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LGHL You’re Nuts: What is your biggest concern with Ohio State men’s basketball this season?
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You’re Nuts: What is your biggest concern with Ohio State men’s basketball this 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
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
The Buckeyes have a ton of potential, but does the potential outweigh sure things on the roster?
At Land-Grant Holy Land, May means that the theme weeks are here! And for this iteration of You’re Nuts, we are sticking to the theme for this week, which is Biggest Concerns for next season. These are normally all about football, but we are doing what we do best. Talking hoops.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated who should start at the center position. Connor said sophomore Felix Okpara and Justin argued it should be senior Zed Key. Even though Key was honorable mention all-conference, the audience sided with Connor on this, agreeing that Okpara should start.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24634175/poll5.JPG)
With the Connor win, he moves to just two wins behind Justin with week 100 upcoming.
Justin- 43
As mentioned above, here is the question for this week.
With both of Ohio State’s top two scorers from last season now gone, someone — or someone(s) — will have to step up and assume the role of go-to scorer this season. Last year it was Brice Sensabaugh, who led the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game. The NBA-bound freshman is almost certainly gone to the draft, where he’ll be a first-round pick this summer.
Justice Sueing was second in scoring at 12.3 points per game, but went through a prolonged stretch of poor play in January and into February. He final season was not his best season, but he still contributed over a dozen points per game.
With those two gone, who’s got next? Bruce Thornton averaged just under 11 points per game as a freshman, and I think he’ll take a step forward this year. Zed Key was shooting north of 60% before getting hurt in early January, and finished the year at 10.8 points per game. However, he won’t even be able to practice until August at the earliest, meaning he’s essentially losing his entire off-season.
Both of those guys could ascend to another level this season, but I believe the biggest weight will fall on the shoulders of Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle. Battle arrived in Columbus this spring after averaging 13.5 PPG in two seasons at George Washington and 15.1 PPG in two seasons at Minnesota.
While not exactly an efficient scorer (he’s a career 42% shooter, but shot it at 37.1% last season), Battle will be the most experienced player on the floor for the Buckeyes, aside from Baylor transfer Dale Bonner. The difference between Battle and Bonner, however, is that Battle will be a starter and could wind up playing double the minutes of Bonner. He also is much more of a pure scorer than Bonner — the two of them will play very different roles.
As the elder statesman of the expected starters, I don’t see a path for Ohio State to have a bounce back season if Battle doesn’t lead the Buckeyes in scoring. On a team that’s loaded with young players chock full of potential, Battle is one of the only sure things.
He scored in double-digits in 16 of 27 games last season, and that’s despite playing on a horrendous Minnesota team that averaged just 62.9 points per game. He’ll have plenty of space to work, and plenty of opportunities to get up shots this season in an offense that Chris Holtmann has gradually tried to speed up every year. Part of Battle’s recruitment was probably the assurance that he’d be one of — if not the — focal points of the offense.
Sometimes there are exceptions, but successful teams have a go-to scorer. A number one. An offensive priority. I think Battle needs to be that number one this season, but it’s a little concerning based off his 2022-2023 stats.
The Buckeyes will need him to be more efficient shooting the ball, as they can’t have their go-to guy hitting less than 40% of his shots. He hovered around 35%-36% from three-point range his first three seasons in college, but that number fell to 31.1% this past season. Those numbers probably need to come back up, because if they don’t, things could get really sticky for Ohio State once again in 2023-2024.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24634341/usa_today_20203589.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK
There are three things that I believe to be true this next college basketball season. Jordan Spieth will own the grand slam (see everyone at the PGA in two weeks), Ohio State basketball will be talented and have more potential than any other Buckeye team in recent memory, and the thirdly this Buckeye team will still be really young.
Assuming the starters are who we think they are, the starting lineup will be Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Evan Mahaffey/Scotty Middleton/Jamison Battle, and Zed Key/Felix Okpara. So, looking at that, there is a chance Ohio State starts four sophomores or three sophomores and a freshman.
While this team’s potential is genuinely through the roof, they are also very young still and will likely be prone to young team mistakes. Bruce Thornton started in most games last season, but Gayle and Okpara came off the bench on most occasions.
This will be their first-time being day one and heavily used starters and could make for a transition period, at least early on in the season. Middleton, Royal, Chatman and possibly Parks will all play significant roles on next season’s team and are all freshmen that are talented but will likely need to go through a learning phase, similar to all the freshmen last season.
There could still be some growing pains on this team and that is okay.
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 Quinn Harris/Getty Images
The Buckeyes have a ton of potential, but does the potential outweigh sure things on the roster?
At Land-Grant Holy Land, May means that the theme weeks are here! And for this iteration of You’re Nuts, we are sticking to the theme for this week, which is Biggest Concerns for next season. These are normally all about football, but we are doing what we do best. Talking hoops.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated who should start at the center position. Connor said sophomore Felix Okpara and Justin argued it should be senior Zed Key. Even though Key was honorable mention all-conference, the audience sided with Connor on this, agreeing that Okpara should start.
With the Connor win, he moves to just two wins behind Justin with week 100 upcoming.
After 99 weeks:
Justin- 43
Connor- 41
Other- 11
(There have been four ties)
As mentioned above, here is the question for this week.
Today’s Question: What is your biggest concern with Ohio State men’s basketball this season?
Connor: There will be too much pressure on Jamison Battle
With both of Ohio State’s top two scorers from last season now gone, someone — or someone(s) — will have to step up and assume the role of go-to scorer this season. Last year it was Brice Sensabaugh, who led the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game. The NBA-bound freshman is almost certainly gone to the draft, where he’ll be a first-round pick this summer.
Justice Sueing was second in scoring at 12.3 points per game, but went through a prolonged stretch of poor play in January and into February. He final season was not his best season, but he still contributed over a dozen points per game.
With those two gone, who’s got next? Bruce Thornton averaged just under 11 points per game as a freshman, and I think he’ll take a step forward this year. Zed Key was shooting north of 60% before getting hurt in early January, and finished the year at 10.8 points per game. However, he won’t even be able to practice until August at the earliest, meaning he’s essentially losing his entire off-season.
Both of those guys could ascend to another level this season, but I believe the biggest weight will fall on the shoulders of Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle. Battle arrived in Columbus this spring after averaging 13.5 PPG in two seasons at George Washington and 15.1 PPG in two seasons at Minnesota.
While not exactly an efficient scorer (he’s a career 42% shooter, but shot it at 37.1% last season), Battle will be the most experienced player on the floor for the Buckeyes, aside from Baylor transfer Dale Bonner. The difference between Battle and Bonner, however, is that Battle will be a starter and could wind up playing double the minutes of Bonner. He also is much more of a pure scorer than Bonner — the two of them will play very different roles.
As the elder statesman of the expected starters, I don’t see a path for Ohio State to have a bounce back season if Battle doesn’t lead the Buckeyes in scoring. On a team that’s loaded with young players chock full of potential, Battle is one of the only sure things.
He scored in double-digits in 16 of 27 games last season, and that’s despite playing on a horrendous Minnesota team that averaged just 62.9 points per game. He’ll have plenty of space to work, and plenty of opportunities to get up shots this season in an offense that Chris Holtmann has gradually tried to speed up every year. Part of Battle’s recruitment was probably the assurance that he’d be one of — if not the — focal points of the offense.
Sometimes there are exceptions, but successful teams have a go-to scorer. A number one. An offensive priority. I think Battle needs to be that number one this season, but it’s a little concerning based off his 2022-2023 stats.
The Buckeyes will need him to be more efficient shooting the ball, as they can’t have their go-to guy hitting less than 40% of his shots. He hovered around 35%-36% from three-point range his first three seasons in college, but that number fell to 31.1% this past season. Those numbers probably need to come back up, because if they don’t, things could get really sticky for Ohio State once again in 2023-2024.
Justin: The overall youth is too much to overcome
There are three things that I believe to be true this next college basketball season. Jordan Spieth will own the grand slam (see everyone at the PGA in two weeks), Ohio State basketball will be talented and have more potential than any other Buckeye team in recent memory, and the thirdly this Buckeye team will still be really young.
Assuming the starters are who we think they are, the starting lineup will be Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Evan Mahaffey/Scotty Middleton/Jamison Battle, and Zed Key/Felix Okpara. So, looking at that, there is a chance Ohio State starts four sophomores or three sophomores and a freshman.
While this team’s potential is genuinely through the roof, they are also very young still and will likely be prone to young team mistakes. Bruce Thornton started in most games last season, but Gayle and Okpara came off the bench on most occasions.
This will be their first-time being day one and heavily used starters and could make for a transition period, at least early on in the season. Middleton, Royal, Chatman and possibly Parks will all play significant roles on next season’s team and are all freshmen that are talented but will likely need to go through a learning phase, similar to all the freshmen last season.
There could still be some growing pains on this team and that is okay.
Continue reading...
LGHL Some thoughts on the Buckeyes, the Browns & the 2023 NFL Draft
- News
- 0 Replies
Some thoughts on the Buckeyes, the Browns & the 2023 NFL Draft
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns did not have to look too far for some new talent
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and six (now former) Ohio State Buckeyes were selected. Congratulations to all of these young men, thank you for all of your contributions to Ohio State football over the years, and best of luck to you as you embark upon your professional football careers.
As a lifelong Ohioan who has spent the majority of my lifetime in the Cleveland area, the NFL team that I follow the most is the Cleveland Browns. “Follow” is probably the best way to describe my feelings for the Cleveland Browns. Truthfully, my passion for the Browns has never been the same ever since the original franchisewas stolen moved to Baltimore by former owner Art Modell after the 1995 season.
The euphoria of having the Browns come back in 1999 as an expansion franchise was quickly erased by the perpetual ineptitude on display year after year, to the point that I make a conscientious effort to get my lawn mowed or leaves raked on Sundays, as I consider watching Ohio State football, and other college football games, to be a higher priority, and better use of my time.
Part of my frustration with the Cleveland Browns has usually involved their seemingly blatant refusal to consider drafting Ohio State Buckeyes in the NFL Draft. Obviously I am biased as an Ohio State fan, but there have been so many occasions over the years when the Browns would select a player, only to see their rivals within the division such as the Baltimore Ravens (LB Malik Harrison, RB J.K. Dobbins), Cincinnati Bengals (DE Sam Hubbard), or Pittsburgh Steelers (DL Cameron Heyward) happily select Buckeyes and then — surprisingly, I must add, with a heavy dose of sarcasm — go on to have productive NFL careers.
Fortunately, the present front office regime of the Cleveland Browns seems to have learned from mistakes of years past. At present, the Cleveland Browns have CB Denzel Ward and DL Tommy Togiai on the roster. And for the first time since 1965, the Cleveland Browns drafted two Ohio State Buckeyes in the same draft, when they selected OT Dawand Jones and C Luke Wypler.
Before I discuss the draft selections of Jones and Wypler (sounds like a law firm, but I digress), the Browns were also actively adding Buckeyes following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. Safeties Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister both signed free agent contracts with the Browns, and I am eager to see how they will do with their respective opportunities.
Onto Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler. It was surprising to me that Jones and Wypler were both drafted later than I expected, but both are coming into good opportunities with the Cleveland Browns.
“We think he is a young, talented guy...A work in progress, like a lot of the guys that come into the league. It’s hard to find someone that has that rare of size and also his movement skills.” ~ Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, on the selection of Dawand Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft
Dawand Jones has an opportunity to play for a legendary offensive line coach in Bill Callahan. At right tackle, the Browns re-signed Jack Conklin in the offseason to an extension through the 2026 season. Considering Conklin’s injury history, Jones could be well-positioned in the event that he is called upon to fill the right tackle spot for the Browns.
It was a surprise that Luke Wypler declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, and then it became painful to see teams bypass him on days 2 and 3. As the draft progressed, I held out hope that the Browns would select him, and they did in the 6th round. Similar to Dawand Jones, the Browns had to scramble through injuries at the center position in 2022. Nick Harris went down in the very first preseason game, and the Browns were fortunate to have Ethan Pocic ready to go at the position. The Browns re-signed Pocic in the offseason, but Wypler could be an option at center or guard as a backup.
The calls and selections came later than either Dawand Jones or Luke Wypler wanted or anticipated, but they were teammates in college, and now have an opportunity to be teammates as professionals. And thankfully, the Cleveland Browns did not waste chances to select two talented players only about two hours away.
Continue reading...
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
The Cleveland Browns did not have to look too far for some new talent
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and six (now former) Ohio State Buckeyes were selected. Congratulations to all of these young men, thank you for all of your contributions to Ohio State football over the years, and best of luck to you as you embark upon your professional football careers.
As a lifelong Ohioan who has spent the majority of my lifetime in the Cleveland area, the NFL team that I follow the most is the Cleveland Browns. “Follow” is probably the best way to describe my feelings for the Cleveland Browns. Truthfully, my passion for the Browns has never been the same ever since the original franchise
The euphoria of having the Browns come back in 1999 as an expansion franchise was quickly erased by the perpetual ineptitude on display year after year, to the point that I make a conscientious effort to get my lawn mowed or leaves raked on Sundays, as I consider watching Ohio State football, and other college football games, to be a higher priority, and better use of my time.
Part of my frustration with the Cleveland Browns has usually involved their seemingly blatant refusal to consider drafting Ohio State Buckeyes in the NFL Draft. Obviously I am biased as an Ohio State fan, but there have been so many occasions over the years when the Browns would select a player, only to see their rivals within the division such as the Baltimore Ravens (LB Malik Harrison, RB J.K. Dobbins), Cincinnati Bengals (DE Sam Hubbard), or Pittsburgh Steelers (DL Cameron Heyward) happily select Buckeyes and then — surprisingly, I must add, with a heavy dose of sarcasm — go on to have productive NFL careers.
Fortunately, the present front office regime of the Cleveland Browns seems to have learned from mistakes of years past. At present, the Cleveland Browns have CB Denzel Ward and DL Tommy Togiai on the roster. And for the first time since 1965, the Cleveland Browns drafted two Ohio State Buckeyes in the same draft, when they selected OT Dawand Jones and C Luke Wypler.
Before I discuss the draft selections of Jones and Wypler (sounds like a law firm, but I digress), the Browns were also actively adding Buckeyes following the conclusion of the 2023 NFL Draft. Safeties Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister both signed free agent contracts with the Browns, and I am eager to see how they will do with their respective opportunities.
Onto Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler. It was surprising to me that Jones and Wypler were both drafted later than I expected, but both are coming into good opportunities with the Cleveland Browns.
“We think he is a young, talented guy...A work in progress, like a lot of the guys that come into the league. It’s hard to find someone that has that rare of size and also his movement skills.” ~ Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry, on the selection of Dawand Jones in the 2023 NFL Draft
Dawand Jones has an opportunity to play for a legendary offensive line coach in Bill Callahan. At right tackle, the Browns re-signed Jack Conklin in the offseason to an extension through the 2026 season. Considering Conklin’s injury history, Jones could be well-positioned in the event that he is called upon to fill the right tackle spot for the Browns.
It was a surprise that Luke Wypler declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, and then it became painful to see teams bypass him on days 2 and 3. As the draft progressed, I held out hope that the Browns would select him, and they did in the 6th round. Similar to Dawand Jones, the Browns had to scramble through injuries at the center position in 2022. Nick Harris went down in the very first preseason game, and the Browns were fortunate to have Ethan Pocic ready to go at the position. The Browns re-signed Pocic in the offseason, but Wypler could be an option at center or guard as a backup.
The calls and selections came later than either Dawand Jones or Luke Wypler wanted or anticipated, but they were teammates in college, and now have an opportunity to be teammates as professionals. And thankfully, the Cleveland Browns did not waste chances to select two talented players only about two hours away.
Continue reading...
LGHL Buck Off Podcast: Breaking down our biggest concerns for Ohio State football
- News
- 0 Replies
Buck Off Podcast: Breaking down our biggest concerns for Ohio State football
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
It is biggest concerns week at Land-Grant Holy Land and the guys are here to discuss theirs.
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 our Biggest Concerns. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our Biggest Concerns here.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Matt Tamanini to discuss our biggest concerns for Ohio State football as we get into the darkest depths of the offseason.
We start the show with a discussion about the offense and the biggest concerns on that side of the ball. The Buckeyes have one position group that is concerning on the offensive side, and without even saying it, I think you know what group will be discussed first. After that, we turn our attention to quarterback expectations, and then a conversation about maintaining health.
After that, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the football. This discussion starts with the secondary, then we get into our level of concern that this half of the defense takes the necessary steps forward. We continue our defensive concern discussions with a chat about Larry Johnson’s defensive line and our worry about his ill-timed rotations. The last bit we discuss is about Ohio State limiting big plays.
To close out the show today, we get into our final thoughts on our level of concern on a few different scales for the Buckeyes this fall. We summarize the points we talked about, print out a final number, and discuss why even if our concerns come to fruition, Ohio State will probably still be a very good football team.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
It is biggest concerns week at Land-Grant Holy Land and the guys are here to discuss theirs.
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 our Biggest Concerns. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our Biggest Concerns here.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Matt Tamanini to discuss our biggest concerns for Ohio State football as we get into the darkest depths of the offseason.
We start the show with a discussion about the offense and the biggest concerns on that side of the ball. The Buckeyes have one position group that is concerning on the offensive side, and without even saying it, I think you know what group will be discussed first. After that, we turn our attention to quarterback expectations, and then a conversation about maintaining health.
After that, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the football. This discussion starts with the secondary, then we get into our level of concern that this half of the defense takes the necessary steps forward. We continue our defensive concern discussions with a chat about Larry Johnson’s defensive line and our worry about his ill-timed rotations. The last bit we discuss is about Ohio State limiting big plays.
To close out the show today, we get into our final thoughts on our level of concern on a few different scales for the Buckeyes this fall. We summarize the points we talked about, print out a final number, and discuss why even if our concerns come to fruition, Ohio State will probably still be a very good football team.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
