Free throw gap a factor in Buckeyes’ losing streak

There’s a trusted basketball axiom that says when things aren’t going well, find ways to get to the free throw line.

It’s one that Ohio State, as it heads to Nebraska on Saturday on a five-game losing streak, hasn’t been able to heed very well this season. A double-edged sword of fouling too much and not being fouled enough has played a significant role in all five losses for the Buckeyes.

Starting with a home loss Jan. 5 to No. 8 Michigan State, Ohio State has attempted fewer free throws than its opponent has made in five straight games. Through seven conference games, Ohio State has taken 59 fewer free throws than its

opponents, and Big Ten opponents have made 140 while the Buckeyes have attempted 123.

It’s a problem, and it might be one that’s correctable with this group.

“I don’t think we’re going to be a team that’s going to get to the foul line a whole lot,” coach Chris Holtmann said after Wednesday’s 12-point home loss to Purdue. “There’s going to be a lot of times where we’re not going to win that battle. I think we can foul less, I think we can play smarter for sure with some of our fouls, but I just don’t think we’re a team that’s going to win a lot of the free throw rate.”

Last season, Ohio State had five players average at least 3.8 fouls drawn per 40 minutes.

This season, the Buckeyes have only three players above that threshold, and one of them — freshman Jaedon Ledee — had his numbers skewed when he wound up shooting 14 free throws in 13 minutes.

Kaleb Wesson leads the nation with an average of 8.3 fouls drawn per 40 minutes, but his impact in that category has been nullified due to his own recent foul troubles. He’s taken eight free Ohio State’s C.J. Jackson attempts a steal against Purdue’s Carsen Edwards on Wednesday. The Buckeyes shot 16 free throws while the Boilermakers attempted 25. Such an imbalance has been common during OSU’S five-game losing streak. throws in the past two games, making all eight, after not going

to the line against Iowa.

It’s on the perimeter