As the Big Ten Tournament postseason gets underway, Ohio State hopes to have a few more possessions.

As March rolls in, the Big Ten Tournament gets underway, marking the beginning of the postseason and the drive toward March Madness. For Ohio State, this period is critical, not only because of the high stakes involved but also due to the tactical and strategic decisions that will shape their fate in the tournament. With a season full of ups and downs, Ohio State has its eyes on one key factor that could be the difference-maker in their postseason success: securing more possessions.

In a sport where every possession matters, the ability to gain extra opportunities and limit your opponent’s chances is often what separates winners from losers, especially in tournament play. This mindset is crucial for Ohio State, whose fortunes in the tournament will depend on their ability to control tempo, maximize each possession, and leverage the depth of their roster. Let’s dive deeper into why Ohio State hopes to have a few more possessions and how they can achieve this goal during the Big Ten Tournament.

The Importance of Possessions in Basketball

In basketball, each possession represents an opportunity to score. Over the course of a game, teams accumulate possessions, each of which can either result in a point, a missed shot, or a turnover. A key factor in winning games is efficiency, and the more possessions a team has, the greater their chances to score. However, the number of possessions is not the only thing that matters—how efficiently those possessions are used is just as important.

Possessions can be impacted in several ways:

Pace of Play: A faster pace gives teams more possessions, but it can also lead to turnovers and rushed shots.
Offensive Rebounding: Securing offensive boards means more opportunities to score, even after a missed shot.
Turnovers: Fewer turnovers result in more possessions for a team, while turnovers give the opponent a chance to capitalize.
Defensive Rebounding: Limiting your opponent’s offensive boards reduces their chances of scoring more possessions.

For Ohio State, the key to advancing in the Big Ten Tournament will be finding a way to manage possessions carefully. Their ability to create more opportunities for themselves while limiting the number of possessions their opponents get will play a significant role in how deep they can go in the tournament.

Ohio State’s Recent Performance and Need for More Possessions

Ohio State’s season has been marked by inconsistency. While they have shown flashes of brilliance at times, they have also struggled with areas that directly affect their ability to secure possessions. As they enter the Big Ten Tournament, there are several factors that the team will need to address if they hope to extend their season and make a deep run.

Turnover Issues: One of the primary areas where Ohio State has struggled is with turnovers. Over the course of the season, they have been prone to giving up the ball, which not only squanders valuable possessions but also gives their opponents easy transition opportunities. Reducing turnovers will be critical for the Buckeyes in the tournament. Every turnover they commit essentially hands a possession over to the opponent, and in a high-stakes environment like the postseason, those extra opportunities can be deadly.
Offensive Rebounding: Another key area where Ohio State can make an impact is on the offensive glass. While the Buckeyes are not known for being a dominant offensive rebounding team, getting extra possessions through second-chance opportunities can swing a game. In the tournament, every possession counts, and the ability to capitalize on missed shots could be the difference between advancing to the next round or going home.
Defensive Rebounding: Equally important is Ohio State’s ability to limit their opponents’ possessions by securing defensive rebounds. If Ohio State can avoid giving up second-chance points, they will have the chance to control the tempo and dictate the flow of the game. Limiting opponents’ offensive rebounds and preventing them from having extra chances to score can be a game-changer in tight, postseason matchups.
Tempo Control: The ability to dictate the pace of play is crucial for Ohio State in the tournament. If they can control the tempo, either by playing up-tempo or slowing things down, they can gain an advantage in terms of possessions. Teams that can dictate the speed of the game often find themselves in better positions to manage their possessions and force their opponents into uncomfortable situations.

Strategies to Gain More Possessions

In order to secure more possessions and increase their chances of success in the Big Ten Tournament, Ohio State will need to focus on several key strategies. These strategies involve both offensive and defensive tactics, as well as adjustments in their approach to the game.

1. Pressure Defense and Forcing Turnovers

One of the most effective ways to gain more possessions is by forcing the opposing team into turnovers. Ohio State can use full-court pressure, trapping defenders, and applying defensive schemes that disrupt their opponents’ rhythm. By increasing defensive intensity and forcing turnovers, Ohio State can turn those steals into fast-break opportunities, which will not only give them more possessions but could also lead to easy points.

Additionally, if Ohio State can get their opponents to take poor shots or rush their offense, they can create more opportunities for defensive rebounds. When teams miss shots and fail to recover offensive rebounds, it becomes easier for Ohio State to push the pace and create fast-break opportunities.

2. Attacking the Offensive Glass

Ohio State has the potential to be more aggressive on the offensive boards. While they may not have elite rebounders, they can still make up for that by sending multiple players to the glass and securing key second-chance opportunities. By improving their offensive rebounding, Ohio State will give themselves additional possessions, which is crucial in the postseason where every extra shot can count.

In order to maximize their offensive rebounding, Ohio State will need to position their players properly, ensuring that they are boxing out effectively and not allowing their opponents to get easy boards. If Ohio State can consistently win the battle on the boards, they will have more chances to score and wear down their opponents.

3. Reducing Their Own Turnovers

While Ohio State looks to create turnovers on defense, they must also focus on protecting the ball on offense. Turnovers not only eliminate possessions but can also ignite fast breaks for opponents. Ohio State needs to be patient and disciplined in their offensive sets, ensuring that they make smart decisions with the ball. This could mean making simple passes, running structured offenses, and avoiding the temptation to take ill-advised shots.

One way to reduce turnovers is by having their guards be more selective with their passes and by ensuring that players don’t try to force shots or play too fast. In critical postseason games, limiting turnovers will be a key factor in maintaining possession and controlling the flow of the game.

4. Controlling the Tempo

Ohio State’s approach to tempo could also play a role in their postseason success. They have the ability to play an up-tempo style, especially with athletic players who excel in transition. On the other hand, they could also slow the game down if needed, focusing on half-court offense to make sure they are getting quality shots and reducing the number of fast breaks their opponents get.

The ability to dictate tempo can work in Ohio State’s favor. A faster pace will give them more possessions, while a slower pace could be beneficial against teams that rely on transition play or have a high-scoring offense. Ohio State needs to be versatile and adjust their tempo depending on the matchup and the state of the game.

5. Maximizing Depth

One of the advantages Ohio State has is their depth. The team has several contributors who can come off the bench and provide quality minutes. Utilizing their depth effectively allows Ohio State to apply consistent pressure on both ends of the floor, increasing their chances of forcing turnovers and securing rebounds. By keeping players fresh and rotating in a way that maximizes their energy levels, Ohio State can maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game, leading to more opportunities for possessions.

The Road Ahead

As the Big Ten Tournament kicks off, Ohio State has their work cut out for them. The road to postseason success requires a combination of strategic adjustments, focused execution, and the ability to adapt to different opponents. If they can secure more possessions by forcing turnovers, improving on the offensive glass, reducing their own mistakes, and controlling the tempo, they will position themselves for a successful run in the tournament.

The margin for error is thin, and every possession counts. For Ohio State, the focus will be on maximizing those possessions and ensuring that they don’t let critical opportunities slip away. If they can do that, they will not only improve their chances of advancing in the Big Ten Tournament but also build momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.