Isaac Likekele to miss Rutgers game because of 'family matter'
COLUMBUS — Ohio State starting guard Isaac Likekele will miss Thursday night’s Big Ten opener against Rutgers. Likekele, a grad transfer from Oklahoma State, has returned home to Texas, where he’s attending to a “family matter,” according to Ohio State Athletics.
Likekele has started all eight games for the Buckeyes this year. He’s averaging 4.5 points, 3.1 assists and 6.3 rebounds per contest. But the Arlington native provides head coach Chris Holtmann’s team a lot more than the box score suggests.
He’s often tasked with defending the opponent’s best perimeter playmaker. For instance, in the second game of the Maui Invitational, Likekele held Cincinnati’s Landers Nolley II — who erupted for nine 3-pointers and 33 points against now-No. 10 Arizona — to just two points.
Likekele was a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 nominee before making the move to Columbus. Likekele’s 160 steals at Oklahoma State were eighth most in program history.
Along with freshman point guard Bruce Thornton, Likekele is one of the Buckeyes’ primary ball handlers. Likekele has started 118 of the 122 games he’s played in his career, and this is the first season he’s under 2.0 turnovers per game. Likekele is averaging only 1.3 per contest with Ohio State.
Likekele is coming off a strong offensive performance against St. Francis. He matched a season high with four field goals, finishing with eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Without Likekele, freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh — who leads the team with 14.3 points per game — or senior Wright State transfer Tanner Holden could be in line for the available spot in the starting five Thursday night against Rutgers.
Junior guard Eugene Brown III remains in concussion protocol and will be sidelined for the Buckeyes’ first game of Big Ten play as well.
Rutgers enters the matchup sixth in KenPom defensive adjusted efficiency.
