The Ohio State basketball team is headed in the wrong direction at the wrong time.
After being in the thick of the Big Ten title race, OSU has suddenly hit a slide to be in danger of falling out of a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament. The latest is a 78-70 loss to last place Nebraska, one that is what will also go down as a bad loss in the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee’s eyes.
It was again a theme that seems to be recurring, a poor shooting night. Ohio State shot just 38.6% from the field, making just 22-of-55 shots. Freshman Malaki Branham disappeared in this one and even though E.J. Liddell scored 27 points, it was not an efficient one. He knocked down just 7-of-16 shots from the floor. He did post a double-double with 14 rebounds to go along with six blocks, but it wasn’t enough.
Ohio State was a wee-bit shorthanded with Zed Key out and with Kyle Young leaving the game early because of an illness, but OSU should have still had enough firepower to be a Nebraska team that has been far from even average this season.
Ej Liddell with 27 points
OSU 66 | NEB 73 | 1:41 2H#Team123 pic.twitter.com/jrDifvwOsI
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 2, 2022
It was all about simply missing shots this game, and not being able to get enough stops on the other end. That has to get better moving forward or it will be an early exit in tournament play.
With the loss, Ohio State falls to 18-9 overall and 11-7 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will next be in action against Michigan State on Thursday.
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