Not many expected the Ohio State men’s basketball team to advance to the Emerald Coast Classic championship game, but since they were there, they might as well win it.
The Buckeyes defeated Santa Clara 86-56 to cap a two-day run where the team played some of its best basketball of the young season. The win improves Ohio State’s record to 5-1 on the year, and the Buckeyes could very well see themselves ranked after this weekend’s action. They have earned it.
We learned plenty about the Buckeyes after this weekend and here are my biggest takeaways after two great nights of Ohio State basketball.
Ohio State’s defense is very good
Halfway there!#Team125 | @EmeraldCClassic pic.twitter.com/rVLJTUwokF
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 26, 2023
What we learned
One night after holding the highest scoring team in the NCAA to 20 points under its average, Alabama, the Buckeye defense was at it again. It wasn’t just one player’s efforts, it was the whole team chipping in. Steals from all over, great rotations and rim protection all night, and a great job all around by the Buckeyes.
Jamison Battle’s 3’s are finally falling
So glad this dude is on our team now@battletime510 | #Team125 pic.twitter.com/lsfMcMqqvK
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 26, 2023
What we learned
As we have learned early this season, Battle is a high volume shooter. His shots don’t always fall, but tonight they were. He was on fire from beyond the arc, making 5-of-10 on the night. Battle ended up with a team-high 21 points, even if it took him 18 shots to do it. Even with the large amount of shots, it was the best game of his Buckeye career.
Bruce Thornton is the engine that runs this team
He's at it again @Bruce2T_
Buckeyes 30
Broncos 22
3:28, 1st H#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/iPu5PG4GzO— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 26, 2023
What we learned
The preseason breakout player in the Big Ten is starting to find his groove. Last night a career high in points, tonight, the scoring production wasn’t quite there, but the filled the stat sheet. Thornton went 4-of-9 from the field, 4-of-5 from the free throw line, added five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. He is the player that makes this team go.
Dale Bonner is settling in
The Ohio State University Men’s Basketball Team pic.twitter.com/oBEe2t4VJo
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 26, 2023
What we learned
The first few games of the season saw the transfer struggling to adjust to what the Buckeyes wanted to do, especially on offense. Bonner finally looks like he’s more comfortable with what this team is trying to accomplish. He finished the evening with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals. It’s safe to say Bonner is feeling much more comfortable with his new team.
Ohio State’s confidence is growing
🏆 Bringing home hardware‼️ @EmeraldCClassic | #Team125 pic.twitter.com/Wg18q3EtOc
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) November 26, 2023
What we learned
This weekend is going to go a long way for this team, even though it is so early in the season. It got a taste of the Big Ten Tournament grind, playing in back-to-back games. The win over Alabama let this team know it can hang with the majority of teams, and that was built upon Saturday night. The needle is pointing upward for this team.
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