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LGHL You’re Nuts: Which Best Picture nominee is most like the Ohio State football team?
- News
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You’re Nuts: Which Best Picture nominee is most like the Ohio State football team?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Having seen all but one of the 2023 Best Picture nominees (the final one is on this weekend’s viewing list), I do feel qualified to make an insane comparison between these films and Ohio State’s football team.
I could probably draw parallels between the team and most of these films if I had to, but why take the time when “Top Gun: Maverick” is right there. Besides being the most fun of the bunch, it shares thematic similarities with Buckeye Football.
At face value, a summary of “Top Gun: Maverick” would tell you “Small planes go fast.” But on a deeper level, this is also a film about overcoming adversity, teamwork, and to an extent, breaking records.
A quick summary of the film (sans spoilers) for those who haven’t seen it: Maverick (Tom Cruise, who also starred in the original “Top Gun”), has been a test pilot in the Navy for more than 30 years, and he has avoided being grounded despite breaking rule after rule. But when his tendency to dodge orders catches up with him, he is put in charge of training a detachment for a special mission. Maverick must confront his past, his fears, and ultimately, prepare his trainees for a mission in which their lives are on the line.
So with that description in mind, let’s start with teamwork.
Possibly the only group of people with more camaraderie than a collegiate sports team is a military unit, particularly an elite one with a dangerous job. To accomplish your goal in a movie like “Top Gun: Maverick,” your entire team has to have each other’s backs. There has to be trust established, and you have to unite toward a common aim.
Bonus: Do you know how the guys establish this trust in “Top Gun: Maverick?” They play football. On a beach that is slightly more scenic than Columbus, but still. Also, they give each other fun nicknames (call signs).
This camaraderie rings true for Ohio State football, which is nothing short of a band of brothers united on and off the field, cheering for each other’s successes and pushing each other through the pitfalls. Ultimately, these guys always come together to take down their opponent each Saturday. It’s grueling work, and the reward is in doing it together.
This teamwork is the foundation of overcoming adversity. Without the backing of your brothers, adversity can, at times, seem insurmountable. And toward the end of this past season, the Buckeyes faced their share of adversity in back-to-back losses. The challenges won’t end there as they enter next season. They’ll need to find their footing behind a new quarterback at the helm as C.J. Stroud heads to the NFL. They’ll need to regain their confidence.
But if they come together, the pieces will be in place for the Buckeyes to face their opponents fearlessly and confidently.
Similarly, the training detachment in “Top Gun: Maverick” has to find both their ability to work as a team, and afterwards, find the courage to have each other’s backs in the face of challenges.
When all of these pieces are in place, records can be broken – whether it be flying speed records or stats on the football field.
So while no one on the Ohio State football team is taking flight in the middle of a big game, “Top Gun: Maverick” best represents what this team is capable of if they dig deep to remember who they truly are.
This year’s slate of Best Picture nominees represents a fairly wide range of genres and styles. There are the blockbusters (Jami’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water”), there are the divisive artsy selections (“Tár” and “Triangle of Sadness”), there are the glitzy crowd-pleasers (“Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Elvis”), there are the well-acted films that feel like they were based on plays even though they weren’t (”Women Talking” and “The Banshees of Inisherin”), there’s the historical war epic (“All Quiet on the Western Front’), and then there’s “The Fabelmans.”
Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film came into award season as the presumptive favorite to take home the biggest prize, but fairly quickly was surpassed by more inventive, creative projects. The movie feels a bit like it’s stuck in a bygone era and didn’t fully embrace the type of storytelling and filmmaking that leads to success in today’s day and age.
Despite that, there were thrilling performances from a handful of incredible stars including Oscar nominees Michelle Williams (“Dawson’s Creek,” not Destiny’s Child) and Judd Hirsch, as well as the erstwhile Riddler Paul Dano. While the project as a whole might feel slightly outdated, these electric performances are certainly enough to keep it in contention to take home the trophy.
But, that’s not to say that the fundamentals aren’t there, because Spielberg and Emmy, Tony, and Pulitzer winner Tony Kushner have crafted a really solid script, and at times it breaks through the conventionality of its format to deliver something surprising and slightly subversive.
Ultimately, for me, “The Fabelmans” just doesn’t live up to the potential that its pedigree and collective talent promised, because it was a little too firmly reliant on traditional ways of doing things and felt a bit fearful of trying new things. And if that’s not a perfect correlary for the Ohio State football team, I don’t know what is.
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
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: Which Best Picture Nominee Is Most Like the Ohio State Football Team?
Jami’s Take: “Top Gun: Maverick”
Having seen all but one of the 2023 Best Picture nominees (the final one is on this weekend’s viewing list), I do feel qualified to make an insane comparison between these films and Ohio State’s football team.
I could probably draw parallels between the team and most of these films if I had to, but why take the time when “Top Gun: Maverick” is right there. Besides being the most fun of the bunch, it shares thematic similarities with Buckeye Football.
At face value, a summary of “Top Gun: Maverick” would tell you “Small planes go fast.” But on a deeper level, this is also a film about overcoming adversity, teamwork, and to an extent, breaking records.
A quick summary of the film (sans spoilers) for those who haven’t seen it: Maverick (Tom Cruise, who also starred in the original “Top Gun”), has been a test pilot in the Navy for more than 30 years, and he has avoided being grounded despite breaking rule after rule. But when his tendency to dodge orders catches up with him, he is put in charge of training a detachment for a special mission. Maverick must confront his past, his fears, and ultimately, prepare his trainees for a mission in which their lives are on the line.
So with that description in mind, let’s start with teamwork.
Possibly the only group of people with more camaraderie than a collegiate sports team is a military unit, particularly an elite one with a dangerous job. To accomplish your goal in a movie like “Top Gun: Maverick,” your entire team has to have each other’s backs. There has to be trust established, and you have to unite toward a common aim.
Bonus: Do you know how the guys establish this trust in “Top Gun: Maverick?” They play football. On a beach that is slightly more scenic than Columbus, but still. Also, they give each other fun nicknames (call signs).
This camaraderie rings true for Ohio State football, which is nothing short of a band of brothers united on and off the field, cheering for each other’s successes and pushing each other through the pitfalls. Ultimately, these guys always come together to take down their opponent each Saturday. It’s grueling work, and the reward is in doing it together.
This teamwork is the foundation of overcoming adversity. Without the backing of your brothers, adversity can, at times, seem insurmountable. And toward the end of this past season, the Buckeyes faced their share of adversity in back-to-back losses. The challenges won’t end there as they enter next season. They’ll need to find their footing behind a new quarterback at the helm as C.J. Stroud heads to the NFL. They’ll need to regain their confidence.
But if they come together, the pieces will be in place for the Buckeyes to face their opponents fearlessly and confidently.
Similarly, the training detachment in “Top Gun: Maverick” has to find both their ability to work as a team, and afterwards, find the courage to have each other’s backs in the face of challenges.
When all of these pieces are in place, records can be broken – whether it be flying speed records or stats on the football field.
So while no one on the Ohio State football team is taking flight in the middle of a big game, “Top Gun: Maverick” best represents what this team is capable of if they dig deep to remember who they truly are.
Matt’s Take: “The Fabelmans”
This year’s slate of Best Picture nominees represents a fairly wide range of genres and styles. There are the blockbusters (Jami’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Avatar: The Way of Water”), there are the divisive artsy selections (“Tár” and “Triangle of Sadness”), there are the glitzy crowd-pleasers (“Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Elvis”), there are the well-acted films that feel like they were based on plays even though they weren’t (”Women Talking” and “The Banshees of Inisherin”), there’s the historical war epic (“All Quiet on the Western Front’), and then there’s “The Fabelmans.”
Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film came into award season as the presumptive favorite to take home the biggest prize, but fairly quickly was surpassed by more inventive, creative projects. The movie feels a bit like it’s stuck in a bygone era and didn’t fully embrace the type of storytelling and filmmaking that leads to success in today’s day and age.
Despite that, there were thrilling performances from a handful of incredible stars including Oscar nominees Michelle Williams (“Dawson’s Creek,” not Destiny’s Child) and Judd Hirsch, as well as the erstwhile Riddler Paul Dano. While the project as a whole might feel slightly outdated, these electric performances are certainly enough to keep it in contention to take home the trophy.
But, that’s not to say that the fundamentals aren’t there, because Spielberg and Emmy, Tony, and Pulitzer winner Tony Kushner have crafted a really solid script, and at times it breaks through the conventionality of its format to deliver something surprising and slightly subversive.
Ultimately, for me, “The Fabelmans” just doesn’t live up to the potential that its pedigree and collective talent promised, because it was a little too firmly reliant on traditional ways of doing things and felt a bit fearful of trying new things. And if that’s not a perfect correlary for the Ohio State football team, I don’t know what is.
Continue reading...
2025 GA CB Tyler Redmond (Tennessee Signee)
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- Football Recruiting
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Class: 2025
School: Alpharetta (GA) Milton
Position: CB
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 175 lbs
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HudL
Class: 2025
School: Alpharetta (GA) Milton
Position: CB
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 175 lbs
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LGHL Don’t call it a comeback: How some former Ohio State players are getting their second wind in the NFL playoffs
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Don’t call it a comeback: How some former Ohio State players are getting their second wind in the NFL playoffs
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
In Cincinnati and beyond.
Eli Apple and Vonn Bell had all the markings of future all-pro defensive backs when both were selected in the first two rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Both had a national championship at Ohio State under their belt. They’d been touted since high school. They were part of a class of unbelievable athletes that included Joey Bosa, Michael Thomas, and Ezekiel Elliott. It was the cool kids club of the college football world and the reason Ohio State had such an incredible recruiting run in the ensuing years.
Things didn’t go as planned. Apple in particular struggled with the New York Giants, the team that took him No. 10 overall. While he had a promising rookie season, he was sidelined at times with injury. In his sophomore campaign, he was suspended by the Giants for conduct detrimental to the team. New York traded Apple seemingly at its earliest opportunity just a few weeks into the 2018 season.
Apple at that point joined Bell in New Orleans, which seemed to be the southern retreat for former Ohio State players. Bell’s opening seasons with New Orleans were tepid — not bad, but also not all-pro level. In 2020, Bell signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. After a pit stop in Carolina in 2020, Apple joined Bell and the Bengals in 2021.
Then things changed. The Bengals, with a competent offense, found themselves in the Super Bowl following the 2021 regular season. Apple and Bell, along with fellow former Buckeye Sam Hubbard, were key to that Super Bowl-caliber defense. After several seasons as the afterthoughts of former Ohio State draft picks, their careers got their second winds.
Consider for a moment just how rare that is: It’s not often that NFL players get second chances to reach their star potential. Sure, we saw an example of a rejuvenated quarterback who made their way back to a starting role this year (Geno Smith), but with fresh, young talent coming into the league every season, players with histories of injury or disciplinary issues would certainly be shunted away, especially if their production wasn’t at an all-pro level.
If players can’t cut it early in their NFL careers, it’s easy to write them off. It’s easy to point to their performance and say they don’t have what it takes. Plus, scouts are really good at their jobs. They can find replacements in a heartbeat in the upcoming draft.
It’s useful for NFL teams to bring in the still-young players fresh off their rookie contracts. They’re cheaper than high draft picks and there’s less variability about what they’re bringing to the party. In other words, there is film of these players playing in NFL games. It makes sense that Bell and Apple got their new contracts with Cincinnati, which had just shelled out big money to Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
And while Bell and Apple may have been pegged as journeymen at that point, they both managed to take the opportunity and turn things around and remain an integral part of one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Apple and Bell are not alone. Noah Brown, taken with a seventh-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, is still on the Cowboys and, in fact, had two catches in the Cowboys’ playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.
And then there are players like 35-year-old long snapper Jake McQuaide who somehow is still in the league after all this time and after we probably didn’t know his name when he was at Ohio State.
While these players are less-so redemption stories, there’s something to be said for the fact both found themselves in the playoffs after all these years.
We have to acknowledge the perseverance and resilience these career trajectories had to take. Even Brown, who has remained with the Cowboys throughout his career, has spent significant time on injured reserve and has needed to battle back to keep his spot on the roster.
We still have a lot of former Buckeyes remaining in the playoffs. And a few of them might be one step closer to reaching a championship at another level.
Continue reading...
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
In Cincinnati and beyond.
Eli Apple and Vonn Bell had all the markings of future all-pro defensive backs when both were selected in the first two rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Both had a national championship at Ohio State under their belt. They’d been touted since high school. They were part of a class of unbelievable athletes that included Joey Bosa, Michael Thomas, and Ezekiel Elliott. It was the cool kids club of the college football world and the reason Ohio State had such an incredible recruiting run in the ensuing years.
Things didn’t go as planned. Apple in particular struggled with the New York Giants, the team that took him No. 10 overall. While he had a promising rookie season, he was sidelined at times with injury. In his sophomore campaign, he was suspended by the Giants for conduct detrimental to the team. New York traded Apple seemingly at its earliest opportunity just a few weeks into the 2018 season.
Apple at that point joined Bell in New Orleans, which seemed to be the southern retreat for former Ohio State players. Bell’s opening seasons with New Orleans were tepid — not bad, but also not all-pro level. In 2020, Bell signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. After a pit stop in Carolina in 2020, Apple joined Bell and the Bengals in 2021.
Then things changed. The Bengals, with a competent offense, found themselves in the Super Bowl following the 2021 regular season. Apple and Bell, along with fellow former Buckeye Sam Hubbard, were key to that Super Bowl-caliber defense. After several seasons as the afterthoughts of former Ohio State draft picks, their careers got their second winds.
Consider for a moment just how rare that is: It’s not often that NFL players get second chances to reach their star potential. Sure, we saw an example of a rejuvenated quarterback who made their way back to a starting role this year (Geno Smith), but with fresh, young talent coming into the league every season, players with histories of injury or disciplinary issues would certainly be shunted away, especially if their production wasn’t at an all-pro level.
If players can’t cut it early in their NFL careers, it’s easy to write them off. It’s easy to point to their performance and say they don’t have what it takes. Plus, scouts are really good at their jobs. They can find replacements in a heartbeat in the upcoming draft.
It’s useful for NFL teams to bring in the still-young players fresh off their rookie contracts. They’re cheaper than high draft picks and there’s less variability about what they’re bringing to the party. In other words, there is film of these players playing in NFL games. It makes sense that Bell and Apple got their new contracts with Cincinnati, which had just shelled out big money to Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
And while Bell and Apple may have been pegged as journeymen at that point, they both managed to take the opportunity and turn things around and remain an integral part of one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Apple and Bell are not alone. Noah Brown, taken with a seventh-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2017 NFL Draft, is still on the Cowboys and, in fact, had two catches in the Cowboys’ playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers.
And then there are players like 35-year-old long snapper Jake McQuaide who somehow is still in the league after all this time and after we probably didn’t know his name when he was at Ohio State.
While these players are less-so redemption stories, there’s something to be said for the fact both found themselves in the playoffs after all these years.
We have to acknowledge the perseverance and resilience these career trajectories had to take. Even Brown, who has remained with the Cowboys throughout his career, has spent significant time on injured reserve and has needed to battle back to keep his spot on the roster.
We still have a lot of former Buckeyes remaining in the playoffs. And a few of them might be one step closer to reaching a championship at another level.
Continue reading...
LGHL Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women travel to No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday
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Four Storylines: No. 2 Ohio State women travel to No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers on Thursday
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Alex Martin/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes look for a bounce back, another dominant big and more
To say this week is a gauntlet for the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball team is an understatement. For the second time in four days, the Buckeyes face a team in the AP Top 10, something that usually doesn’t happen until the late rounds of the NCAA Tournament. This time around it's the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
Before the game, there are a few areas to watch closely in the matchup, including a second consecutive game against one of the best bigs in the conference, is guard Jacy Sheldon’s return imminent, and more as the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington, Indiana.
At this level of basketball, one step below the professional ranks, a student-athlete doesn’t need much motivation to compete. Especially against a team who’s one of the main challengers for the conference title. However, Monday’s loss should give Ohio State an extra boost.
All season, the mantra from head coach Kevin McGuff has been playing with competitive character. That means playing with the intensity he knows the team is capable of for 40 minutes.
Outside of the first quarter against Iowa, and part of the third, the Scarlet & Gray didn’t have it. The strength of that competitive character following a tough loss, the first of the season, is crucial.
“I feel like we’ve handled success really well but now we have to handle a loss,” said forward Cotie McMahon following Monday’s loss. “So, this will really determine who we are as a team in Indiana.”
How the Buckeyes start and finish Thursday’s game, and all points in between, is crucial for the remaining nine games of the season.
Against the Hawkeyes, Ohio State forced 17 turnovers. Not bad considering Iowa is a veteran team, but it was still below their average. Against the Hoosiers on Thursday, they face a more difficult test.
Indiana head coach Teri Moren plays a different style than Iowa’s run-and-gun type offense. The Hoosiers are methodical with the ball (but they will exploit space quickly), and outside of freshman guard Yarden Garzon play a roster full of upperclassmen leaders.
Leading them is guard Grace Berger. After missing eight games with a knee injury, Berger returned on Jan. 8, against the Northwestern Wildcats, and picked up where she left off. Berger is averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, both above her season highs.
If Ohio State has trouble getting their shots to fall and therefore takes more time getting their press going, Berger and Indiana can hurt them in the half-court.
Berger’s surrounded by weapons on the floor like the aforementioned Garzon who’s second in the team in scoring (12.3 ppg) and hitting 50% from beyond the arc. Alongside Garzon is Sydney Parrish, the Oregon Ducks transfer originally from Indiana returned to her home state and gave the Hoosiers another shooter on the perimeter.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes had some defensive possessions where their half-court set stopped the Hawkeyes. In the third quarter, they held Iowa to no points in the final 5:56 of the quarter. While holding any team to no scoring is a tough bar to set, that kind of energy and movement on defense is required for Indiana all game long.
While Berger doesn’t have the same other-worldly passing ability as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, she’s still top ten in the conference averaging over five assists per game, and a lot of them go to a player not even mentioned yet.
The most dangerous of all teammates is center Mackenzie Holmes.
For the second game in a row, Ohio State has to contend with a player who makes life difficult inside the paint.
In any normal NCAA career in the Big Ten, Holmes is the frontrunner to win the conference’s Player of the Year honor, but Iowa’s Clark exists. Holmes is second in the Big Ten in scoring (21.9), rebounding (9.4) and blocks (1.7).
Last season, Holmes scored 42 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in two games against the Buckeyes, 30 of those points coming in the Buckeyes' first Big Ten conference game of their eventual regular season championship season. Ohio State lost that game 86-66, but put up a better fight in the B1G Tournament.
In Indianapolis, the Scarlet & Gray held Holmes to 12 points and three rebounds in a much closer 70-62 defeat. That game gives hope to Buckeye fans that Ohio State can slow Holmes down again, while she’s on a historic clip.
This season, Holmes is on her way to becoming only the 11th player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and eight rebounds and shoot at least 60% from inside the arc. That would put Holmes in the same conversation as former Iowa center Megan Gustafson and Baylor star Brittney Griner.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes' moments where they slowed Czinano down came when substitute forward Eboni Walker was on the floor. That doesn’t mean Walker will get the start over forward Rebeka Mikulasikova, but the Slovakian did struggle against Czinano, who scored 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
If Mikulasikova’s shot doesn’t fall early, and Holmes has a strong start, it might be more Walker inside the paint.
It also wouldn’t hurt the Buckeyes if they had one of their best players available in guard Jacy Sheldon.
This is an unfair storyline but it’s going to follow every game until the Buckeyes guard returns. On Tuesday, coach McGuff shared on TheNextHoops Locked On WBB Podcast that Sheldon will return “very soon.”
There’s no specific game attached to that “very soon,” but it is promising for Ohio State.
When Sheldon is on the floor, the full-court press is more effective. Sheldon averages six steals per game this season, including a game where she grabbed 11 steals, tying the program record.
The guard has the uncanny ability to be in the right place to stop the opposing team’s forward momentum, and the speed to force mistakes and bad passes.
Also, the guard averaged close to 20 points per game last season, making her scoring missed over the 15 games she’s missed in 22-23.
Sheldon’s also returning only when she’s 100% healthy. Conditioning-wise, Sheldon’s been swimming during her injury to keep her endurance at a high level. So, if Thursday happens to be the day, it isn’t for 10 or 15 minutes. The intent is to have Sheldon back and playing at a high level.
If Sheldon returns, Indiana will be more disrupted than without her. When the Buckeyes force turnovers, it creates more solo layup chances and trips to the free throw line on 2-on-1 situations. Anything to keep the Hoosiers out of their flow is a positive for an Ohio State team that hasn’t beaten Indiana since Jan. 28, 2021, a run of three straight defeats.
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
Alex Martin/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes look for a bounce back, another dominant big and more
To say this week is a gauntlet for the No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball team is an understatement. For the second time in four days, the Buckeyes face a team in the AP Top 10, something that usually doesn’t happen until the late rounds of the NCAA Tournament. This time around it's the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
Before the game, there are a few areas to watch closely in the matchup, including a second consecutive game against one of the best bigs in the conference, is guard Jacy Sheldon’s return imminent, and more as the Buckeyes travel to Bloomington, Indiana.
Using Monday as Motivation
At this level of basketball, one step below the professional ranks, a student-athlete doesn’t need much motivation to compete. Especially against a team who’s one of the main challengers for the conference title. However, Monday’s loss should give Ohio State an extra boost.
All season, the mantra from head coach Kevin McGuff has been playing with competitive character. That means playing with the intensity he knows the team is capable of for 40 minutes.
Outside of the first quarter against Iowa, and part of the third, the Scarlet & Gray didn’t have it. The strength of that competitive character following a tough loss, the first of the season, is crucial.
“I feel like we’ve handled success really well but now we have to handle a loss,” said forward Cotie McMahon following Monday’s loss. “So, this will really determine who we are as a team in Indiana.”
How the Buckeyes start and finish Thursday’s game, and all points in between, is crucial for the remaining nine games of the season.
Does Ohio State Set Their Press?
Against the Hawkeyes, Ohio State forced 17 turnovers. Not bad considering Iowa is a veteran team, but it was still below their average. Against the Hoosiers on Thursday, they face a more difficult test.
Indiana head coach Teri Moren plays a different style than Iowa’s run-and-gun type offense. The Hoosiers are methodical with the ball (but they will exploit space quickly), and outside of freshman guard Yarden Garzon play a roster full of upperclassmen leaders.
Leading them is guard Grace Berger. After missing eight games with a knee injury, Berger returned on Jan. 8, against the Northwestern Wildcats, and picked up where she left off. Berger is averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 assists per game, both above her season highs.
If Ohio State has trouble getting their shots to fall and therefore takes more time getting their press going, Berger and Indiana can hurt them in the half-court.
️ ️@grace_berger34@ChloeMoore35 pic.twitter.com/24D6NK8Grv
— Indiana Women’s Basketball (@IndianaWBB) January 24, 2023
Berger’s surrounded by weapons on the floor like the aforementioned Garzon who’s second in the team in scoring (12.3 ppg) and hitting 50% from beyond the arc. Alongside Garzon is Sydney Parrish, the Oregon Ducks transfer originally from Indiana returned to her home state and gave the Hoosiers another shooter on the perimeter.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes had some defensive possessions where their half-court set stopped the Hawkeyes. In the third quarter, they held Iowa to no points in the final 5:56 of the quarter. While holding any team to no scoring is a tough bar to set, that kind of energy and movement on defense is required for Indiana all game long.
While Berger doesn’t have the same other-worldly passing ability as Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, she’s still top ten in the conference averaging over five assists per game, and a lot of them go to a player not even mentioned yet.
The most dangerous of all teammates is center Mackenzie Holmes.
Slowing Down Holmes
For the second game in a row, Ohio State has to contend with a player who makes life difficult inside the paint.
In any normal NCAA career in the Big Ten, Holmes is the frontrunner to win the conference’s Player of the Year honor, but Iowa’s Clark exists. Holmes is second in the Big Ten in scoring (21.9), rebounding (9.4) and blocks (1.7).
Last season, Holmes scored 42 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in two games against the Buckeyes, 30 of those points coming in the Buckeyes' first Big Ten conference game of their eventual regular season championship season. Ohio State lost that game 86-66, but put up a better fight in the B1G Tournament.
In Indianapolis, the Scarlet & Gray held Holmes to 12 points and three rebounds in a much closer 70-62 defeat. That game gives hope to Buckeye fans that Ohio State can slow Holmes down again, while she’s on a historic clip.
This season, Holmes is on her way to becoming only the 11th player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and eight rebounds and shoot at least 60% from inside the arc. That would put Holmes in the same conversation as former Iowa center Megan Gustafson and Baylor star Brittney Griner.
Against Iowa, the Buckeyes' moments where they slowed Czinano down came when substitute forward Eboni Walker was on the floor. That doesn’t mean Walker will get the start over forward Rebeka Mikulasikova, but the Slovakian did struggle against Czinano, who scored 22 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
If Mikulasikova’s shot doesn’t fall early, and Holmes has a strong start, it might be more Walker inside the paint.
It also wouldn’t hurt the Buckeyes if they had one of their best players available in guard Jacy Sheldon.
Jacy Sheldon Return?
This is an unfair storyline but it’s going to follow every game until the Buckeyes guard returns. On Tuesday, coach McGuff shared on TheNextHoops Locked On WBB Podcast that Sheldon will return “very soon.”
There’s no specific game attached to that “very soon,” but it is promising for Ohio State.
When Sheldon is on the floor, the full-court press is more effective. Sheldon averages six steals per game this season, including a game where she grabbed 11 steals, tying the program record.
The guard has the uncanny ability to be in the right place to stop the opposing team’s forward momentum, and the speed to force mistakes and bad passes.
Also, the guard averaged close to 20 points per game last season, making her scoring missed over the 15 games she’s missed in 22-23.
Sheldon’s also returning only when she’s 100% healthy. Conditioning-wise, Sheldon’s been swimming during her injury to keep her endurance at a high level. So, if Thursday happens to be the day, it isn’t for 10 or 15 minutes. The intent is to have Sheldon back and playing at a high level.
If Sheldon returns, Indiana will be more disrupted than without her. When the Buckeyes force turnovers, it creates more solo layup chances and trips to the free throw line on 2-on-1 situations. Anything to keep the Hoosiers out of their flow is a positive for an Ohio State team that hasn’t beaten Indiana since Jan. 28, 2021, a run of three straight defeats.
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LGHL Ohio State wrestling gears up to face Michigan on Friday
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State wrestling gears up to face Michigan on Friday
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Chris Lyons/Maryland Terrapins
Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes have dominated a trio of conference opponents to begin 2023, but the Scarlet and Gray will face a step up in competition when they visit Ann Arbor.
The sixth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team has been on an absolute tear since the calendar flipped, impressively bouncing back from a difficult month of December.
Prior to beginning their conference slate, Tom Ryan’s squad had been a walking MASH unit, resulting in uneven performances and poorer-than-expected finishes at both the Cliff Keen Invitational and Collegiate Duals. But now, thanks to improved health and a trio of dominant team victories, the Buckeyes appear to once again be wrestling with swagger. And it could not come at a better time, seeing as though the immediate road ahead is a treacherous one.
In just one week’s time (Jan. 27 – Feb. 3) OSU is set for three matches against ranked Big Ten opponents, which in and of itself is nothing new. Because 12 of the conference’s 14 teams are currently ranked, with Maryland sitting just outside the top 25. But few programs pose a threat like TTUN and Penn State, both of which have an upcoming date with the Buckeyes — on back-to-back Friday nights.
Ohio State will enter those Friday matches as the clear underdog (in both), but should do so with reasonable confidence in their ability to pull off an upset. Said confidence stems – or should stem – from the team’s recent results.
OSU kicked off 2023 with victories over Indiana and Rutgers, beating those teams by a combined score of 53-25. The Scarlet and Gray then traveled to College Park, Maryland, where they took on the Terrapins last Friday night. The Terps owned an 8-1 record in previous duals and held the No. 23 ranking when this one began. But they were no match for the Buckeyes, who were seemingly determined to make turtle soup.
Ohio State jumped out to an early lead thanks to veteran leader Sammy Sasso. The All-American dominated his 149-pound match, coasting to a 12-1 major decision over Maryland’s Ethen Miller. The latter is no slouch, as evidenced by his No. 18 ranking. But Miller stood no chance against OSU’s national contender on Friday night.
Sasso scored a takedown in each period, the last being a near fall in the third. His win gave the Buckeyes a four-point lead they would never surrender. In fact, the lead grew exponentially, resulting in a lopsided blowout.
The 157-pounders were up next, with Paddy Gallagher representing the Scarlet and Gray. He put on a takedown clinic, racking up 22 points and a tech fall. And it only took two periods! You typically don’t see that much offense in such a short period of time, but Gallagher was in his bag.
He nearly pinned Maryland’s Kevin Schork at the end of the second but was ultimately forced to settle for five (team) points. If Ohio State gets this healthy version of Gallagher, it could go a long way in realizing many of its team goals. He is a potential star in the making.
Friday’s third match saw the much-anticipated return of OSU’s Carson Kharchla at 165. Out of action for more than a month, Kharchla has been physically unable to rebound from his frustrating finish in Las Vegas (Keen). But the Buckeyes’ breakout wrestler from a season ago looked to be in fine form against Maryland, earning a 7-2 decision over the Terps’ John Martin.
Kharchla was one of the highest-ranked individuals on this Ohio State roster at the beginning of the season, so his return is yet another big boost for the Scarlet and Gray grapplers.
Isaac Wilcox maintained the OSU momentum at 174, prevailing in a sudden victory over UMD’s Dominic Solis. While his attached dual record “only” reads as 4-3, Wilcox deserves plenty of praise for what he has done recently. Despite being listed on the roster at 157, he has rattled off three straight victories at 165 (x2) and is now 174.
The Buckeyes would love to get Ethan Smith back on the mat and keep Kharchla healthy, but Wilcox gives them plenty of extra flexibility.
At 184, Kaleb Romero continued to build on his already stellar season. A tech fall victory over Maryland’s Chase Mielnik pushed his match record to 17-3 and 9-1 in duals. The super senior from Mechanicsburg (OH) is poised to make a late-season run, but his importance to the Buckeyes in-season should not be understated.
Romero has competed in every single event for this team, helping to carry the load while others have unfortunately dealt with setbacks.
After Maryland forfeited the 197 match, OSU heavyweight Tate Orndorff defeated the Terps’ Jaron Smith to make it a perfect 8-for-8 in favor of the good guys. However, Brendan McCrone was unable to make it a clean sweep when the weight classes flipped. He was pinned in the 125-pound match by UMD’s Braxton Brown, handing the Buckeyes their first and only loss of the evening.
Jesse Mendez (fall) and Dylan D’Emilio (6-3 decision) but a bow on this one for Ohio State, winning at 133 and 141 respectively. The Buckeyes took nine matches in all (out of 10) and decimated their Big Ten opponent by a total score of 38-6. It was the team’s second-largest margin of victory this season, falling just short of their 39-3 beatdown of Lock Haven.
Next up are the Wolverines, and OSU will be traveling to Ann Arbor to grapple with the No. 3 team in the country.
Despite their high team ranking, TTUN only has one wrestler ranked as a top-5 individual. This is not an indictment against the team’s talent, but evidence that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts... Also not a bad thing, as duals are determined by team points. But if the Buckeyes are able to get points from their stars (Sasso, Mendez, Kharchla, Smith, and Romero are all top-9 guys), they could absolutely win this rivalry faceoff.
Friday’s match will not be an easy one, but such is life in the Big Ten. And if you have not yet tuned in to watch this Ohio State wrestling team, now would be a good time to start. Their match against TTUN will be televised on Big Ten Network, beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Have popcorn ready, and Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Chris Lyons/Maryland Terrapins
Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes have dominated a trio of conference opponents to begin 2023, but the Scarlet and Gray will face a step up in competition when they visit Ann Arbor.
The sixth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team has been on an absolute tear since the calendar flipped, impressively bouncing back from a difficult month of December.
Prior to beginning their conference slate, Tom Ryan’s squad had been a walking MASH unit, resulting in uneven performances and poorer-than-expected finishes at both the Cliff Keen Invitational and Collegiate Duals. But now, thanks to improved health and a trio of dominant team victories, the Buckeyes appear to once again be wrestling with swagger. And it could not come at a better time, seeing as though the immediate road ahead is a treacherous one.
In just one week’s time (Jan. 27 – Feb. 3) OSU is set for three matches against ranked Big Ten opponents, which in and of itself is nothing new. Because 12 of the conference’s 14 teams are currently ranked, with Maryland sitting just outside the top 25. But few programs pose a threat like TTUN and Penn State, both of which have an upcoming date with the Buckeyes — on back-to-back Friday nights.
Ohio State will enter those Friday matches as the clear underdog (in both), but should do so with reasonable confidence in their ability to pull off an upset. Said confidence stems – or should stem – from the team’s recent results.
OSU kicked off 2023 with victories over Indiana and Rutgers, beating those teams by a combined score of 53-25. The Scarlet and Gray then traveled to College Park, Maryland, where they took on the Terrapins last Friday night. The Terps owned an 8-1 record in previous duals and held the No. 23 ranking when this one began. But they were no match for the Buckeyes, who were seemingly determined to make turtle soup.
Adding another to the win column#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/JJVlpxRewb
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 21, 2023
Ohio State jumped out to an early lead thanks to veteran leader Sammy Sasso. The All-American dominated his 149-pound match, coasting to a 12-1 major decision over Maryland’s Ethen Miller. The latter is no slouch, as evidenced by his No. 18 ranking. But Miller stood no chance against OSU’s national contender on Friday night.
Sasso scored a takedown in each period, the last being a near fall in the third. His win gave the Buckeyes a four-point lead they would never surrender. In fact, the lead grew exponentially, resulting in a lopsided blowout.
The 157-pounders were up next, with Paddy Gallagher representing the Scarlet and Gray. He put on a takedown clinic, racking up 22 points and a tech fall. And it only took two periods! You typically don’t see that much offense in such a short period of time, but Gallagher was in his bag.
He nearly pinned Maryland’s Kevin Schork at the end of the second but was ultimately forced to settle for five (team) points. If Ohio State gets this healthy version of Gallagher, it could go a long way in realizing many of its team goals. He is a potential star in the making.
Friday’s third match saw the much-anticipated return of OSU’s Carson Kharchla at 165. Out of action for more than a month, Kharchla has been physically unable to rebound from his frustrating finish in Las Vegas (Keen). But the Buckeyes’ breakout wrestler from a season ago looked to be in fine form against Maryland, earning a 7-2 decision over the Terps’ John Martin.
Kharchla was one of the highest-ranked individuals on this Ohio State roster at the beginning of the season, so his return is yet another big boost for the Scarlet and Gray grapplers.
Isaac Wilcox maintained the OSU momentum at 174, prevailing in a sudden victory over UMD’s Dominic Solis. While his attached dual record “only” reads as 4-3, Wilcox deserves plenty of praise for what he has done recently. Despite being listed on the roster at 157, he has rattled off three straight victories at 165 (x2) and is now 174.
The Buckeyes would love to get Ethan Smith back on the mat and keep Kharchla healthy, but Wilcox gives them plenty of extra flexibility.
…
Has any other Big Ten wrestler recorded wins at weight classes this season#GoBucks https://t.co/t9BuMRmJJ2
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 21, 2023
At 184, Kaleb Romero continued to build on his already stellar season. A tech fall victory over Maryland’s Chase Mielnik pushed his match record to 17-3 and 9-1 in duals. The super senior from Mechanicsburg (OH) is poised to make a late-season run, but his importance to the Buckeyes in-season should not be understated.
Romero has competed in every single event for this team, helping to carry the load while others have unfortunately dealt with setbacks.
After Maryland forfeited the 197 match, OSU heavyweight Tate Orndorff defeated the Terps’ Jaron Smith to make it a perfect 8-for-8 in favor of the good guys. However, Brendan McCrone was unable to make it a clean sweep when the weight classes flipped. He was pinned in the 125-pound match by UMD’s Braxton Brown, handing the Buckeyes their first and only loss of the evening.
Jesse Mendez (fall) and Dylan D’Emilio (6-3 decision) but a bow on this one for Ohio State, winning at 133 and 141 respectively. The Buckeyes took nine matches in all (out of 10) and decimated their Big Ten opponent by a total score of 38-6. It was the team’s second-largest margin of victory this season, falling just short of their 39-3 beatdown of Lock Haven.
Next up are the Wolverines, and OSU will be traveling to Ann Arbor to grapple with the No. 3 team in the country.
Despite their high team ranking, TTUN only has one wrestler ranked as a top-5 individual. This is not an indictment against the team’s talent, but evidence that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts... Also not a bad thing, as duals are determined by team points. But if the Buckeyes are able to get points from their stars (Sasso, Mendez, Kharchla, Smith, and Romero are all top-9 guys), they could absolutely win this rivalry faceoff.
Friday’s match will not be an easy one, but such is life in the Big Ten. And if you have not yet tuned in to watch this Ohio State wrestling team, now would be a good time to start. Their match against TTUN will be televised on Big Ten Network, beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Have popcorn ready, and Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
2023 Spring Practices and Other Tidbits
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 83 Replies
Ohio State Will Begin Spring Practice March 7
Ohio State will begin spring practice on March 7 and culminate its spring football season with the April 15 spring game.
www.elevenwarriors.com
OHIO STATE WILL BEGIN SPRING PRACTICE MARCH 7
Spring football at Ohio State will begin six weeks from today.
The Buckeyes will begin their 2023 spring practice schedule on Tuesday, March 7, per a schedule tweeted out by Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson on Tuesday.
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Ohio State will practice twice during the first week of practice before Ohio State has its spring break. Once the Buckeyes return to campus, they’ll practice three times a week for four straight weeks leading up to their spring game, which is set for a noon kickoff on April 15 at Ohio Stadium and will serve as the culmination of Ohio State’s spring practice season.
LGHL Coach McGuff updates on Jacy Sheldon return for Ohio State women’s basketball
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Coach McGuff updates on Jacy Sheldon return for Ohio State women’s basketball
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Positive news for the Buckeyes going down the stretch.
For months, the question from most Ohio State women’s basketball fans is about guard Jacy Sheldon and when she’s coming back. The dynamic guard from Dublin, Ohio hasn’t played since No. 30, missing 15 of Ohio State’s 20 games this season with a foot injury.
On Tuesday, head coach Kevin McGuff provided an update on Sheldon on the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast, a show from The Next women’s basketball website.
“One of our best players, Jacy Sheldon, will be coming back at some point, very soon, I think,” said McGuff.
It’s promising news from a player who hasn’t only grabbed attention in the college game but from scouts in the professional ranks. Sheldon is a two-way player who can run up and down the court seemingly all game, scoring points and pressuring on defense at an impressive rate.
This season, Sheldon led the NCAA in steals with 30 in the five games she started at the beginning of the season. Of those 30 steals, 19 came in the first two games against the then No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers and Boston College Eagles. Sheldon grabbed 11 alone against the Eagles, tying the Ohio State program record.
That production, along with leading the Buckeyes in scoring last season with 19.7 points per game, means that the Scarlet & Gray aren’t as dangerous as they can be with her off the court.
Over the last two weeks, there’s been progress for the guard. After that Nov. 30 win against the then No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, Sheldon wore a boot on her right foot and was listed as day-to-day. As the weeks continued, Sheldon’s status was downgraded to week-to-week, adding crutches on top of wearing the boot.
In the last two games, Sheldon’s been off both and standing near the edge of the court as the Buckeyes warm up. As with any injury, the question that goes beyond “when will she return” is “how much will she play when she does return?”
“With her specifically is we bring her back when she’s ready to go 100%,” said McGuff. “Because she’s not the type of kid who does really well with, ‘Hey we’re going to play you a couple minutes,’ load management and all that stuff.”
McGuff went on to say that Sheldon’s personality isn’t the type to do well sitting on the sidelines. When Sheldon is on the bench, and healthy, it doesn’t take more than 10 seconds for her to ask why she’s not back in the game.
There’s no word on what “very soon” means in terms of a specific game. Thursday, Ohio State travels to Bloomington, Indiana to face the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers. It’s a game that fans would prefer she returns for, but in the long run, waiting for a fully healthy Sheldon is better than rushing back for a regular season game.
Working alongside doctors and trainers, coach McGuff isn’t going to bring the guard back until she’s 100%. This isn’t exactly news but there won’t be a slow, come-off-the-bench-for-a-few-minutes type of return. When Sheldon comes back, she’s back.
“I like the way we play,” said McGuff, “I think when we’re healthy and at 100%, I think we can be a difficult team to play against.”
There’s a lot more in the interview too about the Buckeyes’ style of play, their impressive ability to force turnovers, and more.
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 Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Positive news for the Buckeyes going down the stretch.
For months, the question from most Ohio State women’s basketball fans is about guard Jacy Sheldon and when she’s coming back. The dynamic guard from Dublin, Ohio hasn’t played since No. 30, missing 15 of Ohio State’s 20 games this season with a foot injury.
On Tuesday, head coach Kevin McGuff provided an update on Sheldon on the Locked On Women’s Basketball Podcast, a show from The Next women’s basketball website.
“One of our best players, Jacy Sheldon, will be coming back at some point, very soon, I think,” said McGuff.
It’s promising news from a player who hasn’t only grabbed attention in the college game but from scouts in the professional ranks. Sheldon is a two-way player who can run up and down the court seemingly all game, scoring points and pressuring on defense at an impressive rate.
This season, Sheldon led the NCAA in steals with 30 in the five games she started at the beginning of the season. Of those 30 steals, 19 came in the first two games against the then No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers and Boston College Eagles. Sheldon grabbed 11 alone against the Eagles, tying the Ohio State program record.
That production, along with leading the Buckeyes in scoring last season with 19.7 points per game, means that the Scarlet & Gray aren’t as dangerous as they can be with her off the court.
Over the last two weeks, there’s been progress for the guard. After that Nov. 30 win against the then No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, Sheldon wore a boot on her right foot and was listed as day-to-day. As the weeks continued, Sheldon’s status was downgraded to week-to-week, adding crutches on top of wearing the boot.
In the last two games, Sheldon’s been off both and standing near the edge of the court as the Buckeyes warm up. As with any injury, the question that goes beyond “when will she return” is “how much will she play when she does return?”
“With her specifically is we bring her back when she’s ready to go 100%,” said McGuff. “Because she’s not the type of kid who does really well with, ‘Hey we’re going to play you a couple minutes,’ load management and all that stuff.”
McGuff went on to say that Sheldon’s personality isn’t the type to do well sitting on the sidelines. When Sheldon is on the bench, and healthy, it doesn’t take more than 10 seconds for her to ask why she’s not back in the game.
There’s no word on what “very soon” means in terms of a specific game. Thursday, Ohio State travels to Bloomington, Indiana to face the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers. It’s a game that fans would prefer she returns for, but in the long run, waiting for a fully healthy Sheldon is better than rushing back for a regular season game.
Working alongside doctors and trainers, coach McGuff isn’t going to bring the guard back until she’s 100%. This isn’t exactly news but there won’t be a slow, come-off-the-bench-for-a-few-minutes type of return. When Sheldon comes back, she’s back.
“I like the way we play,” said McGuff, “I think when we’re healthy and at 100%, I think we can be a difficult team to play against.”
There’s a lot more in the interview too about the Buckeyes’ style of play, their impressive ability to force turnovers, and more.
Continue reading...
2024 MD RB DeJuan Williams (Maryland Verbal)
- By MD Buckeye
- Football Recruiting
- 9 Replies
247 Profile
Rivals Profile
On3 Profile
HUDL Highlights
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD)
Ht: 5' 10.5"
Wt: 195 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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Rivals Profile
On3 Profile
HUDL Highlights
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, MD)
Ht: 5' 10.5"
Wt: 195 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 25, 2023
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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 25, 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
Matthew Emmons-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 sets start for 2023 spring football practice
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Five thoughts on Ohio State’s outgoing 2023 NFL Draft hopefuls (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Breaking down next items up on Buckeyes offseason to-do list
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State football scholarship chart for the 2023 season
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
Gonna need more of him on the field this fall.
What Josh Proctor returning means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Josh Proctor’s return, elite talent on the edge: Ten thoughts on the Buckeyes defense (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
Sonny Styles Happy He Chose to Reclassify, Which Could Set Him Up to Play Big Role for Ohio State as Sophomore in 2023
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Kye Stokes shakes off comparisons, preparing for critical second offseason with Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Glad he finally cleared this up!
You’re Nuts: What is your favorite NFL playoff performance from a former Ohio State player?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where does Joe Burrow rank all-time among Ohio State QBs in the NFL?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Column: It’s looking like a Buckeye-filled Super Bowl
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Pro Football Writers of America Name Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to Its All-Rookie Team, Wilson Offensive Rookie of the Year
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
Three takeaways from Ohio State men’s 69-60 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s offense goes missing in blowout road loss to Illinois
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Yeah, I can’t imagine anyone wants to talk about this one.
Grumpy Old Buckeye: Don’t tell me how to feel about OSU men’s basketball
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
Game Notes: Ohio State women drop first game of the season vs. Iowa
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Lacrosse: Buckeyes Voted No. 11 in Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll
Ohio State Athletics
This was awesome, but damn, does the Road Dogg look old.
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
Matthew Emmons-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 sets start for 2023 spring football practice
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Five thoughts on Ohio State’s outgoing 2023 NFL Draft hopefuls (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Breaking down next items up on Buckeyes offseason to-do list
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State football scholarship chart for the 2023 season
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
Gonna need more of him on the field this fall.
(@MichaelHallJr_) What Josh Proctor returning means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Josh Proctor’s return, elite talent on the edge: Ten thoughts on the Buckeyes defense (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
Sonny Styles Happy He Chose to Reclassify, Which Could Set Him Up to Play Big Role for Ohio State as Sophomore in 2023
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Kye Stokes shakes off comparisons, preparing for critical second offseason with Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Glad he finally cleared this up!
You’re Nuts: What is your favorite NFL playoff performance from a former Ohio State player?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where does Joe Burrow rank all-time among Ohio State QBs in the NFL?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Column: It’s looking like a Buckeye-filled Super Bowl
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Pro Football Writers of America Name Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave to Its All-Rookie Team, Wilson Offensive Rookie of the Year
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
On the Hardwood
Three takeaways from Ohio State men’s 69-60 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s offense goes missing in blowout road loss to Illinois
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Yeah, I can’t imagine anyone wants to talk about this one.
Grumpy Old Buckeye: Don’t tell me how to feel about OSU men’s basketball
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
Game Notes: Ohio State women drop first game of the season vs. Iowa
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Lacrosse: Buckeyes Voted No. 11 in Inside Lacrosse Preseason Poll
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
This was awesome, but damn, does the Road Dogg look old.
Continue reading...
LGHL Game Gallery: Looking back at Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Iowa
- News
- 0 Replies
Game Gallery: Looking back at Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Iowa
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
While the result didn’t fall the way of the Buckeyes, LGHL was still there to capture a top matchup in the nation and a sold out crowd.
It was a tough night in Ohio State women’s basketball land on Monday. After going toe-to-toe with the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes fell in the final 10 minutes, losing 83-72.
That loss is the first of the season for the Scarlet & Gray, and it wasn’t without its moments of excitement and drama in front of a sold out crowd. There to capture photos from the game was Land-Grant Holy Land.
Check out some pictures from the game, covering the good and the bad across the 40 minutes of Buckeyes basketball.
Instagram: @BenColeImaging
Twitter: @BenColeImaging
Website: www.bencoleimaging.com
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
Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
While the result didn’t fall the way of the Buckeyes, LGHL was still there to capture a top matchup in the nation and a sold out crowd.
It was a tough night in Ohio State women’s basketball land on Monday. After going toe-to-toe with the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes fell in the final 10 minutes, losing 83-72.
That loss is the first of the season for the Scarlet & Gray, and it wasn’t without its moments of excitement and drama in front of a sold out crowd. There to capture photos from the game was Land-Grant Holy Land.
Check out some pictures from the game, covering the good and the bad across the 40 minutes of Buckeyes basketball.
Connect with Ben Cole:
Instagram: @BenColeImaging
Twitter: @BenColeImaging
Website: www.bencoleimaging.com
Continue reading...
LGHL No. 2 Ohio State falls to No. 10 Iowa 83-72 for first loss of season
- News
- 0 Replies
No. 2 Ohio State falls to No. 10 Iowa 83-72 for first loss of season
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
In front of a sellout crowd, the Buckeyes were done in by Hawkeye stars Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano.
There are big games and there are season-defining games. Monday night had all the makings of the latter when the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes came to Columbus, Ohio to face the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
For all the excitement leading up to the game, Ohio State couldn’t capitalize in front of their home crowd, losing to the Hawkeyes 83-72.
Before the sold-out crowd could be unleashed, both teams had to adjust to varying levels. For the Buckeyes, it was another game without guard Jacy Sheldon, still out with a foot injury. It was no surprise for Ohio State who has been without the guard since Nov. 30 in a trip to the Louisville Cardinals.
Iowa was down senior forward McKenna Warnock. After starting all 19 games with the same starting five, Warnock missed the game due to a rib cage injury sustained Wednesday in the Hawkeyes' 84-81 overtime win over the Michigan State Spartans.
The game got underway with the Scarlet & Gray winning the tip and getting going on offense first.
Ohio State scored the first two baskets of the game, starting with an energy play by forward Cotie McMahon. The freshman attacked the basket and missed her first layup but stuck with the play and kept the possession with the Buckeyes for their first points of the game.
The Buckeyes extended that lead to four points, but the Hawkeyes hit two early threes to keep the game within one possession. Then Iowa center Monika Czinano hit the ground running.
With the Scarlet and Gray putting McMahon and guard/forward Taylor Thierry on Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark, it left Czinano in single coverage and Clark has a knack for finding an open teammate.
Clark had five assists and Czinano led the Hawkeyes with 10 points in the first quarter. Even so, the Buckeyes stayed with the Hawkeyes.
Coach McGuff’s side did it by stretching the floor, shooting from deep and inside the paint, and keeping the visiting defense guessing. Forwards Mikulášiková and McMahon led the way for Ohio State with eight and seven points, but it was a three by guard Taylor Mikesell that got the crowd on their feet.
After Clark missed a shot on Iowa’s final offensive possession of the quarter, Mikesell held the ball for the final shot, nailing a three at the buzzer, putting Ohio State up 24-23.
Into the second quarter, the Buckeyes extended their small lead right away with an athletic layup by McMahon, but then Iowa went on a run, fueled by the likely Player of the Year finalist Clark.
Following a quiet shooting quarter by Clark, the Iowan heated up. Iowa went on an 11-point run, capped off by a three by Clark that was a solid seven feet back from the three-point line. Clark had seven of the 11 points in the run.
Iowa stretched the lead to nine, but Thierry and McMahon did what they could offensively to cut into the lead. Ohio State’s underclassmen starters scored all the points in the second quarter for the Scarlet & Gray, mainly through athleticism near the basket. Spinning and leaping over the visiting Hawkeyes.
Ohio State did a better job with one-on-one defending on Clark, holding her to no points for the rest of the first half, but Clark isn’t stopped. She just shifts to another part of her game.
The guard grabbed four more assists in the second quarter, pushing her stat line in the first quarter to 12 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. To end the half, it was Czinano again. With the pressure on Clark, Czinano received a pass over the head of Mikulášiková and sunk a layup at the buzzer to push the lead back up to nine, leading 43-34 with one half to go.
Coming out for the second half, the Scarlet & Gray came into the game with more intensity but it was matched by Iowa. McMahon and Thierry continued to be the only Buckeyes to score a basket, with no one else scoring since the last shot of the first quarter.
Halfway through the quarter, the Buckeyes matched their second-quarter points total with 10, with six coming from the free throw line. The Hawkeyes however kept their momentum from the first half intact.
Clark scored seven points to start the half and Iowa went ahead 12 points, requiring another needed comeback for Ohio State. However, this time came against a veteran team, unlike some of the Buckeyes’ other deficit-cutting wins.
Then, almost like clockwork, the lead was trimmed away by Ohio State.
The Buckeyes held Iowa to no points for the final 5:11 of the quarter and went on a 10-point run. It started with forward Eboni Walker who entered the game as a defensive substitute for Mikulášiková and stayed in for important second-half minutes.
Unfortunately for Ohio State, it also came with a problem: Thierry picking up fouls. McGuff kept the sophomore in the game after earning her third early in the second half, but after hitting a contested layup, Thierry picked up her fourth on the subsequent defensive press, requiring a trip to the bench.
In her place was guard Emma Shumate who made her presence known on defense. The transfer from Newark, Ohio had a big block and one free throw, plus playing part in the strong defensive run that ended the third quarter for the Buckeyes.
To start the fourth, Ohio State was down just two points, cutting their 12-point deficit down to a single possession in the third quarter. Iowa guard Molly Davis, who started for Warnock, hit a three to start the quarter, and it began another stretch for Iowa.
Within the first two and a half minutes of the final quarter, the Hawkeyes outscored the Buckeyes 8-3, including another deep three by Clark and a layup in the paint by freshman substitute forward Hannah Stuelke, assisted by Clark.
Ohio State would need to come out of the timeout that followed with the same energy that they had in the second half of the third quarter if they wanted a chance to cut away at their seven-point deficit.
Harris got it going with a three, but Clark answered back with a midrange make of her own. It seemed that the Hawkeyes had an answer for what the Buckeyes threw at them. Iowa brought Czinano back in with four fouls, the center who Ohio State had no answer for in the game, and the Hawkeyes pushed their lead up to eight with four minutes remaining.
Ohio State continued to fight, but couldn’t stop the Hawkeyes' potent offense, losing 83-72.
There’s one thing for certain, the loss won’t be blamed on Thierry and McMahon. The two underclassmen scored 20 and 21 points respectively, each within reach of a double-double. The usual scoring suspects and less than 15% shooting from three and under 40% overall did them in.
Entering the game. an individual record was in Mikesell’s sights. The Northeast Ohio native needed 14 points to hit 2,000 in her NCAA career. After hitting five in the first quarter, Mikesell went cold, going 1-for-6 in the second and third quarters.
A normal game for the guard makes the game more manageable for the Buckeyes, but the Hawkeyes didn’t give Mikesell much space to shoot or breathe in the game. The guard ended the game with 12 points.
After the first quarter, Ohio State shared a tribute video before having former All-American guard Kelsey Mitchell receive a sellout ovation from the crowd. It was the first time the now WNBA guard for the Indiana Fever came back to the Schottenstein Center.
Her visit was not only to be honored but to help bridge the gap between NCAA and WNBA fandom, encouraging Buckeye fans to share that same excitement for the game at the professional women’s level.
The road doesn’t get much easier for the Buckeyes with the Hawkeyes heading back to Iowa. On Thursday, the Scarlet and Gray play their second-straight game against a top-10 opponent. This time, it’s a trip to Bloomington, Indiana for a matchup against the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
After Thursday, conference play continues back in Columbus, with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Ohio on Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET tip.
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
Ben Cole - Land-Grant Holy Land
In front of a sellout crowd, the Buckeyes were done in by Hawkeye stars Caitlin Clark and Monika Czinano.
There are big games and there are season-defining games. Monday night had all the makings of the latter when the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes came to Columbus, Ohio to face the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes.
For all the excitement leading up to the game, Ohio State couldn’t capitalize in front of their home crowd, losing to the Hawkeyes 83-72.
Before the sold-out crowd could be unleashed, both teams had to adjust to varying levels. For the Buckeyes, it was another game without guard Jacy Sheldon, still out with a foot injury. It was no surprise for Ohio State who has been without the guard since Nov. 30 in a trip to the Louisville Cardinals.
Iowa was down senior forward McKenna Warnock. After starting all 19 games with the same starting five, Warnock missed the game due to a rib cage injury sustained Wednesday in the Hawkeyes' 84-81 overtime win over the Michigan State Spartans.
The game got underway with the Scarlet & Gray winning the tip and getting going on offense first.
Ohio State scored the first two baskets of the game, starting with an energy play by forward Cotie McMahon. The freshman attacked the basket and missed her first layup but stuck with the play and kept the possession with the Buckeyes for their first points of the game.
The Buckeyes extended that lead to four points, but the Hawkeyes hit two early threes to keep the game within one possession. Then Iowa center Monika Czinano hit the ground running.
With the Scarlet and Gray putting McMahon and guard/forward Taylor Thierry on Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark, it left Czinano in single coverage and Clark has a knack for finding an open teammate.
Clark had five assists and Czinano led the Hawkeyes with 10 points in the first quarter. Even so, the Buckeyes stayed with the Hawkeyes.
Coach McGuff’s side did it by stretching the floor, shooting from deep and inside the paint, and keeping the visiting defense guessing. Forwards Mikulášiková and McMahon led the way for Ohio State with eight and seven points, but it was a three by guard Taylor Mikesell that got the crowd on their feet.
After Clark missed a shot on Iowa’s final offensive possession of the quarter, Mikesell held the ball for the final shot, nailing a three at the buzzer, putting Ohio State up 24-23.
Into the second quarter, the Buckeyes extended their small lead right away with an athletic layup by McMahon, but then Iowa went on a run, fueled by the likely Player of the Year finalist Clark.
Following a quiet shooting quarter by Clark, the Iowan heated up. Iowa went on an 11-point run, capped off by a three by Clark that was a solid seven feet back from the three-point line. Clark had seven of the 11 points in the run.
Iowa stretched the lead to nine, but Thierry and McMahon did what they could offensively to cut into the lead. Ohio State’s underclassmen starters scored all the points in the second quarter for the Scarlet & Gray, mainly through athleticism near the basket. Spinning and leaping over the visiting Hawkeyes.
Ohio State did a better job with one-on-one defending on Clark, holding her to no points for the rest of the first half, but Clark isn’t stopped. She just shifts to another part of her game.
The guard grabbed four more assists in the second quarter, pushing her stat line in the first quarter to 12 points, nine assists, and five rebounds. To end the half, it was Czinano again. With the pressure on Clark, Czinano received a pass over the head of Mikulášiková and sunk a layup at the buzzer to push the lead back up to nine, leading 43-34 with one half to go.
Coming out for the second half, the Scarlet & Gray came into the game with more intensity but it was matched by Iowa. McMahon and Thierry continued to be the only Buckeyes to score a basket, with no one else scoring since the last shot of the first quarter.
Halfway through the quarter, the Buckeyes matched their second-quarter points total with 10, with six coming from the free throw line. The Hawkeyes however kept their momentum from the first half intact.
Clark scored seven points to start the half and Iowa went ahead 12 points, requiring another needed comeback for Ohio State. However, this time came against a veteran team, unlike some of the Buckeyes’ other deficit-cutting wins.
Then, almost like clockwork, the lead was trimmed away by Ohio State.
The Buckeyes held Iowa to no points for the final 5:11 of the quarter and went on a 10-point run. It started with forward Eboni Walker who entered the game as a defensive substitute for Mikulášiková and stayed in for important second-half minutes.
Unfortunately for Ohio State, it also came with a problem: Thierry picking up fouls. McGuff kept the sophomore in the game after earning her third early in the second half, but after hitting a contested layup, Thierry picked up her fourth on the subsequent defensive press, requiring a trip to the bench.
In her place was guard Emma Shumate who made her presence known on defense. The transfer from Newark, Ohio had a big block and one free throw, plus playing part in the strong defensive run that ended the third quarter for the Buckeyes.
To start the fourth, Ohio State was down just two points, cutting their 12-point deficit down to a single possession in the third quarter. Iowa guard Molly Davis, who started for Warnock, hit a three to start the quarter, and it began another stretch for Iowa.
Within the first two and a half minutes of the final quarter, the Hawkeyes outscored the Buckeyes 8-3, including another deep three by Clark and a layup in the paint by freshman substitute forward Hannah Stuelke, assisted by Clark.
Ohio State would need to come out of the timeout that followed with the same energy that they had in the second half of the third quarter if they wanted a chance to cut away at their seven-point deficit.
Harris got it going with a three, but Clark answered back with a midrange make of her own. It seemed that the Hawkeyes had an answer for what the Buckeyes threw at them. Iowa brought Czinano back in with four fouls, the center who Ohio State had no answer for in the game, and the Hawkeyes pushed their lead up to eight with four minutes remaining.
Ohio State continued to fight, but couldn’t stop the Hawkeyes' potent offense, losing 83-72.
There’s one thing for certain, the loss won’t be blamed on Thierry and McMahon. The two underclassmen scored 20 and 21 points respectively, each within reach of a double-double. The usual scoring suspects and less than 15% shooting from three and under 40% overall did them in.
Mikesell Doesn’t hit 2,000
Entering the game. an individual record was in Mikesell’s sights. The Northeast Ohio native needed 14 points to hit 2,000 in her NCAA career. After hitting five in the first quarter, Mikesell went cold, going 1-for-6 in the second and third quarters.
A normal game for the guard makes the game more manageable for the Buckeyes, but the Hawkeyes didn’t give Mikesell much space to shoot or breathe in the game. The guard ended the game with 12 points.
Honoring Kelsey Mitchell
After the first quarter, Ohio State shared a tribute video before having former All-American guard Kelsey Mitchell receive a sellout ovation from the crowd. It was the first time the now WNBA guard for the Indiana Fever came back to the Schottenstein Center.
Her visit was not only to be honored but to help bridge the gap between NCAA and WNBA fandom, encouraging Buckeye fans to share that same excitement for the game at the professional women’s level.
What’s Next
The road doesn’t get much easier for the Buckeyes with the Hawkeyes heading back to Iowa. On Thursday, the Scarlet and Gray play their second-straight game against a top-10 opponent. This time, it’s a trip to Bloomington, Indiana for a matchup against the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers.
After Thursday, conference play continues back in Columbus, with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Ohio on Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET tip.
Continue reading...
LGHL Three takeaways from Ohio State men’s 69-60 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini
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Three takeaways from Ohio State men’s 69-60 loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini
justingolba 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
The Buckeyes struggled on both ends of the ball in this one and their winning streak ends at one.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team traveled to one of the tougher places to play in the Big Ten on Tuesday night, as the Buckeyes (11-9, 3-6) fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-6, 5-4), 69-60.
The Buckeyes came into this one on a one-game winning streak after taking down Iowa 93-77 on Saturday afternoon to break a five-game losing streak. They lost all five of those games by single digits and it was the first time in school history they lost five games in a row by single digits.
Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh has been their leading scorer this season, averaging 17.5 points per game. Over the last seven games, Sensabaugh is averaging 20.6 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. He won his fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award last week after scoring 27 points on 10-for-12 shooting in the win over Iowa.
Ohio State junior big man Zed Key was a full participant in this contest, as he hurt his knee at the end of the win over Iowa. Key came into this game averaging 12.1 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game, third and first on the team respectively.
Illinois came into this one winning four of their five games after losing their first three conference games of the season. However, their last time on the floor was a 80-65 home loss against Indiana.
Illinois also leads the league in blocks per game at six, so Key being able to go in this one was important for the Buckeyes to help minimize the impact down low from Illinois.
The Buckeyes employed a starting lineup of Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Isaac Likekele, Brice Sensabaugh, and Zed Key. This was the first time they utilized that starting lineup this season and their seventh different starting lineup this season.
Illinois went up 5-2 early and Ohio State responded with a 7-0 run to take a 9-5 lead. The offense did not come quick early, as Illinois held a 12-10 lead halfway through the quarter. After some back-and-forth scoring, Sensabaugh started 3-for-7 from the field and had nine of the Buckeyes' first 17 points.
The Buckeyes got into foul trouble early, as Justice Sueing picked up his third foul with five minutes left in the first half and Brice Sensabaugh played a lot of the first half with two fouls.
Illinois went on an 8-2 after taking that 19-17 lead and extended their lead to 27-19 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.
Illinois led 34-26 at the half. This was their biggest halftime lead over the Buckeyes since 2017 and that was also the last time Illinois beat the Buckeyes in Champaign.
Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes with nine first-half points and Terrance Shannon led all scorers with 12 first-half points, including going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
To start the second half, Illinois jumped out to a 38-26 lead, but five quick points from the Buckeyes cut the lead to 38-31. However, the Fighting Illini then scored 10 straight points to take a 48-31 lead with 15:13 left in the game to force an Ohio State timeout. The 17-point deficit was the largest of the season for the Buckeyes.
Sueing was able to stop the bleeding with a two-point bucket to cut the Illinois lead to 15. The two teams traded baskets back and forth and Illinois led 52-39 at the under-12 timeout.
The Buckeyes went on a 7-0 run and cut the Illinois lead down to nine. Illinois big man Dain Dainja picked up his fourth foul just under the 10-minute mark and had to head to the bench.
However, the Buckeyes struggled to truly make it a game in the second half and Illinois kept the lead at the eight to 14-point mark for most of the second half. Zed Key fouled out with five minutes left with eight points on just 2-for-8 shooting.
The Buckeyes trailed 69-52 at the under-4-minute timeout and just could not string together enough scores and stops to make this one interesting. Illinois outscored the Buckeyes 16-0 on fast break points and 13-5 on second-chance points.
For the Buckeyes, Brice Sensabaugh finished with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field and Justice Sueing finished with 10 points. For the Fighting Illini, Terrance Shannon led the way with 17 points, and four Illinois starters finished in double figures.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes' loss to Illinois.
Coming into the season, Justice Sueing was the guy that most people anticipated being the number one scorer and overall player on this Buckeye team. However, in his return from the injury that kept him on the bench all of last season, Sueing has struggled and his play has been very inconsistent, especially on the offensive end of the ball.
Head coach Chris Holtmann elected to bring him off the bench for the first time this season against Iowa and it seemed to pay dividends. He had a decent stat line, scoring 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He still played 30 minutes, but he seemed to be freed up a little bit coming off the bench and taking some of the pressure off.
If he can continue this production, he should stay coming off the bench and providing that spark for the Buckeyes.
In the first half, Zed Key and Justice Sueing combined for two points and five fouls. That just simply is not good enough. Sueing is in a serious slump and credit to him for continuing to battle and work hard on defense as I mentioned above, but he is the swiss army knife on this team and he has to start playing like it.
Zed Key only took two shots in the first half and had zero points and even though he has battled injuries to his shoulder and now his knee, if he is playing then he has to produce for Ohio State. Backup center Felix Okpara has shown some flashes of potential this season, but he is not ready for a main role in the offense yet this season.
If Ohio State wants to turn this season around, it will be up to Justice Sueing and Zed Key and how they play down the stretch.
This feels like an obvious statement, but it is something the Buckeyes could remember right now. Whether it is a box out, an offensive rebound, or a careless turnover, it seems like the Buckeyes are struggling right now with some of the fundamentals of the game.
In the first half of this one, the Buckeyes were just 3-for-6 from the free throw line while Illinois was 11-for-13. Also in the first half, the Fighting Illini outrebounded the Buckeyes 17-10. The Buckeyes actually had more offensive rebounds at 7 to 3, but they struggled to capitalize on any of those offensive rebounds and turn them into second-chance points.
The little things are what can take a team from good to great and when you lose five games in a row, all by single digits, those little things are hard to look past. If the Buckeyes want to make a run to March, they have to clean those up.
As is life in the Big Ten, the road does not get any easier for the Buckeyes. Ohio State will now travel to Assembly Hall to take on the Indiana Hoosiers (13-6, 4-4) in a rare weekend primetime game at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Indiana has won three games in a row.
Continue reading...
justingolba 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
The Buckeyes struggled on both ends of the ball in this one and their winning streak ends at one.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team traveled to one of the tougher places to play in the Big Ten on Tuesday night, as the Buckeyes (11-9, 3-6) fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-6, 5-4), 69-60.
The Buckeyes came into this one on a one-game winning streak after taking down Iowa 93-77 on Saturday afternoon to break a five-game losing streak. They lost all five of those games by single digits and it was the first time in school history they lost five games in a row by single digits.
Ohio State freshman Brice Sensabaugh has been their leading scorer this season, averaging 17.5 points per game. Over the last seven games, Sensabaugh is averaging 20.6 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game. He won his fourth Big Ten Freshman of the Week award last week after scoring 27 points on 10-for-12 shooting in the win over Iowa.
Ohio State junior big man Zed Key was a full participant in this contest, as he hurt his knee at the end of the win over Iowa. Key came into this game averaging 12.1 points per game and 8.1 rebounds per game, third and first on the team respectively.
Illinois came into this one winning four of their five games after losing their first three conference games of the season. However, their last time on the floor was a 80-65 home loss against Indiana.
Illinois also leads the league in blocks per game at six, so Key being able to go in this one was important for the Buckeyes to help minimize the impact down low from Illinois.
The Buckeyes employed a starting lineup of Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Isaac Likekele, Brice Sensabaugh, and Zed Key. This was the first time they utilized that starting lineup this season and their seventh different starting lineup this season.
Startingin Champaign tonight
@SeanMcNeil22
@Bruce2T_
@iamzedkey
@bricepsensa
@_Issaaac#Team124 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/S101IzhVT2
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 24, 2023
Illinois went up 5-2 early and Ohio State responded with a 7-0 run to take a 9-5 lead. The offense did not come quick early, as Illinois held a 12-10 lead halfway through the quarter. After some back-and-forth scoring, Sensabaugh started 3-for-7 from the field and had nine of the Buckeyes' first 17 points.
Another bucket from @bricepsensa
The freshman leads the way withpoints so far
Ohio State:
Illinois:
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 25, 2023
The Buckeyes got into foul trouble early, as Justice Sueing picked up his third foul with five minutes left in the first half and Brice Sensabaugh played a lot of the first half with two fouls.
Illinois went on an 8-2 after taking that 19-17 lead and extended their lead to 27-19 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.
Illinois led 34-26 at the half. This was their biggest halftime lead over the Buckeyes since 2017 and that was also the last time Illinois beat the Buckeyes in Champaign.
to go in Champaign. #GoBucks #Team124 pic.twitter.com/5DQhbQmfMn
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 25, 2023
Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes with nine first-half points and Terrance Shannon led all scorers with 12 first-half points, including going 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
To start the second half, Illinois jumped out to a 38-26 lead, but five quick points from the Buckeyes cut the lead to 38-31. However, the Fighting Illini then scored 10 straight points to take a 48-31 lead with 15:13 left in the game to force an Ohio State timeout. The 17-point deficit was the largest of the season for the Buckeyes.
Sueing was able to stop the bleeding with a two-point bucket to cut the Illinois lead to 15. The two teams traded baskets back and forth and Illinois led 52-39 at the under-12 timeout.
The Buckeyes went on a 7-0 run and cut the Illinois lead down to nine. Illinois big man Dain Dainja picked up his fourth foul just under the 10-minute mark and had to head to the bench.
However, the Buckeyes struggled to truly make it a game in the second half and Illinois kept the lead at the eight to 14-point mark for most of the second half. Zed Key fouled out with five minutes left with eight points on just 2-for-8 shooting.
The Buckeyes trailed 69-52 at the under-4-minute timeout and just could not string together enough scores and stops to make this one interesting. Illinois outscored the Buckeyes 16-0 on fast break points and 13-5 on second-chance points.
For the Buckeyes, Brice Sensabaugh finished with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field and Justice Sueing finished with 10 points. For the Fighting Illini, Terrance Shannon led the way with 17 points, and four Illinois starters finished in double figures.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes' loss to Illinois.
Justice Sueing should continue to come off the bench
Coming into the season, Justice Sueing was the guy that most people anticipated being the number one scorer and overall player on this Buckeye team. However, in his return from the injury that kept him on the bench all of last season, Sueing has struggled and his play has been very inconsistent, especially on the offensive end of the ball.
Head coach Chris Holtmann elected to bring him off the bench for the first time this season against Iowa and it seemed to pay dividends. He had a decent stat line, scoring 10 points on 4-for-9 shooting with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He still played 30 minutes, but he seemed to be freed up a little bit coming off the bench and taking some of the pressure off.
If he can continue this production, he should stay coming off the bench and providing that spark for the Buckeyes.
The vets have to step up
In the first half, Zed Key and Justice Sueing combined for two points and five fouls. That just simply is not good enough. Sueing is in a serious slump and credit to him for continuing to battle and work hard on defense as I mentioned above, but he is the swiss army knife on this team and he has to start playing like it.
Zed Key only took two shots in the first half and had zero points and even though he has battled injuries to his shoulder and now his knee, if he is playing then he has to produce for Ohio State. Backup center Felix Okpara has shown some flashes of potential this season, but he is not ready for a main role in the offense yet this season.
If Ohio State wants to turn this season around, it will be up to Justice Sueing and Zed Key and how they play down the stretch.
The little things matter
This feels like an obvious statement, but it is something the Buckeyes could remember right now. Whether it is a box out, an offensive rebound, or a careless turnover, it seems like the Buckeyes are struggling right now with some of the fundamentals of the game.
In the first half of this one, the Buckeyes were just 3-for-6 from the free throw line while Illinois was 11-for-13. Also in the first half, the Fighting Illini outrebounded the Buckeyes 17-10. The Buckeyes actually had more offensive rebounds at 7 to 3, but they struggled to capitalize on any of those offensive rebounds and turn them into second-chance points.
The little things are what can take a team from good to great and when you lose five games in a row, all by single digits, those little things are hard to look past. If the Buckeyes want to make a run to March, they have to clean those up.
Up Next:
As is life in the Big Ten, the road does not get any easier for the Buckeyes. Ohio State will now travel to Assembly Hall to take on the Indiana Hoosiers (13-6, 4-4) in a rare weekend primetime game at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Indiana has won three games in a row.
Continue reading...
