Ohio State center Micah Potter injured his ankle in the Buckeyes’ 80-55 win against Northeastern on Nov. 19 at the Schottenstein Center. Credit: Jacob Myers | Managing Editor for Content

Ohio State’s already thin bench will be even thinner against national runner-up Gonzaga with the absence of Micah Potter.

Ohio State announced Potter will not play Thursday in the first game of the PK80 in Portland, Oregon, against Gonzaga and freshman forward Kaleb Wesson will make his first start in place of Potter. The sophomore center injured his ankle late in the second half Sunday against Northeastern and did not return to that game.

Potter has started every game for Ohio State so far this season and is averaging 8.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.3 minutes played per game.

Wesson has split time with Potter at the five, averaging 19.7 minutes per game, but will be called upon for big minutes against a tall, physical Gonzaga lineup. The freshman is averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.