Back in the fold, versatile Isaac Likekele again working out role for Ohio State
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The past is in the past for Isaac Likekele. All that matters now is figuring out how to best help an Ohio State team enjoy as much success as possible in the 2022-23 season.
When it comes to Likekele, that could come in any number of ways. And as the Oklahoma State graduate transfer continues to assimilate back into the rotation after time away to attend to a personal matter back home in Texas, Likekele and the Buckeyes are still figuring out what that might look like.
Standing in the tunnel outside the visitors’ locker room at the Xfinity Center after Sunday’s 80-73 loss, Likekele said he’s just glad to be in uniform and focused on the future.
“I’m just appreciative to be back,” he told The Dispatch in his first public comments since returning. “Even getting one minute to play is a blessing. Coach (Chris Holtmann) and them, they don’t have to play me anything, so just even being back here to play one minute, five minutes, 30 minutes, whatever the team needs me to do, I’m going to go in and do it.”
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Through the first eight games, that role was one of a starter whose 219:38 of playing time was only 57 seconds shy of the team lead. Although Likekele was eighth in scoring at 4.5 points per game, the fifth-year guard had picked up where he left off at Oklahoma State and was second on team with 50 rebounds (6.3 per game) and tops in assists with 25 (3.1 per game). Those numbers don’t account for the impact of his presence on freshman guard Bruce Thornton, giving him an extra level of support while adapting to the college game.
But after finishing with 8 points, five rebounds, three assists and one turnover in 24:59 as Ohio State overpowered St. Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 3, Likekele had to take his leave of the team and return home for a while. He missed the Big Ten opener against Rutgers, rejoined the Buckeyes for their game at Madison Square Garden against North Carolina but watched from the bench in street clothes before going home again and missing a Dec. 21 game against Maine.
When Ohio State’s players returned following Christmas break, Likekele was with them. He was to be available in an emergency situation against Alabama A&M on Dec. 29 and wound up playing 8:30, dishing out five assists and helping the Buckeyes pull away from the Bulldogs.
Isaac Likekele got most playing time since his return in Ohio State vs. Maryland
He's now come off the bench in all four games since returning, averaging 14.7 minutes per appearance. Freshman Brice Sensabaugh, the team’s leading scorer, replaced him in the starting lineup and is unlikely to return to the bench.
“I feel OK,” Likekele said. “By the grace of God, I feel OK. Every day I just try to bring what the team needs, whether it’s energy, communication, talking, going out there and playing. I’m just appreciative to be here and play here and help in any way I can.”
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Likekele was on the court for 23:37 of Sunday's 80-73 loss at Maryland, his most extensive playing time since returning. He finished with 2 points, two rebounds, a steal and four of Ohio State’s eight assists.
“I think he’s in a really good mindset right now, just willing to help with whatever role’s being asked of him,” Holtmann said. “He’s not really requested anything other than, ‘Coach, whatever you need me to do.’ Isaac wants to be a college coach. He understands what that looks like and I think right now he’s in a place where it’s whatever is needed, whether it’s another ball handler or defensive-minded guy, (he’s) ready to go for that.”
Those two needs would appear to be most prominent. Without Likekele, Ohio State turned the ball over 16 times in the loss to the Tar Heels and struggled to break a second-half press during a two-minute sequence that allowed North Carolina to eventually force overtime. Against Rutgers, the Buckeyes finished with 14 turnovers.
Sunday at Maryland, he replaced Thornton when the freshman turned it over on consecutive possessions early in the second half as the Terrapins pressured him full court. A capable ball handler and versatile defender, Likekele was voted a team captain by his teammates during the preseason.
Now he’s working his way back into that leadership position.
“I’m still figuring things out amongst myself personally,” he said. “Like coach Holt said (in the locker room), it’s not time for us to get into our own stuff. When we’re out there on that court, it’s a team thing. I don’t have time to worry about Isaac and what he needs to do to get going or flowing. It’s time for me to worry about Ohio State basketball to win. That’s all I think about when I go out there is Ohio State winning.”
He’ll get his next chance Thursday against Minnesota.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State basketball working Isaac Likekele back into the rotation
