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LGHL You’re Nuts: What is your biggest concern about the Ohio State men’s basketball roster?
- News
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You’re Nuts: What is your biggest concern about the Ohio State men’s basketball roster?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
To go along with LGHL’s weekly theme, we’re looking for cracks in the 2024-2025 roster as currently constructed.
As we now roll into the dog days of summer without basketball, we’ll join the rest of the LGHL staff with theme weeks for much of the off-season. This week’s theme is “Biggest Concerns” so we’ll take a look at the state of the Buckeye basketball program and give our biggest concerns about the team heading into the 2024-2025 season.
Last week’s debate was well-intended but irrelevant about an hour later, as we debated which transfer player Ohio State should go after if Sean Stewart wound up somewhere other than Columbus. Almost immediately after publishing, the former McDonald’s All-American and rising sophomore announced he was, in fact transferring to Ohio State.
Justin went with Samford transfer Achor Achor, and 59% of the readers agreed with him. Connor (and 23% of the readers) picked former Creighton and Kansas State forward Arthur Kaluma, and the remaining 18% picked “other.”
Connor- 75
Ohio State has one scholarship remaining, and it will likely be used on a backup center or post player to play behind Aaron Bradshaw and potentially compete with Austin Parks for minutes. Since that player isn’t likely to be an impact addition (relatively speaking), it could be a few weeks before the Buckeyes use the scholarship. Therefore, it’s pretty safe to look at the roster as a finished product.
Even if you love the team that’s currently constructed, you certainly have at least one or two questions, no? Here are our biggest concerns with this team.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25441272/usa_today_22196352.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Queens University of Charlotte at Duke")
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Diebler and his new staff (but mostly Diebler) have been uber-aggressive in the transfer portal this off-season. It’s been a stark contrast from the way former head coach Chris Holtmann approached the portal — Holtmann mostly added ancillary pieces to the equation to support what was already in place. Jamison Battle and CJ Walker are two exceptions, but there were far more Joey Brunks and Isaac Likekeles added via the transfer portal under Holtmann than Walkers or Battles.
The first-year head coach went after starting-caliber players in the portal right off the rip, adding Meechie Johnson within the first few weeks of the off-season. Johnson returns to Ohio State after playing the last two years at South Carolina but was a Buckeye for two years before that. Micah Parrish also transferred in after averaging 8.4 points per game at San Diego State the last two seasons. Parrish is a reliable, safe addition — he’ll probably average somewhere between 8-10 points per game and will play solid defense in a starting or “first off the bench” role.
But the x-factors that will ultimately decide how good this team is? That would be Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart — two former McDonald’s All-Americans who played at Kentucky and Duke last season, respectively. They were both top-20 recruits in the class of 2023, but neither played significant roles at Blue Blood programs last year.
The two of them combined to score 7.5 points per game last season, with Bradshaw playing just under 14 minutes per game and Stewart playing just a tad over eight minutes per game. Bradshaw was universally mocked as an early to mid-first-round NBA Draft pick last fall, even after breaking his foot in the summer and missing five months. Both he and Stewart have sky-high potential — potential that, if it translates to on-the-court production, could make Ohio State a Big Ten title contender.
But that right there is my biggest concern. There will be quite a lot of pressure and expectations put on two sophomores who did not play much last season at Kentucky and Duke. Both Bradshaw and Stewart could wind up averaging 10+ points and/or 10+ rebounds per game. Either of them could be First Team All-Big Ten selections if they hit their ceiling at Ohio State.
But not every McDonald’s All-American turns into a great college player. Some are just okay. A few fizzle out. For this Ohio State team to compete at the top of this 18-team Big Ten and make its first Sweet Sixteen in 12 years, neither Bradshaw nor Stewart can fizzle out. Heck, I’m not sure if this team can afford for either of them to fall into the “just okay” category. Both need to play big roles and be very impactful this season, and that just seems like a murky bet to make on two players who started a combined 10 games last year and combined to hit a combined three shots per game.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25441484/usa_today_22812996.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
As the Ohio State men’s basketball roster shapes up for the 2024-25 season, we have a good picture of who will be suiting up for the Buckeyes.
And I know some people have concerns about the three-point shooting, but I have been pretty vocal that I think that aspect of this team is better than it is getting credit for, and that will show. I am actually not too worried about that part.
Ohio State has added four transfers and has room for one more. That is looking like it will be a backup center after losing Felix Okpara and Zed Key to the transfer portal, so the starting lineup looks like it is set.
Heading into the next season, the starting lineup will likely be Bruce Thornton, Meechie Johnson, Micah Parrish, Sean Stewart, and Aaron Bradshaw. This would be Thornton returning as the starting point guard for the third straight season and then four transfers.
There is a chance sophomore Devin Royal will start at the four in front of Stewart, but I think Stewart will slide in there to add some length and height to the starting rotation.
So, while that starting lineup has a ton of potential and talent, new head coach Jake Diebler will be tasked with getting the lineup to work together and mesh from day one, with four transfers not only playing significant rotation minutes but starting. It will also be the responsibility of Bruce Thornton to make this work, not only as the returning starter but also as the returning starting point guard.
The talent on this team is undeniable, and as long as the team chemistry is there, next year could be a return to the norm for Ohio State hoops, which is competing for a conference title.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
To go along with LGHL’s weekly theme, we’re looking for cracks in the 2024-2025 roster as currently constructed.
As we now roll into the dog days of summer without basketball, we’ll join the rest of the LGHL staff with theme weeks for much of the off-season. This week’s theme is “Biggest Concerns” so we’ll take a look at the state of the Buckeye basketball program and give our biggest concerns about the team heading into the 2024-2025 season.
Last week’s debate was well-intended but irrelevant about an hour later, as we debated which transfer player Ohio State should go after if Sean Stewart wound up somewhere other than Columbus. Almost immediately after publishing, the former McDonald’s All-American and rising sophomore announced he was, in fact transferring to Ohio State.
Justin went with Samford transfer Achor Achor, and 59% of the readers agreed with him. Connor (and 23% of the readers) picked former Creighton and Kansas State forward Arthur Kaluma, and the remaining 18% picked “other.”
After 151 weeks:
Connor- 75
Justin- 56
Other- 16
(There have been four ties)
Ohio State has one scholarship remaining, and it will likely be used on a backup center or post player to play behind Aaron Bradshaw and potentially compete with Austin Parks for minutes. Since that player isn’t likely to be an impact addition (relatively speaking), it could be a few weeks before the Buckeyes use the scholarship. Therefore, it’s pretty safe to look at the roster as a finished product.
Even if you love the team that’s currently constructed, you certainly have at least one or two questions, no? Here are our biggest concerns with this team.
This week’s question: What is your biggest concern about the Ohio State men’s basketball roster?
Connor: What if the five stars don’t pan out?
Jake Diebler and his new staff (but mostly Diebler) have been uber-aggressive in the transfer portal this off-season. It’s been a stark contrast from the way former head coach Chris Holtmann approached the portal — Holtmann mostly added ancillary pieces to the equation to support what was already in place. Jamison Battle and CJ Walker are two exceptions, but there were far more Joey Brunks and Isaac Likekeles added via the transfer portal under Holtmann than Walkers or Battles.
The first-year head coach went after starting-caliber players in the portal right off the rip, adding Meechie Johnson within the first few weeks of the off-season. Johnson returns to Ohio State after playing the last two years at South Carolina but was a Buckeye for two years before that. Micah Parrish also transferred in after averaging 8.4 points per game at San Diego State the last two seasons. Parrish is a reliable, safe addition — he’ll probably average somewhere between 8-10 points per game and will play solid defense in a starting or “first off the bench” role.
But the x-factors that will ultimately decide how good this team is? That would be Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart — two former McDonald’s All-Americans who played at Kentucky and Duke last season, respectively. They were both top-20 recruits in the class of 2023, but neither played significant roles at Blue Blood programs last year.
The two of them combined to score 7.5 points per game last season, with Bradshaw playing just under 14 minutes per game and Stewart playing just a tad over eight minutes per game. Bradshaw was universally mocked as an early to mid-first-round NBA Draft pick last fall, even after breaking his foot in the summer and missing five months. Both he and Stewart have sky-high potential — potential that, if it translates to on-the-court production, could make Ohio State a Big Ten title contender.
But that right there is my biggest concern. There will be quite a lot of pressure and expectations put on two sophomores who did not play much last season at Kentucky and Duke. Both Bradshaw and Stewart could wind up averaging 10+ points and/or 10+ rebounds per game. Either of them could be First Team All-Big Ten selections if they hit their ceiling at Ohio State.
But not every McDonald’s All-American turns into a great college player. Some are just okay. A few fizzle out. For this Ohio State team to compete at the top of this 18-team Big Ten and make its first Sweet Sixteen in 12 years, neither Bradshaw nor Stewart can fizzle out. Heck, I’m not sure if this team can afford for either of them to fall into the “just okay” category. Both need to play big roles and be very impactful this season, and that just seems like a murky bet to make on two players who started a combined 10 games last year and combined to hit a combined three shots per game.
Justin: Meshing together the roster
As the Ohio State men’s basketball roster shapes up for the 2024-25 season, we have a good picture of who will be suiting up for the Buckeyes.
And I know some people have concerns about the three-point shooting, but I have been pretty vocal that I think that aspect of this team is better than it is getting credit for, and that will show. I am actually not too worried about that part.
Ohio State has added four transfers and has room for one more. That is looking like it will be a backup center after losing Felix Okpara and Zed Key to the transfer portal, so the starting lineup looks like it is set.
Heading into the next season, the starting lineup will likely be Bruce Thornton, Meechie Johnson, Micah Parrish, Sean Stewart, and Aaron Bradshaw. This would be Thornton returning as the starting point guard for the third straight season and then four transfers.
There is a chance sophomore Devin Royal will start at the four in front of Stewart, but I think Stewart will slide in there to add some length and height to the starting rotation.
So, while that starting lineup has a ton of potential and talent, new head coach Jake Diebler will be tasked with getting the lineup to work together and mesh from day one, with four transfers not only playing significant rotation minutes but starting. It will also be the responsibility of Bruce Thornton to make this work, not only as the returning starter but also as the returning starting point guard.
The talent on this team is undeniable, and as long as the team chemistry is there, next year could be a return to the norm for Ohio State hoops, which is competing for a conference title.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State offers 2025 defensive lineman, coaches head south to visit top recruits
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State offers 2025 defensive lineman, coaches head south to visit top recruits
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Larry John | Doral Chenoweth / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State sends out their latest offer to 2025 defensive lineman, Andrew Maddox
Ohio State’s staff isn’t showing any signs of slowing down on the recruiting front, as on Thursday, they continued dishing out new offers. Yesterday, the Buckeyes sent out another offer, this time to 2025 Mississippi native Andrew Maddox out of Oak Grove High School.
A 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive lineman, Maddox took to social media to share that Ohio State was the most recent school to get into the mix for his services. The No. 138 player nationally and 17th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades, it’s not hard to see why he is currently rated as a four-star prospect with over 20 offers to his name.
Programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and several others have been in on this recruitment for a while, but Ohio State — even late to the party — sticks out. Ole Miss is the leader on the crystal ball predictions, but now that Larry Johnson is in the mix, that could eventually change.
With it being later in the cycle for Andrew, it’s important for the OSU staff to get him on campus at least once this summer in order to have a shot. If they are able to do so, Ohio State can be looked at as a player as he gets closer to a decision. The first step was offering him and now it’s all about getting him to Columbus.
Obviously, it's not new news to say that Ohio State’s top two running back targets in the 2025 class are Jordon Davison and Bo Jackson. They are both players that the Buckeyes have a real shot to land, so it’s full-steam ahead until the job is done, but even with those two backs being the top priorities, new position coach Carlos Locklyn has to have backup plans ready to go if he’s not able to land both Davison and Jackson.
Since his arrival, Locklyn has been all over the country doing his part to get his tenure off on the right foot. With that has come a bevy of new offers, even with the two aforementioned guys being the clear top choices. Bringing new names to the table as potential Buckeyes, it’s likely a situation where the staff knows they need other guys in the fold to turn to if things don’t go their way. Sure, the idea of taking even potentially a third at the position has been discussed, two has always been the ideal scenario.
That said, Locklyn is still doing what he can to show other names that Ohio State is still interested and yesterday he made a stop in Tennessee to check in with Shekai Mills-Knight.
A three-star prospect per the 247Sports grades, Mills-Knight checks in as the 31st running back in the class, but has offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and plenty more proving that his three-star status is probably due for a rankings boost.
The Buckeyes have offered and a visit in person definitely shows the interest Locklyn and Ohio State have. Again, Davison and Jackson are the two this staff wants and needs to land, but other prospects are more than just names. These players are also very real possibilities.
A busy day on the road, Johnson found time to make the trek down to Louisiana on Thursday where he spent time taking a look at five-star talent, Jahkeem Stewart.
The No. three player nationally and the top defensive lineman in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Johnson — like every other coach in the country — is making him a priority and right now, the Buckeyes are in a solid position with LSU as the other school making the biggest pushes early on.
Ohio State hasn’t recruited Louisiana as a state very hard historically, but guys like Stewart make it more than worth it, and this staff is going to do all they can to change their fortunes in that region. Plenty of time to go before a decision is made, and the Buckeyes should be heavily in the mix.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Larry John | Doral Chenoweth / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State sends out their latest offer to 2025 defensive lineman, Andrew Maddox
Ohio State’s staff isn’t showing any signs of slowing down on the recruiting front, as on Thursday, they continued dishing out new offers. Yesterday, the Buckeyes sent out another offer, this time to 2025 Mississippi native Andrew Maddox out of Oak Grove High School.
A 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive lineman, Maddox took to social media to share that Ohio State was the most recent school to get into the mix for his services. The No. 138 player nationally and 17th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades, it’s not hard to see why he is currently rated as a four-star prospect with over 20 offers to his name.
Programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and several others have been in on this recruitment for a while, but Ohio State — even late to the party — sticks out. Ole Miss is the leader on the crystal ball predictions, but now that Larry Johnson is in the mix, that could eventually change.
With it being later in the cycle for Andrew, it’s important for the OSU staff to get him on campus at least once this summer in order to have a shot. If they are able to do so, Ohio State can be looked at as a player as he gets closer to a decision. The first step was offering him and now it’s all about getting him to Columbus.
Checking in with 2025 running back target
Obviously, it's not new news to say that Ohio State’s top two running back targets in the 2025 class are Jordon Davison and Bo Jackson. They are both players that the Buckeyes have a real shot to land, so it’s full-steam ahead until the job is done, but even with those two backs being the top priorities, new position coach Carlos Locklyn has to have backup plans ready to go if he’s not able to land both Davison and Jackson.
Since his arrival, Locklyn has been all over the country doing his part to get his tenure off on the right foot. With that has come a bevy of new offers, even with the two aforementioned guys being the clear top choices. Bringing new names to the table as potential Buckeyes, it’s likely a situation where the staff knows they need other guys in the fold to turn to if things don’t go their way. Sure, the idea of taking even potentially a third at the position has been discussed, two has always been the ideal scenario.
That said, Locklyn is still doing what he can to show other names that Ohio State is still interested and yesterday he made a stop in Tennessee to check in with Shekai Mills-Knight.
A three-star prospect per the 247Sports grades, Mills-Knight checks in as the 31st running back in the class, but has offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and plenty more proving that his three-star status is probably due for a rankings boost.
The Buckeyes have offered and a visit in person definitely shows the interest Locklyn and Ohio State have. Again, Davison and Jackson are the two this staff wants and needs to land, but other prospects are more than just names. These players are also very real possibilities.
Appreciate you stopping by#GoBucks @Locklyn33 @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/uQBa2jVgIq
— Shekai Mills-Knight️ (@sk_begreat) May 9, 2024
Quick Hits:
A busy day on the road, Johnson found time to make the trek down to Louisiana on Thursday where he spent time taking a look at five-star talent, Jahkeem Stewart.
The No. three player nationally and the top defensive lineman in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Johnson — like every other coach in the country — is making him a priority and right now, the Buckeyes are in a solid position with LSU as the other school making the biggest pushes early on.
Ohio State hasn’t recruited Louisiana as a state very hard historically, but guys like Stewart make it more than worth it, and this staff is going to do all they can to change their fortunes in that region. Plenty of time to go before a decision is made, and the Buckeyes should be heavily in the mix.
Continue reading...
