Buckeyes hope paint versatility can combat Wisconsin’s size
There’s not a lot of doubt about what Wisconsin will attempt to hit Ohio State with on Wednesday evening.
When the Buckeyes and Badgers open Big Ten Tournament play inside Chicago’s United Center, that opening tip will see Wisconsin start two paint-oriented big men in power forward Tyler Wahl and center Steven Crowl. Standing 6-9 and 7-0, respectively, Wahl and Crowl give the Badgers significant frontcourt size.
Monday afternoon, two Buckeyes sat side by side at Value City Arena to preview the tournament. On the right was Isaac Likekele, a fifth-year graduate transfer listed a 6-5, 215 pounds. On his left was 6-11, 220-pound freshman Felix Okpara.
Against the Badgers, both figure to be counted on to log minutes in the paint as the Buckeyes continue to cope with the loss of Zed Key to season-ending shoulder surgery by mixing their lineups and attempting to use undersized versatility alongside youth to combat opposing size.
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“Right now it gives us the best chance to win, playing with a little more mobility and speed,” coach Chris Holtmann said Monday. “That’ll be tested with Wisconsin because their interior guys, they play two post guys even though Wahl’s a forward that can guard 1-5. His ability to really hurt you in the post and then their center does a terrific job scoring.”
Crowl started all 30 games this season while Wahl started all 27 games for which he was available, and they have averaged 11.6 and 11.3 points and 7.1 and 6.3 rebounds per game, respectively. In the lone meeting between the teams this season, Crowl had 14 points and Wahl 5 as they combined to shoot 7 for 17 from two-point range. Key started and had 12 points in the 65-61 Wisconsin win on Feb. 2, his final double-digit scoring game of the season.
In the five games Ohio State has played without Key, Okpara’s role has increased while Likekele and third-year wing Gene Brown and his 6-7, 195-pound frame have also spent time at center.
“I really like how Felix impacts the defensive side of the ball for us,” Likekele said. “A lot of times he’s either getting blocks or he alters a lot of shots too. It’s really his defensive presence that I really appreciate Felix for.”
Likekele, Okpara said, “is a nightmare matchup. He plays the 1 for us. Going to the 5, I feel like he can handle the ball more playing the 5 and he can make good decisions since he’s played point guard for us. He’s got way more movement and basketball IQ, too.”
Holtmann said sixth-year forward Justice Sueing will have some key defensive responsibilities against Wahl, and the 6-6, 210-pound Sueing pulled down 11 rebounds in the prior meeting. When he’s on the court alongside Likekele, their ability to push the tempo could have an impact against a Wisconsin team ranked 348th nationally in tempo according to KenPom.com.
The key will be trying to alternate between raw, developing size (Okpara) and experienced undersized (Likekele, Brown) players. Or, as the fifth-year senior pointed out, a blend of the two.
“It brings a lot of different matchup nightmares,” Likekele said. “It brings a different pace to the game. Whenever you’ve got five guards out there and the person that’s playing the 5 can push the ball, it brings a different tempo to the game. Also, if we need to go with a more lengthy lineup, we’ve got a 6-5 point guard, we’ve got 6-8 wings and Felix at the center.”
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Wisconsin’s size has some skill, too. Wahl’s 68 assists are second-most on the roster and Crowl has made 22 3-pointers this year (on 77 attempts, a 28.6% mark), and both have helped anchor a Wisconsin defense ranked 26th nationally in adjusted efficiency that has held Big Ten teams to 65.6 points per game.
But much of this will come down to whether the Buckeyes have enough in the paint. During its last four games of the regular season, Wisconsin beat Iowa and Minnesota despite making four and three 3-pointers, respectively.
“(Okpara’s) post defense is really going to get challenged in this particular game,” Holtmann said. “We’ll need some good one-on-one work in the next couple days with that.”
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