OSU basketball to open Big Ten play against physical, veteran Rutgers opponent
It was the right COLUMBUS — play call, and Ohio State executed it perfectly right up until the very end. Fighting off a late Rutgers rally inside Jersey Mike’s Arena, the Buckeyes were clinging to a four-point lead with 2:33 to play when they dialed up a home run play for freshman Malaki Branham.
Against the Scarlet Knights’ press, Branham got in behind the last man, caught the pass and glided toward the basket for the game-sealing exclamation point only to get dotted in the process. From behind, veteran Rutgers guard Caleb McConnell caught Branham, rejected the shot and kept the ball in bounds for a possession that ended with two more points for the home team. Now, for the first time since the Scarlet Knights stunned the Buckeyes with a 10-0 game-closing run, the programs will meet Thursday at Value City Arena in the Big Ten opener for Ohio State.
And yes, McConnell – who missed the first five games of the season with a knee injury – is back, healthy and in line to try to wreak havoc on the Buckeyes once again. McConnell played at Dunbar High School before transfering to Spire Academy in Northeast Ohio for his senior season.
“He’s an elite defender,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. “Great length. Last year we had a chance to ice the game there and he made an incredible block on Malaki’s transition dunk attempt. It’s not just him: They have a number of disruptive guys, but it begins with him.”
Much like games against San Diego State and Texas Tech in the Maui Invitational and a game at Duke last week, Ohio State is preparing for a physical, defensive challenge when the Scarlet Knights come to town. Statistically, though, Rutgers presents the stiffest defensive challenge yet for the Buckeyes.
As of Monday afternoon, Rutgers was ranked No. 6 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom.com. That’s even better than San Diego State (No. 18), Texas Tech (19) and Duke (28).
“They’re disruptive,” Holtmann said. “They turn you over. They’re great on the offensive and defensive glass. They’re long. They’re physical. They have a terrific big who is now growing into his own as a third-year player and they’ve got great positional size and length.”
The “terrific big” Holtmann mentioned is Clifford Omoruyi, a borderline fivestar prospect in the class of 2020 who leads the team in scoring (15.4 points per game) and rebounding (9.8) while playing 29.3 minutes per game. Listed at 6-11, 240 pounds, Omoruyi had 13 points and five rebounds in the lone meeting between the teams last season.
Ohio State will counter with 6-8, 255 center Zed Key, who scored a career-high 21 points against a Duke team listed as the nation’s tallest according to KenPom. Holtmann said Key has a 7-2 wingspan that allows him to play bigger than his height.