The Ohio State men's basketball team opened its preseason with a commanding 115-75 victory over Los Boris 1 at the Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, on August 2. The win marked the first of several exhibition matches the Buckeyes will play as they fine‑tune their roster ahead of the regular season.
Depth on Display
Eleven different Buckeyes contributed to the scoreboard, a testament to the depth that coach Chris Holtmann has cultivated. The balanced scoring allowed the team to maintain pressure throughout the contest.
Key Performances
Jimmie Williams led the team with 20 points and added four rebounds, a notable increase over his career average of 3.6 boards per game. His rebounding effort highlighted a more aggressive approach on the glass. John Mobley Jr. was efficient, scoring 12 points on 5‑of‑7 shooting and dishing out three assists. Freshman LJ Smith grabbed a team‑high four offensive rebounds, showcasing his willingness to battle for second‑chance opportunities. Amare Bynum contributed seven assists, five rebounds and three steals despite shooting 3‑for‑8 from the field, illustrating his playmaking versatility.
Bench Power
The bench outscored the starters 95‑20, underscoring the depth that could prove decisive in the coming months. Such a disparity reflects the extensive talent pool the Buckeyes possess.
Areas to Refine
Justin Pippen managed 10 points in 21 minutes, drawing fouls and reaching the free‑throw line, but shot inefficiently from the field. Meanwhile, Josh Ojianwuna, returning from a knee injury, logged only six minutes before making his presence felt with early pass deflections.