Connor Lemons
Guest
Ohio State men’s basketball is in crisis at the center position
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes have no reliable options at the position right now, with no clear fixes.
There’s a song written by Maren Morris in 2019 called “The Bones” that speaks broadly to the importance of a strong foundation – whether that’s a relationship, a home, or anything else. If the “bones” of that thing are strong, the other stuff doesn’t matter too much. A strong foundation is everything.
“If the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.”
And right now, the bones of this Ohio state men’s basketball team are quivering and ready to shatter. Ohio State is in crisis right now at the center position, and it needs to be addressed by, well, two nights ago, really.
Jake Diebler’s first Ohio State team entered the season with several options at center, but none of them were known commodities.
Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart were both elite high school talents but didn’t blossom as freshmen playing at prime-time programs Kentucky and Duke. Ivan Njegovan was a late addition to the team this summer, and his experience playing professionally and ability to stretch the floor was enticing to the coaching staff. Austin Parks has the size to hang in the Big Ten and was recruited by most Big Ten programs, but barely got any opportunity last season to prove he’s able to contribute at this level.
The 5-3 Buckeyes are only four weeks into the season, and the bottom has completely fallen out at that position. The bones are not good right now, and it’s got the team scrambling to prevent an early season free fall.
Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game through the first four games of the season before becoming the focus of a university investigation in late November. The team has only said that he is going through a “university process” and is not participating in any team activities.
A week later, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Bradshaw is being investigated for a potential “domestic incident” at his off-campus residence the prior week. As of Thursday night, no charges had been filed against Bradshaw.
However, the university’s “internal process” is still ongoing, and according to Diebler, there is no timetable for him to return. Even if Bradshaw were to return, he has not practiced in over two weeks now. His return would be massive, but it’s hard to see him stepping back in and not having to shake off some rust – if he returns at all.
Stewart, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been forced to slide over and become the starting center in Bradshaw’s absence. While he’s had moments of defensive brilliance that drew effusive praise from Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb last month, his offensive game is undeveloped, and he’s been shackled with foul trouble in five of the seven games he’s played in.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25775824/usa_today_24873845.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Through seven games, Stewart is averaging one foul every 5.3 minutes played. He’s picked up four fouls four different times this year, and because of that has only averaged 16.4 minutes per game and has played more than 20 minutes one time.
So, what does Diebler have left in reserve with Bradshaw out indefinitely and Stewart on the bench in foul trouble more often than not?
Austin Parks set a career-high with 18 minutes played in Ohio State’s blowout loss to Maryland on Wednesday. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound sophomore grabbed three rebounds and recorded two assists, but did not score.
In his defense, it was only the second time in his career he played more than 10 minutes in a game. He’ll continue to learn, but right now Ohio State doesn’t have time on their side. At this moment in time, Parks does not look ready to assume a substantial role for Ohio State.
And, despite some summer rumblings that he could be ready to contribute right away, 7-foot-1 Croatian center Ivan Njegovan doesn’t look ready for Big Ten basketball yet. He’s appeared in five games so far, totaling 20 minutes.
Even despite Meechie Johnson’s slow start, Ohio State has the talent on this team to make the NCAA Tournament, and dare I say win a game or two? Bruce Thornton has elevated his game to a new level and looks like a leading candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year, if he keeps it up. The upstart combination of Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. have combined for 27.2 points per game.
But Ohio State has nothing happening on the interior — offensively or defensively. Aside from Royal, they don’t have anyone who can throw their weight around in the paint from time to time and score those high-percentage baskets. Defensively, Stewart is the only capable post defender they’ve got left, and he cannot stay on the floor for more than five minutes without picking up a foul.
If Ohio State opts to double the post, it leaves opponents open for easy three-pointers. If they leave their guys on an island against elite centers like Derik Queen, they’ll give up easy baskets that way. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
When Diebler brought in the combo of Stewart and Bradshaw, fans applauded the staff for going after blue-chip, five-star talent. Zed Key and Felix Okpara were fan favorites, but Stewart and Bradshaw undoubtedly have higher long-term ceilings.
There was no way to know what would happen with Bradshaw this season, and certainly nobody expected him to be away from the team indefinitely at any point. It’s unfortunate. Ohio State is in a bind, and there’s no way to patch it together with external options like it’s the NBA — Diebler and his staff have to figure it out in-house.
Maybe Bradshaw will come back at some point, and air traffic control can turn off the mayday signal that’s being sent from Columbus. But until we’re told otherwise, the Ohio State coaching staff has no choice but to move around the pieces they have and cover the paint in Bradshaw’s absence.
Right now, the bones aren’t good, so everything else does matter. With Rutgers coming to town on Saturday afternoon, we’ll see how the Buckeyes choose to piece it together, and who — if anyone — steps up.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes have no reliable options at the position right now, with no clear fixes.
There’s a song written by Maren Morris in 2019 called “The Bones” that speaks broadly to the importance of a strong foundation – whether that’s a relationship, a home, or anything else. If the “bones” of that thing are strong, the other stuff doesn’t matter too much. A strong foundation is everything.
“If the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.”
And right now, the bones of this Ohio state men’s basketball team are quivering and ready to shatter. Ohio State is in crisis right now at the center position, and it needs to be addressed by, well, two nights ago, really.
Jake Diebler’s first Ohio State team entered the season with several options at center, but none of them were known commodities.
Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart were both elite high school talents but didn’t blossom as freshmen playing at prime-time programs Kentucky and Duke. Ivan Njegovan was a late addition to the team this summer, and his experience playing professionally and ability to stretch the floor was enticing to the coaching staff. Austin Parks has the size to hang in the Big Ten and was recruited by most Big Ten programs, but barely got any opportunity last season to prove he’s able to contribute at this level.
The 5-3 Buckeyes are only four weeks into the season, and the bottom has completely fallen out at that position. The bones are not good right now, and it’s got the team scrambling to prevent an early season free fall.
Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game through the first four games of the season before becoming the focus of a university investigation in late November. The team has only said that he is going through a “university process” and is not participating in any team activities.
A week later, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Bradshaw is being investigated for a potential “domestic incident” at his off-campus residence the prior week. As of Thursday night, no charges had been filed against Bradshaw.
However, the university’s “internal process” is still ongoing, and according to Diebler, there is no timetable for him to return. Even if Bradshaw were to return, he has not practiced in over two weeks now. His return would be massive, but it’s hard to see him stepping back in and not having to shake off some rust – if he returns at all.
Stewart, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been forced to slide over and become the starting center in Bradshaw’s absence. While he’s had moments of defensive brilliance that drew effusive praise from Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb last month, his offensive game is undeveloped, and he’s been shackled with foul trouble in five of the seven games he’s played in.
Through seven games, Stewart is averaging one foul every 5.3 minutes played. He’s picked up four fouls four different times this year, and because of that has only averaged 16.4 minutes per game and has played more than 20 minutes one time.
So, what does Diebler have left in reserve with Bradshaw out indefinitely and Stewart on the bench in foul trouble more often than not?
Austin Parks set a career-high with 18 minutes played in Ohio State’s blowout loss to Maryland on Wednesday. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound sophomore grabbed three rebounds and recorded two assists, but did not score.
In his defense, it was only the second time in his career he played more than 10 minutes in a game. He’ll continue to learn, but right now Ohio State doesn’t have time on their side. At this moment in time, Parks does not look ready to assume a substantial role for Ohio State.
And, despite some summer rumblings that he could be ready to contribute right away, 7-foot-1 Croatian center Ivan Njegovan doesn’t look ready for Big Ten basketball yet. He’s appeared in five games so far, totaling 20 minutes.
Even despite Meechie Johnson’s slow start, Ohio State has the talent on this team to make the NCAA Tournament, and dare I say win a game or two? Bruce Thornton has elevated his game to a new level and looks like a leading candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year, if he keeps it up. The upstart combination of Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. have combined for 27.2 points per game.
But Ohio State has nothing happening on the interior — offensively or defensively. Aside from Royal, they don’t have anyone who can throw their weight around in the paint from time to time and score those high-percentage baskets. Defensively, Stewart is the only capable post defender they’ve got left, and he cannot stay on the floor for more than five minutes without picking up a foul.
If Ohio State opts to double the post, it leaves opponents open for easy three-pointers. If they leave their guys on an island against elite centers like Derik Queen, they’ll give up easy baskets that way. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
When Diebler brought in the combo of Stewart and Bradshaw, fans applauded the staff for going after blue-chip, five-star talent. Zed Key and Felix Okpara were fan favorites, but Stewart and Bradshaw undoubtedly have higher long-term ceilings.
There was no way to know what would happen with Bradshaw this season, and certainly nobody expected him to be away from the team indefinitely at any point. It’s unfortunate. Ohio State is in a bind, and there’s no way to patch it together with external options like it’s the NBA — Diebler and his staff have to figure it out in-house.
Maybe Bradshaw will come back at some point, and air traffic control can turn off the mayday signal that’s being sent from Columbus. But until we’re told otherwise, the Ohio State coaching staff has no choice but to move around the pieces they have and cover the paint in Bradshaw’s absence.
Right now, the bones aren’t good, so everything else does matter. With Rutgers coming to town on Saturday afternoon, we’ll see how the Buckeyes choose to piece it together, and who — if anyone — steps up.
Continue reading...