Ohio
Drastic 3-point shooting differences proving differences between Ohio State’s wins, losses
Video: Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton, Felix Okpara after Michigan loss
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton and Felix Okpara talk with reporters after a loss at Michigan on Jan. 15, 2024.
It took five and a half minutes for Ohio State to hoist its first 3-pointer inside the Crisler Center. On their first eight possessions against Michigan, the Buckeyes either got the ball into the paint, turned it over trying to do so or attempted a shot from somewhere near the basket while building a 10-7 lead.
Then with 14:30 to play, Bruce Thornton attempted his team’s first 3-pointer on Monday afternoon, and it bricked off the rim. On the next possession, Jamison Battle missed one from the right corner. And on the next, Battle hit the side of the backboard from the same spot.
It was a sign of what was to come. Continuing what has become a trend this season, an inability to make shots from 3-point range directly tied into another loss for the Buckeyes.
To borrow an old cliché, Ohio State’s shooting inside the Crisler Center matched the temperatures outside: frigid. The Buckeyes finished 3 for 25 (12.0%) from deep in a 73-65 loss to the Wolverines, marking a third straight game where they failed to make more than one-third of their 3-point attempts.
Not coincidentally, Ohio State has lost all three of those games. As the Buckeyes try to avoid letting this streak turn into what last year became, the need to at least shoot better – if not spectacularly well – from deep has to be atop the list of concerns.
“What we can do is really evaluate the quality of our looks,” coach Chris Holtmann said. “Then they’ve got to trust their stroke. That’s really what we’re trying to evaluate: what are the quality of our looks?”
For the most part, Ohio State would appear to be getting shots it wants by guys it wants taking them. When the Buckeyes went to Indiana’s Assembly Hall on Jan. 6, they were shooting 38.0% from 3-point range. Battle was leading the way at 44.7% (42 for 94) with Roddy Gayle Jr. next at 39.5% (17 for 43) and Thornton close behind at 37.3% (28 for 75).
Three games later, Ohio State’s season 3-point shooting percentage has dropped to 35.2%. The Buckeyes have collectively shot 22.9% (16 for 70) from deep in losses to Indiana, Wisconsin and now Michigan. Entering Tuesday’s games, the Hoosiers ranked ninth in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage defense (32.9%), the Wolverines 12th (33.9%) and the Badgers 13th (34.9%).
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Against those teams, Battle has shot 43.5% from 3 (10 for 23) despite missing seven of his eight attempts against Michigan. Thornton is 3 for 19 (15.8%). Gayle is 0 for 12.
When shots aren’t falling, “It’s hard (to win),” Thornton said after the Michigan loss. “I’m not going to lie to you. Even though I’m not shooting well at all, I’ve got to shoot it like I’m going to make the next one every single time. That’s my thought process.”
Ohio State’s shooting splits between wins and losses are significant. The Buckeyes are shooting 38.8% (104 for 268) from 3 in their 12 wins and 27.0% (31 for 115) in their five losses. Battle has 15 of those 31 makes. The Buckeyes are 4-4 when shooting 33.3% or worse from 3 and 8-1 when bettering that mark.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy
There’s a few things that could help with those numbers. Ohio State has not experienced as much success in transition as it hoped for this year, but those numbers have also dipped in losses. The Buckeyes average 6.9 fast-break points in their wins and 4.8 in their losses, but win or lose they’ve only gotten into double figures in one of their last 11 games. Ohio State has also gone away from posting up centers Felix Okpara and Zed Key with any regularity, instead relying on them to get their production from lobs or put-backs.
That has meant fewer kick-outs to open shooters for shots that are generally the highest percentage 3-point attempts.
“We’ve struggled in general getting some transition where we were getting that earlier in the season,” Holtmann said on Tuesday’s radio show. “We’ve got to be better at that and getting some buckets on the glass.”
It all fits together. A few more made 3s will open up the opportunities down low, which will give the Buckeyes better opportunities at the rim and, in turn, better 3-point looks. And maybe, eventually, it will lead to winning again.
ajardy@dispatch.com
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Ohio State has earned its second top-five win of the season.
The Buckeyes dominated Indiana on Saturday, taking down the Hoosiers 38-15 at Ohio Stadium.
Will Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Caleb Downs made the play of the day and returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown.
Cody Simon had a terrific day defensively, finishing with 2.5 sacks on the afternoon.
Ohio State is back in action for its regular-season finale with a battle against Michigan next week in Columbus. But in the meantime, you can view our photo gallery from the day that has more than 100 photos of the action at the top of the page.
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(This story has been updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)
Ohio State football fans should be in better shape driving to Saturday’s game after road crews cleared a major traffic crash near campus.
All southbound lanes on State Route 315 beyond North Broadway Street were closed for several hours Saturday morning due to a crash, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. A semitruck carrying fuel jack-knifed around 6:30 a.m., blocking traffic on the freeway just before the Gooddale Street exit.
The truck was moved from the freeway around 8 a.m., and the freeway reopened about 45 minutes later.
How to get to Ohio Stadium for Indiana game
Ohio State athletics suggests these alternate routes to get to Ohio Stadium:
Traveling from the North
- I-71 South to Hudson Street or 17th Avenue exits
Traveling from the South
- I-71 North to SR-315 North
- Exit at Ackerman Road or Olentangy River Road
Traveling from the East
- I-670 West to SR-315 North
- Exit at Ackerman or Olentangy River Road
- 670 West to 71 North to 17th Avenue or Hudson Street
Traveling from the West
- I-270 South to 70 East to I-670 to SR-315 North
- Exit at Ackerman Road or Olentangy River Road
- Fishinger Road to Kenny Road to Ackerman Road
- Riverside Drive to Fishinger Road or Lane Avenue
shendrix@dispatch.com
@sheridan120
CINCINNATI — Thanksgiving week represents the state semifinals for high school football teams in Ohio and Kentucky.
In Division I, Moeller (13-1) is expected to take on Centerville (11-3) in a state semifinal to be played at Princeton Nov. 29. This will be Moeller’s fourth consecutive state semifinals after defeating St. Xavier 28-23.
Friday night’s sold-out game at Mason (7,000 capacity) was the second meeting between the Greater Catholic League South division rivals this season. Moeller defeated host St. X 45-37 Sept. 20. This was the first time the two teams had met in a regional final since 2014.
Moeller, Ohio’s No. 1-ranked team by MaxPreps, was the No. 1 seed in Region 4 this season. St. X, ranked No. 8 statewide by MaxPreps, is the No. 6 seed.
Region 8’s top seed, Anderson (14-0), will play Sunbury Big Walnut in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 29 at a location to be determined.
Unbeaten Anderson defeated No. 2 seed La Salle 28-21 in a regional final at Princeton.
Anderson is ranked No. 11 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings (regardless of division) while La Salle was No. 18.
Friday was the fourth meeting between the two programs including the first matchup since a 2021 second-round playoff game in which the Lancers won 45-21, according to La Salle football broadcaster Jeff Bosse. The Lancers were also victorious in a 2020 regional semifinal and a 2007 regular-season game.
Anderson, winning its second straight regional title, now makes its fourth state Final Four appearance in program history. The Raptors were a 2023 state semifinalist, 2008 state runner-up and 2007 state champion — all in Division II.
Taft (12-2) is also heading to the state semifinals after a 26-12 win over Alter in the Division IV, Region 16 regional final at Monroe. The game was a rematch of a Week 3 game in which Taft won 36-7 over visiting Alter. That was part of the Senators’ three-game win streak to start the season.
Taft was in its first regional final since 2021, which was Tyler Williams’ first season as head coach.
The Senators have won the first Cincinnati Public Schools football regional championship since 1992, according to CPS athletics. Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE) won the last of its three state championships in 1992 (Division IV). CAPE also won state titles in 1986 (Division III) and 1985 (Division IV).
Kentucky played its regional finals Friday night. Ryle defeated Central Hardin 43-14, getting their first regional championship since 2020.
In Class 5A, Cooper dominated at home against Southwestern, advancing after a 56-15 win. Highlands also won big, running away at the half to defeat Pulaski County 42-18.
In a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state championship, Covington Catholic defeated Boyle County 31-28.
Beechwood defeated Martin County 44-7 in Class 2A play.
Indiana was in the semi-state round Friday night. In Class 3A, Batesville lost on the road at Heritage Hills.
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