Ohio State Men’s Basketball had its home opener, winning 89-65 against Youngstown State. They got the win, but are clearly missing Bruce Thornton in the early going. They need to figure out what ills them quickly, as much more difficult games are coming up soon. Ohio State visits UCONN on Friday. This was a close game in the first half before the Buckeyes were led by stars Amare Bynum and John Mobley Jr.
It has been a struggle for Ohio State men’s Basketball head coach John Diebler. Several people have called for him to be fired. Calls for his head might increase in the wake of this narrow victory over a team they should have defeated handily. They let the Penguins hang around in this home opener before pulling away. How far do you think Ohio State men’s basketball will get this season?
Ohio State Men’s Basketball Home Opener Game Summary
Ohio State men’s Basketball struggled in its home opener against Youngstown State. One must think that after the season-opening loss at BYU, and the struggles in this home game, the call for the dismissal of Ohio State head coach John Diebler will crop up again. The team is clearly missing star Bruce Thornton. The current stars of this team, Amare Bynum and John Mobley Jr., finally took over this game. They must do better, and soon. Here is how the game played out.
First Half
In the first half, the teams went back and forth, and the Penguins were only trailing the Buckeyes 28-27 with 4:21 left in the first half. The largest Ohio State lead was just six points, and Youngstown State led 16-15 with 11:21 left in the first half. After Youngstown State led 32-31 with 3:04 left in the first half, the Buckeyes scored the last seven points of the first half on a Justin Pippin three-pointer and two John Mobley Jr. jump shots. It was a good thing they made those shots; they made the first-half final score presentable.
Mobley Jr. had ten first-half points to lead all scorers. However, the Buckeyes got balanced scoring in the first half as Andrija Jelavic had eight points, Amare Bynum had seven points, and Justin Pippin kicked in four. Jaiden Hayes led the Penguins with nine points. They had balanced scoring also, as Jermaine Coleman had 7 points, Linus Holmstrom had 6, and Dom Aekins had 4.
Second Half
Ohio State men’s basketball had some work to do in the second half, winning by only five points. Neither team scored in the first minute of the second half. Then, however, Youngstown State made a free throw and a three-pointer. Just like that, the score was 38-37. The two teams traded baskets and were tied at 40. This game was much closer than John Diebler and Ohio State wanted.
Youngstown State hit a free throw to take a 41-40 lead. The story of the second half was Youngstown State not going away. Ohio State led 60-52 with 9:56 left in the game. Then, Ohio State pulled away after a timeout to take a 66-52 lead with 7:56 left in the game. No matter how this game turns out, readers need to remember, especially come March, that Youngstown State was competitive in this game through the middle of the second half. The Buckeyes then cruised to an 89-65 win. The game was much closer than that.
Tressel Way
The address of the athletic department at Youngstown State is Tressel Way. Of course, the outgoing Lieutenant Governor of Ohio was the head football coach at Ohio State before he became the Athletic Director at Youngstown State. It was fitting that he was mentioned during a basketball game, because he famously went to an Ohio State Men’s Basketball game right after he was hired and told the crowd he was proud to be the head football coach at Ohio State and that everybody would be proud of them in 353 days [when they played the University of Michigan].
Conclusion: It Gets Late Early
Ohio State Men’s Basketball coach John Diebler better know this Yogi Berra saying. The team he leads lost the opening game of the season, and let Youngstown State hang around in this game until about halfway to go in the second half. The Buckeyes host Marshall on Monday. Youngstown State, which is now 0-7 all time against the Buckeyes, travels to Central Michigan on Tuesday.
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