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2024 FL (TX) DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell (Texas Verbal)
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IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
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Wt: 175 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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2024 GA OL Jameson Riggs (Georgia Tech Verbal)
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Hiram (GA)
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2026 PA RB Messiah Mickens (Penn St. Verbal)
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LGHL B1G Thoughts: Five offseason questions for Michigan
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B1G Thoughts: Five offseason questions for Michigan
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan enters 2023 as the Big Ten favorites after back-to-back conference championships. What must happen for a three-peat?
The 2022 season has come to an end. It was a great season that leaves many questions to be answered as we enter the 2023 offseason.
Michigan won the Big Ten for the second year in a row, taking the crown from Ohio State. Ohio State enters 2023 a field goal away from a national championship appearance, but now has to replace C.J. Stroud. Will this be the first time in almost a decade that the best quarterback in the conference doesn’t wear scarlet and grey?
Nebraska, Purdue, and Wisconsin enter 2023 with new coaches, while Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Indiana’s Tom Allen enter on the hot seat. Penn State has high expectations, Illinois will try to rebound from a late-season collapse, while Minnesota is trying to replace four of the best players in program history.
This is the final offseason before USC and UCLA enter the conference and the new TV deal starts. Teams must build a foundation that will last in the ever-changing landscape of college football. The 2023 offseason is essential for every program, so let’s dive in and see which five questions each team must answer before the actual season begins.
McCarthy enters 2023 as the unquestioned leader of the Michigan Wolverines. He also enters the offseason as one of the most experienced and most talented quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Draftniks are already talking about him entering the 2024 NFL Draft, and in theory he should be the best quarterback in the Big Ten.
Ohio State and Penn State will be rolling out first-year starters. Taulia Tagoiloa is maybe the most experienced quarterback, but if he was a great quarterback he would be in the NFL and not returning for a fourth season.
Again, in theory, J.J. should enter 2023 with the expectation to lead Michigan to a third-straight Big Ten Championship, plus another trip to the College Football Playoff after a trip to New York City for the Heisman ceremony.
For all of this to become true, McCarthy will have to make some marked improvements during the offseason. After throwing for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 65% completion percentage in 2022, McCarthy will need to be better this time around.
Under Harbaugh, Michigan will always be a run-first offense, but McCarthey has to be able to make the throws when they count. He is very inconsistent in throwing from the pocket, and tends to airmail deep passes. The goal for McCarthy should be to perform like he did against Ohio State — but consistently.
Against Ohio State, he showed patience and poise. At the beginning of the game he ran early, which set up the passing game and he connected on a big time throw until the running game got in sync. Immediately following that game, he turned back into a pumpkin missing wide open receivers against Purdue and TCU.
For much of the season, McCarthy will not have to be special, and Michigan will win games. But for Michigan to three-peat or win a game in the CFP, he will need to be a bigger weapon passing the ball and possessing the ability to take over a game through the air. Most college quarterbacks take a jump their second year as a starter. J.J. will need to improve as a passer for Michigan to reach the mountaintop for a third consecutive time.
Once again the Wolverines start the offseason with drama. Last year it did not affect the team, but can they show the same resolve?
We’re not even a full month into the 2023 calendar year, and Jim Harbaugh has flirted with the NFL — again — before deciding to come back. There is pretty obvious discord between the coach, the athletic director, and the school president. On top of that, Michigan has been hit with NCAA violations that could lead to sanctions after Harbaugh was accused of lying to the NCAA during their investigation.
All of that would be tough to ignore, but it wouldn’t be Michigan if we stopped there. To add insult to injury, co-offense coordinator Matt Weiss has been fired after being accused of computer-access crimes — whatever that means.
Michigan has all the goods to three-peat as a champion, but after three years of drama, multiple dalliances with the NFL, and consistent changes on the staff, will they be able to continue to win the battle of attrition?
Michigan has been a team led by older players who could lead the team through the noise and set a culture despite the nonsense. With many of those players running out of eligibility or heading to the NFL, it’s up to newly minted upperclassmen like J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, and Will Johnson to be able to lead the Wolverines past the BS and into the 2023 season.
Since 2020, the Michigan front seven has lost defensive linemen and linebackers, Josh Uche, Kwity Paye, David Ojabo, and Aidan Hutchinson. All four players were top-60 picks in their respective NFL Drafts, and without Ojabo suffering a late injury causing him to slide to the second round, three of them would have been first-round picks. You can now add reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Mike Morris and stud Mazi Smith to this list.
Going into the offseason, it will be imperative for Michigan to replace Morris and Smith. It’s impossible to be successful in the Big Ten without a stout defensive line. The Wolverines enter spring ball without a surefire answer to who fills the big shoes left by those two players. It’s easy to say that at a program of Michigan’s caliber, they should be able to slide another stud into their place and not miss a beat, and they’ve done that the past three seasons.
For them to reach their goals, they need to find a stud — preferably two on their defensive line — or risk a serious regression that could come back to bite them against top competition.
Name Michigan’s best wide receiver from last season. Matter of fact, name their best wide receiver from any of the past three seasons.
Unless you’re a Michigan fan, you probably can’t. The Wolverines have been in a perpetual state of waiting for a star wide receiver. They convinced themselves for the past few seasons that it was going to be Ronnie Bell. They drooled over Andrel Anthony after he had one solid performance against Michigan State in 2021, but overall there has not been much to write home about.
Michigans run game clearly works, and they can win the Big Ten with it, but after back-to-back losses in the playoffs, it’s time for them to find and develop wide receiver talent or there will always be a ceiling on this program. Whether it be developing young players or getting someone from the transfer portal Michigan, needs to enter the 2023 season with a legit No. 1 wide receiver.
That process starts with being honest about the talent on the roster, the wide receiver coach’s ability to develop them, and an in-depth look at the transfer portal. Harbaugh has used the portal in the back-to-back season to shore up their offensive line. Maybe it’s time to turn that attention to the wide receiver corp. This becomes even more important after losing Andrel Anthony and Erick All to Oklahoma and Iowa, respectively.
Blake Corum was one of the best running backs in the country for 90% of the season before suffering a knee injury that essentially ended his 2022 campaign. Former five-star running back Donovan Edwards played well with him on the sidelines, and was probably expected to be the No. 1 back finally after sitting behind Hasan Haskins and Blake Corum for the past two years.
Instead, Corum decided to put off the NFL and return to college — a decision that seldom works out for the returning player. I’m sure the Michigan coaches and fans are happy about Corum’s return, but you have to wonder what the rotation looks like. Will Edwards be okay with spending his last season before draft eligibility as a backup? Can Corum return to his 2022 form? How do they keep Edwards happy so he doesn’t enter the portal in May to become a No. 1 back for someone else?
There are a lot of teams in the country who would make him the no. one back immediately, no questions asked. The return of a star player can be a good thing, but it will require Corum and Edwards to be on the same page with running backs coach Mike Hart or else discontent could come into the room. If they can find a way to keep both players happy, they’ll enter 2023 with one of the best two-back rotations in the country.
Continue reading...
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan enters 2023 as the Big Ten favorites after back-to-back conference championships. What must happen for a three-peat?
The 2022 season has come to an end. It was a great season that leaves many questions to be answered as we enter the 2023 offseason.
Michigan won the Big Ten for the second year in a row, taking the crown from Ohio State. Ohio State enters 2023 a field goal away from a national championship appearance, but now has to replace C.J. Stroud. Will this be the first time in almost a decade that the best quarterback in the conference doesn’t wear scarlet and grey?
Nebraska, Purdue, and Wisconsin enter 2023 with new coaches, while Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Indiana’s Tom Allen enter on the hot seat. Penn State has high expectations, Illinois will try to rebound from a late-season collapse, while Minnesota is trying to replace four of the best players in program history.
This is the final offseason before USC and UCLA enter the conference and the new TV deal starts. Teams must build a foundation that will last in the ever-changing landscape of college football. The 2023 offseason is essential for every program, so let’s dive in and see which five questions each team must answer before the actual season begins.
How does J.J. McCarthy improve going into his second season as the starter?
McCarthy enters 2023 as the unquestioned leader of the Michigan Wolverines. He also enters the offseason as one of the most experienced and most talented quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Draftniks are already talking about him entering the 2024 NFL Draft, and in theory he should be the best quarterback in the Big Ten.
Ohio State and Penn State will be rolling out first-year starters. Taulia Tagoiloa is maybe the most experienced quarterback, but if he was a great quarterback he would be in the NFL and not returning for a fourth season.
Again, in theory, J.J. should enter 2023 with the expectation to lead Michigan to a third-straight Big Ten Championship, plus another trip to the College Football Playoff after a trip to New York City for the Heisman ceremony.
For all of this to become true, McCarthy will have to make some marked improvements during the offseason. After throwing for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 65% completion percentage in 2022, McCarthy will need to be better this time around.
Under Harbaugh, Michigan will always be a run-first offense, but McCarthey has to be able to make the throws when they count. He is very inconsistent in throwing from the pocket, and tends to airmail deep passes. The goal for McCarthy should be to perform like he did against Ohio State — but consistently.
Against Ohio State, he showed patience and poise. At the beginning of the game he ran early, which set up the passing game and he connected on a big time throw until the running game got in sync. Immediately following that game, he turned back into a pumpkin missing wide open receivers against Purdue and TCU.
For much of the season, McCarthy will not have to be special, and Michigan will win games. But for Michigan to three-peat or win a game in the CFP, he will need to be a bigger weapon passing the ball and possessing the ability to take over a game through the air. Most college quarterbacks take a jump their second year as a starter. J.J. will need to improve as a passer for Michigan to reach the mountaintop for a third consecutive time.
Will the team be able to drown out the off-field drama?
Once again the Wolverines start the offseason with drama. Last year it did not affect the team, but can they show the same resolve?
We’re not even a full month into the 2023 calendar year, and Jim Harbaugh has flirted with the NFL — again — before deciding to come back. There is pretty obvious discord between the coach, the athletic director, and the school president. On top of that, Michigan has been hit with NCAA violations that could lead to sanctions after Harbaugh was accused of lying to the NCAA during their investigation.
All of that would be tough to ignore, but it wouldn’t be Michigan if we stopped there. To add insult to injury, co-offense coordinator Matt Weiss has been fired after being accused of computer-access crimes — whatever that means.
Michigan has all the goods to three-peat as a champion, but after three years of drama, multiple dalliances with the NFL, and consistent changes on the staff, will they be able to continue to win the battle of attrition?
Michigan has been a team led by older players who could lead the team through the noise and set a culture despite the nonsense. With many of those players running out of eligibility or heading to the NFL, it’s up to newly minted upperclassmen like J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, and Will Johnson to be able to lead the Wolverines past the BS and into the 2023 season.
Who steps up on the defensive line?
Since 2020, the Michigan front seven has lost defensive linemen and linebackers, Josh Uche, Kwity Paye, David Ojabo, and Aidan Hutchinson. All four players were top-60 picks in their respective NFL Drafts, and without Ojabo suffering a late injury causing him to slide to the second round, three of them would have been first-round picks. You can now add reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Mike Morris and stud Mazi Smith to this list.
Going into the offseason, it will be imperative for Michigan to replace Morris and Smith. It’s impossible to be successful in the Big Ten without a stout defensive line. The Wolverines enter spring ball without a surefire answer to who fills the big shoes left by those two players. It’s easy to say that at a program of Michigan’s caliber, they should be able to slide another stud into their place and not miss a beat, and they’ve done that the past three seasons.
For them to reach their goals, they need to find a stud — preferably two on their defensive line — or risk a serious regression that could come back to bite them against top competition.
Can they get consistent and impactful play from the wide receivers?
Name Michigan’s best wide receiver from last season. Matter of fact, name their best wide receiver from any of the past three seasons.
Unless you’re a Michigan fan, you probably can’t. The Wolverines have been in a perpetual state of waiting for a star wide receiver. They convinced themselves for the past few seasons that it was going to be Ronnie Bell. They drooled over Andrel Anthony after he had one solid performance against Michigan State in 2021, but overall there has not been much to write home about.
Michigans run game clearly works, and they can win the Big Ten with it, but after back-to-back losses in the playoffs, it’s time for them to find and develop wide receiver talent or there will always be a ceiling on this program. Whether it be developing young players or getting someone from the transfer portal Michigan, needs to enter the 2023 season with a legit No. 1 wide receiver.
That process starts with being honest about the talent on the roster, the wide receiver coach’s ability to develop them, and an in-depth look at the transfer portal. Harbaugh has used the portal in the back-to-back season to shore up their offensive line. Maybe it’s time to turn that attention to the wide receiver corp. This becomes even more important after losing Andrel Anthony and Erick All to Oklahoma and Iowa, respectively.
What does the running back rotation look like?
Blake Corum was one of the best running backs in the country for 90% of the season before suffering a knee injury that essentially ended his 2022 campaign. Former five-star running back Donovan Edwards played well with him on the sidelines, and was probably expected to be the No. 1 back finally after sitting behind Hasan Haskins and Blake Corum for the past two years.
Instead, Corum decided to put off the NFL and return to college — a decision that seldom works out for the returning player. I’m sure the Michigan coaches and fans are happy about Corum’s return, but you have to wonder what the rotation looks like. Will Edwards be okay with spending his last season before draft eligibility as a backup? Can Corum return to his 2022 form? How do they keep Edwards happy so he doesn’t enter the portal in May to become a No. 1 back for someone else?
There are a lot of teams in the country who would make him the no. one back immediately, no questions asked. The return of a star player can be a good thing, but it will require Corum and Edwards to be on the same page with running backs coach Mike Hart or else discontent could come into the room. If they can find a way to keep both players happy, they’ll enter 2023 with one of the best two-back rotations in the country.
Continue reading...
LGHL Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
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Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women vs. No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Some intriguing pieces to watch in a top Big Ten event
In Big Ten women’s basketball, there are a few games to circle on schedule release day. It’s a conference with multiple college basketball powers, especially so far in the 2022-23 season. A game that might get an extra circle or two for Ohio State women’s basketball players and fans is a visit from National Player of the Year candidate Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
While Clark is an obvious focus, there are other storylines to watch Monday night as both teams face off on ESPN2. Here’s what to watch.
Anytime the Buckeyes come up in conversation, it doesn’t take too long before guard Jacy Sheldon enters the narrative.
The 2021-22 unanimous First Team All-B1G guard started this season off on a historic clip. In five games, the Dublin, Ohio native amassed 30 steals, including a game against the Boston College Eagles where Sheldon’s 11 steals tied a single-game program record.
Sheldon hasn’t played since a Nov. 30 trip to then No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, due to a foot injury that started as day-to-day and got downgraded to week-to-week, but the Buckeyes kept winning.
Thursday, there was a visual update to the status of Sheldon on the court before the Scarlet & Gray’s 84-54 win over the Northwestern Wildcats. Sheldon was out of the boot on her right foot for the first time since the end of Nov. and off crutches. Does that mean she plays? Not necessarily.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s been clear that Ohio State is playing the long game on Sheldon’s injury. Having her available against a top team like Iowa is great, but agitating the injury again and potentially missing postseason basketball is worse than playing without the guard.
Also, if she does manage to play against Iowa, is it in a starting role? Does it make sense to play her a few minutes or trust the team that’s won 14 games without the guard? A lot of eyes will be on pregame warm-ups to see if Sheldon is standing off to the side or throwing up practice shots.
Over the past two games, Slovakian forward Rebeka Mikulášiková is back to playing the way she did to start the season. Mikulášiková is more selective and efficient from deep. hitting five of her eight attempts from deep against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Northwestern Wildcats.
Also, Mikulášiková is scoring inside, scoring 43 points in the past two games and missing only one of her seven free throws.
When Mikulášiková is on, defenses can’t leave her open on the perimeter and can’t give her space to run inside the paint, because she’s been working on that ability to attack the rim. After the first eight games of the season where she averaged almost 20 points per game for the Scarlet & Gray, Mikulášiková cooled down and had problems with turning the ball over, mostly on travels.
Now, she’s worked through it in practice and hasn’t been giving the ball up on those moves. Against Northwestern, if the 6-foot-3 forward didn’t have a three open, and had one-on-one coverage, Mikulášiková started running. Plus, when Mikulášiková is playing well, other players like guard Taylor Mikesell are open.
Last year, Iowa couldn’t stop Mikulášiková, who scored 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Her impact isn’t just offensively either.
Against the Cornhuskers and Wildcats, Mikulášiková’s defense was also on display. Nebraska forward Alexis Markowski was held below her 9.4 rebounds per game average. Then, on Thursday, Northwestern’s leading scorer, forward Caileigh Walsh, scored three points and had three rebounds. Walsh entered the game averaging 12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Ohio State will need that play from Mikulášiková again because Iowa features the present and future of dominant conference bigs.
The Buckeyes can’t afford to have a game as they did against the USF Bulls or Illinois Fighting Illini. Ohio State was outrebounded in each of those games and allowed Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu of USF to score 34 points and 17 rebounds and Illinois’ Kendall Bostic to score 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Now, coach McGuff’s side isn’t known for winning the rebounding. The Buckeyes just recently recovered from a negative rebounding margin to now sit at +.1 rebounds better than their opponents. Iowa doesn’t have that problem.
Iowa features center Monika Czinano and freshman substitute Hannah Stuelke. This season, Czinano’s scoring is down slightly, averaging 17.9 points per game instead of her 21.2 points per game last season. However, what she’s lost in scoring was picked up on the boards. Czinano has her best year of rebounding yet, grabbing 6.6 per game.
When Czinano goes to the bench, it doesn’t get any easier. Stuelke averages 4.8 rebounds in her first year in the conference, an impressive feat. She can also make moves around the basket and make things difficult for opponents.
Ohio State will have to stay close in rebounding, making it a busy night ahead for Mikulášiková, forward/guard Taylor Thierry, and forward Cotie McMahon. Someone to help in that department is substitute guard Hevynne Bristow.
With a long wingspan and ability to jump up for loose balls, Bristow’s grabbed 22 in the last three games, including eight against the Fighting Illini in the comeback win.
Limiting second-chance points for Iowa is crucial. Especially since those two post players don’t even lead the Hawkeyes in the category.
Clark leads Iowa with 7.8 rebounds per game, mostly on the defensive end of the floor. Those rebounds are the most dangerous of all. When Clark gets the ball, the Iowa offense gets to work and moves down the floor quickly.
That means Clark gets into spots to shoot or find teammates to shoot. Teammates like McKenna Warnock and Kate Martin. This year, Clark started the year with her most efficient shooting of her NCAA career, but it’s dipped in recent games, and Thursday against Michigan State might have shown the secret to slowing her down.
In the overtime win for the Hawkeyes, Clark scored 26 points overall but only 19 in regulation. That’s because Sparty was agitating the guard all game. Small tugs on her jersey and physical play limited Clark’s effectiveness, going 6-for-19, far below her over 46% field goal percentage entering the game.
Last season, Clark scored 43 points against the Buckeyes, but this is a new season. On Since 1899: An OSU WBB Podcast, Big Ten lead commentator Sloane Martin discussed another way to limit Clark: Putting a tall athletic player on her. Could Thierry help in limiting Clark’s effectiveness?
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
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Some intriguing pieces to watch in a top Big Ten event
In Big Ten women’s basketball, there are a few games to circle on schedule release day. It’s a conference with multiple college basketball powers, especially so far in the 2022-23 season. A game that might get an extra circle or two for Ohio State women’s basketball players and fans is a visit from National Player of the Year candidate Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
While Clark is an obvious focus, there are other storylines to watch Monday night as both teams face off on ESPN2. Here’s what to watch.
Does Jacy Sheldon Play?
Anytime the Buckeyes come up in conversation, it doesn’t take too long before guard Jacy Sheldon enters the narrative.
The 2021-22 unanimous First Team All-B1G guard started this season off on a historic clip. In five games, the Dublin, Ohio native amassed 30 steals, including a game against the Boston College Eagles where Sheldon’s 11 steals tied a single-game program record.
Sheldon hasn’t played since a Nov. 30 trip to then No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, due to a foot injury that started as day-to-day and got downgraded to week-to-week, but the Buckeyes kept winning.
Thursday, there was a visual update to the status of Sheldon on the court before the Scarlet & Gray’s 84-54 win over the Northwestern Wildcats. Sheldon was out of the boot on her right foot for the first time since the end of Nov. and off crutches. Does that mean she plays? Not necessarily.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s been clear that Ohio State is playing the long game on Sheldon’s injury. Having her available against a top team like Iowa is great, but agitating the injury again and potentially missing postseason basketball is worse than playing without the guard.
Also, if she does manage to play against Iowa, is it in a starting role? Does it make sense to play her a few minutes or trust the team that’s won 14 games without the guard? A lot of eyes will be on pregame warm-ups to see if Sheldon is standing off to the side or throwing up practice shots.
Does Rebeka Mikulášiková Continue Return to Form?
Over the past two games, Slovakian forward Rebeka Mikulášiková is back to playing the way she did to start the season. Mikulášiková is more selective and efficient from deep. hitting five of her eight attempts from deep against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Northwestern Wildcats.
Also, Mikulášiková is scoring inside, scoring 43 points in the past two games and missing only one of her seven free throws.
When Mikulášiková is on, defenses can’t leave her open on the perimeter and can’t give her space to run inside the paint, because she’s been working on that ability to attack the rim. After the first eight games of the season where she averaged almost 20 points per game for the Scarlet & Gray, Mikulášiková cooled down and had problems with turning the ball over, mostly on travels.
Now, she’s worked through it in practice and hasn’t been giving the ball up on those moves. Against Northwestern, if the 6-foot-3 forward didn’t have a three open, and had one-on-one coverage, Mikulášiková started running. Plus, when Mikulášiková is playing well, other players like guard Taylor Mikesell are open.
Last year, Iowa couldn’t stop Mikulášiková, who scored 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Her impact isn’t just offensively either.
Against the Cornhuskers and Wildcats, Mikulášiková’s defense was also on display. Nebraska forward Alexis Markowski was held below her 9.4 rebounds per game average. Then, on Thursday, Northwestern’s leading scorer, forward Caileigh Walsh, scored three points and had three rebounds. Walsh entered the game averaging 12.5 points and 5.6 rebounds.
Ohio State will need that play from Mikulášiková again because Iowa features the present and future of dominant conference bigs.
Managing Rebounds
The Buckeyes can’t afford to have a game as they did against the USF Bulls or Illinois Fighting Illini. Ohio State was outrebounded in each of those games and allowed Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu of USF to score 34 points and 17 rebounds and Illinois’ Kendall Bostic to score 27 points and 15 rebounds.
Now, coach McGuff’s side isn’t known for winning the rebounding. The Buckeyes just recently recovered from a negative rebounding margin to now sit at +.1 rebounds better than their opponents. Iowa doesn’t have that problem.
Iowa features center Monika Czinano and freshman substitute Hannah Stuelke. This season, Czinano’s scoring is down slightly, averaging 17.9 points per game instead of her 21.2 points per game last season. However, what she’s lost in scoring was picked up on the boards. Czinano has her best year of rebounding yet, grabbing 6.6 per game.
When Czinano goes to the bench, it doesn’t get any easier. Stuelke averages 4.8 rebounds in her first year in the conference, an impressive feat. She can also make moves around the basket and make things difficult for opponents.
Ohio State will have to stay close in rebounding, making it a busy night ahead for Mikulášiková, forward/guard Taylor Thierry, and forward Cotie McMahon. Someone to help in that department is substitute guard Hevynne Bristow.
With a long wingspan and ability to jump up for loose balls, Bristow’s grabbed 22 in the last three games, including eight against the Fighting Illini in the comeback win.
Limiting second-chance points for Iowa is crucial. Especially since those two post players don’t even lead the Hawkeyes in the category.
Can Caitlin Clark be Stopped?
Clark leads Iowa with 7.8 rebounds per game, mostly on the defensive end of the floor. Those rebounds are the most dangerous of all. When Clark gets the ball, the Iowa offense gets to work and moves down the floor quickly.
That means Clark gets into spots to shoot or find teammates to shoot. Teammates like McKenna Warnock and Kate Martin. This year, Clark started the year with her most efficient shooting of her NCAA career, but it’s dipped in recent games, and Thursday against Michigan State might have shown the secret to slowing her down.
In the overtime win for the Hawkeyes, Clark scored 26 points overall but only 19 in regulation. That’s because Sparty was agitating the guard all game. Small tugs on her jersey and physical play limited Clark’s effectiveness, going 6-for-19, far below her over 46% field goal percentage entering the game.
Last season, Clark scored 43 points against the Buckeyes, but this is a new season. On Since 1899: An OSU WBB Podcast, Big Ten lead commentator Sloane Martin discussed another way to limit Clark: Putting a tall athletic player on her. Could Thierry help in limiting Clark’s effectiveness?
Continue reading...
LGHL Visiting Locker Room: Catching up on Iowa women’s basketball before Monday’s clash
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Visiting Locker Room: Catching up on Iowa women’s basketball before Monday’s clash
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Getting the rundown on the Iowa Hawkeyes from Black Heart Gold Pants
It doesn’t get much bigger in the Big Ten conference than the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball versus the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes. On Monday, the two teams clash for their lone matchup in the 2022-23 regular season.
Each team entered as one of the favorites to compete for the Big Ten conference trophy this season, with the Hawkeyes leading that list preseason. Now, the Hawkeyes sit a game back from the Buckeyes in the standings with just over a month to go in the regular season.
To learn more about Monday's opponent, Land-Grant Holy Land welcomes back Bartt Pierce from Black Heart Gold Pants to talk about this season, any secrets to stopping guard Caitlin Clark and more.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Not trying to make you mad Bartt, but I want to talk about the Caitlin Clark elbow at the end of regulation against the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday. I agree that the Spartan’s reaction was a bit of gamesmanship to earn the free throws, but the Spartans did agitate the guard all game, leading to 20 points scored in regulation for Clark. Which is a great game for most but underwhelming for Clark. Is that the only way to slow her down or stop her?
LGHL: The Hawkeyes are full of veteran leaders, but once it goes to the bench its hit or miss. How has that improved this year for the Hawkeyes and are there any other weaknesses with this side?
LGHL: It’s likely that the Hawkeyes go up against a Buckeyes team who’s going to put their full court press in high gear. Is this something Iowa has broken through yet this year, and how do you see them handling it?
LGHL: Last year, these two teams scored 180 combined points. With both sides improving on defense, do you see a 40-minute track meet between the two for who scores the most points?
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1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Getting the rundown on the Iowa Hawkeyes from Black Heart Gold Pants
It doesn’t get much bigger in the Big Ten conference than the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball versus the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes. On Monday, the two teams clash for their lone matchup in the 2022-23 regular season.
Each team entered as one of the favorites to compete for the Big Ten conference trophy this season, with the Hawkeyes leading that list preseason. Now, the Hawkeyes sit a game back from the Buckeyes in the standings with just over a month to go in the regular season.
To learn more about Monday's opponent, Land-Grant Holy Land welcomes back Bartt Pierce from Black Heart Gold Pants to talk about this season, any secrets to stopping guard Caitlin Clark and more.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Not trying to make you mad Bartt, but I want to talk about the Caitlin Clark elbow at the end of regulation against the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday. I agree that the Spartan’s reaction was a bit of gamesmanship to earn the free throws, but the Spartans did agitate the guard all game, leading to 20 points scored in regulation for Clark. Which is a great game for most but underwhelming for Clark. Is that the only way to slow her down or stop her?
LGHL: The Hawkeyes are full of veteran leaders, but once it goes to the bench its hit or miss. How has that improved this year for the Hawkeyes and are there any other weaknesses with this side?
LGHL: It’s likely that the Hawkeyes go up against a Buckeyes team who’s going to put their full court press in high gear. Is this something Iowa has broken through yet this year, and how do you see them handling it?
LGHL: Last year, these two teams scored 180 combined points. With both sides improving on defense, do you see a 40-minute track meet between the two for who scores the most points?
Continue reading...
LGHL Everything you need to know about 2023 Ohio State tennis
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Everything you need to know about 2023 Ohio State tennis
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a Buckeye in Week 2 of the Austrailian Open!
The 2023 Ohio State tennis season is officially underway. Both the men and women had great seasons last year, and are looking to get even better in 2023. Here’s your guide to a preview for both teams, and a story to keep your eye on about a former Buckeye currently killing it at the Austrailian Open!
First off, with some of the most exciting news — J.J. Wolf is currently making his best run at a Grand Slam tournament of his career. He was a member of the Ohio State tennis team from 2017-2019, before turning pro after his junior season. Originally from Cincinnati, he earned the No. 1 college ranking in his junior year and amassed a 45-3 record in that same season.
On his way to his first Grand Slam round of 16 appearance, Wolf upset No. 23 Diego Schwartzman in the second round in straight sets. His next match will be against fellow American, 20-year-old Ben Shelton. If he continues to win, he could potentially face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Either way, it’s an incredible run for the 24-year-old.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24376109/usa_today_19804109.jpg "Tennis: Australian Open")
Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
As for current Buckeyes, the men’s team has started their season undefeated at 4-0, but who is really surprised? They finished No. 2 overall in the nation and were the regular season Big Ten champs last year. The duo of Matej Vocel and Robert Cash also were the runner-ups at the NCAA Doubles Championship.
The Buckeyes as a team ended their season at the national semifinals, and finished another tremendous season at 28-4 overall. They also boasted three All-Americans.
So, looking ahead at the 2023 season, the Buckeyes are once again ranked No. 2 in the nation. Junior JJ Tracy is the star of the show, as he is currently ranked No. 5 in the singles rankings. In doubles, Tracy and Andrew Lutschaunig are ranked No. 2 in the country. The duo won the ITA Fall National Doubles title, becoming the second consecutive Buckeyes team to win the crown.
The women are just as competitive as the men. They finished No. 10 in the nation last year, also winning the regular season conference title. Junior Irina Cantos Siemers received the Big Ten’s automatic qualifier spot in singles and she and freshman Sydni Ratliff earned the conference’s automatic spot in doubles. Senior Isabelle Boulais was an at-large selection to the singles draw.
Cantos Siemers led the Buckeyes with a 33-9 overall record last season before falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as did Ratliff and Boulais. Canto Siemers did however earn Second Team All-American honors, and Ratliff was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and ITA Rookie of the Year for the Midwest Region.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24376110/usa_today_18222820.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All three of these women are back this year after having solid fall seasons, especially Ratliff, who made it to the Round of 16 at the ITA Fall Nationals. There are three Buckeyes in the ITA singles rankings – No. 15 Ratliff, No. 30 Cantos Siemers and No. 116 Kolie Allen. Cantos and Ratliff are the No. 31-ranked doubles tandem.
The Buckeyes are ranked No. 17 to start the spring season, and already one week in, sophomore Shelly Bereznyak has been named Big Ten Athlete of the Week after picking up five wins at the first invitational of the season. Ohio State has a tough schedule this year and will serve as an ITA Kickoff Weekend site, welcoming Old Dominion, Wake Forest and No. 24 Tennessee next weekend (Jan. 27-28).
If you live in Columbus, I highly recommend going to the Ty Tucker Tennis Center and watching the men and women play. It is an absolutely amazing facility, the teams are so fun to watch and everything is free. If you don’t live in the capital, however, you can also tune into the livestreams, available through ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Maybe LGHL will turn into a tennis site, in addition to women’s basketball?
Continue reading...
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
There’s a Buckeye in Week 2 of the Austrailian Open!
The 2023 Ohio State tennis season is officially underway. Both the men and women had great seasons last year, and are looking to get even better in 2023. Here’s your guide to a preview for both teams, and a story to keep your eye on about a former Buckeye currently killing it at the Austrailian Open!
First off, with some of the most exciting news — J.J. Wolf is currently making his best run at a Grand Slam tournament of his career. He was a member of the Ohio State tennis team from 2017-2019, before turning pro after his junior season. Originally from Cincinnati, he earned the No. 1 college ranking in his junior year and amassed a 45-3 record in that same season.
On his way to his first Grand Slam round of 16 appearance, Wolf upset No. 23 Diego Schwartzman in the second round in straight sets. His next match will be against fellow American, 20-year-old Ben Shelton. If he continues to win, he could potentially face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Either way, it’s an incredible run for the 24-year-old.
As for current Buckeyes, the men’s team has started their season undefeated at 4-0, but who is really surprised? They finished No. 2 overall in the nation and were the regular season Big Ten champs last year. The duo of Matej Vocel and Robert Cash also were the runner-ups at the NCAA Doubles Championship.
The Buckeyes as a team ended their season at the national semifinals, and finished another tremendous season at 28-4 overall. They also boasted three All-Americans.
So, looking ahead at the 2023 season, the Buckeyes are once again ranked No. 2 in the nation. Junior JJ Tracy is the star of the show, as he is currently ranked No. 5 in the singles rankings. In doubles, Tracy and Andrew Lutschaunig are ranked No. 2 in the country. The duo won the ITA Fall National Doubles title, becoming the second consecutive Buckeyes team to win the crown.
The women are just as competitive as the men. They finished No. 10 in the nation last year, also winning the regular season conference title. Junior Irina Cantos Siemers received the Big Ten’s automatic qualifier spot in singles and she and freshman Sydni Ratliff earned the conference’s automatic spot in doubles. Senior Isabelle Boulais was an at-large selection to the singles draw.
Cantos Siemers led the Buckeyes with a 33-9 overall record last season before falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, as did Ratliff and Boulais. Canto Siemers did however earn Second Team All-American honors, and Ratliff was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and ITA Rookie of the Year for the Midwest Region.
All three of these women are back this year after having solid fall seasons, especially Ratliff, who made it to the Round of 16 at the ITA Fall Nationals. There are three Buckeyes in the ITA singles rankings – No. 15 Ratliff, No. 30 Cantos Siemers and No. 116 Kolie Allen. Cantos and Ratliff are the No. 31-ranked doubles tandem.
The Buckeyes are ranked No. 17 to start the spring season, and already one week in, sophomore Shelly Bereznyak has been named Big Ten Athlete of the Week after picking up five wins at the first invitational of the season. Ohio State has a tough schedule this year and will serve as an ITA Kickoff Weekend site, welcoming Old Dominion, Wake Forest and No. 24 Tennessee next weekend (Jan. 27-28).
If you live in Columbus, I highly recommend going to the Ty Tucker Tennis Center and watching the men and women play. It is an absolutely amazing facility, the teams are so fun to watch and everything is free. If you don’t live in the capital, however, you can also tune into the livestreams, available through ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Maybe LGHL will turn into a tennis site, in addition to women’s basketball?
Continue reading...
