told that he can’t play in the NBA at 290 pounds. His weight was affecting his lateral quickness, making it difficult to defend opponents without fouling. Although Wesson ended his senior year of high school at 316 pounds and had since cut down to 290, this was obviously not enough.
After getting this feedback, Kaleb went to work over the summer. From running steps in Ohio Stadium early in the morning to boxing with strength and conditioning coach Quadrian Banks after practice, Kaleb had his sights set on lowering his weight, increasing his quickness, and expanding his game to match what more “modern” NBA centers are doing.
Come September, Ohio State had begun practice to prepare for the upcoming season and Kaleb Wesson looked nothing like his former self. Ohio State’s expectations for this season were huge, but Wesson was not. Slimmed down to 255 pounds and with some extra spring in his step, he was more comparable to the size of his brother Andre than to his former self.
By slimming down so drastically, he has made himself a much more flexible weapon for Chris Holtmann. During the past two NCAA tournaments, there were teams who would intentionally run a “smaller” lineup, forcing Kaleb to guard someone quicker than himself. This often resulted in Wesson getting into foul trouble, or him ending up on the bench anyway due to the bad matchup. Now that he is down over 30 pounds, that disadvantage has disappeared. ESPN even ranked Wesson as the #6 overall player in college basketball heading into this season.
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continued
Entire article: https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2...sson-transformed-game-body-nba-draft-prospect
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Almost a double double last night despite getting hosed by the stripes. Keep your composure big fella we got a long season deep into March ahead!
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LitlBuck
Kevin Warren is an ass
I still think he is taking a few more 3 pointers than I would like but as long as he keeps playing good defense and rebounds I guess he can have a few 3's. Regarding the cheap offensive fouls I knew things were not going to go right last night when Teddy V was announced as one of the officials. Thought he had retired.
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nomatta
Hall of Fame
Absolutely phenomenal game from Kaleb against PSU. His stats were off the chain but he impacted the game in so many different ways (our defense dipped badly when he went to the bench with fouls), the fouls he drew on the PSU players, the way his threat-level opened up the game for the other guys on offense. Man. I think we're still gonna be good without him but there are definitely some aspects we're going to miss dearly until one of our other bigs really comes into their own.
Anyways, hats off to Kaleb on what has to be the best game I've seen from him yet.
Anyways, hats off to Kaleb on what has to be the best game I've seen from him yet.
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