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LGHL Ohio State women’s basketball face tough test in SEC country, taking on Tennessee in December

Ohio State women’s basketball face tough test in SEC country, taking on Tennessee in December
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeyes took the first matchup of a home/away series against the Volunteers, but can they repeat?

While the college basketball world sits in wait for a full 23-24 season schedule, a key game for the Ohio State women’s basketball team was announced. On Friday, the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC revealed its 23-24 non-conference schedule, including a Buckeyes away trip to Knoxville, Tennessee on Dec. 3.

The scarlet and gray and orange of Rocky Top set up a home/away series last season, with Ohio State hosting the first of two games. It was a momentous one for head coach Kevin McGuff and the Buckeyes.

In the first game, last season in Columbus, Ohio, the Schottenstein Center was loud with over 6,400 fans in attendance, stretched across both teams. Ohio State entered as the No. 14 seed, facing the No. 4 seeded Tennessee Volunteers.

On paper, Tennessee was practically an All-Star team featuring starsl ike guard Jordan Horston, center Tamari Key and forward Rickea Jackson. For the first half, Tennessee showed that star power, outscoring Ohio State 41-33.

Then came the third quarter.

Ohio State outscored Tennessee 30-13 in the third quarter, with former Buckeyes guard Taylor Mikesell outscoring the Vols with 15 points alone. McGuff’s side picked up the first of many emphatic wins of the season, defeating the SEC side 87-75.

Following the win, the two sides went in vastly different directions. For Tennessee, a medical scare left Key out for the remainder of the season, the Vols struggled to gel the new team quickly and dropped out of the top 25 polls by the end of November and never returning until the postseason No. 23 ranking.

For the Buckeyes it was a different story. Ohio State went on a historic run to start the season, achieving a No. 2 ranking.

However, both sides ended the season going down similar roads. Ohio State struggled against Big Ten powers in the Iowa Hawkeyes and Indiana Hoosiers, while Tennessee began finding its form.

In each team’s respective conference tournaments, the sides had impressive performances getting to conference title games. Both sides lost but made deep runs in the NCAA tournament. Ohio State and Tennessee were one game away from a 22-23 rematch.

At the Seattle Regional, the Volunteers faced the Virginia Tech Hokies on the same court where the Buckeyes defeated the UConn Huskies. A win against the Hokies would pit the Big Ten and SEC sides against each other but the Hokies defeated the Vols 73-64. Ohio State suffered the same result in the Elite Eight, losing to Virginia Tech 84-74.

Friday’s announcement is the third non-conference formally announced for the Buckeyes. The season begins in Las Vegas on Nov. 6 when Ohio State takes on the soon-to-be Big Ten side: The USC Trojans.

Later in November, the Buckeyes travel to the Bahamas for a pair of games in the Pink Flamingo tournament. On Nov. 20, it’s the East Carolina Pirates. Nov. 22 it’s an OSU against OSU matchup when the Buckeyes face the Oklahoma State Cowgirls.

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LGHL You’re Nuts: Which Big Ten sophomore will have the biggest impact this season?

You’re Nuts: Which Big Ten sophomore will have the biggest impact this season?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio State v Purdue

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The Big Ten lost a few one-and-done’s to the draft this summer, but a strong sophomore class returns, too.

This week for the basketball version of You’re Nuts, Connor and Justin are talking about Big Ten sophomores.

Last week, we debated which Big Ten freshman would make the most impact on their respective teams this season. Connor argued Mackenzie Mgbako of Indiana, and Justin argued DeShawn Harris-Smith of Maryland.

The audience thought it would be someone else, and “Other” won the poll with 43 percent of the vote. Mgbako got 33 percent of the vote, and Harris-Smith got 24 percent of the vote.


Here are the updated standings. With “Other” winning this week, it remains tied.

After 113 weeks:​

Connor- 48
Justin- 48
Other- 13​

(There have been four ties)​


And that leads us to this week’s topic.

Today’s Question: Which Big Ten sophomore will have the biggest impact this season? ​

Connor: Bruce Thornton ​

Ohio State v Purdue
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images

I racked my brain thinking of the different Big Ten sophomores who could potentially have huge seasons this year, hoping to avoid picking one of the Ohio State sophomores. The fine folks who read our content at Land-Grant Holy Land are no strangers to Buckeye basketball and know the hype that’s accompanied the likes of Roddy Gayle, Felix Okpara, and Bruce Thornton. Because of that, I wanted to pick someone from a different team.

But I just couldn’t.

What Thornton did last season as a true freshman was remarkable. The baseline statistics don’t jump off the page — 10.6 points per game on 45.6% shooting, including 37.5% from three-point range. He averaged 2.6 assists to 1.3 turnovers per game. But to me, the biggest stat is his minutes per game — 30.5. That was the fourth-most among freshmen in the Big Ten last season, behind Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jett Howard, and Dug McDaniel. The first two of those — JHS and Howard — became first-round NBA draftees this summer.

When you dig a bit deeper, Thornton played at least 35 minutes 14 times last season — an insanely heavy workload for a freshman point guard. Chris Holtmann repeated several times last season that that’s not how he envisioned Thornton’s freshman year going, but there were times when he had no choice — either Thornton’s play mandated he remain on the floor, or the Buckeyes lacked a reliable second option.

He finished the season on a high note, scoring in double digits in 10 of Ohio State’s final 13 games, including a season-high 22 points against Michigan on Feb. 5, when he shot 10-13 from the floor overall and hit two of his three three-pointers.

Thornton did not allow the game to speed him up during his freshman season. He didn’t settle for long jumpers, as only 36.7% of his shots came from downtown last season. In fact, for as efficient as he was shooting, his only taking eight shots per game actually could be viewed as him being timid or passive.

With three of Ohio State’s top five scorers from a season ago now gone and another — Zed Key — recovering from shoulder surgery in the spring, Thornton very well might be option A for the Buckeyes early on this season and even beyond that. Brice Sensabaugh was such a ball-dominant player last season, and losing him will spread out shots to more players than what we saw last season.

Thornton, in his own right, will be one of Ohio State’s best shooters and shot-creators. He’ll be even more important this season, and I think we could see him elevate to All-Big Ten status by the time his sophomore year is complete.

Justin: Braden Smith​

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Purdue Vs Fairleigh Dickinson
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

I would love to take any of the sophomores on the Buckeyes this season, but since Connor has Bruce Thornton, it doesn’t seem fun for me to take Roddy Gayle or Felix Okpara. So, I am going to take the fourth best option.

Purdue is coming into this season with incredibly lofty expectations. With 2022 National Player of the Year Zach Edey returning, in addition to basically the entire lineup that earned them the No. 1 seed last season, the Boilermakers will have a Final Four or bust mindset.

Braden Smith is going to be the second most important player on the team, behind Edey. As the starting point guard with now a full season of hoops under his belt.

Last season, Smith started in all 35 games for Purdue as the point guard, averaging 9.7 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, and 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot 38 percent from three-point range, 48 percent from two-point range, and 87 percent from the free-throw line.

Smith is coming into the same position that Thornton is when it comes to sophomores that played their full freshman season. They are in different situations teamwise, but as players, the similarities are obvious. Edey is important, but if Smith takes the next step as he should, Purdue can make a national title run this season.


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LGHL Buckeyes in the NFL: 2023 Fantasy Football Preview — Garrett Wilson

Buckeyes in the NFL: 2023 Fantasy Football Preview — Garrett Wilson
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

usa_today_19958492.0.jpg

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Wilson, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, has top-5 positional upside playing alongside a future HOF quarterback.

Rookie wide receivers performing well in their inaugural NFL season(s) is not unheard of. Far from it, actually. But in recent years, a select few have absolutely dominated both on the field and in fantasy football lineups. They now find themselves firmly inside the top-10 of players at their position.


Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings finished the 2020 season with 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven TDs, good for 6th in PPR points (WR position only). And in 2021, Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals quickly became the alpha of an already-established receiving core, putting up totals of 81/1,455/13 (5th in PPR). These players are just a few of the recent examples of what a talented wideout can do, at an early NFL age, when dropped into the right situation.

The New York Jets did not have one of those situations in 2022. Sure, the defense and coaching were much improved over previous years, but that’s about it. Because the offense in the Big Apple (technically NJ) was a big dumpster fire. Rookie running back Breece Hall was an early bright spot, but he only started two games before tearing his ACL in October. Quarterback play was abysmal, with Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mike White all completing less than 60% of their passes. And the team’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers combined for less than 1,000 yards. Far from ideal.

However, from the smoldering green ashes, a scarlet and gray phoenix did rise... Ok, that was a bit dramatic, but work with me here. With Hall sidelined, another Jets rookie came on strong, especially during the second half of the season. And now that player is a burgeoning star. His name? Garrett Wilson.

this guy right here ⬇️
@GarrettWilson_V | #DevelopedHere https://t.co/acExlna8u2

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) July 11, 2023
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This former Ohio State Buckeye was a bright spot in the otherwise dark, dingy, disgusting NYJ offense (5.5 receptions, 78.9 yards per game after Hall’s injury). And Wilson was rewarded for his stellar play with NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He showed great versatility for the Jets, and often battled opposing secondaries without much help. Which is something that should have placated his (few) detractors.

Prior to entering the NFL, Wilson spent much of his early Ohio State career in the slot. He then moved outside for most of the 2021 season. No matter where the Buckeyes put him, he excelled as a playmaker. The speed, the hands, the ability to make plays after the catch — all facets of his game were dialed in, and continued to improve over the course of three seasons in Columbus. But certain things, over which Wilson had no control, were still held against him. Namely his size (or lack thereof) and the fact that he was constantly and consistently surrounded by other playmakers.

In my humble opinion, Wilson put any and all concerns to rest in 2022. He consistently created separation and came down with contested catches, often as the singular focus of opposing defenses. Footwork and route running are always a work(s) in progress, even for veteran wideouts, so Wilson is far from a finished product, but he showed very few holes in his game as a rookie.

Rookie WRs to be targeted 25%+ of the time and put up 1100+ receiving yards

Odell Beckham
GARRETT WILSON

That's the whole list

And Beckham has three Top 7 WR finishes

— Alex Caruso (@AlexCaruso) July 7, 2023
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Versatility will be essential for Wilson moving forward, as New York re-tooled and brought on several new (offensive) pieces during the offseason. The biggest new name in town is obviously Aaron Rodgers, but the Jets also added WRs Mecole Hardman, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb. The latter two were favorites of Rodgers in Green Bay and will likely cut into some of Wilson’s target share.

Speaking specifically of Rodgers though, his mere presence should boost the value, production, and star power of Wilson, both in real life and fantasy football. And that is why I am all over the former Buckeye early in drafts. He has already proven capable of putting up 80+ receptions and 1,100 yards, and that was as a rookie in a putrid offense! With Rodgers (a no-doubt Hall of Famer) throwing him the ball, I could absolutely see Wilson flirting with 100/1,500 in 2023-24.

That being said, 100 catches is not nothin’, right? So draft Wilson with at least some caution. Because Lazard and Cobb will absorb plenty of targets. Same for Hardman, who has proven to be one of the fastest players in the NFL if nothing else. And the Jets will try to alleviate at least some of the pressure on 39-year old Rodgers by feeding a healthy Hall. There will be plenty of mouths to feed for Gang Green, which is not something you could have said with a straight face last year.

But I am still all-in on Wilson. His current ADP in or around the top-20 does not scare me off one bit. I may even target him earlier, in the mid-to-late teens. I would encourage others to do so as well, because I believe that Wilson has top-5 positional upside. And if you don’t want to buy what I am selling, just check out what a certain future HOF QB had to say.

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LGHL Buckeyes make cut for top 2025 tight-end, send best wishes as in-state prospects start season

Buckeyes make cut for top 2025 tight-end, send best wishes as in-state prospects start season
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

11727608__1_.0.jpg


Ohio State makes the shortlist for 2025 tight-end target, Emaree Winston.

2025 tight-end target down to six​


When it comes to Ohio State’s offensive scheme under Ryan Day, the tight end position probably doesn’t get as much attention as it deserves. Wanting to run the ball effectively, the Buckeyes use a tight end to help anchor the trenches in nearly every formation and many times even deploy two tight ends to really up the offensive attack.

Additionally, the position plays an important role in the passing game even if it’s sometimes under-utilized.

Regardless, the tight-end spot plays an important role in the OSU offense, and therefore recruiting that position in every cycle is a serious need. Fortunately, Ohio State has done a stellar job under first-year position coach Keenan Bailey as he’s been able to land two commitments from Damarion Witten and Max LeBlanc in the 2024 class. Looking ahead, Bailey will likely try to bring in another two at his spot for 2025.

With multiple offers already extended, yesterday the Buckeyes took another step in the right direction with one 2025 target as Emaree Winston released an update on his recruitment. A 6-foot-2, 235-pound athlete, Winston took to his Twitter account to announce he was down to just six schools. With nearly 40 offers to his name, the update shows how seriously he is moving through the process toward a decision.

Making the cut for Winston is USC, UCF, Tennessee, North Carolina, Cincinnati, and Ohio State. The No. 207 player nationally, Winston is the seventh-best tight end in the country per the 247Sports Composite grades, but in the 247Sports rankings alone, he’s nearly a top 100 player (ranked No. 103). Though stars and rankings aren’t everything to Ohio State’s coaches, this is still a player the staff would love to have and would be another big-time tight end get. A Calhoun, Ga. native, the Buckeyes are hoping to pull a talented TE from Georgia for the second time in three cycles following 2023’s Jelani Thurman.

Certainly, there’s still work to be done in this recruitment, but currently, the Buckeyes do own both of the 247Sports crystal ball predictions. If all goes to plan and this is a recruitment that is locked up early, the tight-end recruiting efforts for 2025 will be off to a roaring start.

Let’s get it final 6 who has the best fan base instagram E_wins85 @CoachZachHanson @LincolnRiley @CoachGusMalzahn @CoachB_Blackmon @CoachAlexMathis @CoachKee @CoachBinckes @AlecAbeln @davidweeks34 @coachjoshheupel @CoachFKitchens @CoachMackBrown @CoachSattUC @coach_stepp pic.twitter.com/P4OB5IvTiB

— Emaree Winston (@e_wins2025) August 17, 2023
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Quick Hits:​


With high school football in Ohio now officially underway, Ohio State’s staff and creative team are doing an incredible job of making prospects feel like a priority even if their attention has now switched to their own seasons. Yesterday, multiple recruiting graphics were sent out wishing players the best as their prep seasons began.

One example, in-state 2025 athlete Amari Valerio-Hudson shared via Twitter that the Buckeyes were wishing him luck. An unranked player right now, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound receiver does currently hold one offer from Ball State. Over the course of these next two seasons though, look for Amari to be a player that works tirelessly for his offer list to grow. Either way, the Buckeyes are paying attention, even if they have yet to offer.

Ohio State love before game 1 ❤️ @etwill21 @ryandaytime @Barnett_OSU #gobucks pic.twitter.com/IQfCV0xS0B

— Amari Valerio-Hudson (@imjustamari) August 17, 2023
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