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LGHL Taison Chatman injury will test Ohio State’s youth, backcourt depth
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Taison Chatman injury will test Ohio State’s youth, backcourt depth
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The sophomore guard will miss the entire 2024-2025 season after suffering a torn ACL.
The highest-rated member of Ohio State’s highly-lauded 2023 recruiting class will have to wait yet another year to have a full, “normal” season.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Ohio State men’s basketball program released a statement saying that Chatman, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound guard from Minneapolis, underwent a successful knee surgery Tuesday afternoon after sustaining an injury during practice recently.
The Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy reported on Wednesday afternoon that Chatman suffered a torn left ACL in a recent practice, resulting from an awkward landing. It is the same knee that Chatman hurt last fall — a meniscus injury that cost the sophomore all of his pre-season last year as well as the first three weeks of the regular season. The team has not confirmed the specific type of knee injury Chatman sustained.
“I’m incredibly sad for Taison that he’s going to miss the entire year,” head coach Jake Diebler said. “After a tough start to his collegiate career, he worked his way back and played a role for us at the end of last season. He continued that development this spring and was working out really well. I was looking forward to watching him take the next step this year. But I know he’ll work hard and get back to form as soon as he can.”
In the statement, Ohio State made it clear that Chatman’s meniscus injury was fully healed and was not a factor in this injury. Once he returned last season, Chatman appeared in 16 games last year, scoring a total of 15 points. He knocked down a three-pointer in four of his final five games last season.
Chatman was rumored to be a potential transfer candidate once the season ended, after he averaged just over four minutes per game as a freshman. However, he announced on April 11 that he would be running it back with the Buckeyes as a sophomore. Chatman was expected to see an increase in playing time this season as one of the main backup options to Bruce Thornton and Meechie Johnson, who are both expected to start.
In his absence, Ohio State’s backcourt depth — and youth — will be tested. Freshman guard John Mobley Jr. was considered one of the best shooters in all of high school basketball the last two seasons, and we will see early on if Mobley’s scoring ability translates to the college level. With Chatman out, Mobley will potentially be the first guard to back up the starting duo of Thornton and Johnson.
The loss of Chatman could also lead to an increase in minutes for Evan Mahaffey, who played 22 minutes per game last season. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward was third on Ohio State with 1.7 assists per game last season, and handled the basketball more than even he probably anticipated. He dished out three or more assists on five different occasions last season, including a career-high six assists during a loss to Penn State on December 9, 2023. Mahaffey’s minutes dwindled a bit when Chris Holtmann was fired and Jake Diebler took over, but even under Diebler, Mahaffey still played 15-20 minutes per game for the final 11 games of the year.
Incoming transfer Micah Parrish may also see more duties at point guard and shooting guard. The fifth-year guard/forward played two seasons at Oakland and two more at San Diego State before transferring to Ohio State in late April. Parrish averaged 1.9 assists per game last season at SDSU, which was the third-highest on the team.
While relying on players like Mobley and Mahaffey in such a heavy fashion isn’t ideal for a team looking to punch its first NCAA Tournament ticket since 2022 and make its first Sweet Sixteen since 2013, the Buckeyes do have one scholarship remaining. It’s been reported that the Buckeyes plan to use that scholarship on a post player, potentially of the overseas variety.
However, with this news, it’s possible that Diebler and his staff pivot from that, and instead pursue a backcourt player to complement Thornton, Johnson, and Mobley. If they go that route, it is unlikely that they would pursue a guard who is in search of a starting role or that would compete for Johnson or Thornton’s minutes. As of now there is no information suggesting Diebler and staff plan to add a guard in response to the Chatman injury.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The sophomore guard will miss the entire 2024-2025 season after suffering a torn ACL.
The highest-rated member of Ohio State’s highly-lauded 2023 recruiting class will have to wait yet another year to have a full, “normal” season.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Ohio State men’s basketball program released a statement saying that Chatman, a 6-foot-4, 175-pound guard from Minneapolis, underwent a successful knee surgery Tuesday afternoon after sustaining an injury during practice recently.
The Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy reported on Wednesday afternoon that Chatman suffered a torn left ACL in a recent practice, resulting from an awkward landing. It is the same knee that Chatman hurt last fall — a meniscus injury that cost the sophomore all of his pre-season last year as well as the first three weeks of the regular season. The team has not confirmed the specific type of knee injury Chatman sustained.
“I’m incredibly sad for Taison that he’s going to miss the entire year,” head coach Jake Diebler said. “After a tough start to his collegiate career, he worked his way back and played a role for us at the end of last season. He continued that development this spring and was working out really well. I was looking forward to watching him take the next step this year. But I know he’ll work hard and get back to form as soon as he can.”
In the statement, Ohio State made it clear that Chatman’s meniscus injury was fully healed and was not a factor in this injury. Once he returned last season, Chatman appeared in 16 games last year, scoring a total of 15 points. He knocked down a three-pointer in four of his final five games last season.
Chatman was rumored to be a potential transfer candidate once the season ended, after he averaged just over four minutes per game as a freshman. However, he announced on April 11 that he would be running it back with the Buckeyes as a sophomore. Chatman was expected to see an increase in playing time this season as one of the main backup options to Bruce Thornton and Meechie Johnson, who are both expected to start.
In his absence, Ohio State’s backcourt depth — and youth — will be tested. Freshman guard John Mobley Jr. was considered one of the best shooters in all of high school basketball the last two seasons, and we will see early on if Mobley’s scoring ability translates to the college level. With Chatman out, Mobley will potentially be the first guard to back up the starting duo of Thornton and Johnson.
The loss of Chatman could also lead to an increase in minutes for Evan Mahaffey, who played 22 minutes per game last season. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward was third on Ohio State with 1.7 assists per game last season, and handled the basketball more than even he probably anticipated. He dished out three or more assists on five different occasions last season, including a career-high six assists during a loss to Penn State on December 9, 2023. Mahaffey’s minutes dwindled a bit when Chris Holtmann was fired and Jake Diebler took over, but even under Diebler, Mahaffey still played 15-20 minutes per game for the final 11 games of the year.
Incoming transfer Micah Parrish may also see more duties at point guard and shooting guard. The fifth-year guard/forward played two seasons at Oakland and two more at San Diego State before transferring to Ohio State in late April. Parrish averaged 1.9 assists per game last season at SDSU, which was the third-highest on the team.
While relying on players like Mobley and Mahaffey in such a heavy fashion isn’t ideal for a team looking to punch its first NCAA Tournament ticket since 2022 and make its first Sweet Sixteen since 2013, the Buckeyes do have one scholarship remaining. It’s been reported that the Buckeyes plan to use that scholarship on a post player, potentially of the overseas variety.
However, with this news, it’s possible that Diebler and his staff pivot from that, and instead pursue a backcourt player to complement Thornton, Johnson, and Mobley. If they go that route, it is unlikely that they would pursue a guard who is in search of a starting role or that would compete for Johnson or Thornton’s minutes. As of now there is no information suggesting Diebler and staff plan to add a guard in response to the Chatman injury.
Continue reading...
LGHL This or That: Which is more important to the success of Ohio State’s offense in 2024, ground game or passing attack?
- News
- 0 Replies
This or That: Which is more important to the success of Ohio State’s offense in 2024, ground game or passing attack?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Will the Buckeyes lean on “Thunder and Lightning”, or their deep and (insanely) talented group of pass catchers?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the Buckeyes we expect to excel this season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “This or That” articles here.
Heading into the 2024 college football season, Ohio State boasts and/or can lay claim to an embarrassment of riches. We’re talking players, coaches, you name it — OSU is absolutely loaded.
While this is nothing new for the program, the level of optimism, the morale, the expectations even, all seem to be much higher (currently) than they were heading into last season, despite the loss(es) of Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, Tommy Eichenberg, and other key contributors.
And we all know why, right? Although the Buckeyes lost the trio above – as well as their starting quarterback – they still retained the lion’s share of their roster and added players such as Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, and Jeremiah Smith. On the coaching side of things, Ryan Day’s mentor Chip Kelly was brought in to free up Day and take over as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator, while Matt Guerrerri was brought back to Columbus as a subject matter expert on all things Knowles.
So we’re talking better players and better coaches for a team that was ranked No. 2 on/as of Black Friday last year.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25495992/usa_today_22696107.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Suffice it to say, OSU should be feeling good (and plenty confident) as they approach the upcoming season... On paper. But games and outcomes are determined on the field. And even the most talented, best coached teams in the world – in every sport – lose. Which is why it is imperative that the Buckeye are firing on all cylinders throughout the entirety of the 2024 season if they hope to win 11 or 12 regular season games, defeat their rival, make the first 12-team College Football Playoff, and eventually play for a national title.
That said, I absolutely, unequivocally, 100% believe that Ohio State has a championship-level defense. So it stands to reason, at least in my mind, that the team’s CFP title hopes will hinge on its level of offensive execution/production. Simply put (asked): Can OSU’s offense pull its own weight?
I, for one, definitely think that it can and it will. But I also find myself asking: How, exactly, will the Buckeyes succeed and put up copious amounts of points on offense? Which is more important; which will Day, Kelly, and Co. prefer to lean on, ground game or passing attack?... This or That?
Both facets of the Ohio State offense have potential to be borderline unstoppable. But in my opinion, a strong, efficient ground game is going to be much more important to this particular team’s success. Certainly more so than a dynamic passing attack.
And my reason for thinking the ground game trumps the passing attack is simple: OSU is custom-built to run the ball this season. I mean, the Buckeyes have TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in their backfield. They will likely have Will Howard taking most of the snaps at quarterback, a 6-foot-5, 242-pound wrecking ball with 19 career rushing touchdowns. And last but not least, they brought in Chip Kelly to call plays, a coach who seemingly loves nothing more than to run the ball.
So the Buckeyes have already leaned heavily into the run, even if doing so was not part of Day’s long-term plan as of, say, Jan. 7 (one day before Judkins committed), five days before Henderson announced his return, and several days before Kelly was named OC.
Another reason I tend to gravitate toward the ground game being more important to Ohio State’s offensive success is the undeniable fact that it (poor production/efficiency on the ground) has cost the team multiple big, important, title hopes hanging in the balance-type games in each of the past three seasons. OSU has not been able to run against TTUN since Justin Fields was in Columbus, and not coincidentally, the Buckeyes have a three-game losing streak against their rival. But the same problem – not being able to run the ball effectively – has also plagued the Scarlet and Gray in bowl games and against lesser opponents.
Take the 2022 Peach Bowl, for example. Sure, Ohio State experienced a few bad breaks, but they also failed to establish the run and barely possessed the ball in the fourth quarter. And they still almost won! But a few more first downs and minutes off the clock probably would have iced it (for OSU). Then there’s the 2023 Cotton Bowl... Actually, you know what? Let’s not. If you’re reading this, you know what happened.
A common theme in all those losses was the Buckeyes’ inability pound the rock. Yes, there were others (common themes), but I will and/or would be shocked if Day and Kelly don’t do everything in their collective power to prevent Ohio State’s running game – or lack thereof – from costing the team another big game. Plus, like I said, OSU is literally built to run the ball. They have the perfect roster for it, even if you, me, and all of Buckeye Nation have questions about the offensive line.
But that’s a different topic for a different day...
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Will the Buckeyes lean on “Thunder and Lightning”, or their deep and (insanely) talented group of pass catchers?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about the Buckeyes we expect to excel this season. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “This or That” articles here.
Heading into the 2024 college football season, Ohio State boasts and/or can lay claim to an embarrassment of riches. We’re talking players, coaches, you name it — OSU is absolutely loaded.
While this is nothing new for the program, the level of optimism, the morale, the expectations even, all seem to be much higher (currently) than they were heading into last season, despite the loss(es) of Marvin Harrison Jr., Cade Stover, Tommy Eichenberg, and other key contributors.
And we all know why, right? Although the Buckeyes lost the trio above – as well as their starting quarterback – they still retained the lion’s share of their roster and added players such as Caleb Downs, Quinshon Judkins, and Jeremiah Smith. On the coaching side of things, Ryan Day’s mentor Chip Kelly was brought in to free up Day and take over as Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator, while Matt Guerrerri was brought back to Columbus as a subject matter expert on all things Knowles.
So we’re talking better players and better coaches for a team that was ranked No. 2 on/as of Black Friday last year.
Suffice it to say, OSU should be feeling good (and plenty confident) as they approach the upcoming season... On paper. But games and outcomes are determined on the field. And even the most talented, best coached teams in the world – in every sport – lose. Which is why it is imperative that the Buckeye are firing on all cylinders throughout the entirety of the 2024 season if they hope to win 11 or 12 regular season games, defeat their rival, make the first 12-team College Football Playoff, and eventually play for a national title.
That said, I absolutely, unequivocally, 100% believe that Ohio State has a championship-level defense. So it stands to reason, at least in my mind, that the team’s CFP title hopes will hinge on its level of offensive execution/production. Simply put (asked): Can OSU’s offense pull its own weight?
I, for one, definitely think that it can and it will. But I also find myself asking: How, exactly, will the Buckeyes succeed and put up copious amounts of points on offense? Which is more important; which will Day, Kelly, and Co. prefer to lean on, ground game or passing attack?... This or That?
Both facets of the Ohio State offense have potential to be borderline unstoppable. But in my opinion, a strong, efficient ground game is going to be much more important to this particular team’s success. Certainly more so than a dynamic passing attack.
And my reason for thinking the ground game trumps the passing attack is simple: OSU is custom-built to run the ball this season. I mean, the Buckeyes have TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in their backfield. They will likely have Will Howard taking most of the snaps at quarterback, a 6-foot-5, 242-pound wrecking ball with 19 career rushing touchdowns. And last but not least, they brought in Chip Kelly to call plays, a coach who seemingly loves nothing more than to run the ball.
So the Buckeyes have already leaned heavily into the run, even if doing so was not part of Day’s long-term plan as of, say, Jan. 7 (one day before Judkins committed), five days before Henderson announced his return, and several days before Kelly was named OC.
Another reason I tend to gravitate toward the ground game being more important to Ohio State’s offensive success is the undeniable fact that it (poor production/efficiency on the ground) has cost the team multiple big, important, title hopes hanging in the balance-type games in each of the past three seasons. OSU has not been able to run against TTUN since Justin Fields was in Columbus, and not coincidentally, the Buckeyes have a three-game losing streak against their rival. But the same problem – not being able to run the ball effectively – has also plagued the Scarlet and Gray in bowl games and against lesser opponents.
Take the 2022 Peach Bowl, for example. Sure, Ohio State experienced a few bad breaks, but they also failed to establish the run and barely possessed the ball in the fourth quarter. And they still almost won! But a few more first downs and minutes off the clock probably would have iced it (for OSU). Then there’s the 2023 Cotton Bowl... Actually, you know what? Let’s not. If you’re reading this, you know what happened.
A common theme in all those losses was the Buckeyes’ inability pound the rock. Yes, there were others (common themes), but I will and/or would be shocked if Day and Kelly don’t do everything in their collective power to prevent Ohio State’s running game – or lack thereof – from costing the team another big game. Plus, like I said, OSU is literally built to run the ball. They have the perfect roster for it, even if you, me, and all of Buckeye Nation have questions about the offensive line.
But that’s a different topic for a different day...
Continue reading...
