The Buckeyes’ Sean Stewart flushes one from point blank range in their 81-47 blowout win over Youngstown in Monday’s home opener. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
The Buckeyes shot 55% from the floor and held Youngstown State to 23% from the floor in a thorough, if not challenging, win in the home opener.
Columbus, OH – Let’s not call it impressive in the manner of last week’s 80-72 season-opening win over Texas……
But, Ohio State’s 81-47 win Monday night in the home opener at the Schottenstein Center at least raised some eyebrows, despite the drop in challenge.
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One, the Buckeyes shot an impressive 55.4% from the floor, including 46% from three-point range…started with a 12-2 run to open the game!
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Two, they held a Youngstown team with some size and some Horizon League Conference pedigree to just 23% shooting from the floor…and 13.6% (3 of 22) from behind that same three-point line.
To raise more eyebrows, four of the five starters finished in double figures, and sub John Mobley added 16 points off the bench in just 23 minutes, including 3 of 4 from three-point range.
“We were really connected defensively,” said coach Jake Diebler afterwards. “We could have done more on the glass, and that was something we talked about going in, but our communication was good and rebounding is an area that we have to continue to grow in.”
Ohio State got off to a blistering start and held a 37-22 halftime lead, thanks in part to that same shooting and defense. The Buckeyes shot 5 of 9 from three-point range, while holding Youngstown State to just 1 made three-pointer in twelve tries.
Aaron Bradshaw added 9 points from around the rim…while Sean Steward and John Mobley did damage from behind the three-point line for 6 points each.
They held Youngstown to just 23% from the floor…Aaron Bradshaw (above) strips the ball from Youngstown center Gabe Dynes.
But Diebler obviously wasn’t pleased with the effort, notwithstanding the disparity in points and shooting percentage, and whatever he said at halftime juiced Ohio State’s defensive intensity in the second half.
“We did a better job on the boards in the second half,” said Diebler.
And for the game the Buckeyes outrebounded YSU by a margin of 41-29.
But the shooting percentage, overall, was overshadowed by some sloppiness with the ball. The Buckeyes turned the ball 15 times.
“When you’re shooting like that I told them we want to get more shots,” Diebler said, post-game. “We’ve got to find a way to get more shots and stop turning it over. There’s a fine line on offense with playing safe, but we need to value possessions more. That’s the language we use. I want us to be aggressive and play with confidence, but 15 turnovers is too many.”
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But the depth and balanced scoring did please the first-year coach.
“I thought we played really tough, we were connected, and again you got a glimpse at the depth we have with five guys finishing in double figures.”
He can shoot it…John Mobley came off the bench to can 3 of 4 from three-point range and lead the Buckeyes with 16 points.
Aaron Bradshaw and John Mobley each scored 16 points to lead the Buckeyes, while Bruce Thornton had 12, Meechie Johnson had 11, and Sean Stewart finished with 12 points.
“What we’re trying to do offensively with our pace is different from what guys are used to,” Diebler added. “And, you know, it’s going to take some time to grow through that. But on the flip side, defensively, we’ve really been connected and that’s protected us a little bit.”
“It’s really exciting when you think about the ceiling of this team,” added Diebler, considering what he’s seen after two games. “When you consider Aaron Bradshaw, Sean Stewart and Devin Royal, those three guys are really, really talented but none of them had consistent minutes last year. They’re going to have a great impact on this team and they’re going to continue to get better the more they play.”
The Buckeyes travel on Friday to play Texas A&M in College Station, a rematch with the Aggies who beat Ohio State in Columbus last year, 73-66. A&M is 2-1 for the season, and will be coming off a 97-71 win over Lamar on Monday night.
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