Why Luther Muhammad is Ohio State basketball’s most important player to close out the regular season

College basketball: Michigan vs. Ohio State - February 4, 2020

Ohio State basketball will rely on Luther Muhammad to defend players such as Michigan's Zavier Simpson as the Buckeyes close out the regular season against some of the best guards in the Big Ten.Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In the first 19 games of his sophomore season as an Ohio State basketball player, Luther Muhammad shot just 31.3 percent from the three-point line.

His best game came in a 106-74 win over Penn State, where he knocked down 4 of 5 shots from 3-point range en route to 14 points.

In most games, he’s struggled to find his shot and produce on the offensive end, shooting 37.8 percent from the field. But while his offense often came at a minimum, his defense made him a valuable asset.

“His game can’t be defined by that; it never has been defined by that,” OSU coach Chris Holtmann said. “He’s got to be able to compete defensively. ... If he stops rebounding, then we’ll play somebody else. But he’s been committed to that. He has to keep working, has to keep a good attitude. Really happy for a kid like that who stayed with it.”

His willingness to stay with it is why he’s found success as the Buckeyes have won six of their last eight games, including Sunday’s 79-72 home win over No. 7 Maryland.

The sophomore guard is shooting 50 percent from 3-point range over the previous five games. Against the Terrapins, he scored a season-high 22 points and shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He contributed offensively in helping Ohio State get the win it still needed on its resume while still providing the same defensive prowess that put him in the starting lineup in the first place.

Muhammad was the primary defender on Maryland’s leading scorer Anthony Cowan Jr. in two meetings. In both games, he made it difficult for the senior point guard to be effective unless he got to the foul line. Cowan made just 5 of his 13 shot attempts, scoring 18 of his 30 total points at the free-throw line.

“He’s so good at that,” Holtmann said. We emphasized it (for) the last two days. He’s just so good at getting to the line. Throwing his body in there, getting angles and jumping into you and catching. He’s such a weapon with his shooting, and then he’s got such great burst. The kid’s been such a great player for four years. I can’t wait to see him out of the league. I just thought Luther did his best to battle. He’s a terrific talent."

With Cowan’s ability to get to the free-throw line, Muhammad had to change the way he’s grown accustomed to defending.

"He likes to, when you have your hand in there, jab and draw the foul," Muhammad said. "Instead of having my hand out there, they say to have my hand up so he can't do that. That was the only adjustment I made as far as me because I always put my hand out."

Ohio State will need Muhammad's defense as it closes out its season with Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois having high-level guards capable of taking over a game when they so choose.

The Wolverines will come to Columbus next Sunday, led by Zavier Simpson, the nation’s best passer. Ayo Dosunmu went from potentially missing extended time with a back injury to missing one game and putting up 24 points in a win over Penn State for the Illini. The Spartans are home to arguably the best player in the country in Cassius Winston.

Muhammad’s focus in those games will be slowing down the best guards the Big Ten has to offer. But adding in 11 points per game as he’s done for the last five games — in comparison to 5.9 in the first 19 — provides a bonus for a team still searching for consistent offense outside of Kaleb Wesson.

He’s not going to knock down four 3-pointers every night, but being a constant threat as a 3-and-D player makes him a viable weapon. His defense is keeping him on the floor, but his offense is making a difference.

"He didn't have these kinds of moments for us late last year," Holtmann said. "Part of it was we weren't playing him as much, but he didn't respond with these kinds of moments like he's responded this year as a sophomore."


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