COLUMBUS — Ohio State didn't get the dub it wanted in Monday's season opener against No. 25 BYU, but there were some encouraging signs for Jake Diebler's team. The Buckeyes scored 83 points, shot nearly 50% from the field, and received solid contributions from several players in their 94-83 loss.
Those performances provide something to build on as Ohio State prepares for Friday's home opener against Youngstown State at the Schottenstein Center.
Amare Bynum was perhaps the most impressive offensive performer, leading the Buckeyes with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting. He also connected on three of his six three-point attempts and added four assists, giving Ohio State an efficient scoring option who can contribute in several ways.
John Mobley Jr. added 14 points but his seven assists were probably the bigger stat. For a team without Bruce Thornton for the first time in four years, it's going to be important for this team to find someone to facilitate and run the offense. Mobley Jr. did just fine in that role, though I would imagine he'd like a few more points. Either way, his ability to create opportunities for teammates helped the Buckeyes record 18 assists on 28 made field goals, which is a promising sign for an offense still developing its chemistry.
Ohio State also received contributions from its frontcourt. Andrija Jelavic scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. His activity around the basket is a welcome sight for a team that hasn't had a true big-man presence in awhile. Justin Pippen added 12 points, giving Ohio State four players in double figures.
As a team, Ohio State shot 49.1% from the field and made 18 of 19 free throws. However, Ohio State made just three of its 16 three-point attempts after halftime, allowing BYU to pull away despite the Buckeyes scoring 46 second-half points.
Friday's matchup with Youngstown State provides an opportunity to continue developing the offense in front of the home crowd. The Buckeyes will be looking for better execution throughout the game while giving Diebler another chance to evaluate his rotations and combinations.
That said, while the offense was nice, the defense is where the biggest improvements need to be made.
Even still, one loss against a ranked opponent doesn't define Ohio State's season, particularly with several players still adjusting to their roles. The Buckeyes have already shown they can score against top-25 competition, and Friday offers an opportunity to build on those positive performances while correcting the mistakes that contributed to Monday's defeat.
