Ohio State basketball freshman Roddy Gayle earning larger role
There was a lot for Ohio State to like about what Roddy Gayle provided against St. Francis (Pa.) on Saturday afternoon. A member of coach Chris Holtmann’s nine-man rotation, the freshman guard shook off a stretch of rough play against high-major competition with the first double-digit scoring effort of his college career in a lopsided win against the overmatched Red Flash.
But it wasn’t the 12 points Gayle scored or the three assists he handed out that Holtmann pointed to in his postgame press conference while discussing Gayle. It was a defensive effort in the final minutes of what would be a 96-59 win that showcased the primary way the coach feels Gayle can impact this year’s team.
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“In Roddy’s case, it could be just a defensive presence that he can provide,” Holtmann said. “You saw him recover on that play and make a block, he’s really got defensive ability and talent.”
The play in question came with 6:48 to play and the Buckeyes ahead 73-49. Red Flash starting guard Maxwell Land, who finished with 14 points, seemed to have a path to another bucket when Gayle interceded on the left block.
Gayle’s resounding rejection of Land’s layup attempt led to a Brice Sensabaugh 3-pointer at the other end, and it also served notice that Gayle’s natural skills and athletic abilities are starting to surface for the Buckeyes.
“He was coming off a double screen and then he wrapped it and went right backdoor,” Gayle said. “I just used my instincts, turned around and reacted. I think my main emphasis is to make a mark on the defensive end, and that has been one of coach’s biggest emphases for me. He’s wanted me to make sure I’m always the best defender on the court.
“That play was a little bit of what I have to offer.”
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It was also a sign that some of his instincts are starting to settle into college basketball. The highest-rated recruit in Ohio State’s 2022 class according to KenPom.com, Gayle established himself as a three-level scorer with a high defensive IQ while playing his final two prep seasons at Mount Pleasant (Utah) Wasatch Academy. On a rebuilt Ohio State team heavy on new faces, Gayle averaged 8.0 points on 9 of 17 shooting as the Buckeyes blew past low-major opponents in their first three games of the season.
Then Ohio State left Value City Arena – and the continental United States – for its first Maui Invitational appearance in 19 years. The Buckeyes went 2-1 inside the Lahaina Civic Center, returned home and lost at Duke in the final ACC-Big Ten Challenge. In those four games, Gayle scored five points and saw his playing time dwindle in his first tests against high-major competition.
Saturday’s game against the Red Flash, which is 1-7 against Division I opponents this year, marked a chance for Gayle to remember what he needs to do to enjoy success.
“It taught me how to stay humble and learn how to be comfortable,” he said of his relative slump against San Diego State, Cincinnati, Texas Tech and Duke. “I felt like at the beginning of the season I wasn’t as comfortable, especially when we went to Hawaii and I wasn’t really comfortable playing that physical type of basketball yet. I feel like over these last few days of practices and including last game I feel a lot more ready for this type of style of play.”
Another key lesson: “I can’t really rely on instincts and athleticism anymore because everybody at this level is as athletic as I am or even more. Even techniques, small stuff like that goes a long way.”
What Ohio State needs out of Roddy Gayle going forward
Thursday, Gayle and the Buckeyes will get tested anew with their Big Ten opener against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights promise to bring a physical, defensive presence to Value City Arena and provide a significantly stiffer challenge than what St. Francis (Pa.) could provide.
Ohio State doesn’t need him to be its leading scorer, and Holtmann said he doesn’t expect to see Gayle take a significant step forward offensively until likely February.
“Offensively, he’s not quite there yet as a freshman,” the coach said “It’s going to take time for him, so I don’t want to expect that he’s going to be a double-digit scorer for us because I don’t think that’s necessarily the case.”
The key will be remaining a capable offensive threat while playing solid defense and taking care of the ball.
“If my offense isn’t really thriving like I want it to be, I need to make my mark on defense,” he said. “More ball pressure, more rebounding, some of the small things and effort plays.”
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