Providence @ Ohio State Player Ratings and Recap

Providence 67 @ Ohio State 72

Providence 6.58
F Emmitt Holt Jr: 5.5

Holt has a tough task assigned to him. He's the “big man” on a team without one. Holt struggled on offense, shooting just 3-11, and missing both of his 3pt attempts. Although he did accumulate 11 points. Holt is not a good interior defender, and Ohio State exploited that on offense all game.

F Rodney Bullock Jr: 9.0

Bullock was the leading scorer in the game. He scored 27 points on 20 shots, and shot over 50% from beyond the arc (5-9). Bullock is a very versatile player. He is the tallest player in Providence's starting lineup, but excels on the perimeter, and can also use his size inside as well. Bullock is a fine defender too, with a little more length than Holt. He finished with eight rebounds, and two blocks.

F/G Ryan Fazekas So: 6.0

Fazekas' value is in his jump shot. He has impressive range for a 6'8 player. The Friars often ran plays trying to get him open coming around screens. He finished the game 3-7 for eight points. He seems like a one-dimensional player though. He lacked the athleticism on defense to guard Ohio State's players who are all long and athletic.

F/G Jalen Lindsey Jr: 5.0

Lindsey was Providence's number two option on offense (a distance #2 behind Bullock). He hit a couple shots early in the first half, but then the misses stacked up. Lindsey finished the game just 4-11, making just two of eight attempts from 3pt range. He had 10 points. Lindsey does give the team good size when he plays either the three or two beside Fazekas, and grabbed five rebounds. But, he also struggled against the Buckeyes defensively.

G Kyron Cartwright Jr: 7.0

Cartwright runs the offense for Providence. He had eight assists this game, and did not turn the ball over. That warrants praise. Of course, all he had to do to record an assists is get the ball to Bullock. Cartright scored just six points himself. Cartwright struggled on defense, having to face much bigger OSU guards.

F Kalif Young Fr: 6.0

Young came in as Providence's only true big man. He did not score, but grabbed five rebounds. Young was not much more effective than Holt at threatening Ohio State at the basket. Still, he rebounds at a high rate: five rebounds in 13 minutes.

G/F Isaiah Jackson So: 6.5

Jackson played more minutes (23) than any member of Providence's bench. He took only five shots form the field, but sunk his only 3pt attempt. He had five points, two rebounds, and three assists.

G Maliek White Fr: N/A

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

G/F Alpha Diallo Fr:

Did not play enough minutes to qualify.

Team Overview:

Providence made it a very close game, and were in it till the final minute. However, watching the game, they seemed outmatched against Ohio State. Providence was at their best on offense when they moved the ball effectively (what team doesn't play well when they move the ball on offense?). Their offense was too reliant on Bullock though. The Friars were able to stay in the game, by coming back from leads, scoring in bunches. They did this by taking 26 3pt shots, and making 38.5% of them. Once again though, it was just Bullock hitting shots. He made half of the team's successful treys, and attempted just 33.3% of the attempts. Without including Bullock's 3pt attempts, the team shot just 5-17, or 29.4%. Someone needs to step up and be the team's second scoring option alongside Bullock; he can score 27, but even that's not enough on it's own.

Providence's interior defense showed no teeth, and Ohio State took full advantage. The lack of size on the interior could hurt all season. Providence was also out-rebounded 33:43.

Ohio State 7.20
C Micah Potter Fr: 3.0

Potter has started all three games for Ohio State this season. This was, by far, his least impressive performance. Potter played just four minutes, a couple at the onset of each half. Potter turned over the ball, and picked up two fouls inside the first two minutes of the opening half; a missed layup completes his box score. His four minutes played generally would not qualify for a rating, but he started. So, he qualifies.

F Marc Loving Sr: 6.5

Loving played all but three minutes this game. His size and length were an asset on the boards, and on defense. He finished the game with ten, all defensive, rebounds, and blocked two shots. Loving struggled to make an impact on offense though. He missed all of his 3pt attempts, open looks too. He was just 2-6 from the field overall, scoring eight points. Loving is a capable scorer, but just was not as involved this game.

F Keita Bates-Diop Jr: 7.0

Bates-Diop left the game after falling awkwardly in the second half. Prior to the injury, he was one of the team's most effective players on both ends of the floor. Bates-Diop was 4-9 from the field, and scored eight points, adding four rebounds, and a block. He was also an asset on the defensive end, due to his size, length, and athleticism.

G/F Jae'Sean Tate Jr: 7.0

Tate took more shots than any other player on the team, 14, scoring 14 points. Tate did a good job breaking the zone when Providence switched to the 2-3 on defense, operating well in the middle. He is best when going to the basket, which he does effectively. He could certainly improve as a finisher though. Tate also had six rebounds.

G JaQuan Lyle So: 10.0

Lyle is the man of the game. He put the team on his back, and led a charge in the final nine minute of the first half, which allowed the Buckeyes to take control of the game. Lyle showed off multiple facets of his game. Lyle took advantage of a mismatch on defense, blowing past Providence's Cartwright, who's just 5'11, on his way to the rim. Lyle used his drive to both finish at the rim, and dump off passes to Thompson and co. inside. The sophomore point guard also shot confidently from outside over Cartwright, making two of his four attempts from beyond the arc. Lyle finished the game with a team high, 21 points. Lyle nearly had a double-double finishing with eight rebounds, and seven assists. Lyle did a good job setting the pace for Ohio State, and taking care of the ball; he turned it over just once.

C Trevor Thompson Jr: 9.0

Thompson played 20 minutes, and made the most of them. Ohio State was at it's best inside when Thompson was in the game. He was effective on both ends. He made a great target for Lyle inside, scoring 12 points on 4-5 shooting. He also proved to be a great rim protector. He had three blocks, and nine rebounds. The 7-foot junior does need to avoid fouling; he stacked up four in just 20 minutes. The way he played tonight, Thompson should be the Buckeyes' starter at the five.

G Kam Williams Jr: 5.0

Kam Williams came off the bench, and played extended minutes, 28, due to Bates-Diop's injury. He was mostly quiet, scoring just five points, though he shot 2-3, and sunk his only 3pt attempt. Williams is not nearly the defender Bates-Diop is though, and forces the team to play smaller. He also turned the ball over twice.

C David Bell So: 7.0

Bell played 15 productive minutes. He gave the team some additional size inside, and they already had more than Providence. He ended up with four points, two rebounds, and two blocks. He should be useful for Ohio State this season, especially if Bates-Diop has to miss time.

G CJ Jakson So: N/A

Did not play enough to qualify.

Team Overiew:

Thad Matta can really accumulate talent. Ohio State has struggled in recent years. However, they have one of the most talented rosters in all of college basketball. I keep waiting for this team to finally live up to it's potential, and break out. Tonight they looked like a team capable of doing just that this season. Lyle excelled at the point. He showed off a diverse game, being equal parts shooter, penetrator, and distributor. There are lots of options on offense. Lyle, Tate, and Bates-Diop excel slashing to the basket, and their length and athleticism makes it difficult to defend them when they're driving. Thompson also provided the Buckeyes with a good inside scorer. Ohio State can improve on the outside. They shot just 33.3% from beyond the arc, and no one really stands out as a knock down shooter. Lyle acted the part this game, but his track record says otherwise. Loving may need to fill that role. However, he struggled mightily on offense this game. Ohio State looked great on the defensive end. They have great size, and both their guards and forwards have great length and athleticism to stay in front of their man. Thompson is a great interior defender, and Bell also looks promising there. I've been waiting for this Ohio State team to play up to their talent level, and that could happen this season. This is a really good result against a solid team like Providence, and they dominated despite the close score.