Ohio State coach Jake Diebler after 70-68 loss at No. 24 Wisconsin
Ohio State coach Jake Diebler’s press conference after 70-68 loss at No. 24 Wisconsin on Jan. 14, 2025.
With the Cameron Crazies roaring, Arizona guard Keshad Johnson fed the post from the top of the circle. The No. 12 Wildcats were tied at 54 against No. 2 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and Johnson’s primary big man had battled for position near the rim.
Oumar Ballo took the pass, spun over his right shoulder and went right into the body of Duke freshman Sean Stewart. The impact of the 7-foot, 260-pound Ballo sent the 6-9, 227-pound Stewart to the floor, earning a charge call in the process.
Stewart played only 3:37 of Duke’s eventual 78-73 loss in the second game of the 2023-24 season, but on that possession he got the better of the bigger guy. Friday night, they’ll face each other once again when Indiana goes to Value City Arena to take on Ohio State, and Stewart figures to get more than a limited shot against Ballo.
Once the Buckeyes temporarily lost the services of opening-game starter Aaron Bradshaw, Stewart slid over to the starting center spot and has remained there for the past 12 games even as the 7-1, 215-pound Kentucky transfer has returned to action for the Buckeyes. Barring a surprise lineup change, or some sort of discipline for Ballo’s shove/punch that earned him a late-game ejection in Indiana’s 94-69 home loss to No. 19 Illinois on Tuesday, the two figure to open the game matched up against each other.
It’s not necessarily the role Stewart expected to hold down when he transferred to Ohio State from Duke to play for first-year coach Jake Diebler, but it’s one the sophomore said he’s embraced.
“When I came here, I just wanted to contribute to the team in a big way,” he said. “When we lost Aaron for a little bit, I had to show some versatility and move to the 5, which I was fine with because I just wanted to do whatever I could to help my team. That’s just continued because we got some good wins running that lineup. I’m just doing whatever I can to help my team win, being versatile, switching positions, all that stuff.”
The plan when the season began was to play Stewart at power forward alongside Bradshaw at center. There would be plenty of mixing and matching along the way, particularly as sophomore Devin Royal grew into a bigger role, but Stewart and Bradshaw have hardly played together since the latter returned on Dec. 21.
Other than one lineup that was on the floor for 2:05 in Tuesday’s loss at Wisconsin, it’s been either/or when it comes to the two former McDonald’s All-American Game teammates.
“We want to look to give them some minutes together at times,” Diebler said. “Their consistency will get better with experience.”
Before Bradshaw’s absence, Bradshaw and Stewart started Ohio State’s first four games and totaled 19:38 of playing time. The Buckeyes scored 43 points and allowed 28 with the two on the floor together.
Since Bradshaw’s return, though, Stewart has started to show signs of more consistent productivity. In his past five games, Stewart has averaged 6.4 rebounds and nabbed at least eight in four of those five. He’s also shot 15 for 23 (62.2%) from the floor during that stretch.
Foul trouble has been an issue. Stewart leads Ohio State with 52 fouls, as does his average of 7.1 committed per 40 minutes. And yet, the past few games have shown a player on the cusp of solidifying as a dependable contributor for a team with a frontcourt in need of more of that.
“Absolutely, our intention was for him to be a versatile forward, not a center,” Diebler said. “He’s also learning to take advantage of his speed and athleticism at that position, too. Biggest thing for him is getting minutes, getting experience, growing. He’s shown an ability to really improve when he’s gotten those consistent minutes.”
That will be needed against Indiana. The Hoosiers boast the eighth-biggest roster in the nation according to KenPom.com, one anchored down low by Ballo, Mackenzie Mgbako (6-9, 222) and Malik Reneau (6-9, 232), although the latter has missed four games due to injury and could return to play the Buckeyes.
Indiana has lost consecutive games by 20-plus points and will enter Value City Arena seemingly with their season on the brink. Stewart said he’s approaching it like he has every other game this season.
“I’m going in there with the same mentality: fighting my hardest, relying on my teammates to have my back whether it’s double teams or helping me in ball-screen coverages,” he said. “Relying on my teammates and just playing as hard as I can.”
