NBA Draft: 5 prospects to keep an eye on in the first round of March Madness
By Zach Wolpin
E.J. Liddell, F, Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State did not have a season like the program is used to, due to the fact that the Big Ten is full of talented teams. Star players try and hold their team together and that is exactly what E.J. Liddell did this year. In his third year at Ohio State, Liddell improved even more, and chances are he is a first-round draft choice.
Liddell has had to step up and fill a big role for the Buckeyes. He was the team’s top scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker. Don’t forget he was also second in assists for Ohio State this season. He earned 2021-2022 Big Ten All-Defense, 2021-2022 All-Big Ten honors.
He is having another monster year averaging 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2,5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. Liddell scored a career-high 34 points this season, knocking down five 3-pointers, and also recorded five blocks in the game. An NBA comparison for Liddell is Jae Crowder.
Ohio State earned a seven-seed in the tourney and will take on the 10-seed Loyola Chicago Ramblers Friday, March 18th, at 12:15 pm.