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LGHL You’re Nuts: What are you most looking forward to in this year’s Super Bowl?
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You’re Nuts: What are you most looking forward to in this year’s Super Bowl?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
It sure felt quiet in the sports world over the weekend. This was the first weekend since August there wasn’t either college football or NFL action on the schedule, and no the NFL Pro Bowl flag football extravaganza doesn’t count as real football. The NHL also held their All-Star festivities, but if you’re a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets the season essentially ended a few months ago. At least the Ohio State women’s basketball team was able to earn a win over a tough Indiana team, taking some of the sting away from the men’s team losing to Iowa on Friday night.
This weekend will certainly be different when it comes to sportsball excitement since the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday night. While the matchup doesn’t have a ton of intrigue since it is one we have seen recently, sports fans are still going to tune into the Super Bowl. Even though viewers might not have a favorite team they are rooting for, there are plenty of other reasons why they’ll be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
Today we want to know what you are most looking forward to for this year’s Super Bowl. Maybe it’s all the delicious foods at Super Bowl parties. It could be the halftime show, which will be headlined by Usher. Or it could be another musician who will be in attendance to cheer on her love interest. If those reasons aren’t enough to allow you to enjoy the big game, there are countless ways to wager on the game and root for a team, both teams, certain players, or even certain parts of the game broadcast. Maybe you just want to see the Buckeyes in the game be great. In the end, there is entertainment for everybody when it comes to the game and everything that surrounds it.
To anyone who has followed LGHL for more than five minutes, I’m sure it is no surprise that I would choose gambling when it comes to the Super Bowl. Honestly, it’s something in my blood since my uncle out in Oregon had a Super Bowl party where some of his friends from where he used to live in California would go up for the weekend and it would be like a betting free-for-all since there was plenty of sporting events to wager on during the weekend of the Super Bowl. My uncle even has an annual playoff pool that is too complicated to explain here, which I have cashed in numerous times over the last decade. Unfortunately this year my shot at winning went up in flames since my Buffalo Bills lost once again to the Kansas City Chiefs.
If you asked me who I’m rooting for on Sunday, the obvious answer is going to be the San Francisco 49ers since I have a deep hatred for Kansas City since they have beat the Bills in the playoffs three times in the last four years. My rooting interests are definitely going to expand as we get closer to the game since I’ll not only be in a number of squares pools, I’m sure I’ll have some money on numerous prop bets. As much as I can’t stand the Chiefs, I do like Isiah Pacheco over 89.5 rushing and receiving yards, so you can’t say I have never given you anything!
When it comes to betting on the Super Bowl, what I’m most excited about is a friend’s prop pool. It is only $20 to enter so even though I haven’t cashed in the previous two years I’ve been a participant, I at least feel like I get my entry fee and then some when it comes to entertainment. This pool is fun because all the other participants come up with five props and you have to pick two from each participant. While you get to pick the side you want of the props for others you are choosing, you are automatically given the side those that have picked from your props didn’t pick, so in the end there is a lot to keep track of.
Even if you aren’t into gambling on the game, I hope you enjoy Sunday since it’s
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25278586/1970250659.jpg "AFC Championship - Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens")
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
a good excuse to gather with friends and family, eat a bunch of delicious food, and forget everything else for a few hours on a Sunday night in February.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25278585/1970250659.jpg "AFC Championship - Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens")
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Look, I’m not going to lie to you. I will — at most — be watching half of the Super Bowl this year. I am going to be in New York for work, and I am going to a play at 7:30 p.m. ET, so I will catch the beginning probably on my phone, and then maybe the final quarter, if I’m lucky. Sure, I would prefer to watch the game, but I’m not all that upset about it. I have not really followed the NFL in years, most weeks, I just throw on RedZone in the afternoon while I am doing some work. The same was true this year, but the Niners-Chiefs matchup is one that is at least intriguing.
However, since I will only be catching the game in bits and pieces, and much of it on the go, for this article prompt, I am going to focus on something off-the-field. As much of my consumption of the game will be via social media, I am really looking forward to the weirdos who are going to be freaking out about any and all mentions of Taylor Swift, how she will have flown from Japan to be there, any strange numerical or astrological connections she has to the game, and anything else.
I am not what you would call a Swiftie, but neither am I a hater (who is gonna hate, hate, hate). In general, I have no strong opinion about her, and even less so about her music. She is an admitted cultural blindspot for me, despite the fact that many people in my life seem to count her as their personal poet laureate.
But the way that her presence in a suite at a football game makes people angry, makes me laugh. Whether it is the people on one end of the spectrum that get upset that they spend a combined 90 seconds of the three-plus hour broadcast talking about and showing her to the people on the other end who believe that her presence in some Illuminati, deep state conspiracy to brainwash the hearts and minds of unsuspecting, red-blooded, football-loving Americans, they are all off their damn rockers.
I have no idea how genuine her relationship with Travis Kelce is. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that two celebrities got together primarily for publicity (I’m looking at you, Tom Cruise), but I also have no reason to doubt their romantic sincerity. But more importantly, I don’t care enough to have an opinion about their relationship. Now, I also have no problem with fans of either Tay or Trav, being parasocially invested in the pair, that’s part of fandom. But for the people out there who get irrationally angry over the slightest mention or briefest sight of her during the game tomorrow night, please, take a deep breath and reexamine your priorities.
For me, I will just be sitting back and figuratively eating my popcorn as I watch the unhinged and often performative outrage over the audacity of a TV network airing the biggest piece of broadcast entertainment of the year daring to show arguably the most famous person on the planet cheering for her beau performing at the pinnacle of his profession. Oh, the horror!
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
It sure felt quiet in the sports world over the weekend. This was the first weekend since August there wasn’t either college football or NFL action on the schedule, and no the NFL Pro Bowl flag football extravaganza doesn’t count as real football. The NHL also held their All-Star festivities, but if you’re a fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets the season essentially ended a few months ago. At least the Ohio State women’s basketball team was able to earn a win over a tough Indiana team, taking some of the sting away from the men’s team losing to Iowa on Friday night.
This weekend will certainly be different when it comes to sportsball excitement since the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday night. While the matchup doesn’t have a ton of intrigue since it is one we have seen recently, sports fans are still going to tune into the Super Bowl. Even though viewers might not have a favorite team they are rooting for, there are plenty of other reasons why they’ll be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
Today we want to know what you are most looking forward to for this year’s Super Bowl. Maybe it’s all the delicious foods at Super Bowl parties. It could be the halftime show, which will be headlined by Usher. Or it could be another musician who will be in attendance to cheer on her love interest. If those reasons aren’t enough to allow you to enjoy the big game, there are countless ways to wager on the game and root for a team, both teams, certain players, or even certain parts of the game broadcast. Maybe you just want to see the Buckeyes in the game be great. In the end, there is entertainment for everybody when it comes to the game and everything that surrounds it.
Today’s question: What are you most looking forward to in this year’s Super Bowl?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: The gambling
To anyone who has followed LGHL for more than five minutes, I’m sure it is no surprise that I would choose gambling when it comes to the Super Bowl. Honestly, it’s something in my blood since my uncle out in Oregon had a Super Bowl party where some of his friends from where he used to live in California would go up for the weekend and it would be like a betting free-for-all since there was plenty of sporting events to wager on during the weekend of the Super Bowl. My uncle even has an annual playoff pool that is too complicated to explain here, which I have cashed in numerous times over the last decade. Unfortunately this year my shot at winning went up in flames since my Buffalo Bills lost once again to the Kansas City Chiefs.
If you asked me who I’m rooting for on Sunday, the obvious answer is going to be the San Francisco 49ers since I have a deep hatred for Kansas City since they have beat the Bills in the playoffs three times in the last four years. My rooting interests are definitely going to expand as we get closer to the game since I’ll not only be in a number of squares pools, I’m sure I’ll have some money on numerous prop bets. As much as I can’t stand the Chiefs, I do like Isiah Pacheco over 89.5 rushing and receiving yards, so you can’t say I have never given you anything!
When it comes to betting on the Super Bowl, what I’m most excited about is a friend’s prop pool. It is only $20 to enter so even though I haven’t cashed in the previous two years I’ve been a participant, I at least feel like I get my entry fee and then some when it comes to entertainment. This pool is fun because all the other participants come up with five props and you have to pick two from each participant. While you get to pick the side you want of the props for others you are choosing, you are automatically given the side those that have picked from your props didn’t pick, so in the end there is a lot to keep track of.
Even if you aren’t into gambling on the game, I hope you enjoy Sunday since it’s
a good excuse to gather with friends and family, eat a bunch of delicious food, and forget everything else for a few hours on a Sunday night in February.
Matt’s answer: The idiotic outrage over Taylor Swifts’s presence at the game
Look, I’m not going to lie to you. I will — at most — be watching half of the Super Bowl this year. I am going to be in New York for work, and I am going to a play at 7:30 p.m. ET, so I will catch the beginning probably on my phone, and then maybe the final quarter, if I’m lucky. Sure, I would prefer to watch the game, but I’m not all that upset about it. I have not really followed the NFL in years, most weeks, I just throw on RedZone in the afternoon while I am doing some work. The same was true this year, but the Niners-Chiefs matchup is one that is at least intriguing.
However, since I will only be catching the game in bits and pieces, and much of it on the go, for this article prompt, I am going to focus on something off-the-field. As much of my consumption of the game will be via social media, I am really looking forward to the weirdos who are going to be freaking out about any and all mentions of Taylor Swift, how she will have flown from Japan to be there, any strange numerical or astrological connections she has to the game, and anything else.
I am not what you would call a Swiftie, but neither am I a hater (who is gonna hate, hate, hate). In general, I have no strong opinion about her, and even less so about her music. She is an admitted cultural blindspot for me, despite the fact that many people in my life seem to count her as their personal poet laureate.
But the way that her presence in a suite at a football game makes people angry, makes me laugh. Whether it is the people on one end of the spectrum that get upset that they spend a combined 90 seconds of the three-plus hour broadcast talking about and showing her to the people on the other end who believe that her presence in some Illuminati, deep state conspiracy to brainwash the hearts and minds of unsuspecting, red-blooded, football-loving Americans, they are all off their damn rockers.
I have no idea how genuine her relationship with Travis Kelce is. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that two celebrities got together primarily for publicity (I’m looking at you, Tom Cruise), but I also have no reason to doubt their romantic sincerity. But more importantly, I don’t care enough to have an opinion about their relationship. Now, I also have no problem with fans of either Tay or Trav, being parasocially invested in the pair, that’s part of fandom. But for the people out there who get irrationally angry over the slightest mention or briefest sight of her during the game tomorrow night, please, take a deep breath and reexamine your priorities.
For me, I will just be sitting back and figuratively eating my popcorn as I watch the unhinged and often performative outrage over the audacity of a TV network airing the biggest piece of broadcast entertainment of the year daring to show arguably the most famous person on the planet cheering for her beau performing at the pinnacle of his profession. Oh, the horror!
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Maryland: Game preview and prediction
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Maryland: Game preview and prediction
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes will try and bounce back from Tuesday’s second half collapse against Indiana.
Ohio State’s season reached a new low on Tuesday night when the Buckeyes (13-10, 3-9) blew an 18-point lead at home to Indiana in the second half, falling to the Hoosiers 76-73. With the loss, Ohio State has now lost five-straight games, and eight of their last nine games.
Entering Saturday’s game, the Buckeyes sit at the bottom of the Big Ten conference, in a two-way tie with Michigan for last place. However, since the Wolverines already beat the Buckeyes, Michigan would technically claim the 13-spot in the standings, with Ohio State bringing up the rear. Tuesday night’s loss to Indiana only added fuel to the notion that this will be head coach Chris Holtmann’s last season in charge in Columbus.
Although the Buckeyes took a 42-29 lead over the Hoosiers into halftime, it was difficult to have faith in Ohio State holding onto the lead because of the second half struggles they have had in numerous games over the last month. Roddy Gayle Jr. pushed the lead to 49-31 with a layup just a couple minutes into the second half.
Trailing by 12 points with just under eight minutes to go in the game, Indiana started to make their big move. The comeback was capped off by an Anthony Leal game-winning three-pointer with 22 seconds left that gave the Hoosiers a regular season sweep of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State had no answer for Malik Reneau and Trey Galloway of Indiana, who combined to score 51 points. No other Hoosier reached double figures in scoring in the game. Leading the Buckeyes in scoring in the loss were Gayle Jr. and Jamison Battle, with each scoring 19 points. Bruce Thornton added 11 points, and continues to lead the team with a 15.4 points per game.
The Buckeyes will close out their two-game homestand later today by hosting the Maryland Terrapins. Much like Ohio State, Maryland (13-10, 5-7) has struggled recently, losing four of their last six games. The most recent of those setbacks came on Tuesday night when the Terrapins fell 56-53 in College Park to Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights hit a three-pointer to take a 40-37 lead with 9:48 left in the game and wouldn’t trail again. Maryland was able to pull within a point after a couple Jahmir Young free throws with just over a minute to go, but the Terps ran out of steam and weren’t able to complete the comeback.
Had Julian Reese and Young been able to get some help from their teammates, Maryland might have had enough to beat Rutgers earlier this week. Reese scored a team-high 19 points in the loss, while Young netted 16 points. The duo were the only two Terrapins to reach double figures in scoring in the game. Both Maryland players also were strong on the glass, with each pulling down 12 rebounds.
With his scoring output on Tuesday, Young now has 2,428 career points, ranking second nationally amongst active players. Young will now try and continue his scintillating play on the road of late. Over his last six road games, Young is averaging 29.0 points per game.
Already this season, Young has scored 30 points in three road contests, tying him with Len Bias and Greivis Vazquez for second-most in a season in Maryland history, which only trails Walt Williams’ school single-season record of five road games in a season with at least 30 points. The Charlotte transfer is leading the Terrapins with 20.6 points per game, ranking second in the Big Ten behind Purdue big man Zach Edey.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25277778/1996344685.jpg "Rutgers v Maryland")
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
Along with Young, Ohio State will have to keep close tabs on Julian Reese. The junior forward recorded a double-double in Tuesday night’s game, pushing his season double-double total to 11. Felix Okpara and Zed Key are going to have their hands full with Reese, as the Baltimore product has three games of at least 15 rebounds this season.
Reese also isn’t too far behind Okpara when it comes to blocks this season. Okpara has 54 blocks heading into today’s contest, five more swats than Reese has recorded. If Okpara is able to block a shot today it’ll be the 30th straight game the sophomore has blocked at least one shot.
This afternoon’s contest is going to be the only regular season matchup between the Buckeyes and Terrapins this season. Last year the teams met twice, with both teams winning on their home court. Maryland defeated Ohio State 80-73 in College Park in early January, while the Buckeyes were able to return the favor 73-62 in Columbus on the first day of March. Ohio State set a program record by hitting all 20 of the free throws they attempted in the victory. Overall, Maryland holds a slight edge in the series, posting a 11-10 record against the Buckeyes.
The Terrapins are going to need to do a lot of work if they have any hopes of making the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. In head coach Kevin Willard’s first season at Maryland, the Terrapins made the tournament, beating West Virginia 67-65 in the first round before falling to Alabama 73-51 in the second round. Willard is still searching for his first Sweet Sixteen appearance as a head coach. All six of his previous NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach have ended in either the first or second round.
Right now it’s impossible to have any confidence in Ohio State. On Tuesday it looked like the Buckeyes had a firm grasp on the game against Indiana before blowing an 18-point lead in the game. At this point Ohio State could be up 30 points with a minute to go in a game and fans still wouldn’t feel comfortable until time in the game completely expired.
For as little confidence as fans have in the team right now, it’s hard to imagine how damaged the men’s basketball team is. Also, the rumors this will likely be head coach Chris Holtmann’s last season at Ohio State can’t help morale around the program.
The struggles of the Buckeyes this year have to really be weighing on Bruce Thornton, who entered the season as one of the leaders of the team. You have to feel for the sophomore guard, who is giving his all every time he takes the court. If Ohio State wants to snap their five-game losing streak, they’d be wise to keep the basketball in Thornton’s hands since he is leading the country with a 4.22 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Expect Thornton to have a bounce-back game today after the contest against Indiana was the first time this year where he failed to record at least one assist.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25277783/1995774266.jpg "Indiana v Ohio State")
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
The good news for Ohio State is they are hosting a team that is dealing with confidence issues of their own of late. If the Buckeyes are able to slow down Reese and Young, they’ll have a great shot at winning since Maryland doesn’t see a ton of production outside of the duo and forward Donta Scott. Reese, Young, and Scott are all averaging at least 11 points per game this year. The scoring falls off considerably after Scott, as the fourth-highest scoring Terrapin this year is DeShawn Harris-Smith, who is averaging 6.6 points per game.
Even though the Maryland defense has been solid throughout the year, this feels a bit like a “get right” game for Ohio State. While a victory over Maryland isn’t going to turn the season around, it will at least allow the Buckeyes to feel good for a few days. It also will help that a couple Buckeyes have been really good from the foul line lately.
Jamison Battle has made his last 34 free throw attempts, and Gayle is just behind Battle with 30 straight makes at the free throw line. Ohio State is physical and smarter with the basketball today, not repeating the second half collapse that was seen from them on Tuesday night.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 63.9%
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes will try and bounce back from Tuesday’s second half collapse against Indiana.
Ohio State’s season reached a new low on Tuesday night when the Buckeyes (13-10, 3-9) blew an 18-point lead at home to Indiana in the second half, falling to the Hoosiers 76-73. With the loss, Ohio State has now lost five-straight games, and eight of their last nine games.
Entering Saturday’s game, the Buckeyes sit at the bottom of the Big Ten conference, in a two-way tie with Michigan for last place. However, since the Wolverines already beat the Buckeyes, Michigan would technically claim the 13-spot in the standings, with Ohio State bringing up the rear. Tuesday night’s loss to Indiana only added fuel to the notion that this will be head coach Chris Holtmann’s last season in charge in Columbus.
Although the Buckeyes took a 42-29 lead over the Hoosiers into halftime, it was difficult to have faith in Ohio State holding onto the lead because of the second half struggles they have had in numerous games over the last month. Roddy Gayle Jr. pushed the lead to 49-31 with a layup just a couple minutes into the second half.
Trailing by 12 points with just under eight minutes to go in the game, Indiana started to make their big move. The comeback was capped off by an Anthony Leal game-winning three-pointer with 22 seconds left that gave the Hoosiers a regular season sweep of the Buckeyes.
Ohio State had no answer for Malik Reneau and Trey Galloway of Indiana, who combined to score 51 points. No other Hoosier reached double figures in scoring in the game. Leading the Buckeyes in scoring in the loss were Gayle Jr. and Jamison Battle, with each scoring 19 points. Bruce Thornton added 11 points, and continues to lead the team with a 15.4 points per game.
Preview
The Buckeyes will close out their two-game homestand later today by hosting the Maryland Terrapins. Much like Ohio State, Maryland (13-10, 5-7) has struggled recently, losing four of their last six games. The most recent of those setbacks came on Tuesday night when the Terrapins fell 56-53 in College Park to Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights hit a three-pointer to take a 40-37 lead with 9:48 left in the game and wouldn’t trail again. Maryland was able to pull within a point after a couple Jahmir Young free throws with just over a minute to go, but the Terps ran out of steam and weren’t able to complete the comeback.
Had Julian Reese and Young been able to get some help from their teammates, Maryland might have had enough to beat Rutgers earlier this week. Reese scored a team-high 19 points in the loss, while Young netted 16 points. The duo were the only two Terrapins to reach double figures in scoring in the game. Both Maryland players also were strong on the glass, with each pulling down 12 rebounds.
With his scoring output on Tuesday, Young now has 2,428 career points, ranking second nationally amongst active players. Young will now try and continue his scintillating play on the road of late. Over his last six road games, Young is averaging 29.0 points per game.
Already this season, Young has scored 30 points in three road contests, tying him with Len Bias and Greivis Vazquez for second-most in a season in Maryland history, which only trails Walt Williams’ school single-season record of five road games in a season with at least 30 points. The Charlotte transfer is leading the Terrapins with 20.6 points per game, ranking second in the Big Ten behind Purdue big man Zach Edey.
Along with Young, Ohio State will have to keep close tabs on Julian Reese. The junior forward recorded a double-double in Tuesday night’s game, pushing his season double-double total to 11. Felix Okpara and Zed Key are going to have their hands full with Reese, as the Baltimore product has three games of at least 15 rebounds this season.
Reese also isn’t too far behind Okpara when it comes to blocks this season. Okpara has 54 blocks heading into today’s contest, five more swats than Reese has recorded. If Okpara is able to block a shot today it’ll be the 30th straight game the sophomore has blocked at least one shot.
This afternoon’s contest is going to be the only regular season matchup between the Buckeyes and Terrapins this season. Last year the teams met twice, with both teams winning on their home court. Maryland defeated Ohio State 80-73 in College Park in early January, while the Buckeyes were able to return the favor 73-62 in Columbus on the first day of March. Ohio State set a program record by hitting all 20 of the free throws they attempted in the victory. Overall, Maryland holds a slight edge in the series, posting a 11-10 record against the Buckeyes.
The Terrapins are going to need to do a lot of work if they have any hopes of making the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. In head coach Kevin Willard’s first season at Maryland, the Terrapins made the tournament, beating West Virginia 67-65 in the first round before falling to Alabama 73-51 in the second round. Willard is still searching for his first Sweet Sixteen appearance as a head coach. All six of his previous NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach have ended in either the first or second round.
Prediction
Right now it’s impossible to have any confidence in Ohio State. On Tuesday it looked like the Buckeyes had a firm grasp on the game against Indiana before blowing an 18-point lead in the game. At this point Ohio State could be up 30 points with a minute to go in a game and fans still wouldn’t feel comfortable until time in the game completely expired.
For as little confidence as fans have in the team right now, it’s hard to imagine how damaged the men’s basketball team is. Also, the rumors this will likely be head coach Chris Holtmann’s last season at Ohio State can’t help morale around the program.
The struggles of the Buckeyes this year have to really be weighing on Bruce Thornton, who entered the season as one of the leaders of the team. You have to feel for the sophomore guard, who is giving his all every time he takes the court. If Ohio State wants to snap their five-game losing streak, they’d be wise to keep the basketball in Thornton’s hands since he is leading the country with a 4.22 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Expect Thornton to have a bounce-back game today after the contest against Indiana was the first time this year where he failed to record at least one assist.
The good news for Ohio State is they are hosting a team that is dealing with confidence issues of their own of late. If the Buckeyes are able to slow down Reese and Young, they’ll have a great shot at winning since Maryland doesn’t see a ton of production outside of the duo and forward Donta Scott. Reese, Young, and Scott are all averaging at least 11 points per game this year. The scoring falls off considerably after Scott, as the fourth-highest scoring Terrapin this year is DeShawn Harris-Smith, who is averaging 6.6 points per game.
Even though the Maryland defense has been solid throughout the year, this feels a bit like a “get right” game for Ohio State. While a victory over Maryland isn’t going to turn the season around, it will at least allow the Buckeyes to feel good for a few days. It also will help that a couple Buckeyes have been really good from the foul line lately.
Jamison Battle has made his last 34 free throw attempts, and Gayle is just behind Battle with 30 straight makes at the free throw line. Ohio State is physical and smarter with the basketball today, not repeating the second half collapse that was seen from them on Tuesday night.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 63.9%
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 71, Maryland 67
Continue reading...
