Seven tables had been unfold across the court docket contained in the observe fitness center at Worth Metropolis Enviornment. As soon as the official staff picture was taken, every member of the 2022-23 Ohio State males’s basketball roster headed to his designated seat for the unofficial begin to the season.

They had been all there, from sixth-year ahead Justice Sueing to freshman walk-on Colby Baumann. Blended in between had been 5 freshmen, three transfers and one other walk-on to combine with a handful of returners from a staff that completed 20-12 and misplaced within the second spherical of the NCAA Event. For roughly 45 minutes, everybody was obtainable for questions on all the things from preseason predictions to their greatest story about third-year heart Zed Key, who owns a T-shirt dubbing him “The Most Attention-grabbing Man In Faculty Basketball.”

As soon as full, coach Chris Holtmann took the rostrum to supply his ideas on the preseason and what issues would possibly appear to be for what he launched as “Crew 124.”

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He additionally suggested in opposition to studying an excessive amount of into predictions for the season simply but.

“Preseason is speaking season, nevertheless it’s actually concerning the work, the quiet, lonely work right here,” he mentioned. “We’re excited to get began with that.”

It was so much to course of. Listed below are 5 early speaking factors from media day, which passed off two days earlier than the primary observe of the season.

Can the Buckeyes play quick?

Tempo has not been related a lot with Holtmann’s first 5 seasons at Ohio State. Based on KenPom.com, the Buckeyes have completed no larger than No. 238 nationally on the subject of the tempo at which they play. Now, consider a staff that may rely closely upon 4 freshmen, together with one on the level, and it could appear that extra of the identical is within the offing.

Not so quick, apparently. A number of gamers spoke about this staff’s means to play with a greater tempo than we’ve seen in years previous, and loads of that has to do with a roster that ought to have loads of versatility in addition to quite a few gamers who can seize rebounds and push the ball up the court docket. Tanner Holden, Isaac Likekele, Gene Brown III and Sueing are all seen as gamers who ought to be capable to assist ignite fast-break alternatives, whereas a lot of the offense might be initiated by freshman level guard Bruce Thornton, whom Holtmann described as “a person” regardless of his inexperience at this degree.

Additionally value noting: this would be the first yr the place affiliate head coach Jake Diebler might be accountable for the offense. That function had been stuffed by Ryan Pedon, now the top coach at Illinois State.

Versatility may assist Ohio State defensively

It’s no secret that Ohio State’s struggles to cease groups from scoring has hampered its possibilities of placing collectively deep postseason runs in every of the final two seasons. After ending top-25 in adjusted defensive effectivity throughout Holtmann’s first three seasons, the Buckeyes slipped to No. 82 for the 2020-21 season and No. 111 final yr.

Clearly, the Buckeyes want enchancment at that finish of the court docket in the event that they wish to be extra profitable. To that finish, a number of Buckeyes mentioned they imagine they’ve sufficient versatility this season that may permit them to be extra harmful on the subject of defending. Likekele mentioned new assistant coach Jack Owens has been spectacular together with his strategy whereas teaching that aspect of the court docket, and the hope is that there are extra instruments in place to permit Ohio State to be a greater defensive staff.

“We have now not been adequate defensively and we weren’t adequate on the glass final yr,” Holtmann mentioned. “You mix these two issues and there’s inevitably a ceiling. Slightly extra athleticism, a bit extra versatility, a bit extra size on the rim, I believe had been all issues we would have liked to deal with.”

It may additionally permit Ohio State to play some unorthodox lineups, with Likekele in the course of all of it.

“Isaac has the flexibility to play the three and we’ll have some small-ball lineups this yr the place we’ve got some 6-5 and over positionless teams that I believe Isaac might be part of that for certain,” Holtmann mentioned.

Justice Sueing going through large expecations

Absolutely wholesome and able to go, Sueing might be counted upon to be a key ingredient on this Ohio State staff. An athletic wing who can rebound at a excessive degree and who’s elite at attending to the free-throw line, the sixth-year participant might be tasked with so much in his last season of faculty basketball.

“He’s anxious to get on the market, he’s anxious to be wholesome and he needs to remain wholesome,” Holtmann mentioned. “For a child like him to have a complete season taken away from him aside from (two video games), you actually need it for him.”

Oh, and he’ll be a staff captain. The gamers voted on them Sunday, and Holtmann inadvertently let it slip that he’ll be one of many selections.

“I’ve not instructed the gamers but,” he mentioned. “Can we simply maintain it on this room? Justice might be one.”

This might be Sueing’s second season as a staff captain. Everybody will open the season with a clear invoice of well being.

4 Ohio State freshmen will play so much

For Ohio State to have success this season, it is going to require a quartet of first-year gamers contributing at excessive ranges.

“I believe we’ve got 4 freshmen which can be all going to play a job on this group for certain,” Holtmann mentioned. “Bruce, Roddy (Gayle), Brice (Sensabaugh) and Felix (Okpara) are all able to serving to this staff and taking part in. They’ll undergo some ups and downs and so they’re going to undergo some challenges however all 4 are gonna play. You’re going to see them part of each sport, for certain. I’m excited concerning the potential of that group.”

As Holtmann mentioned, there are going to be rising pains when a lot is requested of so many freshmen. Come again to a observe this season, Holtmann mentioned, and odds are you’ll discover him sitting on the bench with an arm round a freshman after a tough session. A key phrase for the season: normalizing battle.

Isaac Likekele, Bruce Thornton will share the court docket

Thornton is seen as Ohio State’s major level guard, each now and for the longer term. To assist him acclimate, the Buckeyes introduced in Likekele, a four-year contributor at Oklahoma State who can play a number of positions.

However to be clear: this gained’t be a like-for-like substitution sample.

“They are going to be on the ground collectively, for certain,” Holtmann mentioned. “For us to be our greatest, they’re going to should play collectively.”

When the Buckeyes performed Egypt and Puerto Rico’s nationwide groups whereas within the Bahamas, the 2 helped shut out each wins by sharing vital minutes down the stretch. That appears more likely to be the case when the season will get underway.

ajardy@dispatch.com

@AdamJardy

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