Link. Here's the write-up:
Key to season: Quit fouling and start guarding. Ohio State ranked last in the Big Ten in defensive free-throw rate last season. The biggest offenders — Sean Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw — are gone, but new center Christoph Tilly also fouled often (4.7 times per 40 minutes). If the Buckeyes can improve their interior defense and quit fouling so much, this should be a NCAA Tournament team.
Player to watch: John Mobley Jr. Mobley averaged 13 points and made 77 3-pointers at a 38.5 percent clip as a freshman. It takes a special shot maker to put up those kind of shooting numbers as a freshman in the Big Ten. There are not many players in college with his range and quick release.
Point guard Bruce Thornton was Ohio State’s best player last year and will likely be the one with the preseason accolades, but don’t be surprised if Mobley emerges as Ohio State’s leading scorer.
The Athletic has TTUN ranked first, which is six spots higher than both the AP and Coaches polls. Other B1Gs are 8 Purdue (first in both the AP and Coaches), 14 Illinois, 17 UCLA, and 23 Washington.
