Ohio State

Nickname: Buckeyes

Conference: Big Ten

Location: Columbus, Ohio

Website: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-baskbl/

Head coach: Chris Holtmann, third season at Ohio State (45-24 record at Ohio State)

2018-19 record: 20-15 (8-12 in Big Ten)

Last time in NCAA Tournament: 2018, lost in the round of 32

Top three returning scorers:

• Kaleb Wesson, junior, forward, 14.6 ppg
• Andre Wesson, senior, forward, 8.6 ppg
• Luther Muhammad, sophomore, guard, 7.6 ppg

Key losses: C.J. Jackson, graduated, guard, 12 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.5 assists per game.

Keyshawn Woods, graduated, guard, 8.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 81% ft percentage.

Exciting newcomer: D.J. Carton is one of three top 50 recruits joining Ohio State. The 6-foot-1 freshman point guard will have an immediate chance to see the floor for the Buckeyes. Carton is an exceptional floor general, and can also shoot well from outside. I would not be surprised to see him start some games this year. Carton was a player specifically referenced during B1G media day down in Chicago by head coach Chris Holtmann.

Date of game one: Friday, January 3rd, 6 p.m. on FS1
Location: The Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio

Date of game two: Sunday, February 9th, noon on CSB
Location: Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin

Preview: Michigan State and Maryland are the two teams generating the most buzz in the B1G preseason. Ohio State likely has the most potential. D.J. Carton, E.J. Liddell, and Alonzo Gaffney are three major weapons added in the offseason. The trio of freshman helped the Ohio State 2019 recruiting class rank No. 14 in the nation, and No. 1 in the Big Ten according to 247Sports.

The Wesson brothers are the returning headliners. Kaleb is a bully in the low-post, and he has steadily improved his game over the arc of his career. Incoming transfer C.J. Walker is another notable addition, and could be a great replacement for the loss of senior C.J. Jackson. I expect Ohio State to once again be a tournament team, and potentially compete for the top spot in the conference. The influx of talent will undoubtedly improve the Buckeyes in 2019, the major question is when they all gel together.

Prediction: The Badgers will split the season series with Ohio State.