Ohio State’s most recognizable rosy-cheeked face is gone. So are the Buckeyes’ top three leading scorers from last season.
Ohio State basketball preview: Buckeyes will have a different look without Aaron Craft, LaQuinton Ross
The Buckeyes lost their three best scorers, but there’s still plenty of talent in Columbus.
Ben Woloszyn-USA TODAY Sports
Thad Matta's team has enough familiar faces returning, but the one that isn't represents many of the question marks surrounding Ohio State at the start of the season. Point guard Aaron Craft's career ended with March Madness' first meme and in a way nobody would have imagined -- in Ohio State's first game at the NCAA Tournament and to a Dayton Flyers team that would make the Elite Eight.
Craft's 10 points and five dimes per game are gone, so is his leadership and defense. Lenzelle Smith Jr., the Buckeyes' second-leading scorer, graduated as well, and LaQuinton Ross, who averaged 16 points per game, left before his senior season and went undrafted in the NBA.
There is plenty of experience and talent remaining on the roster, but there may be an adjustment period with so many players shifting roles and responsibility. Point guard Shannon Scott likely takes Craft's place as a leader and playmaker. Another of Matta's defensive specialists, Scott's offensive efficiency could use improvement -- he shot well at the rim but missed and took too many jumpers. Senior Sam Thompson could very well lead the team in scoring, and Temple graduate transfer Anthony Lee adds another capable player in the front court.
Throw in a solid recruiting class headlined by McDonald’s All-American guard D’Angelo Russell, and the pieces are there. It’s just a wonder how they’ll grow together.
Projected starting lineup
PG: Shannon Scott
SG: D’Angelo Russell
SF: Sam Thompson
PF: Anthony Lee
Key bench players: Marc Loving, Trey McDonald, Keita Bates-Diop, Kam Williams
How Ohio State can go deep in the tournament: Classic Thad Matta defense
With Williams, a senior, and Lee manning the interior and a long group of perimeter players, there’s reason to believe the Buckeyes will lean on their defense once again. There’s plenty of experience up front, at least.
Yet, the backcourt harassment that made Ohio State what it was in the past few seasons is in question. Scott already embodied what Craft was as a defender, but who will eat up minutes off the bench and at the shooting guard spot is unclear. Russell and redshirt freshman Kam Williams are two candidates to fill in in the backcourt, and how they grow on the defensive end will be key.
Ohio State has the bodies to be a very good rebounding team, and it can match up with most anyone. Keeping with the Buckeyes’ old defensive identity will get them a long way. They’ll have to develop that annoying perimeter defense to do so.
How Ohio State could get sent home early: There is no scoring depth
DeShaun Thomas’ departure two years ago left an offensive void that was briefly filled by Ross last season, but even then the offense wasn’t always there. The Buckeyes floundered in 2013-14 when players like Craft or Scott had a bad night; they likewise thrived when those guys were clicking.
There was too much of a burden on those players, and Scott was essentially the only offensive pop off the bench. Loving and the freshmen led by Russell and Bates-Diop must prove themselves capable of giving a big night here or there.
Lee will give Ohio State some scoring up front, while Scott and Thompson are likely to improve. But the Buckeyes need enough offensive talent to survive nights when their leading scorers have an off night. If it’s not having a microwave scorer like Thomas, then it’ll be on having enough guys to contribute.
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