Ohio State’s freshman forward Amare Bynum loves to show up to practice every day. If you spot the 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward during practice, pre-game shoot around, or on the bench during a game, odds are he’s smiling. Even when getting chewed out at practice for a misstep, it’s impossible to dampen the enthusiasm Bynum brings to the Ohio State men’s basketball program on a day-to-day basis.
In a recent interview with the “Drive the Lane” Podcast, Bruce Thornton told former Ohio State guard Joey
Lane and co-host Andrew Zoldan that even when coaches are showing Bynum some tough love in practice, he just keeps on smiling.
“That’s just how he is,” Thornton said.
“He could get cussed at and yelled at in practice, and like, he’s literally just still smiling….that’s just how he is. He doesn’t take anything personal. He’s just trying to get better.”
After Ohio State’s 89-63 win over Grambling State on December 23, John Mobley Jr. was asked if Bynum, who was sitting directly next to him and smiling during the post-game press conference, is always this jovial, or if it’s a schtick he puts on in front of the fans.
“No, he’s literally always smiling. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen this guy get mad,” Mobley said.
Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler has spoken at length about the “infectious joy” Bynum brings to the program and how the freshman has quickly become one of his favorite players he’s had the opportunity to coach. He’s also compared Bynum’s progression this season and blossoming leadership to Thornton’s freshman self.
However, Bynum has the opportunity this week to accomplish something Thornton did not as a freshman – win an NCAA Tournament game. On Sunday night, Ohio State earned an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and will take on 9-seed TCU Thursday afternoon for an opportunity to move on and face the winner of top-seeded Duke and 16-seed Siena on Saturday.
Ohio State would likely not be in this position without Bynum, who has taken his game to another level in the month of March. Since the calendar flipped from February to March, Ohio State is 4-1 and Bynum is averaging 12.4 points and six rebounds per game. He’s shooting 60.5% in the month of March and is playing just under 32 minutes per game so far during the month.
Bynum took control of Ohio State’s Senior Day win over Indiana, helping the Buckeyes build a massive lead that they would never surrender. On a day when Thornton was destined to break the Ohio State all-time scoring record, the Hoosiers were keyed in on him early, leaving open space on the floor for Bynum to navigate.
The freshman crushed the Hoosiers in the first half, scoring 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including going 2-for-2 from long range all in the first 20 minutes. Four is his six baskets were assisted by Thornton, who was content not forcing the issue early and instead finding the oft-open Bynum, who was either rattling the rim or making it rain from beyond the arc.
As Ohio State inches closer to its first NCAA Tournament game in four years this week, Diebler was asked about Bynum on Sunday night. Diebler said that he wants Bynum to continue to be himself even as the season reaches postseason time, but reminded everyone that even though he’s a freshman, Bynum is ready for this moment.
“I expect him (A’mare) to keep doing what he’s doing,” Diebler said. “The one issue I’ve had with him — and I had to tell him on Friday (against Michigan), I had to pull him aside on the way over to the huddle at a timeout — I said ‘Hey man, stay aggressive, we need you to stay aggressive,’ He’s been playing at a really high level, we’ve seen a maturation in his game as the season has progressed, (and) we obviously have a great deal of belief in him. He’s earned everything that he’s gotten this year, and he’s earned the ability to impact winning for this team like he has. I just want him to keep being himself — I think that’s the message to him (as a) young player on the biggest stage. He’s ready. I think that’s exciting.”
Even in a loss against Big Ten champion Michigan on Friday, Bynum still found ways to impact the game. He finished with just five points on 1-for-5 shooting, but also had six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 34 minutes as the Buckeyes battled the Wolverines down to the final few seconds.
The plan leading into this season was not to rely on Bynum to play 30+ minutes per game, but the freshman has become nearly indispensable as Ohio State approaches its biggest game in four years Thursday afternoon. Diebler knows that Bynum and the Buckeyes are ready for the challenge.
“That kind of core five guys that have been the heavy minute guys for us this year (Bynum, Thornton, and Mobley), Devin and Tilly included in that, these guys are ready. You could see it in their eyes when they saw their name up there.”
