Game Thread: UC vs (18)OSU 11/6/2019
 

UC (0-0)
#18 Ohio State University (0-0)
Wednesday, November 11 8:30 p.m. ET
Columbus, Ohio


TV: FS1
Radio: WLW

The Buckeyes return three starters this season, including Preseason All-Big Ten pick, forward/center Kaleb Wesson. The team is also bringing in their conference's number one ranked recruiting class, including three top-50 recruits.

I don't like our chances on the road against a very very good team (and coach). We also have a team that is still trying to figure out a new system and some players just getting back after recovering. If we happen to win I will be changing my expectations on the year from 8 losses to about 4

I think this will be a tough one. The three point shooting in the exhibition perhaps has my hopes up, but this OSU team is going to be very strong and athletic. It will be harder to get open, so let's hope Brannen's new system is getting guys good looks. If they can get more of those easy backdoor layups I'll be dancing on the couch.

If we can limit K. Wesson's impact on the game, then I think we'll have a fair shot at competing as OSU doesn't really have any proven playmakers outside of him.

Both teams have some wild cards. OSU has some true freshmen that could either overwhelm us with their talent or demonstrate some early growing pains that'll work in our favor. They also have some second year guards and a Florida State transfer who will be asked to take on bigger roles in the backcourt this year.

Outside of Jarron, Tre, and Keith, our squad has a lot of question marks as well. Can Jaevin and McNeal shoot at the level they did against Thomas More? Can Sorolla and Vogt defend and rebound at a satisfactory level against other established bigs? Will any of our freshmen emerge as contributing rotation players?

I expect us to lose but how we compete will tell us a lot about our prospects against the better teams on our OOC schedule over the next 2 months.

I dont worry about the Cumberlands at all. Jaevin is the purest shooter we've had since Field Williams I guess. Shooting 40% on over 8 attempts a game is lights out.



I think the rest of the team has questions. How do they adjust to a completely new system. Scott did not look comfortable shooting the 3 ball in the exhibition game and that was surprising. I didn't think he'd still be hesitant.


A big part of me feels like cronin guys aren't a great fit for what Brannen wants to do (outside of cumberland). They're just different types of players. We'll see how he manages to mix it all together. I think all the transfers outside of Cumberland have questions but hopefully they can fill their role.


I think the team has loads of potential if everything goes right. I can also see things just not clicking and it taking time to get things figured out.



This one feels like its probably an L. Just a really tough game to start the season, on the road vs a top 15 team.


I really want to see up compete out there and fight. I think we'll make enough shots to stay in it if we fight on defense.

I am going to assume Brannen will be going all out 94 feet both ways press and break (as advertised). As a result we are going to need about 10 players ready to contribute. On the wing we have 3 quality players to rotate. At PG we will probably need MAW for 10 minutes or so (and I thought he looked good). We will probably have to get by with Sorolla and Vogt logging most of the minutes at the 5. However, when Scott is off the floor what's it going to look like? That's the million dollar question right now. Is Diara ready (didn't look like it)? Davenport (that's a tough first game for him)? Can you run with both 7 footers (I kind of doubt it)? Can you play small for long against OSU?

We didn't really press against Thomas More, I have a feeling that the running is going to be more about getting up and down the court quick and creating turnovers and not so much about full court press.

I see us having 5 high-quality players (2 Cumberlands, McNeal, Scott, Williams) and then a bunch of other unknown or questionable pieces. The season as a whole will be about developing those pieces (Diarra, Moore and Harvey stand out at the most likely). But I just don't think we are far enough along to compete with OSU.

The Thomas More game, we looked like a team that wasn't very comfortable running half court offense. Combine that with Sorolla and Vogt looking like below average centers and I am predicting that we lose by 15-20. To win I think we need to get hot from 3 and for small ball with Scott at the 5 to manage to stop Wesson and the OSU offense.

I agree with you about the press. No one is going to run a trapping full court press the whole game. I think people put to much thought in to that. It will be more of a thing to slow their offense down.

I think we'll just guard them for 94 feet, but not trap them. Force them to start their offense 20 seconds into the clock. just a soft press to help control some tempo.



I'm hoping the way we push the ball will get Wesson a little winded in his first game of the year. Force him to sprint back and see what happens.

I doubt Brannen gave away much of his game plan against TMC. he deflected the question in the presser and both players laughed when asked about how much of his offense we saw. I would imagine we didn't see a very full picture of the D that we will try to throw at OSU as well. Will the press be a chaotic full court trap? maybe not. But I don't think we can take a lot from the exhibition game and nobody is reporting on the UD scrimmage.