Chris Holtmann provides update on Ohio State guard ahead of Big Ten showdown

No. 16 Ohio State is hoping to pull the upset against No. 6 Purdue on the road on Sunday. However, they may have to do it without one of their key players in guard Jamari Wheeler.

On Sunday, Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann provided insight into his status for the Big Ten showdown.

“Ohio State’s Jamari Wheeler (foot) remains a game-time decision for today’s game against Purdue, per Chris Holtmann,” revealed CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. “Averages 7.1 PPG. Has not played since 1/18. Noon ET on CBS.”

On the season, Wheeler is averaging 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. His best game of the season came earlier in January against Nebraska, when he scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds.

Since a disappointing loss to Wisconsin earlier this month, Ohio State is on a three-game win streak. First, they rebounded with a 61-56 victory over Penn State. Then, they took care of business against the IUPUI Jaguars, defeating them by a score of 83-37. Finally, they defeated Big Ten rival Minnesota, gaining a road victory over the Golden Gophers.

With Wheeler out, forward E.J. Liddell has had to pick up the slack. The Buckeyes star is having a tremendous season, averaging 19.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

However, the Buckeyes will have their hands full against the Boilermakers. Purdue boasts talented stars like guard Jaden Ivey (16.6 points per game) and center Zach Edey (14.8 points per game). Ohio State will have to slow them down if they’re to find an upset victory.

The Buckeyes take on the Boilermakers on Sunday from Mackey Arena. Tip-off between Ohio State and Purdue will take place at 12:00 PM EST on CBS. We’ll see if Jamari Wheeler is able to help contribute for the Buckeyes.

More on Ohio State, Injuries

While Wheeler is a game-time decision, Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing has been dealing with an abdominal injury throughout the 2021-22 season. However, good news has come through the grapevine — the forward is on the right track to recovery, according to Buckeyes’ head coach Chris Holtmann.

During a press conference on Monday, Holtmann shared that Sueing – a 6-foot-7, 215-pound big who’s played in just two games for Ohio State this season – is “starting to do some things in practice.” Holtmann noted that Sueing’s been experiencing some soreness and isn’t close to being back, but said that “he’s taking steps.”

Sueing, a former On3 Consensus three-star recruit out of the Class of 2017 who played his first two seasons at Cal, averaged six points and 3.5 rebounds over his two games played with Ohio State this season. He put up 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Buckeyes in 2020-21.

Ohio State has been managing to play without Sueing throughout the year, as the Buckeyes are currently 13-4 overall with a 6-2 mark in Big Ten play.