After playing six games in 12 days, the Ohio State basketball team has finally been able to rest what were likely some weary legs.
| Who | Where | When | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| William and Mary (6-2) | Value City Arena | Noon | BTN Plus |
The Buckeyes return to action against William & Mary on Saturday at noon, their first game since coming back from 20 points down to defeat Michigan, 71-62, on Monday night.
Ohio State's contest against the Tribe will be its only game in a one-week span, which is surely a welcome sight for a Buckeye team that is already playing with a shortened bench and limited depth at guard.
Point guard C.J. Jackson said that the current stretch of two games in 10 days is a welcome break after splitting six games in a span of less than two weeks. He added that the extra time has allowed for the Buckeyes to jell more in practice.
"For me personally, I am back 100 percent, no injuries or anything like that," Jackson said Friday. "After these last six games, we can finally work on what we struggled in. Jumping from game-to-game, we could only really talk about it, watch film on it, but not really improve on it with reps. Now, we can do that."
The first team on Ohio State's radar following its brutal stretch is William and Mary, a team that is predicated on shooting the three-ball.
Opponent Breakdown
Through eight games this season, William & Mary has put up some impressive numbers from behind the arc.
The Tribe has scored 100 or more points in three of their eight games so far this season, thanks in large part to their perimeter shooting. William and Mary's ability to connect from long range has impressed Holtmann, who said the Tribe's ability to spread the floor will present a tough challenge for the Buckeyes.
"William & Mary presents a lot of problems. You look at their numbers and it's like a game show. They are 47 percent from three, they are fifth in the country in effective field goal percentage. They had a really good win on the road the other night," Holtmann said. "When you're through eight games and you're shooting 47 percent from three and you're taking a lot, that ability to spread you out is impressive."
William & Mary's starters are all averaging double-digit points this season. The Tribe is led in the scoring column and on the boards by forward Nathan Knight, who is averaging 20.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest.
Knight has the ability to score from the outside, but has done most of his work in the paint this season. He also presents an ability to block shots defensively for the Tribe, swatting 25 shots already this season.
The Tribe surrounds Knight with a number of stellar shooters on the perimeter, but William & Mary's most effective threats have been guards Matt Milon and Connor Burchfield.
Combined, the duo is shooting a blistering 54.3 percent (56-103) from behind the three-point line this season, with fellow starters David Cohn and Justin Pierce each shooting a more-than-effective 47.6 percent from long range on the year.
Buckeye Breakdown
As he said he would do all season, Holtmann has tinkered with different lineups to start the season. The Buckeyes have used four different starting lineups this season for a number of reasons, but the biggest being to eliminate turnovers.
The most recent change has been Jae'Sean Tate starting at the point while C.J. Jackson, who leads the team in turnovers, comes off the bench. The move was made in part to send a message, Holtmann said Monday after defeating Michigan, but the move might not be permanent.
Holtmann said Friday that he has tossed around the idea of re-instering Jackson into the starting lineup, but had not yet decided if the point guard would start against William and Mary as of Friday morning.
"I could see it both ways with him throughout the year. I think he gets it as a player, where he understands whatever (his) role is," Holtmann said. "Whether it's starting or coming off the bench, (he) better be ready to play. I do think he has given us a lift off the bench. I may start him tomorrow, I am still looking at that."
In two games off the bench this season, Jackson has scored 27 combined points and has committed just three turnovers in wins over Wisconsin and Michigan. Jackson said Friday that coming off the bench, something he did at times last season as well, helps him get a better feel for the game at times.
"It lets me see the pace of the game and where I can attack defenses," he said. "Just choosing to attack on offense, it allows me to (attack) more. And more poise. That was kind of the reason for this and it has really helped me."
Jackson isn't the only player who has seen his role change over the most recent stretch of games, as freshman forward Kyle Young's minutes have increased with the injury to Micah Potter.
With Potter out, Young's role has expanded exponentially and the Massillon Jackson product appears to be taking full advantage. He played a season-high 21 minutes and collected six points and four boards (three offensive) against Michigan, a game Holtmann said the Buckeyes might not have won without his performance.
"Kyle has been really important for us. I don't know that we beat Michigan without his production," Holtmann said. "His energy and his defensive versatility and his activity on that end and on the glass. He has kind of come into his own."
With Potter expected to miss Ohio State's next few contests with an ankle injury, Young is expected to continue to get more time in the post for the Buckeyes, especially with his improved play.
How It Plays Out
The Buckeyes have moved all the way up to No. 58 in Ken Pomeroy's advanced statistical rating system, while the Tribe checks in at No. 186.
If William & Mary can consistently hit on its three-point shots, it could give Ohio State a run for its money. However, the Buckeyes' length should be able to alter a lot of shots from outside and throw the Tribe's offense off.
Expect Ohio State to win, but perhaps not as big as you might think.
Prediction: Ohio State 89, William & Mary 73
