Ohio State basketball could open season without veterans Justice Sueing, Gene Brown III
The season starts Monday, but Ohio State’s full roster might not be ready.
Tuesday, the Buckeyes hosted Division II foe Chaminade in an exhibition game without sixth-year graduate forward Justice Sueing and third-year wing Gene Brown III. Two days later, with the opener against Robert Morris still four days away, coach Chris Holtmann said its unclear if either injured player will be available.
“I don’t know at this point,” Holtmann said. “I probably would have a better idea Sunday, but at this point I don’t know on either guy. I really couldn’t give you a firm answer on either guy in terms of their play on Monday night.”
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Sueing is recovering from a second ankle sprain of the preseason. Brown is in concussion protocol.
Both players are projected to be key pieces and are among the minority of holdovers from the 2021-22 season. Sueing missed all but two games last year with a groin injury while Brown battled a concussion that cost him four games and a foot injury that sidelined him for two others. Along with third-year center Zed Key, Brown is the only player on this year’s team to see action in at least thee games a season ago.
Sueing has sprained the same ankle twice, Holtmann said after the win against Chaminade. He was held out of that game for precautionary reasons, but unlike Brown he did participate in Ohio State’s “secret” scrimmage against Wake Forest on Oct. 23. Brown was not in attendance for the exhibition game but Sueing watched from the bench while wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt and did not appear to have any sort of protective brace on either ankle.
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With neither player available, Holtmann utilized a starting lineup with freshman Bruce Thornton, West Virginia graduate transfer Sean McNeil, Oklahoma State graduate transfer Isaac Likekele, freshman Brice Sensabaugh and Key. Should Sueing be able to play, he projects as a starter and would likely displace Sensabaugh from the lineup.
Sueing was voted one of three team captains for the season, marking his second straight year in that role.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State could open season without Justice Sueing, Gene Brown
