2019 College Basketball Team Preview: #16 Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes (Joe Maiorana/USA TODAY Sports)

The Ohio State Buckeyes were one of the best programs in the Big Ten over the past decade under head coach under Thad Matta, making the Sweet Sixteen Five times, the Elite Eight three times, Final Four twice and lost in the National Championship in 2007. But times changed and the team’s performance fell off, and after failing to make the tournament for two straight years, Ohio State decided to move on from Matta and hired Butler’s, Chris Holtmann. Holtmann was praised as a good hire, but no one could have expected the success OSU has seen in the first two years under Holtmann. They have made the tournament both years, making the second round both years. 

While no one could have expected this success, Ohio State has brought in a strong recruiting class and brought back most of their top players and should be looking to fight for a top 5 finish in a tough Big Ten this year.

As we continue our college hoops team preview series, let’s take a look at what the 2019 season might have in store for The Ohio State Buckeyes.

Key Returners

  • Kaleb Wesson
  • Andre Wesson
  • Luther Muhammad
  • Duane Washington Jr

OSU returns most of its top guys from last year, most importantly the Wesson brothers. Kaleb is the more accomplished of the two and is a matchup nightmare, but Andre is no slouch. As for Muhammad and Washington Jr, both had good freshmen years and proved themselves as capable guards. They will be essential pieces moving forward and should be called on to help fill in what they lost. 

Kaleb Wesson is one of the best players in the Big Ten, who averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists on 50% shooting from the field and 73% from three while playing 26 minutes per game. Wesson should be on the All-Big Ten First Team by the end of the season and should be up for consideration for Big Ten Player of the Year. Wesson will also probably be heading to the NBA Draft after this season.

Key Losses

  • CJ Jackson
  • Keyshawn Woods

Ohio State lost two fo their top five scorers and two starting-caliber guards in Jackson and Woods. Both were key parts of their second-round run, but luckily for the Buckeyes, they have options to fill in these loses. The first two options are returning sophomore guards Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington Jr. These two have proven themselves as Big Ten caliber guards, but the question will be whether they can step up and be what OSU needs them to be. There is also 5 Star recruit DJ Carton, who has been lauded has a high-level floor general with a knack for hitting his passes. There is also newly eligible transfer CJ Walker, who proved himself as a high major starting guard at Flordia State two years ago. While Ohio State lost two key players from last year, they have plenty of options to fill in their shoes.

Key Newcomers

  • Alonzo Gaffney 
  • DJ Carton
  • EJ Liddell 
  • CJ Walker

Ohio State brought in the best recruiting class in the Big Ten last year per 247 Sports, highlighted by 5 Star, DJ Carton, top 50 recruit Alonzo Gaffney and high 4 Star EJ Liddell. Carton should get plenty of minutes right away, as his strength is his ability as a great floor general and passer. Gaffney should see some time too, as he has been lauded as a high major caliber wing, with a good set of skills and has the height and wingspan to be a great defender. EJ Liddell has been touted as a strong big man, with a knack for swatting shots and grabbing rebounds. Liddell should see some playing time this year, but will also be fighting for minutes amongst a strong frontcourt OSU has this year.

Their only eligible transfer is guard CJ Walker, who transferred in from Florida State, where he started for a good FSU team, averaging 8.0 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 2.4 AST. Walker is a good guard who has proven himself at the high major level, giving OSU’s younger guards time to 

Projected Starting Five

  1. DJ Carton
  2. Luther Muhammad
  3. Kyle Young
  4. Andre Wesson
  5. Kaleb Wesson

Ohio State Season Outlook

Head Coach Chris Holtmann is an excellent coach who has done a great job at OSU in his first two years and should look to continue to be good this year. The Wesson brothers are great and experienced players who should give other teams nightmares. DJ Carton, Alonzo Gaffney, and EJ Liddel are three young and talented freshmen who should provide good minutes for the Buckeyes. Luther Muhammad and Duane Washington should look to build off good freshmen years and CJ Walker will be a good distributor and seasoned player for the Buckeyes. 

This is a team that has the right pieces and the right coach to be a top 3 conference team in almost any other major conference, but this team is in this year’s Big Ten, a conference littered with talented teams and good coaches. They will be playing good teams almost every night, but this squad should have enough talent and firepower to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten and be an upper-echelon team in the Big Ten.

Record Prediction: 22-9 (13-7)

The 2018-2019 team went 20-15, with an 8-12 conference record. The Buckeyes should be looking a winning a few more games in conference play this year, but a tough non-conference schedule may hurt their overall record. This team should be looking at a top 6 finish in a deep Big Ten. 

Cincinnati, Villanova, North Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia highlight OSU’s strong non-conference schedule, and the Big Ten being as strong and deep as it is, Ohio State’s schedule will be as tough as they come. This is a good team that should be interesting to see come March. 

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