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LGHL No. 2 Ohio State women drop second-straight in 78-65 loss to No. 6 Indiana
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No. 2 Ohio State women drop second-straight in 78-65 loss to No. 6 Indiana
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University athletic department
A dismal third quarter plagued the Buckeyes in another tough loss on Thursday night.
There wasn’t a lot of time for the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball team to dwell on Monday’s loss to the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes. The 19-1 Buckeyes looked to go back to adding numbers to the left side of that record, but against another tough opponent in the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
Making things more difficult was the venue: Bloomington, Indiana’s Assembly Hall. The Scarlet & Gray couldn’t overcome a tough Hoosiers team, trading their 19-game winning streak for a two-game losing streak, falling to Indiana 78-65.
The Buckeyes were again without guard Jacy Sheldon. Still recovering from a foot injury, and not playing since Nov. 30, the guard watched from the bench.
The atmosphere inside the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was at a decibel the Buckeyes likely haven’t heard all season in front of a crowd that filled the entire lower bowl of the historic basketball venue. The crowd got loud on every Hoosiers make, let out piercing boos when Ohio State got a call go their way, as well as some language not suitable for repeating at Land-Grant Holy Land.
From the jump, the Scarlet & Gray were a motivated unit. It began on defense, with the first Hoosiers possession ending in a miss and putting the Buckeyes on offense, and they made history.
Specifically, guard Taylor Mikesell made history. The guard from Massillon, Ohio hit a layup to score her 2,000th point in her impressive NCAA career.
The Buckeyes followed the graduate senior’s lead. Freshman forward Cotie McMahon scored the way she usually does — attacking the basket. McMahon scored six points halfway into the opening quarter all from the paint, while also hitting two free throws.
With six minutes of the first quarter done, the Buckeyes were up 14-8. It happened with strong half court defense and stopping the Hoosiers in transition. After the media timeout though, Indiana turned things around.
The Hoosiers went on a nine-point run, led by six points from forward Mackenzie Holmes and a free throw and layup by point guard Grace Berger. On the Buckeyes’ offensive side of the court, the shots falling earlier in the quarter weren’t there, and they hit foul trouble early.
Both underclassmen role players McMahon and Forward Taylor Thierry picked up two fouls apiece, sending Thierry to the bench. At the end of the first quarter, Indiana cleared the deficit and went up one point, up 17-16.
To start the second quarter, the Buckeyes went up a point quickly, but it was a seesaw affair between the two sides, with the Hoosiers and guard Yarden Garzon putting the home side up three.
Then McMahon took the game over. The freshman scored nine of the next 15 points, with Indiana only having four of them. McMahon did it by attacking the basket. At one point, she scored a layup, scored a second layup plus a free throw, and then on defense came down and blocked guard Chloe Moore-McNeil.
Mikesell showed off her passing skills on a second-quarter fastbreak possession, cutting the Indiana defense to only where McMahon could grab the ball and hitting the layup. Mikesell did some scoring too, scoring eight points on 4-for-5 shooting. A quiet, yet efficient, first half.
Overall, it was the McMahon and Holmes show. McMahon matched Indiana’s forward for scoring in the first half, scoring 18 points each. Through McMahon’s work, and the Buckeyes holding Indiana to 39.4% shooting, the visitors pushed their lead back up to six, eventually going into halftime up 36-32.
After all the energy and excitement of the first half, the second half started with more of a whimper. Both sides struggled to hit shots early, but as the game found its footing again, the Hoosiers pushed forward, but not without some hustle by Ohio State.
Garzon made a three that cut the Buckeyes lead down to one, and moments later she had a golden opportunity to put Indiana back in the lead. The Scarlet & Gray gave the ball away at the top of the arc, and Garzon was all alone running down the court on the fastbreak.
Not giving up on the play was Mikesell, who rushed the guard and hit the ball out of Garzon’s hands before she could attempt the layup. It kept Ohio State’s lead, but only momentarily.
Indiana then went on an 11-point run, and it was with points from deep and no Holmes getting on the scoreboard. Through a Buckeyes timeout, the Hoosiers kept it going and surged ahead to a five-point lead.
Ohio State did themselves no favors, shooting 14.3% halfway through the third quarter and giving the ball away twice. The Hoosiers were getting the crowd back on their side the whole time, meaning the Buckeyes needed to fight six players.
The inside game that worked so well for Ohio State in the first half was met with triple teams in the paint, and the Buckeyes took too long to adjust. Indiana ballooned their lead up to 11, their highest of the game to that point, as part of a 17-0 run.
Making matters worse, Thierry picked up a fourth foul and a seat on the bench. The third quarter quickly erased Ohio State’s strong first half.
Ohio State ended the third quarter down 59-42 — a 21-point swing in 10 game minutes. The Buckeyes were outscored 27-6 in the second-worst quarter of the season for the team after scoring only five in one quarter against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 21.
To start the fourth quarter, the Scarlet & Gray needed to cut down a 17-point deficit, a tall task against the veteran Hoosiers. Before long, the Buckeyes trimmed it down to 10, thanks to Mikesell starting to take and hit three-point shots.
The Buckeyes started scoring 11 of the first 14 points of the fourth quarter. Then Ohio State would give up a layup and foul on Holmes, taking away the momentum they desperately needed, but the Scarlet & Gray kept battling.
Indiana’s lead got down to as little as eight, but they could never make up the entire deficit.
Cotie McMahon Continues Big Games
Despite the defeat, McMahon again had an impressive game. The forward kept attacking the basket and getting points and trips to the line. Unfortunately, it was only McMahon making things difficult for much of the game for the Hoosiers defense.
At the end of the third quarter, McMahon was the only Buckeye in double figures, scoring 21 points. McMahon ended the night scoring 21 points with three boards and an assist. In the fourth quarter, with 4:50 left, McMahon picked up her fifth and final foul, and received a kind “bye” ovation from the record Assembly Hall crowd of 10,455.
The Buckeyes’ first half showed a team who learned from their lessons against Iowa, but they created all new lessons in the second half. Ohio State had six turnovers and were outscored in points off turnovers, 13-0.
Now, after two losses in a row, a road to a conference title is much rockier, and the Buckeyes all the sudden find themselves needing a lot of help.
Ohio State heads back to friendlier confines, and a slightly less difficult opponent, when they welcome the Purdue Boilermakers to the Schottenstein Center. It’s a Sunday matinee tipoff of 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on BTN+.
The Buckeyes will then travel to Wisconsin on Wednesday night before going into another hostile environment Sunday, Feb. 5, against the No. 10 Maryland Terrapins.
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University athletic department
A dismal third quarter plagued the Buckeyes in another tough loss on Thursday night.
There wasn’t a lot of time for the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball team to dwell on Monday’s loss to the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes. The 19-1 Buckeyes looked to go back to adding numbers to the left side of that record, but against another tough opponent in the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
Making things more difficult was the venue: Bloomington, Indiana’s Assembly Hall. The Scarlet & Gray couldn’t overcome a tough Hoosiers team, trading their 19-game winning streak for a two-game losing streak, falling to Indiana 78-65.
The Buckeyes were again without guard Jacy Sheldon. Still recovering from a foot injury, and not playing since Nov. 30, the guard watched from the bench.
The atmosphere inside the Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall was at a decibel the Buckeyes likely haven’t heard all season in front of a crowd that filled the entire lower bowl of the historic basketball venue. The crowd got loud on every Hoosiers make, let out piercing boos when Ohio State got a call go their way, as well as some language not suitable for repeating at Land-Grant Holy Land.
From the jump, the Scarlet & Gray were a motivated unit. It began on defense, with the first Hoosiers possession ending in a miss and putting the Buckeyes on offense, and they made history.
Specifically, guard Taylor Mikesell made history. The guard from Massillon, Ohio hit a layup to score her 2,000th point in her impressive NCAA career.
The Buckeyes followed the graduate senior’s lead. Freshman forward Cotie McMahon scored the way she usually does — attacking the basket. McMahon scored six points halfway into the opening quarter all from the paint, while also hitting two free throws.
With six minutes of the first quarter done, the Buckeyes were up 14-8. It happened with strong half court defense and stopping the Hoosiers in transition. After the media timeout though, Indiana turned things around.
The Hoosiers went on a nine-point run, led by six points from forward Mackenzie Holmes and a free throw and layup by point guard Grace Berger. On the Buckeyes’ offensive side of the court, the shots falling earlier in the quarter weren’t there, and they hit foul trouble early.
Both underclassmen role players McMahon and Forward Taylor Thierry picked up two fouls apiece, sending Thierry to the bench. At the end of the first quarter, Indiana cleared the deficit and went up one point, up 17-16.
To start the second quarter, the Buckeyes went up a point quickly, but it was a seesaw affair between the two sides, with the Hoosiers and guard Yarden Garzon putting the home side up three.
Then McMahon took the game over. The freshman scored nine of the next 15 points, with Indiana only having four of them. McMahon did it by attacking the basket. At one point, she scored a layup, scored a second layup plus a free throw, and then on defense came down and blocked guard Chloe Moore-McNeil.
Mikesell showed off her passing skills on a second-quarter fastbreak possession, cutting the Indiana defense to only where McMahon could grab the ball and hitting the layup. Mikesell did some scoring too, scoring eight points on 4-for-5 shooting. A quiet, yet efficient, first half.
Overall, it was the McMahon and Holmes show. McMahon matched Indiana’s forward for scoring in the first half, scoring 18 points each. Through McMahon’s work, and the Buckeyes holding Indiana to 39.4% shooting, the visitors pushed their lead back up to six, eventually going into halftime up 36-32.
After all the energy and excitement of the first half, the second half started with more of a whimper. Both sides struggled to hit shots early, but as the game found its footing again, the Hoosiers pushed forward, but not without some hustle by Ohio State.
Garzon made a three that cut the Buckeyes lead down to one, and moments later she had a golden opportunity to put Indiana back in the lead. The Scarlet & Gray gave the ball away at the top of the arc, and Garzon was all alone running down the court on the fastbreak.
Not giving up on the play was Mikesell, who rushed the guard and hit the ball out of Garzon’s hands before she could attempt the layup. It kept Ohio State’s lead, but only momentarily.
Indiana then went on an 11-point run, and it was with points from deep and no Holmes getting on the scoreboard. Through a Buckeyes timeout, the Hoosiers kept it going and surged ahead to a five-point lead.
Ohio State did themselves no favors, shooting 14.3% halfway through the third quarter and giving the ball away twice. The Hoosiers were getting the crowd back on their side the whole time, meaning the Buckeyes needed to fight six players.
The inside game that worked so well for Ohio State in the first half was met with triple teams in the paint, and the Buckeyes took too long to adjust. Indiana ballooned their lead up to 11, their highest of the game to that point, as part of a 17-0 run.
Making matters worse, Thierry picked up a fourth foul and a seat on the bench. The third quarter quickly erased Ohio State’s strong first half.
Ohio State ended the third quarter down 59-42 — a 21-point swing in 10 game minutes. The Buckeyes were outscored 27-6 in the second-worst quarter of the season for the team after scoring only five in one quarter against the Oregon Ducks on Dec. 21.
To start the fourth quarter, the Scarlet & Gray needed to cut down a 17-point deficit, a tall task against the veteran Hoosiers. Before long, the Buckeyes trimmed it down to 10, thanks to Mikesell starting to take and hit three-point shots.
The Buckeyes started scoring 11 of the first 14 points of the fourth quarter. Then Ohio State would give up a layup and foul on Holmes, taking away the momentum they desperately needed, but the Scarlet & Gray kept battling.
Indiana’s lead got down to as little as eight, but they could never make up the entire deficit.
Cotie McMahon Continues Big Games
Despite the defeat, McMahon again had an impressive game. The forward kept attacking the basket and getting points and trips to the line. Unfortunately, it was only McMahon making things difficult for much of the game for the Hoosiers defense.
At the end of the third quarter, McMahon was the only Buckeye in double figures, scoring 21 points. McMahon ended the night scoring 21 points with three boards and an assist. In the fourth quarter, with 4:50 left, McMahon picked up her fifth and final foul, and received a kind “bye” ovation from the record Assembly Hall crowd of 10,455.
Losing Streak
The Buckeyes’ first half showed a team who learned from their lessons against Iowa, but they created all new lessons in the second half. Ohio State had six turnovers and were outscored in points off turnovers, 13-0.
Now, after two losses in a row, a road to a conference title is much rockier, and the Buckeyes all the sudden find themselves needing a lot of help.
What’s Next
Ohio State heads back to friendlier confines, and a slightly less difficult opponent, when they welcome the Purdue Boilermakers to the Schottenstein Center. It’s a Sunday matinee tipoff of 1:00 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on BTN+.
The Buckeyes will then travel to Wisconsin on Wednesday night before going into another hostile environment Sunday, Feb. 5, against the No. 10 Maryland Terrapins.
Continue reading...
LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 26, 2023
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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 26, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Ohio State 2023 offensive depth chart projection: Version 1.0 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Ohio State’s secondary faces important offseason of questions, development
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Mel Kiper Jr. puts three OSU players in first 13 picks of latest mock draft
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Correct:
Joe Royer Looks to Earn More Playing Time at Tight End for Ohio State in 2023 After Suffering Injury, Personal Tragedy in 2022
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer could give Ohio State football something not seen since Chase Young
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
How Xavier Johnson returning opens up options for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
He’s a magic man.
Nick Bosa Named Finalist for Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Garrett Wilson a Finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Don’t call it a comeback: How some former Ohio State players are getting their second wind in the NFL playoffs
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
You’re Nuts: Which Best Picture nominee is most like the Ohio State football team?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
Todd McShay’s an asshat:
Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women travel to No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
OSU women’s basketball team looks to rebound at IU after first loss
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Coach McGuff updates on Jacy Sheldon return for Ohio State women’s basketball
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Holtmann: Buckeyes ‘just need more’ from captains Key, Sueing
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Holtmann seems to be trying to shake things up, which is good, but the team definitely needs more fire.
Buckeyes say poor practices paved way for decisive loss at Illinois
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
‘I’m just so thankful’: Former Ohio State walk-on Owen Spencer appreciative of surprise scholarship (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Ohio State wrestling gears up to face Michigan on Friday
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Partially Blind Women’s Rugby Club Player Aims to Bring Awareness to Students with Disabilities Through Sports
Jayla Vanhorn, The Lantern
Women’s Tennis: Ratliff Named B1G Athlete of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Swimming & Diving: Zenick and Hentschel Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
Ohio State Athletics
Even the ref couldn’t help but jump up and down on this one.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
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...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State 2023 offensive depth chart projection: Version 1.0 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Ohio State’s secondary faces important offseason of questions, development
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Mel Kiper Jr. puts three OSU players in first 13 picks of latest mock draft
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Correct:
Joe Royer Looks to Earn More Playing Time at Tight End for Ohio State in 2023 After Suffering Injury, Personal Tragedy in 2022
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer could give Ohio State football something not seen since Chase Young
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
How Xavier Johnson returning opens up options for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
He’s a magic man.
Nick Bosa Named Finalist for Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, Garrett Wilson a Finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Don’t call it a comeback: How some former Ohio State players are getting their second wind in the NFL playoffs
Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
You’re Nuts: Which Best Picture nominee is most like the Ohio State football team?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
Todd McShay’s an asshat:
On the Hardwood
Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women travel to No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
OSU women’s basketball team looks to rebound at IU after first loss
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Coach McGuff updates on Jacy Sheldon return for Ohio State women’s basketball
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Holtmann: Buckeyes ‘just need more’ from captains Key, Sueing
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Holtmann seems to be trying to shake things up, which is good, but the team definitely needs more fire.
Buckeyes say poor practices paved way for decisive loss at Illinois
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
‘I’m just so thankful’: Former Ohio State walk-on Owen Spencer appreciative of surprise scholarship (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Ohio State wrestling gears up to face Michigan on Friday
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Partially Blind Women’s Rugby Club Player Aims to Bring Awareness to Students with Disabilities Through Sports
Jayla Vanhorn, The Lantern
Buckeye squads ranked in the Top 25 this week !
: @OhioStateWHKY takes on Minnesota State Friday at 6:00 PM and Saturday at 3:00 PM
: https://t.co/He7w8aRjdw #GoBucks | @HondaInOhio pic.twitter.com/2XjgfEND0X
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 25, 2023
Women’s Tennis: Ratliff Named B1G Athlete of the Week
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Swimming & Diving: Zenick and Hentschel Earn Big Ten Weekly Honors
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Even the ref couldn’t help but jump up and down on this one.
Continue reading...
LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State’s living life in basketball purgatory
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Bucketheads Podcast: Ohio State’s living life in basketball purgatory
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
At 3-6 in conference play, the Buckeyes’ next few games will either get them on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble or send them straight to the basement.
‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
During episode 63, Connor and Justin break down Ohio State’s precarious position in both the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament picture. At 3-6, a Big Ten title is clearly out of reach. But with only three games separating the second-place team and the 12th-place team, everything else is a crapshoot. Relatively speaking, any team can slide up or down the standings over the next six weeks and it would not be a surprise.
Similarly, the Buckeyes currently sit on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble as a projected 11-seed, likely playing at the University of Dayton in the first four. A few wins could slide them into a better position and avoid that situation. A few more losses could drop them off the bubble completely.
The guys close with an “Around the Horn” style whip-around, with Justin discussing every B1G team for exactly 20 seconds.
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
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
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
At 3-6 in conference play, the Buckeyes’ next few games will either get them on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble or send them straight to the basement.
‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
During episode 63, Connor and Justin break down Ohio State’s precarious position in both the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournament picture. At 3-6, a Big Ten title is clearly out of reach. But with only three games separating the second-place team and the 12th-place team, everything else is a crapshoot. Relatively speaking, any team can slide up or down the standings over the next six weeks and it would not be a surprise.
Similarly, the Buckeyes currently sit on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble as a projected 11-seed, likely playing at the University of Dayton in the first four. A few wins could slide them into a better position and avoid that situation. A few more losses could drop them off the bubble completely.
The guys close with an “Around the Horn” style whip-around, with Justin discussing every B1G team for exactly 20 seconds.
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL Column: Ohio State’s recent 2024 quarterback offer looks incredibly familiar
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Column: Ohio State’s recent 2024 quarterback offer looks incredibly familiar
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes recently offered five-star quarterback Julian Sayin out of southern California.
Over the last week, Ohio State has made moves in regards to their 2024 recruiting class by offering a new quarterback. The Buckeyes had the commitment of No. 1 overall player and quarterback Dylan Raiola until Dec. 17. His de-commitment was a huge loss, and was eerily similar to the abrupt ending to the Quinn Ewers-era at Ohio State, who came in with the same recruiting pedigree.
The Ewers decision led to a scramble to find a 2022 quarterback. Devin Brown ended up at Ohio State. After some early commitments fell through in the 2023 class, the Buckeye staff zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz. Now the 2024 class is fully in the spotlight, and the Buckeyes are without a quarterback commitment just yet.
With Ryan Day, there are no questions about his ability to turn talented quarterbacks into first round NFL draft picks. Ohio State is now looking across the country for the next player in the line of succession. Last offseason, I wrote about the blueprint of Day’s quarterbacks, and how they all fit the same physical profile.
The Buckeyes’ most recent offer fits this profile, and could be the next cornerstone to the 2024 class: five-star Alabama commit, Julian Sayin (Carlsbad High School, CA).
Comparing the dramatics of recent Quarterback Recruitments
Going back to the recruitment of C.J. Stroud, this is where the volatility of recruiting the position became evident. The Buckeyes long had a commitment from Jack Miller, but after a strong showing in camps as well as on the field, Stroud earned an offer. He accepted, with the rest now being history. Stroud was the first late offer and eleventh hour commitment for Ryan Day’s quarterback room.
This set the tone for the lack of fear needed in regards to signing up for a room where every player will be coming from the same recruiting background. There is a competitive edge needed, and Kyle McCord was next. McCord committed over a year before he signed, and was a cornerstone piece of the 2021 class. Looking back, this was the least dramatic quarterback recruitment the Buckeyes have had recently, and if he starts, one of the rare modern stories of a quarterback sticking it out.
After McCord, the drama begins. Quinn Ewers commits and reclassifies. After less than six months in the program, he uproots himself and leaves. There is no ill-will involved, but arguably one of the more tumultuous situations. With the re-classification, the need for a 2022 quarterback appeared, and yes this is just as confusing looking back at it all.
In comes Devin Brown, who was committed to USC, at the wire again with the visit, offer, and commitment. The same story followed the next time around. Dylan Raiola commits to Ohio State and becomes an immediate leader for the 2024 class. There was still a hole in 2023 class, and the Buckeyes zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz.
Kienholz was committed to Washington. He still chose to run into a room with two top-50 recruits competing to start, and the No. 1 player in the country already committed – well, shortly committed.
The point of all this is to show that quarterback recruiting is different. There is no direct path, and that is why 2024 is so interesting. Losing a player the caliber of Raiola is a huge loss, but that won’t stop the Ohio State staff from going after the quarterbacks they want.
That is where Sayin comes in. Over the weekend, I took in the Battle Miami 7-on-7 quarterback, and the one takeaway was the kid from Carlsbad might be the best QB in the country. An elite tournament to me feels like Stroud’s rise at the Elite 11 or Brown’s junior year camp circuit, and the Buckeyes had significantly less time than they do now to land a quarterback.
Does Sayin fit the Ryan Day profile for a quarterback recruit?
Looking at the recruiting profiles of all of the recent quarterback recruits and commitments, there is definitely a physical profile Ryan Day looks for. The table below shows all the evidence needed about a profile, and the funny part is Raiola is the only outlier in terms of size.
Sayin comes in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, which falls close to the average, and similarly with Stroud, Miller, and Brown. There will be an additional 15-20 pounds added at the next level.
The size profile might be more coincidental than anything, but that is definitely a reason Ohio State has zeroed in on the southern California quarterback. Looking at a few clips from the last three QB signees at Ohio State show the skillset as well. There is a need for athleticism, layering throws, and elite ball placement for the high school level.
In this first clip, you see Sayin on a naked rollout with a single route concept to the play side. This off-platform throw is delivered with enough zip to get there in a hurry, and enough touch to fall perfectly into the hands of the receiver on the sideline.
Comparing this to the clip below, McCord has to escape, but ends up in a similar off-platform throwing situation. He doesn’t have to deliver the ball with the same accuracy, but he finds his receiver with touch on the throw.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
The skillset doesn’t end there. Ohio State quarterbacks under Day have to be able to drop the ball into a basket from the pocket. There was a feeling with Stroud at times where he had a string on the football, and was able to just land the ball in the hands of the receivers.
In this next clip, we see Sayin climb the pocket and hit the post route in stride. This is a throw we’ve seen Stroud make time-and-time again. The level of touch needed to land the ball in the hands comfortably is a skill not all quarterbacks possess.
Dropping the ball in the basket is also apparent in the clip below with Kienholz. On the throw, Kienholz has a defender trailing and a safety closing in. He drops the ball right between them. The deep ball is not a trait that every high level QB possesses consistently, but it is absolutely a bare minimum requirement in the Ohio State quarterback room.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
Last play set we’re going to compare shows a drill that quarterback coaches love with a rail shot throw. Brown does not do the exact rail shot in his play, but there is a laser beam over a defender for a touchdown. Sayin has a legitimate rail shot throw, beating the defender before he can get back in the play with a throw with a lot of pace.
Both throws show the arm strength, suddenness, and quick releases that Day looks for.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
Sayin matches the physical and skill profile that Ryan Day looks for in his quarterback recruits. The Alabama commit is still committed, so this will be a battle for the Buckeyes if they truly are to gain the commitment of Sayin. But once I turned the tape on, I could not stop seeing the similarities of the Carlsbad starter and the guys we’ve seen in Ohio State’s room.
Looking at the other QBs in the 2024 class, there are plenty of talented players across the country, but not many fit the profile as well as Sayin does. This to me means that Ohio State has fully squared in on their target, and it is going to be another showdown between Alabama and Ohio State.
The importance of having a quarterback in 2024
Getting to the importance of having a 2024 quarterback starts with depth. In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, keeping together any position group room is becoming more challenging on a yearly basis. Players want to reap their rewards, and the Buckeyes are fortunate to have a room as strong as they do currently from a recruiting rankings standpoint.
Keeping two top-100 players at the position is not easy, and if Devin Brown wins the job the assumption is the room will likely get thinner. That is why Ohio State took a 2023 commit even though they already had a commitment from one of the best players at the position in the 2024 class.
Going back to the class with Jack Miller and C.J. Stroud, the depth was thin, so Day added another quarterback. There is no waiting in recruiting, and the necessity of depth is still real, even if player mobility has changed how that looks.
And the final reason of importance is something Day answered very candidly last offseason. What if you miss on a guy? There has been no evidence of that so far, but how different does Ohio State football look if Day doesn’t bring Stroud in.
The Buckeyes have a long ways to go until Signing Day, and recruiting a quarterback won’t stop until then. Will the Buckeyes land Saying? I’m not entirely sure, but it shows Ohio State always has a back up plan at the most important position.
Moving down to the micro level of this recent offer and what it means for the Buckeyes, Day found a quarterback in 2024 that fits the exact profile he looks for. They will do everything they can, and with Alabama having some coaching turnover on the offensive staff with Bill O’Brien leaving, the next hire will have a huge impact on where this recruitment goes.
The Buckeyes are building their 2024 class, and the quarterback tends to always be the center piece. Ohio State has started looking and have made their first move. Now we continue to wait and find out who is next in the line of Ryan Day quarterback recruits.
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
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes recently offered five-star quarterback Julian Sayin out of southern California.
Over the last week, Ohio State has made moves in regards to their 2024 recruiting class by offering a new quarterback. The Buckeyes had the commitment of No. 1 overall player and quarterback Dylan Raiola until Dec. 17. His de-commitment was a huge loss, and was eerily similar to the abrupt ending to the Quinn Ewers-era at Ohio State, who came in with the same recruiting pedigree.
The Ewers decision led to a scramble to find a 2022 quarterback. Devin Brown ended up at Ohio State. After some early commitments fell through in the 2023 class, the Buckeye staff zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz. Now the 2024 class is fully in the spotlight, and the Buckeyes are without a quarterback commitment just yet.
With Ryan Day, there are no questions about his ability to turn talented quarterbacks into first round NFL draft picks. Ohio State is now looking across the country for the next player in the line of succession. Last offseason, I wrote about the blueprint of Day’s quarterbacks, and how they all fit the same physical profile.
The Buckeyes’ most recent offer fits this profile, and could be the next cornerstone to the 2024 class: five-star Alabama commit, Julian Sayin (Carlsbad High School, CA).
Comparing the dramatics of recent Quarterback Recruitments
Going back to the recruitment of C.J. Stroud, this is where the volatility of recruiting the position became evident. The Buckeyes long had a commitment from Jack Miller, but after a strong showing in camps as well as on the field, Stroud earned an offer. He accepted, with the rest now being history. Stroud was the first late offer and eleventh hour commitment for Ryan Day’s quarterback room.
This set the tone for the lack of fear needed in regards to signing up for a room where every player will be coming from the same recruiting background. There is a competitive edge needed, and Kyle McCord was next. McCord committed over a year before he signed, and was a cornerstone piece of the 2021 class. Looking back, this was the least dramatic quarterback recruitment the Buckeyes have had recently, and if he starts, one of the rare modern stories of a quarterback sticking it out.
After McCord, the drama begins. Quinn Ewers commits and reclassifies. After less than six months in the program, he uproots himself and leaves. There is no ill-will involved, but arguably one of the more tumultuous situations. With the re-classification, the need for a 2022 quarterback appeared, and yes this is just as confusing looking back at it all.
In comes Devin Brown, who was committed to USC, at the wire again with the visit, offer, and commitment. The same story followed the next time around. Dylan Raiola commits to Ohio State and becomes an immediate leader for the 2024 class. There was still a hole in 2023 class, and the Buckeyes zeroed in on Lincoln Kienholz.
Kienholz was committed to Washington. He still chose to run into a room with two top-50 recruits competing to start, and the No. 1 player in the country already committed – well, shortly committed.
The point of all this is to show that quarterback recruiting is different. There is no direct path, and that is why 2024 is so interesting. Losing a player the caliber of Raiola is a huge loss, but that won’t stop the Ohio State staff from going after the quarterbacks they want.
That is where Sayin comes in. Over the weekend, I took in the Battle Miami 7-on-7 quarterback, and the one takeaway was the kid from Carlsbad might be the best QB in the country. An elite tournament to me feels like Stroud’s rise at the Elite 11 or Brown’s junior year camp circuit, and the Buckeyes had significantly less time than they do now to land a quarterback.
Does Sayin fit the Ryan Day profile for a quarterback recruit?
Looking at the recruiting profiles of all of the recent quarterback recruits and commitments, there is definitely a physical profile Ryan Day looks for. The table below shows all the evidence needed about a profile, and the funny part is Raiola is the only outlier in terms of size.
Sayin comes in at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, which falls close to the average, and similarly with Stroud, Miller, and Brown. There will be an additional 15-20 pounds added at the next level.
The size profile might be more coincidental than anything, but that is definitely a reason Ohio State has zeroed in on the southern California quarterback. Looking at a few clips from the last three QB signees at Ohio State show the skillset as well. There is a need for athleticism, layering throws, and elite ball placement for the high school level.
In this first clip, you see Sayin on a naked rollout with a single route concept to the play side. This off-platform throw is delivered with enough zip to get there in a hurry, and enough touch to fall perfectly into the hands of the receiver on the sideline.
Comparing this to the clip below, McCord has to escape, but ends up in a similar off-platform throwing situation. He doesn’t have to deliver the ball with the same accuracy, but he finds his receiver with touch on the throw.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
The skillset doesn’t end there. Ohio State quarterbacks under Day have to be able to drop the ball into a basket from the pocket. There was a feeling with Stroud at times where he had a string on the football, and was able to just land the ball in the hands of the receivers.
In this next clip, we see Sayin climb the pocket and hit the post route in stride. This is a throw we’ve seen Stroud make time-and-time again. The level of touch needed to land the ball in the hands comfortably is a skill not all quarterbacks possess.
Dropping the ball in the basket is also apparent in the clip below with Kienholz. On the throw, Kienholz has a defender trailing and a safety closing in. He drops the ball right between them. The deep ball is not a trait that every high level QB possesses consistently, but it is absolutely a bare minimum requirement in the Ohio State quarterback room.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
Last play set we’re going to compare shows a drill that quarterback coaches love with a rail shot throw. Brown does not do the exact rail shot in his play, but there is a laser beam over a defender for a touchdown. Sayin has a legitimate rail shot throw, beating the defender before he can get back in the play with a throw with a lot of pace.
Both throws show the arm strength, suddenness, and quick releases that Day looks for.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
Sayin matches the physical and skill profile that Ryan Day looks for in his quarterback recruits. The Alabama commit is still committed, so this will be a battle for the Buckeyes if they truly are to gain the commitment of Sayin. But once I turned the tape on, I could not stop seeing the similarities of the Carlsbad starter and the guys we’ve seen in Ohio State’s room.
Looking at the other QBs in the 2024 class, there are plenty of talented players across the country, but not many fit the profile as well as Sayin does. This to me means that Ohio State has fully squared in on their target, and it is going to be another showdown between Alabama and Ohio State.
The importance of having a quarterback in 2024
Getting to the importance of having a 2024 quarterback starts with depth. In the era of the transfer portal and NIL, keeping together any position group room is becoming more challenging on a yearly basis. Players want to reap their rewards, and the Buckeyes are fortunate to have a room as strong as they do currently from a recruiting rankings standpoint.
Keeping two top-100 players at the position is not easy, and if Devin Brown wins the job the assumption is the room will likely get thinner. That is why Ohio State took a 2023 commit even though they already had a commitment from one of the best players at the position in the 2024 class.
Going back to the class with Jack Miller and C.J. Stroud, the depth was thin, so Day added another quarterback. There is no waiting in recruiting, and the necessity of depth is still real, even if player mobility has changed how that looks.
And the final reason of importance is something Day answered very candidly last offseason. What if you miss on a guy? There has been no evidence of that so far, but how different does Ohio State football look if Day doesn’t bring Stroud in.
The Buckeyes have a long ways to go until Signing Day, and recruiting a quarterback won’t stop until then. Will the Buckeyes land Saying? I’m not entirely sure, but it shows Ohio State always has a back up plan at the most important position.
Moving down to the micro level of this recent offer and what it means for the Buckeyes, Day found a quarterback in 2024 that fits the exact profile he looks for. They will do everything they can, and with Alabama having some coaching turnover on the offensive staff with Bill O’Brien leaving, the next hire will have a huge impact on where this recruitment goes.
The Buckeyes are building their 2024 class, and the quarterback tends to always be the center piece. Ohio State has started looking and have made their first move. Now we continue to wait and find out who is next in the line of Ryan Day quarterback recruits.
Continue reading...
LGHL Visiting Locker Room: Previewing Ohio State women’s game against No. 6 Indiana with Crimson Quarry
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Visiting Locker Room: Previewing Ohio State women’s game against No. 6 Indiana with Crimson Quarry
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The site dedicated to Hoosier sports talks about Thursday’s big matchup in Bloomington
For the second time in four days, both the Ohio State and Indiana women’s basketball teams find themselves in a ranked matchup. After a Buckeye defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes and a Hoosier win against the Michigan Wolverines, the two top-10-ranked sides battle in Assembly Hall.
To catch up with how the 22-23 season has gone for the Hoosiers, Land-Grant Holy Land asked L.C. Norton from The Crimson Quarry. Norton answered questions about the return of Grace Berger, the sheer dominance of Mackenzie Holmes, and who else to look out for Thursday night.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Last season, the Indiana Hoosiers lost center Mackenzie Holmes, and this year it was guard Grace Berger. After missing a chunk of time, how’s Berger been since her return to the lineup and overall how’s the guard done acclimating to the point guard role?
LGHL: The Buckeyes are known for their press, and it hurt them Monday with Iowa’s Monika Czinano getting pass after pass behind the backline of the Ohio State defense. How have the Hoosiers done this year against the press?
LGHL: On the topic of centers, Holmes is on a historic run this season. According to HerHoopStats, she’s on pace to become only the 10th player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and eight rebounds per game, on top of hitting at least 60% of shots inside the three-point line. Is Thursday another game where Holmes will make the night another one to forget for the Buckeyes or is there a way she can be stopped?
LGHL: In the preseason, you mentioned freshman guard Yarden Garzon as someone who could get a few minutes for a coach who isn’t known to play a freshman. Garzon stepped into a starting role at the beginning of the year and hasn’t lost it. What’s been so impressive about the international to earn such high respect from Teri Moren?
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The site dedicated to Hoosier sports talks about Thursday’s big matchup in Bloomington
For the second time in four days, both the Ohio State and Indiana women’s basketball teams find themselves in a ranked matchup. After a Buckeye defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes and a Hoosier win against the Michigan Wolverines, the two top-10-ranked sides battle in Assembly Hall.
To catch up with how the 22-23 season has gone for the Hoosiers, Land-Grant Holy Land asked L.C. Norton from The Crimson Quarry. Norton answered questions about the return of Grace Berger, the sheer dominance of Mackenzie Holmes, and who else to look out for Thursday night.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Last season, the Indiana Hoosiers lost center Mackenzie Holmes, and this year it was guard Grace Berger. After missing a chunk of time, how’s Berger been since her return to the lineup and overall how’s the guard done acclimating to the point guard role?
LGHL: The Buckeyes are known for their press, and it hurt them Monday with Iowa’s Monika Czinano getting pass after pass behind the backline of the Ohio State defense. How have the Hoosiers done this year against the press?
LGHL: On the topic of centers, Holmes is on a historic run this season. According to HerHoopStats, she’s on pace to become only the 10th player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and eight rebounds per game, on top of hitting at least 60% of shots inside the three-point line. Is Thursday another game where Holmes will make the night another one to forget for the Buckeyes or is there a way she can be stopped?
LGHL: In the preseason, you mentioned freshman guard Yarden Garzon as someone who could get a few minutes for a coach who isn’t known to play a freshman. Garzon stepped into a starting role at the beginning of the year and hasn’t lost it. What’s been so impressive about the international to earn such high respect from Teri Moren?
Continue reading...
LGHL Column: It’s time to get real about the Ohio State men’s basketball team
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Column: It’s time to get real about the Ohio State men’s basketball team
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The men’s basketball team has become a broken record at this point, and a drastic change is looking like it is needed.
For the last couple years, it felt like I was constantly defending Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann when people were trying to say the Buckeyes needed to move on and bring someone else in to coach the team. To those people that I laughed at, or asked them to name a realistic candidate to bring in as the successor to Holtmann, I am sorry.
It has become obvious that the current Ohio State men’s basketball coach isn’t the man for the job. This isn’t anything against Holtmann. While I’ve never actually met Holtmann, he seems like a great guy. It’s obvious that he cares about his players and Ohio State. Unfortunately, that isn’t winning the Buckeyes any games, which in the end is the only thing that matters.
It’s not like Holtmann and his staff aren’t trying. This year they recruited Brice Sensabaugh and Bruce Thornton, who were two highly-touted recruits. Along with those two, veterans Isaac Likekele, Sean McNeil, and Tanner Holden came to Columbus via the transfer portal. Even with all those pieces, something just isn’t clicking for Ohio State.
After replacing Thad Matta, it didn’t take long for the Ohio State community to fall in love with Holtmann, as the Buckeyes went 25-9 and make it to the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament before losing to Gonzaga. Not only did Holtmann lead Ohio State to the NCAA Tournament, he got a late start in his first year on the job since he wasn’t hired until June, a couple months after the normal college basketball coaching carousel ends.
Imagine what Holtmann could do with a full year on the job!
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24385876/usa_today_19667740.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Unfortunately since then, Ohio State hasn’t won more than 21 games in a season in the four full years since. With 10 regular season games left after Tuesday night’s loss at Illinois dropped their season record to 11-9, it doesn’t look likely that the Buckeyes will even hit 20 wins this year, unless they turn things around in a hurry, and find a way to make a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament.
Even though the names on the roster change, it feels like seasons under Holtmann have become predictable at this point. Ohio State will post a pretty good non-conference record, which includes a win or two over teams that they probably shouldn’t have beaten, which inflates excitement about the team heading into Big Ten play. Then at some point in the middle of the conference schedule, the bottom falls out for the Buckeyes.
Aside from his first year at the school, there is a stretch of games after the calendar turns where the Buckeyes lose four straight, or five of six games, forcing the team to take a hard look at themselves. Even two seasons ago, Ohio State lost their final four games of the regular season, but their seeding for the NCAA Tournament was propped up because the Buckeyes made it to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, losing to Illinois in overtime.
While Ohio State has made it to the NCAA Tournament in every season under Holtmann, aside from the 2019-20 season when COVID-19 cancelled the big dance, things there have become predictable. The Buckeyes have been able to reach the round of 32 on three occasions in their four NCAA Tournament appearances under Holtmann, but then they end up getting bounced before the Sweet Sixteen.
Then there is the 2021 NCAA Tournament, when Ohio State was a two-seed and wound up getting upset by Oral Roberts in the first round. That loss stings the most out of any game the Buckeyes have dropped under Holtmann.
I know it’s not all Holtmann’s fault, since college athletics are changing in every sport. The transfer portal and NIL have drastically changed how teams recruit and allocate their resources. It’s even tougher in college basketball since not only can players leave for the NBA after one season, now you are seeing more and more top talents not even step foot in college because they are deciding it is a better decision to play in the NBA’s G-League before entering the draft.
That just means coaches have to change and evolve more now than ever. I’m not getting the feeling this is happening with the Ohio State men’s basketball team. At this point it feels like every season has turned into the same for the Buckeyes, all that is different is the roster and results are jumbled just a little bit each year. Pretty much when the schedule is released these days you can expect about 20 wins for Ohio State and probably an early exit in the NCAA Tournament.
Even though Buckeye football is still king in Columbus, I remember the days when it wasn’t crazy to expect the men’s basketball team to have a shot at making the Final Four.
If there was ever a time for urgency from Ohio State, it has to be now. The Big Ten is already a meat grinder of a conference, and it’s only going to get tougher when UCLA and USC are added. The Buckeyes have to find a way to make some huge splashes. Bringing Malaki Branham and Brice Sensabaugh to Columbus has been great, but Ohio State needs even bigger fish if they ever want to be a serious contender for a national championship.
I have just lost all confidence that a run like that is possible under Chris Holtmann.
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
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The men’s basketball team has become a broken record at this point, and a drastic change is looking like it is needed.
For the last couple years, it felt like I was constantly defending Ohio State men’s basketball coach Chris Holtmann when people were trying to say the Buckeyes needed to move on and bring someone else in to coach the team. To those people that I laughed at, or asked them to name a realistic candidate to bring in as the successor to Holtmann, I am sorry.
It has become obvious that the current Ohio State men’s basketball coach isn’t the man for the job. This isn’t anything against Holtmann. While I’ve never actually met Holtmann, he seems like a great guy. It’s obvious that he cares about his players and Ohio State. Unfortunately, that isn’t winning the Buckeyes any games, which in the end is the only thing that matters.
It’s not like Holtmann and his staff aren’t trying. This year they recruited Brice Sensabaugh and Bruce Thornton, who were two highly-touted recruits. Along with those two, veterans Isaac Likekele, Sean McNeil, and Tanner Holden came to Columbus via the transfer portal. Even with all those pieces, something just isn’t clicking for Ohio State.
After replacing Thad Matta, it didn’t take long for the Ohio State community to fall in love with Holtmann, as the Buckeyes went 25-9 and make it to the second round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament before losing to Gonzaga. Not only did Holtmann lead Ohio State to the NCAA Tournament, he got a late start in his first year on the job since he wasn’t hired until June, a couple months after the normal college basketball coaching carousel ends.
Imagine what Holtmann could do with a full year on the job!
Unfortunately since then, Ohio State hasn’t won more than 21 games in a season in the four full years since. With 10 regular season games left after Tuesday night’s loss at Illinois dropped their season record to 11-9, it doesn’t look likely that the Buckeyes will even hit 20 wins this year, unless they turn things around in a hurry, and find a way to make a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament.
Even though the names on the roster change, it feels like seasons under Holtmann have become predictable at this point. Ohio State will post a pretty good non-conference record, which includes a win or two over teams that they probably shouldn’t have beaten, which inflates excitement about the team heading into Big Ten play. Then at some point in the middle of the conference schedule, the bottom falls out for the Buckeyes.
Aside from his first year at the school, there is a stretch of games after the calendar turns where the Buckeyes lose four straight, or five of six games, forcing the team to take a hard look at themselves. Even two seasons ago, Ohio State lost their final four games of the regular season, but their seeding for the NCAA Tournament was propped up because the Buckeyes made it to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, losing to Illinois in overtime.
While Ohio State has made it to the NCAA Tournament in every season under Holtmann, aside from the 2019-20 season when COVID-19 cancelled the big dance, things there have become predictable. The Buckeyes have been able to reach the round of 32 on three occasions in their four NCAA Tournament appearances under Holtmann, but then they end up getting bounced before the Sweet Sixteen.
Then there is the 2021 NCAA Tournament, when Ohio State was a two-seed and wound up getting upset by Oral Roberts in the first round. That loss stings the most out of any game the Buckeyes have dropped under Holtmann.
I know it’s not all Holtmann’s fault, since college athletics are changing in every sport. The transfer portal and NIL have drastically changed how teams recruit and allocate their resources. It’s even tougher in college basketball since not only can players leave for the NBA after one season, now you are seeing more and more top talents not even step foot in college because they are deciding it is a better decision to play in the NBA’s G-League before entering the draft.
That just means coaches have to change and evolve more now than ever. I’m not getting the feeling this is happening with the Ohio State men’s basketball team. At this point it feels like every season has turned into the same for the Buckeyes, all that is different is the roster and results are jumbled just a little bit each year. Pretty much when the schedule is released these days you can expect about 20 wins for Ohio State and probably an early exit in the NCAA Tournament.
Even though Buckeye football is still king in Columbus, I remember the days when it wasn’t crazy to expect the men’s basketball team to have a shot at making the Final Four.
If there was ever a time for urgency from Ohio State, it has to be now. The Big Ten is already a meat grinder of a conference, and it’s only going to get tougher when UCLA and USC are added. The Buckeyes have to find a way to make some huge splashes. Bringing Malaki Branham and Brice Sensabaugh to Columbus has been great, but Ohio State needs even bigger fish if they ever want to be a serious contender for a national championship.
I have just lost all confidence that a run like that is possible under Chris Holtmann.
Continue reading...
2025 TX DB Devin Sanchez has signed his LOI!!!
- By MD Buckeye
- Football Recruiting
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North Shore (Houston, TX)
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 170 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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North Shore (Houston, TX)
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 170 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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2024 TX OL Max Anderson (Tennessee Verbal)
- By MD Buckeye
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Reedy (Frisco, TX)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 300 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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HUDL Highlights
Reedy (Frisco, TX)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 300 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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LGHL No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 6 Indiana: Game preview and prediction
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No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 6 Indiana: Game preview and prediction
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Buckeyes face another tough test, this time on the road in Bloomington.
It’s been almost two years since the Ohio State women’s basketball team beat the Indiana Hoosiers. In the three games that followed, the Buckeyes didn’t have an answer for head coach Teri Moren and the Hoosiers, but this year is different for the Scarlet & Gray on many fronts.
Thursday had the potential to be the Buckeyes’ record breaker. A win against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday and Indiana on Thursday would’ve been a 21-game winning streak, the longest in program history.
But that isn’t happening, after Ohio State’s 83-72 defeat at the hands of Iowa. Instead, it’s now a night where the Buckeyes hope to redeem themselves following a tough showing at home.
Monday and Thursday have a lot of parallels, game-wise, for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers are a talented top-10 team who feature stars and key role-players. While the stars for Indiana don’t shine as bright as Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark — there’s only one other player on that level in South Carolina center Aaliyah Boston — the Hoosiers still have a pair of impressive upperclassmen.
They come in the form of center Mackenzie Holmes and point guard Grace Berger.
Holmes is a 6-foot-3 junior center who plays similar to Boston. She’s dominant in the paint and still has the agility to make moves around defenders and score at a high level. Before suffering a knee injury in Jan. 2022, Holmes made the Buckeyes suffer. Holmes scored 30 points in Columbus, on top of seven rebounds. There was no answer for her within the Ohio State lineup.
This year, Holmes is back to pre-injury levels and then some. Homes averages 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and shoots 67.3% from the floor. The center from Maine also led the team this year on the court when Berger was out with a knee injury of her own. In the stretch of nine games, Indiana went 8-1 with Holmes grabbing four double-doubles.
That lone defeat for the 19-1 Hoosiers was against the Michigan State Spartans, a loss that gives hope to the Buckeyes.
In that game, Holmes had 32 points and 12 rebounds, but the Spartans were able to force mistakes from the rest of the team. Indiana gave away 21 turnovers in the game, and lost 83-78, although that was in East Lansing, Michigan away from the crimson-clad Hoosier fans.
Also, Indiana was without Berger.
Entering this season in Indiana, the Hoosiers were without Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, a fantastic point guard from Spain who played outstanding defense and earned a spot on the Second Team All-B1G. After Cardaño-Hillary ended her NCAA career, Berger slid over to the point guard role.
Running the Indiana offense this season, Berger’s scoring is down but her assists are up, with 5.1 per game. Berger is also hitting 52% of her shots this season, leading the only team in the Big Ten that’s shooting over 50% as a team at 50.3%.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes suffered because on defense they left center Monika Czinano open with space to move. Berger is someone like Clark who can find those players charging into open space and send in pinpoint passes. She can also score.
The combination of Holmes and Berger is the second straight game that will cause headaches for the Scarlet & Gray if their defense isn’t on their toes.
Monday wasn’t all bad though on the defensive front. The Buckeyes held Iowa to no points for almost six minutes in the third quarter, using outstanding defense against the Hawkeyes’ bigs.
Also, this year’s Ohio State team isn’t the same one who lost to Indiana by 20 last year. This edition is more athletic. Inside the paint this time will be a stronger group of forward Rebeka Mikulášiková, sophomore guard/forward Taylor Thierry and freshman Cotie McMahon who doesn’t seem phased by any opponent.
Last season, Thierry hadn’t established herself yet in the Nov. meeting between these two teams, and had minimal impact in the conference tournament, picking up early fouls. Thursday is the first time Indiana will face Thierry at the new level she’s reached this season.
Offensively, Thierry and McMahon were outstanding for the Buckeyes on Monday. If that continues, and guard Taylor Mikesell hits closer to her average, or rises to levels she’s shown frequently over the past almost two years, Ohio State can go toe-to-toe.
Like Monday too, if Mikulášiková has trouble against Holmes like she did against Czinano, there’s substitute Eboni Walker. The Syracuse University transfer was key in that over half a quarter pointless stretch for Iowa.
No matter who’s on the court, the forwards in the paint need to have one eye on Holmes at all times. The guards will have their hands full too. The other three likely starters can all be dangerous on any given night too.
The potential ace up head coach Kevin McGuff’s sleeve is guard Jacy Sheldon. On Tuesday, McGuff shared a positive outlook for the guard on Locked On WBB Podcast, saying he thinks Sheldon will return “very soon.” Also, when she does return, it’ll be because she’s 100%.
If, and it’s a big if, Sheldon does return Thursday, it makes life difficult for the Hoosiers. A Sheldon-led press has taken down the Tennessee Volunteers and Louisville Cardinals this season.
The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are near the top of the conference standings for good reason. Although Ohio State slipped against Iowa, Thursday’s game is going to be closer than Monday’s.
Ohio State starts off strong and doesn’t have a quarter where the Hoosiers completely outplay the Buckeyes. Guard Taylor Mikesell will make up for a quiet game against the Hawkeyes and have a standout performance, scoring at least 25 points in the process.
It’ll still be tough to stop the Hoosiers for McGuff’s side. Holmes will have a double-double, but defense on the perimeter will limit shooters for spells of the game.
Thursday’s game will come down to a possession, but the Buckeyes edge the Hoosiers in Indiana. The result is a toss-up, but Ohio State has added motivation of tough showings against the Hoosiers in the past few years, like the Buckeyes win on New Year’s Eve to break a similar spell against the Michigan Wolverines.
Date: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports app with Big Ten Network subscription
There are only a select few people on Earth who know the status of Sheldon for Thursday. Since Land-Grant Holy Land consists of no parts Sheldon, McGuff or team doctors and trainers, the speculation continues.
Starting Sheldon after this long injury, against a team like Indiana, would seem like a knee jerk reaction unless she’s truly 100%. It’s hard to imagine that she is after wearing the boot up until Jan. 14 in Nebraska.
While it would be a huge boost for the Buckeyes’ confidence, a healthy Sheldon is more important in March than January.
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The Buckeyes face another tough test, this time on the road in Bloomington.
It’s been almost two years since the Ohio State women’s basketball team beat the Indiana Hoosiers. In the three games that followed, the Buckeyes didn’t have an answer for head coach Teri Moren and the Hoosiers, but this year is different for the Scarlet & Gray on many fronts.
Preview
Thursday had the potential to be the Buckeyes’ record breaker. A win against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday and Indiana on Thursday would’ve been a 21-game winning streak, the longest in program history.
But that isn’t happening, after Ohio State’s 83-72 defeat at the hands of Iowa. Instead, it’s now a night where the Buckeyes hope to redeem themselves following a tough showing at home.
Monday and Thursday have a lot of parallels, game-wise, for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers are a talented top-10 team who feature stars and key role-players. While the stars for Indiana don’t shine as bright as Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark — there’s only one other player on that level in South Carolina center Aaliyah Boston — the Hoosiers still have a pair of impressive upperclassmen.
They come in the form of center Mackenzie Holmes and point guard Grace Berger.
Holmes is a 6-foot-3 junior center who plays similar to Boston. She’s dominant in the paint and still has the agility to make moves around defenders and score at a high level. Before suffering a knee injury in Jan. 2022, Holmes made the Buckeyes suffer. Holmes scored 30 points in Columbus, on top of seven rebounds. There was no answer for her within the Ohio State lineup.
This year, Holmes is back to pre-injury levels and then some. Homes averages 21.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and shoots 67.3% from the floor. The center from Maine also led the team this year on the court when Berger was out with a knee injury of her own. In the stretch of nine games, Indiana went 8-1 with Holmes grabbing four double-doubles.
That lone defeat for the 19-1 Hoosiers was against the Michigan State Spartans, a loss that gives hope to the Buckeyes.
In that game, Holmes had 32 points and 12 rebounds, but the Spartans were able to force mistakes from the rest of the team. Indiana gave away 21 turnovers in the game, and lost 83-78, although that was in East Lansing, Michigan away from the crimson-clad Hoosier fans.
Also, Indiana was without Berger.
Entering this season in Indiana, the Hoosiers were without Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, a fantastic point guard from Spain who played outstanding defense and earned a spot on the Second Team All-B1G. After Cardaño-Hillary ended her NCAA career, Berger slid over to the point guard role.
Running the Indiana offense this season, Berger’s scoring is down but her assists are up, with 5.1 per game. Berger is also hitting 52% of her shots this season, leading the only team in the Big Ten that’s shooting over 50% as a team at 50.3%.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes suffered because on defense they left center Monika Czinano open with space to move. Berger is someone like Clark who can find those players charging into open space and send in pinpoint passes. She can also score.
The combination of Holmes and Berger is the second straight game that will cause headaches for the Scarlet & Gray if their defense isn’t on their toes.
Monday wasn’t all bad though on the defensive front. The Buckeyes held Iowa to no points for almost six minutes in the third quarter, using outstanding defense against the Hawkeyes’ bigs.
Also, this year’s Ohio State team isn’t the same one who lost to Indiana by 20 last year. This edition is more athletic. Inside the paint this time will be a stronger group of forward Rebeka Mikulášiková, sophomore guard/forward Taylor Thierry and freshman Cotie McMahon who doesn’t seem phased by any opponent.
Last season, Thierry hadn’t established herself yet in the Nov. meeting between these two teams, and had minimal impact in the conference tournament, picking up early fouls. Thursday is the first time Indiana will face Thierry at the new level she’s reached this season.
Offensively, Thierry and McMahon were outstanding for the Buckeyes on Monday. If that continues, and guard Taylor Mikesell hits closer to her average, or rises to levels she’s shown frequently over the past almost two years, Ohio State can go toe-to-toe.
Like Monday too, if Mikulášiková has trouble against Holmes like she did against Czinano, there’s substitute Eboni Walker. The Syracuse University transfer was key in that over half a quarter pointless stretch for Iowa.
No matter who’s on the court, the forwards in the paint need to have one eye on Holmes at all times. The guards will have their hands full too. The other three likely starters can all be dangerous on any given night too.
The potential ace up head coach Kevin McGuff’s sleeve is guard Jacy Sheldon. On Tuesday, McGuff shared a positive outlook for the guard on Locked On WBB Podcast, saying he thinks Sheldon will return “very soon.” Also, when she does return, it’ll be because she’s 100%.
If, and it’s a big if, Sheldon does return Thursday, it makes life difficult for the Hoosiers. A Sheldon-led press has taken down the Tennessee Volunteers and Louisville Cardinals this season.
Projected Lineups
Lineup Notes
- Forward Eboni Walker’s five steals led the Buckeyes on Monday vs. Iowa.
- Forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon were one and two rebounds away, respectively, from securing double-doubles on Monday.
- Two more points for guard Taylor Mikesell gives her 2,000 in her NCAA career.
Lineup Notes
- Indiana only averages 0.5 more rebounds than Ohio State per game.
- Two Hoosiers average more than five rebounds per game with Mackenzie Holmes (8.3) and Sydney Parrish (5.7).
- Indiana is the only Big Ten team to hold opponents to less than 60 points per game (59.8).
Prediction
The Buckeyes and Hoosiers are near the top of the conference standings for good reason. Although Ohio State slipped against Iowa, Thursday’s game is going to be closer than Monday’s.
Ohio State starts off strong and doesn’t have a quarter where the Hoosiers completely outplay the Buckeyes. Guard Taylor Mikesell will make up for a quiet game against the Hawkeyes and have a standout performance, scoring at least 25 points in the process.
It’ll still be tough to stop the Hoosiers for McGuff’s side. Holmes will have a double-double, but defense on the perimeter will limit shooters for spells of the game.
Thursday’s game will come down to a possession, but the Buckeyes edge the Hoosiers in Indiana. The result is a toss-up, but Ohio State has added motivation of tough showings against the Hoosiers in the past few years, like the Buckeyes win on New Year’s Eve to break a similar spell against the Michigan Wolverines.
How to Watch
Date: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Indiana
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports app with Big Ten Network subscription
LGHL Prediction: 87-84 Ohio State Buckeyes
Jacy Sheldon Watch
There are only a select few people on Earth who know the status of Sheldon for Thursday. Since Land-Grant Holy Land consists of no parts Sheldon, McGuff or team doctors and trainers, the speculation continues.
Starting Sheldon after this long injury, against a team like Indiana, would seem like a knee jerk reaction unless she’s truly 100%. It’s hard to imagine that she is after wearing the boot up until Jan. 14 in Nebraska.
While it would be a huge boost for the Buckeyes’ confidence, a healthy Sheldon is more important in March than January.
Continue reading...
2025 OH RB Marquise Davis (Missouri Signee)
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- Football Recruiting
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Cleveland Heights (OH)
Ht: 6'
Wt: 190 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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Cleveland Heights (OH)
Ht: 6'
Wt: 190 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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2024 OH OL William Satterwhite (Tennessee Verbal)
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Archbishop Hoban (Akron, OH)
Ht: 6'5"
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Likely only a matter of time. TTUN, Sparty, PSU, Wisconsin, Auburn, etc. have also offered.
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Ht: 6'5"
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Class: 2024 (High School)
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Likely only a matter of time. TTUN, Sparty, PSU, Wisconsin, Auburn, etc. have also offered.
2024 CA DB Dakoda Fields (Southern Cal Verbal)
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Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA)
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Junipero Serra (Gardena, CA)
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LGHL Buckeyes offers new pair of prospects, five-star target updates his recruitment
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Buckeyes offers new pair of prospects, five-star target updates his recruitment
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The staff stays hot on the trail offering new prospects in the 2024 class.
Cornerback recruiting in 2024 is going to be a major priority for this staff. Not satisfied the last couple of years with the on-field results, the Buckeyes know they have to get better in the back end, and get back to being the program that churns out NFL Draft picks at the position more than anyone else. Help is on the way in 2023, and the trend needs to continue beyond that.
Ohio has two top in-state cornerbacks in the 2024 class with Bryce West and Aaron Scott both being among the best in the country at the position. Not a guarantee for either at this point however, Jim Knowles and his crew still have plenty of work to do in order to win out in the end. Even if the Buckeyes are able to land both guys in 2024, there’s room for additional members of the class at the cornerback spot, and that’s why offers continue to be issued to new names that impress.
On Wednesday, the latest cornerback offer went out when California native Dakoda Fields took to Twitter to share the news. The No. 111 player nationally, Fields is the eighth-best corner in the class and the 14th best player from California for his class per the 247Sports Composite. Over 20 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Notre Dame, Tennessee, USC and more, it’s not hard to see why the Buckeyes were next in line to enter his recruitment.
Position coach Tim Walton will have to make up for some lost time, but knowing how important corner recruiting is to the success of Ohio State’s 2024 class and the future of their defensive secondary, effort shouldn’t be an issue here.
Much like the aforementioned cornerback position, the running back spot will be a big need in the 2024 cycle. After what looks to be a class without a commit at the position in 2023, Tony Alford’s job in the next year is to land one and probably two at the spot to be safe.
Where Ohio State is fortunate though is having quite the impressive room in Columbus right now after not losing a single player in the loaded with talent group. The names already on the Buckeyes’ roster have set them up very well for the 2023 campaign, but looking ahead the recruiting efforts need to pay off.
On Wednesday of this week, the Buckeyes offered their latest running back in the class with Maryland native, DeJuan Williams. A 5-foot-11, 195 pound out of St. Frances Academy, Williams already holds nearly 20 offers to his name, but is very happy to add Ohio State to his list. With Michigan, Penn State, California, Georgia Tech, Duke, Pitt, Maryland, and a host of others already in the mix, it’s likely only a matter of time before other top suitors come knocking at his door.
The No. 299 player nationally, Williams checks out as the 25th best running back in the class and the ninth best player from Maryland all according to the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State has a couple of in-state players at the spot, but again, seeing the Buckeyes take two at the position in this 2024 class wouldn’t be a surprise at all considering who could be leaving after this next season.
This likely won’t be the last running back to receive an offer, but it’s another name for now worth paying attention to.
The No. 18 player nationally, Scott is the fourth best defensive lineman in the class and the top player in Illinois for the 2024 cycle according to the 247Sports Composite. Pegged by insiders to end up at Notre Dame, the Irish cannot be feeling great about this development, but surely other programs are going to try and swoop in and steal some momentum.
Ohio State offered back in September, and if they want to be a key threat moving forward, it looks like now is the time to strike.
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
Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC
The staff stays hot on the trail offering new prospects in the 2024 class.
Cornerback recruiting in 2024 is going to be a major priority for this staff. Not satisfied the last couple of years with the on-field results, the Buckeyes know they have to get better in the back end, and get back to being the program that churns out NFL Draft picks at the position more than anyone else. Help is on the way in 2023, and the trend needs to continue beyond that.
Ohio has two top in-state cornerbacks in the 2024 class with Bryce West and Aaron Scott both being among the best in the country at the position. Not a guarantee for either at this point however, Jim Knowles and his crew still have plenty of work to do in order to win out in the end. Even if the Buckeyes are able to land both guys in 2024, there’s room for additional members of the class at the cornerback spot, and that’s why offers continue to be issued to new names that impress.
On Wednesday, the latest cornerback offer went out when California native Dakoda Fields took to Twitter to share the news. The No. 111 player nationally, Fields is the eighth-best corner in the class and the 14th best player from California for his class per the 247Sports Composite. Over 20 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Notre Dame, Tennessee, USC and more, it’s not hard to see why the Buckeyes were next in line to enter his recruitment.
Position coach Tim Walton will have to make up for some lost time, but knowing how important corner recruiting is to the success of Ohio State’s 2024 class and the future of their defensive secondary, effort shouldn’t be an issue here.
Truly blessed to say I have received and offer from Ohio State University#GoBucks #GoBuckeyes @OhioStateFB @CoachTimWalton @ryandaytime @GregBiggins @BrandonHuffman @RWrightRivals @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/OtbdIBGkR3
— Dakoda Fields (@dkthegreat__) January 26, 2023
Four-star running back hears from the Buckeyes
Much like the aforementioned cornerback position, the running back spot will be a big need in the 2024 cycle. After what looks to be a class without a commit at the position in 2023, Tony Alford’s job in the next year is to land one and probably two at the spot to be safe.
Where Ohio State is fortunate though is having quite the impressive room in Columbus right now after not losing a single player in the loaded with talent group. The names already on the Buckeyes’ roster have set them up very well for the 2023 campaign, but looking ahead the recruiting efforts need to pay off.
On Wednesday of this week, the Buckeyes offered their latest running back in the class with Maryland native, DeJuan Williams. A 5-foot-11, 195 pound out of St. Frances Academy, Williams already holds nearly 20 offers to his name, but is very happy to add Ohio State to his list. With Michigan, Penn State, California, Georgia Tech, Duke, Pitt, Maryland, and a host of others already in the mix, it’s likely only a matter of time before other top suitors come knocking at his door.
The No. 299 player nationally, Williams checks out as the 25th best running back in the class and the ninth best player from Maryland all according to the 247Sports Composite. Ohio State has a couple of in-state players at the spot, but again, seeing the Buckeyes take two at the position in this 2024 class wouldn’t be a surprise at all considering who could be leaving after this next season.
This likely won’t be the last running back to receive an offer, but it’s another name for now worth paying attention to.
Quick Hits
- Wednesday evening, five-star defensive lineman Justin Scott announced that he would be delaying his commitment and doing so until further notice. The Chicago, Illinois native was scheduled to announce his pledge next Tuesday, but has clearly had a change of plans as Jan. 31 is currently off the table.
The No. 18 player nationally, Scott is the fourth best defensive lineman in the class and the top player in Illinois for the 2024 cycle according to the 247Sports Composite. Pegged by insiders to end up at Notre Dame, the Irish cannot be feeling great about this development, but surely other programs are going to try and swoop in and steal some momentum.
Ohio State offered back in September, and if they want to be a key threat moving forward, it looks like now is the time to strike.
Continue reading...
