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CONTINUING TO CONTRIBUTE IN MYRIAD WAYS FOR OHIO STATE, EVAN MAHAFFEY POSTS HIS BEST OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE THIS SEASON AGAINST MIAMI (OHIO)
By Andy Anders on December 7, 2023 at 8:35 am @andyanders55
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network
Evan Mahaffey posted 10 points for Ohio State on 4-of-7 shooting during the Buckeyes' 84-64 win over the RedHawks, adding four rebounds, an assist, a block and two steals.
“I think with Evan, he’s just got to keep growing in some areas,” Holtmann said. “It’s good to see him finish a couple plays, for him, just to see him make a couple shots. But again, he can’t tie himself to that. The group he’s in typically has three or four scorers on the floor. He needs to be able to play off those guys and his effort needs to be a constant.”
The high 57.1% mark from the field is a welcome development from the Penn State transfer, regardless of the point producers he plays alongside.
Mahaffey was shooting just 22.6% through the Buckeyes’ first eight games, including a 0-for-5 ledger behind the arc. He shot a combined 3-for-23 across Ohio State’s last five contests.
But if he can enjoy efficient shooting nights like he had against Miami and couple it with the roles he’s been fulfilling for the team in other areas – ballhandling, passing and defense – it will be another weapon in a growing Ohio State arsenal as it enters Big Ten play.
“It felt great,” Mahaffey said. “I think not putting my head down is a big thing. Just keep working, just keep trying to contribute in other areas. I feel like those are some of the best things I do on the court, just contribute in different areas.”
It’s certainly not as though Mahaffey needs to be the go-to scorer for Ohio State.
Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle Jr. and Jamison Battle have all proven more than capable of racking up points when the Buckeyes’ starting lineup needs them, now averaging 18.7, 14.7 and 13.9 points per game, respectively. It’s just that when Mahaffey does get looks, it is of course better that he knocks them down.
Holtmann said that he liked Mahaffey’s shot selection against the RedHawks after stating on Tuesday that Mahaffey had been taking a few bad “walled-up” attempts in the post of late.
“He’s not strong enough right now if he goes up against a 6-7, 6-8 kid. He really needs to be able to use his quickness and length right now to get an angle and score vs. a walled-up finish,” Holtmann said. “I think overall he was pretty good with it (tonight).”
Mahaffey credited his improved shooting to a maintained belief in himself and the time he’d been putting into his craft.
“One of the biggest things within these last few games is just being constant in my faith,” Mahaffey said. “My faith in the Lord, but also within my game as well. I think sometimes I get in my head a lot. I know other players do too. But just being able to stay consistent in what I do, the work that I put in with my coaching staff, and knowing that eventually shots will fall.”
Continuing To Contribute in Myriad Ways for Ohio State, Evan Mahaffey Posts His Best Offensive Performance This Season Against Miami (Ohio)
Going 4-of-7 from the field with a season-high 10 points, Evan Mahaffey found a better rhythm offensively against Miami (Ohio) to complement his usual all-around contributions.
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In my opinion he's surprisingly soft. I thought he was supposed to be a big defensive stopper and paint guy but he seems scared to stack on either end.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Skull Session: Ross Bjork Wins His Introductory Press Conference, The NCAA’s Proposed Subdivision Costs Millions and C.J. Stroud is a Rookie of the Year Finalist
Ross Bjork wins his press conference, the NCAA’s proposed subdivision would cost Ohio State millions and C.J. Stroud is a Pepsi Rookie of the Year finalist.
A BUCKEYE NATION. Ohio State men's basketball forward Evan Mahaffey's dad, Jamie, is a revered father and coach in Cincinnati. Last week, community member Butch Carter revealed Jamie needs a heart transplant to combat advanced heart failure. Carter recently started a GoFundMe to raise money for the operation.
On his GoFundMe page, Carter asked those who know and love Jamie to donate to the campaign. Here, I'll extend Carter's request to Buckeye Nation:
As it stands, Carter's campaign has raised over $10,000 for the Mahaffey family. The goal is for the campaign to surpass $100,000 in total donations.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Wing Evan Mahaffey Working on 3-Point Shooting, Dribbling and Distribution Skills in Preparation for Perimeter Role
Jake Diebler is challenging Evan Mahaffey to expand his perimeter game further in 2024-25, be it as a shooter, ball handler or distributor.
OHIO STATE WING EVAN MAHAFFEY WORKING ON 3-POINT SHOOTING, DRIBBLING AND DISTRIBUTION SKILLS IN PREPARATION FOR PERIMETER ROLE
There may be more competition for Evan Mahaffey to start at small forward in 2024-25, but his role for Ohio State men's basketball is expanding regardless.
One of the Buckeyes’ more versatile assets already in 2023-24, Mahaffey said head coach Jake Diebler wants him to both expand upon his ball handling and passing game from last season and add an outside threat as he plays more on the perimeter.
“It's something I love to do,” Mahaffey said. “I've been mixed in (on the perimeter) my whole life. But yeah, in high school I was on the perimeter a lot more. But I love it. I know we’ve had different conversations over time about moving me to the perimeter more.”
In his first year after transferring from Penn State, Mahaffey proved multifaceted for the Buckeyes, even if he wasn’t the flashiest member of the squad. While he picked up just 4.3 points per game, ninth-most for Ohio State, he finished second in steals (one per game), second in blocks (0.7), third in assists (1.7) and fourth in rebounds (4.2).
Mahaffey frequently handled the ball in crucial situations, helping the Buckeyes break multiple full-court presses down the stretch of games. As Diebler tries to establish an aggressive identity for his squad, one that includes a fast pace, Mahaffey is a critical piece for those plans. Especially after a season-ending ACL tear for sophomore guard Taison Chatman.
“I think I've been pretty open about this, I want to play more ball handlers. I think that'll help us play faster,” Diebler said in June. “Evan can certainly do some of that. We had really big plans for Micah from the moment we started recruiting him, this doesn't impact those plans. They were big from the beginning.”
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A FIGHTER FACING EVERY CHALLENGE. To end the Skull Session, I want to draw attention to the battle Jamie Mahaffey, the father of Ohio State men’s basketball forward Evan Mahaffey, has faced since he was diagnosed with a heart disease in 2012.
Mahaffey received his long-awaited heart transplant at Vanderbilt earlier this year. However, he also required a leg amputation, which has created a new reality for the teacher-coach residing in the Cincinnati area. Unable to work, Mahaffey’s loved ones started a fundraiser to help alleviate some of the costs associated with his medical expenses and future modifications to his home, as well as family support and care.
In a request for friends, family and Ohio State fans to donate, Mahaffey’s loved ones wrote these kind words about Jamie:
Thank you in advance.
Your contributions will not go unnoticed!
www.elevenwarriors.com
Mahaffey received his long-awaited heart transplant at Vanderbilt earlier this year. However, he also required a leg amputation, which has created a new reality for the teacher-coach residing in the Cincinnati area. Unable to work, Mahaffey’s loved ones started a fundraiser to help alleviate some of the costs associated with his medical expenses and future modifications to his home, as well as family support and care.
In a request for friends, family and Ohio State fans to donate, Mahaffey’s loved ones wrote these kind words about Jamie:
For those who wish to donate, here is a link to the website: Jamie NIL Donor.
Thank you in advance.
Your contributions will not go unnoticed!
Skull Session: Ryan Day Says Carlos Locklyn “Wants to Be Physical” at RB, Emeka Egbuka is “Back at His Best Again” and Arvell Reese is on a “Structured Course to Greatness”
Ryan Day says Carlos Locklyn “wants to be physical” at RB, Emeka Egbuka is “back at his best” and Arvell Reese is “on a structured course to greatness.”
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Unsung hero. Kid never gets any pub but he is a glue player for this roster. His effort is unquestioned. Hoping for great things for him this season.
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