Should A’mare Bynum Start Against North Carolina? Ohio State Faces Big Decision Ahead of CBS Sports Classic Showdown
Ohio State has a tall task-literally and figuratively-this Saturday when they take on No. 12 North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic.
The Tar Heels come into the matchup not just with a 10-1 record, but as the tallest team in the country, per KenPom. For the Buckeyes, who sit at 8-2 and are still searching for their first win over a ranked opponent this season, the challenge is clear: they’ll need to find ways to neutralize UNC’s size and physicality.
That’s where freshman forward A’mare Bynum could come into play in a big way.
Bynum’s Breakout and the Rotation Dilemma
Bynum is coming off the best performance of his young career, putting up 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Ohio State’s double-overtime win over West Virginia. He added nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in 38 minutes of action-career-highs nearly across the board. He was one rebound short of his second double-double of the season and, more importantly, looked like one of the most impactful players on the floor in a gritty, emotional win.
That kind of performance raises a legitimate question: should Ohio State shake up its starting lineup and insert Bynum in place of sixth-year senior Brandon Noel?
So far, Noel has held down the starting power forward spot, but the numbers tell a story of a near-even timeshare. Noel is averaging 22.4 minutes per game, while Bynum is right behind him at 22.0. And while Noel had a monster 29-point game earlier this season against Northwestern, he’s been largely outplayed by Bynum in recent weeks.
Head coach Jake Diebler didn’t tip his hand when asked about a potential lineup change, but he did make it clear that Bynum has earned “starter’s minutes” and the trust to play through mistakes. That’s a big vote of confidence for a freshman, and it speaks volumes about how quickly Bynum has earned his place in the rotation.
But with the biggest, most physically imposing team in college basketball looming on Saturday, the question remains: is it time to make the switch?
The Case For Starting Bynum
Let’s start with the obvious: Ohio State has had a habit of starting slow. Against West Virginia, they managed just 11 points in the game’s first 10 minutes.
Against Illinois, they trailed 24-15 at the under-12 timeout. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 16-4 lead.
Appalachian State led by double digits for most of the first half in Columbus.
This isn’t a one-off issue-it’s a trend. And if you’re trying to avoid digging early holes, it makes sense to put your most energetic, high-impact players on the floor from the opening tip.
That’s where Bynum comes in. He brings juice to every possession.
He’s a strong cutter, can dish when he draws multiple defenders, and is arguably the team’s best dunker. He doesn’t just show up-he makes things happen.
Starting Bynum isn’t about giving him a title or increasing his minutes-he’s already playing as much as Noel. It’s about setting the tone early. If Ohio State wants to match UNC’s physicality and throw the first punch, Bynum might be the guy to do it.
And when you stack up their season-long impact, Bynum’s consistency has quietly outpaced Noel’s. Even with Noel’s standout night against Northwestern, Bynum has been the more dynamic presence game-to-game. If the Buckeyes want to come out swinging against the Tar Heels, starting Bynum could be the spark they need.
The Case Against Starting Bynum
On the flip side, there’s a strong argument for keeping things as they are.
For starters, Bynum is already playing significant minutes-he logged 38 against West Virginia, while Noel played just 17. And when it mattered most-late in regulation and both overtimes-it was Bynum on the floor, not Noel. That tells you exactly where Diebler’s trust lies in crunch time.
Noel, for his part, has had his moments this season. The 29-point outburst against Northwestern was a reminder of what he’s capable of when he’s locked in. And while his overall production is nearly identical to Bynum’s-8.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game to Bynum’s 8.4 and 4.4-Noel is shooting a blistering 67.9% from the field compared to Bynum’s still-solid 54.1%.
The current rotation also gives Ohio State a nice balance. Noel starts, Bynum comes in early, and the Buckeyes get a fresh jolt of energy off the bench. That rhythm has worked well in several games, and there’s value in having a player like Bynum come in and immediately change the tempo.
If Bynum continues to get 22-25 minutes per game-and closes out games-does it really matter who’s on the floor for the first five minutes?
The Bigger Picture
Ohio State has a strong track record in the CBS Sports Classic-6-1 against Kentucky and UCLA-but they’re 0-3 against North Carolina. Saturday’s game isn’t just a measuring stick; it’s a chance to pick up a signature win, the kind that could carry serious weight come March.
Whether or not Bynum starts, he’s going to play a major role. But if the Buckeyes want to avoid another sluggish start and put early pressure on the Tar Heels, giving Bynum the nod might be the move that sets the tone.
One thing’s for sure: the freshman has earned the trust of his coaches and the respect of his teammates. And against the biggest team in the country, that kind of fearless energy might be exactly what Ohio State needs.