The start of the season for Ohio has not gone as planned in multiple ways. Everybody knew about the gauntlet of an opening schedule for the Bobcats, but few could’ve predicted the start to the season being this poor.
Ohio was just 1-6 coming into the Convo for a Wednesday night game against Maine, a game that it won to get back on track before Marshall visits on Saturday.
One positive thing that wasn’t planned coming into this season has been the play of JJ Kelly, who has surprised in the best way as a true freshman forward from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
“I think for a freshman, he doesn't play like a freshman,” Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. “Defensively, especially.”
From the jump, Kelly has shown maturity on the defensive side of the ball, as he was thrown into the flames in the opening game of the season against Arkansas State as a defensive sub late in the game.
Since that first game, he has done nothing but grow and show his potential and skill, especially defensively.
Coming into the game against Maine, he was averaging 4.3 points and 3.9 rebounds a game on the year while shooting over 50% from the field as well.
His counting numbers on defense weren’t eye-popping, with two steals and four blocks on the year, but his energy and activeness were undeniable, especially for a true freshman.
Against the Black Bears, he had his best game of his young career, finishing with a career high 14 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks. He was all over the place for the Bobcats in a much-needed 79-57 win.
“He's strong, he's physical, he's super athletic,” Boals said of Kelly. “(He had) four offensive rebounds and kept probably two or three more alive.”
While he has stood out on defense, Kelly had his best offensive game of the season tonight, dropping a career high in points on great efficiency, as he started the game 5-6 from the floor.
His aggressiveness shines on the boards, and he snatched four offensive rebounds against Maine, giving the Ohio offense some needed extra possessions.
Kelly’s game has shown real versatility as well, as he does not let his athleticism limit him to just getting his shots at the rim, as he had real confidence coming off a screen at the top of the key and knocking down an open three.
“Offensively, I’ll say just finding the open spots,” Kelly said on what went into his performance. “When the team is double-teaming my bigs, just find an open spot, getting in the gap. I'm taking the easy shots, one by one… make the game easy for myself.”
The impact he makes defensively was on full display right from the opening tip as Kelly made his first start at home for Ohio. The two blocks he has were highlight reel worthy, as it feels that Kelly makes jaw-dropping defensive plays at the rim almost every game.
“I feel like my athleticism is a big play in it,” Kelly said on how he is able to be so impactful defensively. “I might see something last second or a little late, but my body will give me enough time to recover, get there in time and make the defensive play.”
His big night led the Bobcats to a much-needed win after the slow start. Although Maine is a winless team, Ohio needed every ounce of momentum it could heading into a huge rivalry matchup this Saturday against Marshall, a game that will be a first for Kelly.
“JJ never played Marshall before because he’s a freshman, but I played Marshall three times when I was at Toledo,” Ohio forward Javan Simmons said. “So I know what type of game that's gonna be, that's gonna be physical, that's gonna be a grind.”
