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LGHL Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday

Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday
Megan.Husslein
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Screenshot_2024_04_01_at_3.30.49_PM.0.png

@OhioStateSB Twitter

It was a very impressive bounce-back game to avoid the sweep.

What a weekend it was for Ohio State softball! After getting shutout in the first game, falling short after a massive comeback Saturday and finishing strong with a shutout of their own on Sunday, the Bucks definitely ended on a high note.

Let’s get the bad news over with first. On Friday, Northwestern was simply the better team, as they won 10-0. Their ace, Ashley Miller, limited the Buckeyes to just four hits. After scoring five runs through the first six innings, the Wildcats piled on in the seventh to score another five runs and take the series opener.

Saturday’s loss was even worse in the fact that Ohio State had an amazing seventh inning comeback, but that ultimately was not enough. It was 9-0 entering the final inning, and the Buckeyes were not about to go down easy.

With bases loaded and nobody out, the Buckeyes scored their first run when Sam Hackenbracht was hit by a pitch. One batter later, McKenzie Bump’s three-run double in the left centerfield gap cut the NU lead to 9-4.

After a Tegan Cortelletti double, Taylor Heckman ripped a pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run, making the score 9-7. Jasmyn Burns walked following the Wildcats opting for a pitching change, but the Buckeyes could not push any more runs across as they suffered their second-straight loss.


No quit in these Buckeyes! Taylor Heckman's HR makes it a two-run game.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/H8t0iwLacb

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) March 30, 2024

Now for the game we’ve all been waiting for: Sunday’s big-time victory!

Senior Emily Ruck pitched a complete game shutout, only giving up six hits while striking out eight. This was an extremely impressive performance from Ruck, as Northwestern has some very good hitters, including Kansas Robinson, who is second in the Big Ten in batting average with .488.

It was a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning, as Ruck was battling against Miller, who entered the game with a 0.78 ERA, which was the best in the conference.

All runs in the game were scored via the home run, including a grand slam off the bat of shortstop Kami Kortokrax, which made for a very exciting game. In the sixth inning, Destinee Noury and Sam Hackenbracht each hit solo homers of their own to stretch the lead to 6-0.

Hackenbracht’s home run was the 42nd of her career, good for fourth-place all time on the Ohio State home run list.

Ruck closed out the seventh with no problem, and the Buckeyes won the game 6-0. All in all, this was a great momentum builder for them. Defeating the best pitcher in the Big Ten, and shutting out a solid offensive team in the Wildcats, is a huge win.


TELL US WHEN THIS ONE LANDS!

Kami Kortokrax's grand slam gives is a 4-0 lead in the fifth.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/w2xUdUoRtw

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) March 31, 2024

Career home run No. 42 for @sam_hack24. #GoBucks https://t.co/359WKfATf8 pic.twitter.com/LcBQMUCMjP

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) March 31, 2024

Put one in the win column for the Buckeyes!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Q4AdWXUMNH

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) March 31, 2024

Ohio State was supposed to host a doubleheader against Penn State — the best team in the Big Ten — on Tuesday, but that was cancelled due to inclement weather. Instead, their next games will come over the weekend as they travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota.

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LGHL Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season

Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season
Connor Lemons
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Ohio State

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The freshman guard passed up blue bloods like Kansas and UConn to play at Ohio State, but after one uneven season, he has opted to transfer elsewhere.

After a freshman season that saw him start the year as a projected first-rounder in the 2024 NBA Draft but wind up only scoring in double-digits two times all season, freshman guard Scotty Middleton has decided to enter the transfer portal. Middleton will also enter the NBA Draft, while maintaining his eligibility for next season. Chris Holtmann’s abrupt firing on February 14 may have had an impact on Middleton’s decision, despite the athletic department hoping that hiring Jake Diebler full-time would keep the core of the team together.

Middleton also missed the final three games of the season due to a family emergency at home in Florida. Middleton allegedly returned to the team the day before Ohio State’s season-ending loss to Georgia, but was not on the bench for any NIT games.

Ephesians 2:8#LLDON pic.twitter.com/7lnfaj3Dj8

— Scotty Middleton (@ScottyMiddleto9) April 1, 2024

The 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard began the year as one of the first players off the bench for Chris Holtmann, but his minutes dried up in the middle of Big Ten play. In Chris Holtmann’s final six games, Middleton averaged 9.3 minutes and 1.2 points per game. The opportunity for minutes was there, but the gradual improvements of Evan Mahaffey and Devin Royal ate into Middleton’s opportunities.

Middleton became more of a key fixture in the rotation after Holtmann’s firing, as then-interim head coach Jake Diebler began relying on his bench more in key stretches. Middleton played a combined 10 minutes in Holtmann’s final three games as head coach. Once Diebler was elevated, Middleton immediately played more, logging 15 or more minutes in five of the next six games.

Middleton was the No. 50 recruit in the class of 2023, the No. 10 small forward in the class and the No. 4 player in the state of Kansas. His relationships with Holtmann and Jake Diebler led him to Ohio State over established blue bloods like Kansas and UConn, who were both interested in Middleton.

On the season, Middleton averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.8% overall and 45.2% from three. He missed two games with lower leg/ankle injuries, and was suspended for Ohio State’s January 20 game against Penn State due to a “violation of team rules.”

Roster changes were bound to happen when Gene Smith fired Holtmann, but it was assumed that Diebler’s relationship with Middleton would keep him in Columbus for at least another year. Clearly, there were factors at play other than the coaching staff that ultimately led Middleton to look elsewhere.

Good luck to Scotty wherever he winds up!

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LGHL Ohio State trending for a four-star RB, makes top schools for multiple targets

Ohio State trending for a four-star RB, makes top schools for multiple targets
Dan Hessler
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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2025 four-star RB Jordon Davison via Greg Biggins, 247Sports

The Buckeyes also offered another handful of prospects.

Ohio State kicked off the start of April with a bang when it comes to recruiting. The Buckeyes had a big weekend, which consisted of spring practices and both official and unofficial visits. The huge recruiting weekend was a success for the Buckeyes, as the team earned a total of four verbal commitments over the course of the past few days.

The Ohio State coaching staff carried the momentum from the weekend into this new week, as the team had another busy recruiting day, including news that the Buckeyes are now trending for one of the top running backs in the country.

On3’s new VP of National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal and former 247Sports Director of Recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, cast a prediction in favor of Ohio State for 2025 four-star running back Jordon Davison (Santa Ana, CA / Mater Dei).


On3's @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Ohio State to land 4-star RB Jordon Davison

Latest intel: https://t.co/kEKIa21HHX pic.twitter.com/xkJnkrhoeB

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) April 1, 2024

Davison visited with Ohio State last week, and by all accounts the visit went as well as possible. The timing of the news also coincides with the Buckeyes working to replace former RB coach Tony Alford, who is now coaching the position at Michigan. Once Ohio State announces Alford’s replacement, the Buckeyes will hope to gain even more of a relationship with Davison and will likely up their contact with him even more.

[Editors Note: Ohio State has since announced the hiring of former Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn as its new RB coach]

Davison is the No. 7 RB in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 83 overall prospect. He is also the No. 8 recruit from the talent-rich state of California.

Ohio State makes multiple top schools lists


The Ohio State coaching staff saw the hard work it put into recruiting this spring payoff this past weekend, earning four verbal commitments. The work continued to payoff Monday, as the team made the cut for two of their targets in the 2025 class.

The Buckeyes first learned they made the top schools for 2025 four-star defensive line target Trent Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD / Dr. Henry Wise). Wilson, who holds more than 30 offers, narrowed down his list of suitors to just four including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Penn State.


Where will it be? https://t.co/J5a0Uv6ebQ

— Trenton Wilson (@iamtrentwilson) April 1, 2024

Wilson has plans to take official visits with all four of his finalists, and his visit to Ohio State is scheduled for the end of May. While he has not hinted at a leader of the pack of his top four schools, the announcement is coming off a weekend visit with the Buckeyes that appears to have gone as well as possible.

Penn State and Ohio State may hold the best odds at this point in his recruitment, but nothing will be solidified until all of his official visits have been completed this summer.

Wilson is the No. 18 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 141 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Maryland.

Ohio State also made the cut for 2025 three-star edge target Javeon Campbell (Frankfort, KY / Western Hills). Campbell is not as far along in his recruitment as the aforementioned Wilson, only narrowing his list of suitors down to nine. Ohio State was one of the finalists alongside Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Notre Dame, LSU, Kentucky and Georgia.

While he may only be a three-star prospect, his list of top schools is obviously impressive.


Of Campbell’s top schools, he has so far scheduled upcoming official visits with only Ohio State, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. More visits may be scheduled in the future, but if not this is a good indicator at the schools leading for his recruitment.

Campbell is the No. 48 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 430 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Kentucky.

Ohio State dishes out multiple offers


The Buckeyes weren’t resting on their laurels following the successful recruiting weekend, as the Ohio State coaching staff traveled across the nation to offer more blue-chip talents in both the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.

Below are some of the recruits who took to social media on Monday to show off their official scholarship offers, including a pair of twin brothers — something Ohio State is used to after earning commitments in 2024 from offensive line twin brothers Deontae and Devontae Armstrong.

Four-star LB Thomas Davis
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 205 lbs.


DL Drew Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Wedington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 225 lbs.

DL Aiden Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-3 / 240 lbs.


Blessed to receive an offer from Ohio State University @R2X_Rushmen1 @BigDubFootball @247Sports @On3Recruits @RivalsFriedman @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/DkqmLrcUGz

— Aiden Harris (@Aidenharris58) April 1, 2024

WR Mikkel Skinner
Class: 2025
Hometown: Greer, SC / Riverside
Size: 6-foot-3 / 210 lbs.

Quick Hits

  • Ohio State safety target and former Wisconsin commit Cody Haddad (Cleveland, OH / St. Ignatius) visited with the Buckeyes this past weekend, and the visit has led to major updates in his recruitment.

Monday morning following his visit to Columbus, Haddad decommitted from Wisconsin. Additionally, 247Sports Ohio State Recruiting Insider, Bill Kurelic, placed a Crystal Ball Prediction in for Haddad in favor of the Buckeyes. This is far from a guarantee, but Haddad is definitely trending in the right direction for the Buckeyes.

Haddad is the No. 37 ATH in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 527 overall prospect. He is also the No. 16 recruit from Ohio.


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LGHL Ohio State women's basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State

Ohio State women's basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State
ThomasCostello
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


image2.0.jpeg

Angie Greenwood - Undrafted

The three-year assistant for head coach Kevin McGuff departs Columbus to lead his own program.

Monday night, as the women's basketball world focused on two blockbuster Elite Eight games, Utah State was announcing its next head coach. After three seasons with the Ohio State women's basketball program, assistant coach Wesley Brooks has left the Buckeyes to take over the head spot with the Utah State Aggies program.


!

Welcome our newest head coach, @coachwesbball!

➡️ https://t.co/gAgiyD0Vfi#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/Ndull7bJB7

— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) April 1, 2024

At the Mountain West Tournament, former Utah State head coach Kayla Ard made headlines when she stepped up to the press conference table and let the media know that she was let go from the Aggies program. Now, three weeks later, the Buckeyes’ former assistant fills Ard’s place.

Not only does Brooks have experience coaching in that part of the country, but there is also a fairly substantial connection between Utah State and Ohio State. Brooks was hired by the Aggies’ new Athletic Director Diana Sabau who previously served as the deputy commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and the senior deputy athletic director at Ohio State.

Although there was no overlap between Sabau and Brooks at Ohio State, the connections in Columbus are impossible to overlook.

In 2021, Brooks joined Ohio State following an impressive career as an assistant. It began with the West Virginia Mountaineers, where Brooks served as a graduate assistant. Following his stint with the Mountaineers, Brooks spent time with Robert Morris, Texas Southern and North Texas.

Then, Brooks joined the Utah Utes’ coaching staff for two seasons. As an assistant, the Utes won 34 games in two seasons, along with two WNIT appearances. Before joining Ohio State though, Brooks spent time with the Buckeyes’ rivals up in Michigan.

Brooks assisted head coach Kim Barnes Arico for four seasons with the Maize and Blue; in those four seasons, the Wolverines made three NCAA Tournaments and were likely to make a fourth if the 2020 postseason hadn’t been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assisting at Michigan, the Wolverines made the Sweet 16, which was the furthest the program had ever advanced in March Madness. Then, with the Scarlet and Gray, Brooks helped the Buckeyes reach achievements it had not touched since the early 1990s.

Joining head coach Kevin McGuff’s staff for the 2019-20 season, Brooks became a coach who was on the road more than any other member of the staff. On the court, Ohio State won a Big Ten regular season title, on its way to the first of two straight runs late into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Ohio State didn’t win any conference hardware but made it to the Elite Eight.

For the Buckeyes this season, Brooks continued being on the bench each game, and also on the road as one of the team’s lead recruiters. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and at the same time added a strong group of recruits.

The incoming 2024 class features five freshmen, including the No. 1 point guard in the nation, McDonald’s All-American guard Jaloni Cambridge.

Now, Brooks is starting his own program in the Mountain West. The Utah State Aggies haven’t made the NCAA Tournament in program history, and have just two winning seasons in the past 20 years. Brooks now has the opportunity to build his own program and legacy as the eighth head coach in Aggies women’s basketball history.

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LGHL Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State

Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State
Michael Citro
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State Football Spring Practice

Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images

The new Buckeyes who have officially had their helmet stripes removed so far are the ones you’d expect.

Through Student Appreciation Day on Saturday, six new Buckeyes have traded in their black helmet stripes for scarlet ones, continuing the tradition Urban Meyer made famous at Ohio State. Young men who arrive on campus have been issued helmets with black stripes, and have to earn their way to “official” Buckeye status by proving themselves to the group.

Of the six who have had their stripes removed so far this spring, four are transfers and one is prized five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has been turning heads since his arrival.

Smith was the first to see his black stripe removed back on March 21. Having only taken part in four practices in the spring at that point, the true freshman set a new record for the fastest to shed the stripe, besting last year’s freshman phenom, Carnell Tate, who did it after five spring practices.

The second to lose his stripe was perhaps the most surprising of the six so far. Redshirt freshman and preferred walk-on receiver Brennen Schramm had his black stripe removed the same day as Smith. Schramm, an all-state player from Medina, Ohio in 2021 and 2022, isn’t a big name, but he racked up more than 3,000 yards receiving in high school, playing with current Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Schramm eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his final two seasons.

The next four to lose their stripes were all transfer players. The trend was started by safety Caleb Downs and running back Quinshon Judkins on March 26. Neither is even mildly surprising.

Downs was a freshman All-American at Alabama and the top portal player, finishing the 2023 season with more than 100 tackles to his credit — enough to lead the Crimson Tide in that category by 40 (!) tackles over second place. Judkins, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who transferred in from Ole Miss, was the first SEC player since Herschel Walker 15 or more rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons. He’s only the third player in Ole Miss history to rack up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Neither Downs nor Judkins are surprising candidates to lose their stripes early. The two who followed them are hardly shocking either.

Quarterback Will Howard and center Seth McLaughlin each had their stripes removed on Saturday, continuing this spring’s pattern of either nobody having their stripes removed or two guys earning the milestone.

Howard shedding his stripe might bring a little calm to an Ohio State fanbase that has quickly become used to high-level quarterback play, but seemed unsure about the Kansas State transfer. Although Howard didn’t have nearly the supporting cast that Kyle McCord had last year, the grad transfer put up similar numbers, with the added bonus that he has shown a willingness to go and get the tough yards with his legs when necessary.

An upgrade in talent around him and the combined tutelage of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly should improve Howard’s stats, and him becoming one of the first players to earn his stripe removal is a good sign.

McLaughlin, an Alabama transfer like Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin — who could see his stripe removed soon based on reports of his progress out of spring camp — is another unsurprising black stripe removal candidate. Like Howard’s, McLaughlin’s transfer drew mixed reviews online from Buckeye fans, who remembered a poor snap costing Alabama a scoring chance in the College Football Playoff against the hated Wolverines.

By coming in and working hard to get his stripe removed quickly, McLaughlin showed that he may yet win over his critics among the OSU faithful.

What does all of the above mean? In the grand scheme of things: not much. It simply means that the players one would reasonably expect to be impressing early are doing so. The four transfers and Smith are all projected to see a lot of snaps in 2024. As such, it’s encouraging that they have showed up and quickly put in the work to earn their way into becoming full-blooded Buckeyes.

Conversely, it doesn’t mean players who have yet to shed their stripes won’t have an impact this fall. It simply means they’ve got some work to do.

So, who’s next?

Julian Sayin seems to be getting close based on reports out of camp. The freshman is turning heads and seems to already be pushing the veterans, if not outright passing some of them. Fellow freshman quarterback Air Noland may not be next, but he could see his stripe removed this spring as well, although he’s not drawing as rave reviews as other signal callers in camp just yet.

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LGHL Buckeyes’ BOOMing weekend also involved an insightful scrimmage

Buckeyes’ BOOMing weekend also involved an insightful scrimmage
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!


For your Earholes...


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On the Gridiron


Ohio State has BOOOOMing weekend, picks up four commitments in three days
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land


B⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕️M pic.twitter.com/FGEJ2uEKKR

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 30, 2024

Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn expected to leave for Ohio State, per reports
James Crepea, The Oregonian

Recruiting thoughts and stuff from huge Ohio State spring weekend (paywall)
Jeremy Birmingham, Dotting the Eyes

Recruits react and buzz from huge recruiting weekend that included Student Appreciation Day scrimmage
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts

Ohio State diary: What we saw during spring practice No. 8 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

Ryan Day Excited About Ohio State’s Depth at Running Back
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors


Julian Sayin dime pic.twitter.com/eQlq8YYsBX

— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) March 30, 2024

Unpacking observations from Student Appreciation Day (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

QB Brown sharp: 5 takeaways from Ohio State’s open spring practice
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Jeremiah Smith, C.J. Hicks and Quinshon Judkins Among Top Standouts at Ohio State Student Appreciation Day
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors

Projecting Buckeyes offensive depth chart midway through spring (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Projecting Buckeyes defensive depth chart midway through spring (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row


Ohio State having 7 defensive commitments and 2 offensive commitments is unusual for the Buckeyes but ... there's some real momentum building on the offensive side of the ball.

Keep your head on a swivel, folks.

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) March 30, 2024

Turning heads | Ohio State freshman WR Smith making push to become a starter
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

Suspended for a year, Bennett Christian worked hard to improve in 2023: ‘I grew a lot during the season’
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


On the Hardwood


Which transfers have been linked with Ohio State? Here’s a list
Adam Jardy: The Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State has received a Crystal Ball prediction to land South Carolina transfer Meechie Johnson!

Johnson played 2 seasons at Ohio State before going to SC, where he led the Gamecocks in scoring this season. pic.twitter.com/eYUfuD4D7c

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) March 31, 2024

Ohio State women’s basketball guard Diana Collins enters transfer portal
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land

You’re Nuts: Offseason priorities for Ohio State men’s basketball
Justin Golba and Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land


Outside the Shoe and Schott


Men’s Tennis: No. 1 Buckeyes Blank Hoosiers 7-0
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Swim & Dive: Ohio State Places 13th at 2024 NCAA Championships
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Tennis: No. 12 Buckeyes Shut Out Rutgers, 4-0
Ohio State Athletics

Softball: Buckeyes Earn 6-0 Shutout Win Over Northwestern In Series Finale
Ohio State Athletics

Baseball: Ohio State Falls to Purdue, 7-1, in Series Finale
Ohio State Athletics


And now for something completely different...


lolz...


Luka Doncic playing horse in a live game... This season Luka Doncic is Unstoppable! #lukadoncic #nba #mvp pic.twitter.com/6Kr0RkGtBZ

— D. Juranovic D`Knock (@DarkoJuranovic) April 1, 2024

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