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Columbus, OH – The Ohio State Buckeyes hosted a Sunday afternoon sport in opposition to the Notre Dame Combating Irish at The Schottenstein Middle. The Buckeyes got here in undefeated at 3-0 after defeating Appalachian State 75-53 on Tuesday. Ohio State confronted its first actual check of the season in opposition to Notre Dame, who additionally got here in at 3-0 this season. It was a decent bodily battle by means of each halves because the Buckeyes have been capable of rating a go-ahead basket by 7’0 senior middle Christoph Tilly with 13 seconds left and get a ultimate cease defensively to safe the 64-63 win at dwelling in dramatic style.
The Buckeyes have been led by their 6’2 senior guard Bruce Thornton, who orchestrated the offense enjoying the complete 40 minutes. Notre Dame confirmed sturdy stress in opposition to the senior guard as he needed to battle for every of his hard-earned baskets in each halves. Thornton continued to showcase his scoring capability and his standing as probably the greatest pure scoring level guards within the nation. He demonstrated the power to create for himself off the dribble on basket drives and is aware of when he has sufficient house to take a step-back jumper. On account of his sturdy muscular body, there actually isn’t a shot that Thornton can’t convert. Regardless of the stress that Thornton confronted defensively all sport, he hardly wavered, exhibiting he actually has the make and mannequin of a real skilled level guard. Thornton was a relentless presence for the Scarlet and Grey, ending with a team-high 24 factors, taking pictures 8-of-15 from the sector and 4-of-7 from deep.
Whereas others struggled to shoot versus Notre Dame’s pesky defensive stress, Ohio State received an enormous carry from their middle Christoph Tilly, who completed with 18 factors. Tilly’s most spectacular attributes are his capability to assault downhill off the dribble and his use of his dimension to transform in opposition to bodily contact. He was very aggressive all sport, incomes many journeys to the free-throw line and changing a sturdy 10-of-13 from the charity stripe. Tilly has a powerful shot mechanic and kind on his free throws. He did try a few three-pointers, which he didn’t convert, however confirmed a promising taking pictures stroke on the catch-and-shoot, the place he might add this shot sooner or later. Tilly confirmed down the stretch a number of occasions that he needed the ball in his arms as he attacked, placing stress on the Notre Dame protection. His most notable play got here on the finish of the sport when he attacked down the center of the lane and confirmed his power and steadiness on his difficult layup with 13 seconds left within the sport to present Ohio State the lead.
Exterior of Thornton, Ohio State’s guards didn’t shoot the ball properly as they struggled to create house versus Notre Dame’s sturdy protection. 6’1 sophomore taking pictures guard John Mobley Jr. actually struggled to transform his photographs offensively, solely taking pictures 2-of-10 from the sector. Mobley Jr. made two three-pointers, showcasing his quick-trigger taking pictures mechanics that earned him heavy recruiting curiosity. He confirmed he can convert off the dribble, forcing the protection to break down and drawing fouls, ending with 9 factors.
Ohio State even have intriguing prospects in 6’6 junior ahead Devin Royal and 6’8 freshman ahead Amare Bynum. Royal struggled from the ground on this sport, and it confirmed in his motor and perspective. He did safe 5 rebounds and showcased his pace and ball-handling in transition. Bynum is a assured, bodily freshman ahead who makes use of his power properly to complete by means of contact on the basket. He has a relentless motor and aggressive perspective to his sport that’s contagious on the ground. Bynum might have solely had 4 factors, however each play he was concerned in was an explosive end.
For Notre Dame, they have been led by 6’0 junior level guard Markus Burton with 14 factors. Offensively, Notre Dame unfold the wealth as three gamers received into double-digit scoring. Burton could also be undersized, however that doesn’t cease him from driving into the paint and changing on the rim. He’s an aggressive level guard with a fast burst and fluid ball-handling. Burton didn’t shoot properly from the sector, however demonstrated many constructive attributes because the lead level guard.
6’7 freshman guard Jalen Haralson completed with 13 factors, taking pictures 5-of-10 from the sector. Haralson displayed his bothersome protection all through the sport, demonstrating he’s a stress defender He led the crew with three steals. 6’4 junior guard Braeden Shrewsberry additionally contributed for the Irish with 11 factors, exhibiting a powerful taking pictures stroke, hitting two three-pointers, and securing 4 defensive rebounds. The most important standout participant for Notre Dame was 6’8 graduate ahead Carson Towt, who secured a game-high 12 boards whereas including eight factors. Towt is a great ahead who understands methods to discover the holes within the protection, chopping to open house for straightforward inside finishes. One other fascinating prospect for Notre Dame is 6’6 sophomore guard Sir Mohammed, who performed with spectacular pace and steadiness, changing by means of contact within the put up and being artful and inventive together with his finishes. Notre Dame actually has a handful of attention-grabbing and expert prospects to control all through this 2025-26 season.
Regardless of Notre Dame’s sturdy defensive efforts and fluid offensive assault, the Buckeyes have been capable of pull out the gritty win at dwelling Sunday afternoon, 64-63, to stay undefeated at 4-0.
This text was written by Nate Koesel, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You possibly can observe us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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