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LGHL You’re Nuts: What is your favorite Ohio State men’s basketball team of all time?
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You’re Nuts: What is your favorite Ohio State men’s basketball team of all time?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Fred Squillante/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Reminder — the two of us are in our 20s.
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team is officially under .500 for the first time since they started the 2015-16 season 2-4. The Buckeyes have lost to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern in succession and have now fallen to 11-13 overall and 3-10 in the conference after starting 10-3 overall and 2-0 in conference.
So for this week’s iteration of ‘You’re Nuts’, we are going to completely ignore all that and take a trip down memory lane, as we all do when things are not going the way we like.
Last week, we discussed who we thought would make the biggest impact for the Buckeyes as freshmen next season. Connor went with Scotty Middleton and Justin went with Bronny James, taking the huge leap and making the assumption that he would wind up at Ohio State.
Connor won with 51 percent of the vote. Justin got 19 percent and the third option of “someone else” got the remaining 30 percent of the vote.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24417655/Screenshot__155_.png)
Here are the standings after 87 weeks:
Justin- 39
And now here is this week’s topic of discussion.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24422585/933262296.jpg "Ohio State Buckeyes v Gonzaga Bulldogs")
Photo by Brett Wilhelm/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The 2017-2018 edition of Ohio State men’s basketball was Chris Holtmann’s first team, and simultaneously played the “plucky underdog” and “fearsome favorite” role at the same time, all season long.
When Thad Matta was fired in the middle of the summer of 2017, Chris Holtmann was hired and had very little time to patch holes in a roster that had just missed the NCAA Tournament and lost one player to graduation, another to the NBA Draft, and two via transfer. Keita Bates-Diop was coming off a nasty leg injury, and the team really did not have a true point guard.
Holtmann added Andrew Dakich to the team via transfer right away. Dakich played sparingly at Michigan and was considering transferring to a low mid-major before Holtmann called. To put it in respectful terms, Dakich was as close to being a walk-on before coming to Ohio State as you could be without actually being a walk-on. Suddenly he became one of the main ballhandlers for a team that would go on to start 9-0 in the B1G that season.
There was also star power on the team at the same time, with Keita Bates-Diop bouncing back from the gruesome leg injury the previous season and becoming the B1G Player of the Year during the 2017-2018 year. He, along with Jae’Sean Tate and freshman Kaleb Wesson, actually provided a solid 1-2-3 punch for Holtmann’s first team.
That team was a blast because expectations were so low, and despite rushing out of the gate to the tune of an 18-4 record, Ohio State remained unranked in the AP Poll until late January. If it weren’t for back-to-back road losses at Penn State and Michigan in February, you’re probably looking at a Big Ten championship in Holtmann’s first season. Ultimately, Ohio State finished 15-3 in the B1G and tied with Purdue for second place.
You also can’t forget the 80-64 shellacking of No. 1 Michigan State that occurred that season. On January 7, 2018, in front of 17,599 people, the Buckeyes whomped Sparty 80-64 to knock off the top-ranked team in the country. Bates-Diop had a career-high 32 points, but it was Dakich’s half-courter at the halftime buzzer that gave Ohio State a 12-point lead that is etched into my mind forever. Nothing describes that team better than the future NBA player scoring 32 while the former walk-on runs point and hits the most emotional shot of the game.
Ohio State pulled a tough draw in the NCAA Tournament that season by getting Mike Daum and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits first and then an under-seeded four-seed Gonzaga in the second round, but it was still a hell of a run. That team had the guys to make a Sweet Sixteen, but it’s also tough to look at that Gonzaga team that had Rui Hachimura, Zach Norvell, and Josh Perkins and think that Ohio State should have beaten them.
Still a very fun, very memorable team.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24417656/usa_today_6129050.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Division I Championship-Ohio State vs Syracuse")
Michael Ivins-USA TODAY Sports
I will get ahead of this and start out with this statement. I am fully aware that this season also had probably the most disappointing loss of the Thad Matta era. Maybe the 06-07 national title game but I believe that Florida team was just better.
This Kentucky team was not better and there is an argument to be made that Ohio State probably could have run the table if they just beat this Wildcat team in the Sweet 16. Mainly because the road to a national title after this would have been a two-seeded North Carolina team but then a three-seeded UCONN team and an eight seeded Butler in the national championship game. Could they have made a run? Likely. But we will never know. Would be interesting to see the fans’ reaction to a loss like that in this day and age in social media.
If you want to relive that game for whatever reason, here you go.
However, this is still my personal favorite Buckeye team. I am only 26 so I don’t have any memory of the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s, and the first real season I remember is Jim O’Brien’s final season. Just to add some context there.
This team, in my humble opinion, was the most talented team Matta ever had. Even the guys that didn’t play like Jordan Sibert and JD Weatherspoon transferred to other schools and became all-conference players at those respective schools. And they didn’t even play on that team.
Also, my favorite Buckeye ever is Jon Diebler, and this was his most impactful season. I was also a big Evan Turner fan, and this was their first season without him but this team was still awesome to watch and follow. They started the season 24-0 and only lost at the Kohl Center to Wisconsin and at Mackey Arena to Purdue.
Unfortunately, it did not end the way anyone wanted it to, but that team will always hold a place in my head as a super fun team. If only Brandon Knight wasn’t nails at the end of the game.
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
Fred Squillante/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Reminder — the two of us are in our 20s.
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team is officially under .500 for the first time since they started the 2015-16 season 2-4. The Buckeyes have lost to Wisconsin, Michigan, and Northwestern in succession and have now fallen to 11-13 overall and 3-10 in the conference after starting 10-3 overall and 2-0 in conference.
So for this week’s iteration of ‘You’re Nuts’, we are going to completely ignore all that and take a trip down memory lane, as we all do when things are not going the way we like.
Last week, we discussed who we thought would make the biggest impact for the Buckeyes as freshmen next season. Connor went with Scotty Middleton and Justin went with Bronny James, taking the huge leap and making the assumption that he would wind up at Ohio State.
Connor won with 51 percent of the vote. Justin got 19 percent and the third option of “someone else” got the remaining 30 percent of the vote.
Here are the standings after 87 weeks:
After 87 weeks:
Justin- 39
Connor- 35
Other- 9
(There have been four ties)
And now here is this week’s topic of discussion.
Today’s question: What is your favorite Ohio State men’s basketball team of all time?
Connor: 2017-18
The 2017-2018 edition of Ohio State men’s basketball was Chris Holtmann’s first team, and simultaneously played the “plucky underdog” and “fearsome favorite” role at the same time, all season long.
When Thad Matta was fired in the middle of the summer of 2017, Chris Holtmann was hired and had very little time to patch holes in a roster that had just missed the NCAA Tournament and lost one player to graduation, another to the NBA Draft, and two via transfer. Keita Bates-Diop was coming off a nasty leg injury, and the team really did not have a true point guard.
Holtmann added Andrew Dakich to the team via transfer right away. Dakich played sparingly at Michigan and was considering transferring to a low mid-major before Holtmann called. To put it in respectful terms, Dakich was as close to being a walk-on before coming to Ohio State as you could be without actually being a walk-on. Suddenly he became one of the main ballhandlers for a team that would go on to start 9-0 in the B1G that season.
There was also star power on the team at the same time, with Keita Bates-Diop bouncing back from the gruesome leg injury the previous season and becoming the B1G Player of the Year during the 2017-2018 year. He, along with Jae’Sean Tate and freshman Kaleb Wesson, actually provided a solid 1-2-3 punch for Holtmann’s first team.
That team was a blast because expectations were so low, and despite rushing out of the gate to the tune of an 18-4 record, Ohio State remained unranked in the AP Poll until late January. If it weren’t for back-to-back road losses at Penn State and Michigan in February, you’re probably looking at a Big Ten championship in Holtmann’s first season. Ultimately, Ohio State finished 15-3 in the B1G and tied with Purdue for second place.
You also can’t forget the 80-64 shellacking of No. 1 Michigan State that occurred that season. On January 7, 2018, in front of 17,599 people, the Buckeyes whomped Sparty 80-64 to knock off the top-ranked team in the country. Bates-Diop had a career-high 32 points, but it was Dakich’s half-courter at the halftime buzzer that gave Ohio State a 12-point lead that is etched into my mind forever. Nothing describes that team better than the future NBA player scoring 32 while the former walk-on runs point and hits the most emotional shot of the game.
Ohio State pulled a tough draw in the NCAA Tournament that season by getting Mike Daum and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits first and then an under-seeded four-seed Gonzaga in the second round, but it was still a hell of a run. That team had the guys to make a Sweet Sixteen, but it’s also tough to look at that Gonzaga team that had Rui Hachimura, Zach Norvell, and Josh Perkins and think that Ohio State should have beaten them.
Still a very fun, very memorable team.
Justin: 2010-11
I will get ahead of this and start out with this statement. I am fully aware that this season also had probably the most disappointing loss of the Thad Matta era. Maybe the 06-07 national title game but I believe that Florida team was just better.
This Kentucky team was not better and there is an argument to be made that Ohio State probably could have run the table if they just beat this Wildcat team in the Sweet 16. Mainly because the road to a national title after this would have been a two-seeded North Carolina team but then a three-seeded UCONN team and an eight seeded Butler in the national championship game. Could they have made a run? Likely. But we will never know. Would be interesting to see the fans’ reaction to a loss like that in this day and age in social media.
If you want to relive that game for whatever reason, here you go.
However, this is still my personal favorite Buckeye team. I am only 26 so I don’t have any memory of the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s, and the first real season I remember is Jim O’Brien’s final season. Just to add some context there.
This team, in my humble opinion, was the most talented team Matta ever had. Even the guys that didn’t play like Jordan Sibert and JD Weatherspoon transferred to other schools and became all-conference players at those respective schools. And they didn’t even play on that team.
Also, my favorite Buckeye ever is Jon Diebler, and this was his most impactful season. I was also a big Evan Turner fan, and this was their first season without him but this team was still awesome to watch and follow. They started the season 24-0 and only lost at the Kohl Center to Wisconsin and at Mackey Arena to Purdue.
Unfortunately, it did not end the way anyone wanted it to, but that team will always hold a place in my head as a super fun team. If only Brandon Knight wasn’t nails at the end of the game.
Continue reading...
LGHL Eboni Walker’s impact for the Ohio State women and potential to start against Indiana
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Eboni Walker’s impact for the Ohio State women and potential to start against Indiana
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
With an injury to Rebeka Mikulášiková, Walker could see her name in the starting lineup for the first time this season, giving Ohio State another look.
On Wednesday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team looked like the former No. 2 team in the country against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Actually, even better than when the Buckeyes were 19-0. Aside from the big performances from the usual big performers, an injury led to more minutes and a potential boost for the Scarlet & Gray through forward Eboni Walker.
All season, Walker’s played the role of an impact substitute, providing added depth inside the paint. Wednesday, Walker’s status was updated to defacto starter when forward Rebeka Mikulášiková went out of the game with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter with what was later confirmed as a high ankle sprain.
Walker responded playing her best game of the season. The Las Vegas, Nevada native produced season highs in minutes (25), points (12), and assists (6). It came against a Minnesota team with impressive post presence in forwards Alanna “Rose” Micheaux and Mallory Heyer.
Micheaux specifically was neutralized by Walker’s ability to block lanes, get back quickly on defense, and anticipate defensive movement. The Minnesota forward had eight points and four rebounds, compared to a team-leading 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds entering Wednesday.
Of those eight, only four came when Walker was on the floor guarding the Gophers’ big. No big deal to Walker’s teammates.
“I’m not really shocked,” said guard Taylor Mikesell. “We see the effort and the energy every day in practice and it just happened to be her moment tonight and she was ready to step into it and she helped us a lot.”
She might have to help a lot more on Monday when the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers come to Columbus and Walker’s already shown that it's a spotlight she can handle.
On Jan. 26, when Ohio State traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, the Buckeyes fell in their second of three straight losses, 78-65. In the fourth quarter, when Ohio State needed a boost to try and salvage something following their second-worst quarter of the season with six total points, Walker’s name was called.
The forward played every minute of the fourth quarter and eight of those minutes up against the Hoosiers' dominant forward/center Mackenzie Holmes. Walker held Holmes to four points and outrebounded her 5-to-1, with two offensive rebounds.
Now, there’s an argument to be made that Indiana was in cruise control with a 17-point lead at the time, but assuming Holmes and the Hoosiers will take it easy on the court is a pretty preposterous notion.
There’s no official word on Mikulášiková, with an update likely coming Saturday. She could return, with head coach Kevin McGuff saying the Slovakian was “in a little bit of pain and discomfort.” Either of the two bigs gives Ohio State vastly different looks with each having its own strengths and weaknesses.
For Mikulášiková, she brings three-point shooting ability that, when on, can stretch defenses and create more space for teammates to work. Also, it doesn’t allow defenders to double-team a player like Mikesell and more space for forwards Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry to score inside the paint.
Walker can’t match Mikulášiková’s shooting range, but she makes up for it in other ways. Namely, more speed on the defensive end of the court than Mikulášiková. Walker plays with a controlled intensity and covers space quickly, something that could at least slow Holmes down.
“We just did our dub chain in there, we gave it to her,” said McGuff. “Just because we really needed her to step up in Rebeka’s absence and just thought her energy was really good. Post defense, they have a really good post player and she made her work for everything she got.”
Ohio State will need to give Indiana everything they’ve got, and for all four quarters. The Buckeyes were able to outscore the Hoosiers in three of four quarters in Indiana but lacked the intensity and energy in the third. Could Walker be one piece that helps increase that energy for four full quarters?
The good thing is Walker won’t have to do anything alone. It is a team game after all. If Walker starts, it seems unlikely that she plays all 40 minutes. When Walker wasn’t playing the five, a glimpse of future years of Ohio State basketball showed its face with Thierry playing more of a center position.
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
With an injury to Rebeka Mikulášiková, Walker could see her name in the starting lineup for the first time this season, giving Ohio State another look.
On Wednesday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team looked like the former No. 2 team in the country against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Actually, even better than when the Buckeyes were 19-0. Aside from the big performances from the usual big performers, an injury led to more minutes and a potential boost for the Scarlet & Gray through forward Eboni Walker.
All season, Walker’s played the role of an impact substitute, providing added depth inside the paint. Wednesday, Walker’s status was updated to defacto starter when forward Rebeka Mikulášiková went out of the game with 5:53 remaining in the first quarter with what was later confirmed as a high ankle sprain.
Walker responded playing her best game of the season. The Las Vegas, Nevada native produced season highs in minutes (25), points (12), and assists (6). It came against a Minnesota team with impressive post presence in forwards Alanna “Rose” Micheaux and Mallory Heyer.
Micheaux specifically was neutralized by Walker’s ability to block lanes, get back quickly on defense, and anticipate defensive movement. The Minnesota forward had eight points and four rebounds, compared to a team-leading 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds entering Wednesday.
Of those eight, only four came when Walker was on the floor guarding the Gophers’ big. No big deal to Walker’s teammates.
“I’m not really shocked,” said guard Taylor Mikesell. “We see the effort and the energy every day in practice and it just happened to be her moment tonight and she was ready to step into it and she helped us a lot.”
She might have to help a lot more on Monday when the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers come to Columbus and Walker’s already shown that it's a spotlight she can handle.
On Jan. 26, when Ohio State traveled to Bloomington, Indiana, the Buckeyes fell in their second of three straight losses, 78-65. In the fourth quarter, when Ohio State needed a boost to try and salvage something following their second-worst quarter of the season with six total points, Walker’s name was called.
The forward played every minute of the fourth quarter and eight of those minutes up against the Hoosiers' dominant forward/center Mackenzie Holmes. Walker held Holmes to four points and outrebounded her 5-to-1, with two offensive rebounds.
Now, there’s an argument to be made that Indiana was in cruise control with a 17-point lead at the time, but assuming Holmes and the Hoosiers will take it easy on the court is a pretty preposterous notion.
There’s no official word on Mikulášiková, with an update likely coming Saturday. She could return, with head coach Kevin McGuff saying the Slovakian was “in a little bit of pain and discomfort.” Either of the two bigs gives Ohio State vastly different looks with each having its own strengths and weaknesses.
For Mikulášiková, she brings three-point shooting ability that, when on, can stretch defenses and create more space for teammates to work. Also, it doesn’t allow defenders to double-team a player like Mikesell and more space for forwards Cotie McMahon and Taylor Thierry to score inside the paint.
Walker can’t match Mikulášiková’s shooting range, but she makes up for it in other ways. Namely, more speed on the defensive end of the court than Mikulášiková. Walker plays with a controlled intensity and covers space quickly, something that could at least slow Holmes down.
“We just did our dub chain in there, we gave it to her,” said McGuff. “Just because we really needed her to step up in Rebeka’s absence and just thought her energy was really good. Post defense, they have a really good post player and she made her work for everything she got.”
Ohio State will need to give Indiana everything they’ve got, and for all four quarters. The Buckeyes were able to outscore the Hoosiers in three of four quarters in Indiana but lacked the intensity and energy in the third. Could Walker be one piece that helps increase that energy for four full quarters?
The good thing is Walker won’t have to do anything alone. It is a team game after all. If Walker starts, it seems unlikely that she plays all 40 minutes. When Walker wasn’t playing the five, a glimpse of future years of Ohio State basketball showed its face with Thierry playing more of a center position.
Continue reading...
LGHL Three schools to be wary of for 2024 Ohio recruiting
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Three schools to be wary of for 2024 Ohio recruiting
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images
The Buckeyes need to identify the top Ohio HS players, as schools are ready to try to plunder the state’s talent.
Before I get into the gist of my article, I want to wish former Ohio State running back and current member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Trey Sermon, the very best of luck this weekend in Super Bowl LVII. Sermon is the only former Buckeye who is participating in The Super Bowl, and is unlikely to be an active participant, but would earn a Super Bowl ring if the Eagles defeat the Chiefs.
**
In my estimation, one of Michael Keaton’s more underrated performances in the last few years is in the 2016 movie “The Founder”. Keaton plays the role of Ray Kroc, the man who created McDonald’s franchises and eventually forced out the actual McDonald brothers from their business. One of the better lines in the movie is uttered by Dick McDonald, played by the actor Nick Offerman, saying, “There’s a wolf in the hen house. We let him in...”.
At this point, you are thinking, “Minnich, what does this have to do with Ohio State football?!?” Let me explain my analogy.
In last week’s article, I defined three goals I have for Ohio State as they work diligently on assembling their 2024 recruiting class. Presently, the Buckeyes sits with three verbal commitments.
Ohio State football has always been built upon the talented players from the great state of Ohio. While Ohio has suffered population losses over the years to other states down south, the reality is Ohio is blessed with exceptional high school programs all throughout the state, with players capable of playing for many NCAA Division 1 programs.
I referenced this in last week’s article, and will merely reiterate it again — perhaps in today’s NIL landscape, Ohio State would do better by focusing more heavily upon Ohio talent, versus trying to recruit talent from all around the country. Former OSU head coach Jim Tressel had rosters loaded with Ohio talent, and perhaps Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day will adopt a similar approach. Day was recently quoted as saying, “I also think that, you know, it matters to have guys from the state of Ohio now more than ever...”
Below are three schools to be wary of for 2024 Ohio recruiting. As you will read, all three have ties to the Buckeye State, and all have or will be trying to poach talented Ohioans to their respective programs.
Think of some of the better players from Ohio who have chosen to take their talents to “That Team Up North” throughout the years — John Kolesar, Ricky Powers, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson.
One of Jim Tressel’s strengths from 2001-2011 was essentially keeping Michigan from Ohio’s top talent. Yes, Tressel did lose a few (Prescott Burgess, Shawn Crable, Mario Manningham), but he kept the Wolverines at bay for most of the time.
I bring this up as Michigan signed four Ohio players in their 2023 recruiting class. None had Ohio State offers, but it is a sign that the Wolverines are trying to reestablish a presence in Ohio that had been blocked. Even though the 2024 recruiting class will not be signed for 10 months, a few of the top players in the state of Ohio are being forecast to wind up with the Wolverines. Four of the top 15, to be exact.
So here’s to hoping that Ohio State tries to get back to the Wolverines not having a prime seat at the table for Ohio’s top talent.
2. Notre Dame
This school has pretty much always been a constant in trying to get Ohio talent, considering the abundance of Catholic high schools throughout the state of Ohio. Remembering that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is a former Ohio State linebacker who has strong ties to the Ohio high school coaching community from his days as an assistant at Cincinnati (more on that momentarily), it should not be surprising that the Fighting Irish will do their best to try to get some of Ohio’s better players to come to South Bend, Indiana.
Notre Dame signed two players from Ohio, and DE Brenan Vernon held an Ohio State offer. At first glance in 2024, Notre Dame is projected to sign one of the top-15 players from the state of Ohio.
3. Wisconsin
Just because I have Wisconsin third on this list does not mean that I do not consider them to be a threat to land top Ohio talent. New Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell arrived too late in the 2023 recruiting cycle to make a big splash, but Fickell will likely be drawing on his extensive high school relationships that he cultivated while as an Ohio State assistant under Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, and even more so as the head coach of Cincinnati.
Fickell gained a positive reputation for identifying the so-called “diamonds in the rough” prospects, such as former Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee, and developing them into premier players. Just because Fickell’s address is Madison, Wisconsin, does not mean that he has lost that talent, and it will not be surprising to see Fickell try to capitalize upon Ohio players who may feel overlooked or neglected by the Ohio State coaching staff.
Ohio State associate athletic director/general manager of player personnel Mark Pantoni has been quoted as saying that Ohio State will be “trying to sign as many Ohio kids as possible.” It may be a necessity to keep the lurking wolves from entering into the proverbial hen house of Ohio talent.
Continue reading...
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images
The Buckeyes need to identify the top Ohio HS players, as schools are ready to try to plunder the state’s talent.
Before I get into the gist of my article, I want to wish former Ohio State running back and current member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Trey Sermon, the very best of luck this weekend in Super Bowl LVII. Sermon is the only former Buckeye who is participating in The Super Bowl, and is unlikely to be an active participant, but would earn a Super Bowl ring if the Eagles defeat the Chiefs.
**
In my estimation, one of Michael Keaton’s more underrated performances in the last few years is in the 2016 movie “The Founder”. Keaton plays the role of Ray Kroc, the man who created McDonald’s franchises and eventually forced out the actual McDonald brothers from their business. One of the better lines in the movie is uttered by Dick McDonald, played by the actor Nick Offerman, saying, “There’s a wolf in the hen house. We let him in...”.
At this point, you are thinking, “Minnich, what does this have to do with Ohio State football?!?” Let me explain my analogy.
In last week’s article, I defined three goals I have for Ohio State as they work diligently on assembling their 2024 recruiting class. Presently, the Buckeyes sits with three verbal commitments.
Ohio State football has always been built upon the talented players from the great state of Ohio. While Ohio has suffered population losses over the years to other states down south, the reality is Ohio is blessed with exceptional high school programs all throughout the state, with players capable of playing for many NCAA Division 1 programs.
I referenced this in last week’s article, and will merely reiterate it again — perhaps in today’s NIL landscape, Ohio State would do better by focusing more heavily upon Ohio talent, versus trying to recruit talent from all around the country. Former OSU head coach Jim Tressel had rosters loaded with Ohio talent, and perhaps Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day will adopt a similar approach. Day was recently quoted as saying, “I also think that, you know, it matters to have guys from the state of Ohio now more than ever...”
Below are three schools to be wary of for 2024 Ohio recruiting. As you will read, all three have ties to the Buckeye State, and all have or will be trying to poach talented Ohioans to their respective programs.
- Michigan
Think of some of the better players from Ohio who have chosen to take their talents to “That Team Up North” throughout the years — John Kolesar, Ricky Powers, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson.
One of Jim Tressel’s strengths from 2001-2011 was essentially keeping Michigan from Ohio’s top talent. Yes, Tressel did lose a few (Prescott Burgess, Shawn Crable, Mario Manningham), but he kept the Wolverines at bay for most of the time.
I bring this up as Michigan signed four Ohio players in their 2023 recruiting class. None had Ohio State offers, but it is a sign that the Wolverines are trying to reestablish a presence in Ohio that had been blocked. Even though the 2024 recruiting class will not be signed for 10 months, a few of the top players in the state of Ohio are being forecast to wind up with the Wolverines. Four of the top 15, to be exact.
So here’s to hoping that Ohio State tries to get back to the Wolverines not having a prime seat at the table for Ohio’s top talent.
2. Notre Dame
This school has pretty much always been a constant in trying to get Ohio talent, considering the abundance of Catholic high schools throughout the state of Ohio. Remembering that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is a former Ohio State linebacker who has strong ties to the Ohio high school coaching community from his days as an assistant at Cincinnati (more on that momentarily), it should not be surprising that the Fighting Irish will do their best to try to get some of Ohio’s better players to come to South Bend, Indiana.
Notre Dame signed two players from Ohio, and DE Brenan Vernon held an Ohio State offer. At first glance in 2024, Notre Dame is projected to sign one of the top-15 players from the state of Ohio.
3. Wisconsin
Just because I have Wisconsin third on this list does not mean that I do not consider them to be a threat to land top Ohio talent. New Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell arrived too late in the 2023 recruiting cycle to make a big splash, but Fickell will likely be drawing on his extensive high school relationships that he cultivated while as an Ohio State assistant under Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer, and even more so as the head coach of Cincinnati.
Fickell gained a positive reputation for identifying the so-called “diamonds in the rough” prospects, such as former Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee, and developing them into premier players. Just because Fickell’s address is Madison, Wisconsin, does not mean that he has lost that talent, and it will not be surprising to see Fickell try to capitalize upon Ohio players who may feel overlooked or neglected by the Ohio State coaching staff.
Ohio State associate athletic director/general manager of player personnel Mark Pantoni has been quoted as saying that Ohio State will be “trying to sign as many Ohio kids as possible.” It may be a necessity to keep the lurking wolves from entering into the proverbial hen house of Ohio talent.
Continue reading...
2024 PA DL Deyvid Palepale (Southern Cal Verbal)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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247
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Class: 2024
School: Landisville(PA) Hempfield
Position: DL
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 300lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2024
School: Landisville(PA) Hempfield
Position: DL
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 300lbs
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2025 FL DE Myron Charles (Texas Signee)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 7 Replies
247
Rivals
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Class: 2025
Position: DE
School: Port Charlotte)FL) Port Charlotte
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 270lbs
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Class: 2025
Position: DE
School: Port Charlotte)FL) Port Charlotte
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 270lbs
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2026 FL(CA) DB Zechariah Fort (Georgia Verbal)
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- Football Recruiting
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Class: 2026
Position: DB
School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 lbs
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Rivals
Class: 2026
Position: DB
School: Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 180 lbs
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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for February 10, 2023
- News
- 0 Replies
Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for February 10, 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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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
Former Ohio State wide receiver Dimitrious Stanley dies at age 48
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
An Appreciation: Friends recall life and times of ex-Buckeye Dimitrious Stanley
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
Nick Bosa, Garrett Wilson honored for 2023 NFL seasons
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Garrett Wilson praises Jaxon Smith-Njigba ahead of 2023 NFL draft
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State NIL collectives The Foundation, O Foundation announce merger
Pete Nakos, Lettermen Row
Key takeaways: Tony Alford, running backs put frustrating 2022 behind them (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Roster Reset: Buckeyes cornerback room has pieces to reclaim ‘BIA’ status (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Key Takeaways as Tim Walton retools, revitalizes cornerbacks (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Tristan Gebbia offers a blueprint for how Ohio State can keep its quarterback room full
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
What does Ohio State’s defense need to do to make a championship leap under Jim Knowles? (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
Former Ohio State football players Amir Riep, Jahsen Wint found not guilty of rape and kidnapping charges
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
Northwestern slips past Ohio State in back-and-forth affair, 69-63
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
What enabled Northwestern to pull away from Ohio State?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Keeps Finding New Ways to Lose During Stretch of 10 Losses in 11 Games
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Media puts Chris Holtmann on hot seat after Ohio State’s loss to Northwestern
Brad Crawford, Bucknuts
Chris Holtmann on Brice Sensabaugh’s Reduced Role Against Northwestern: “It Just Was the Rotation”
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Column: Ohio State’s season comes down to a matchup against Northwestern. If they lose, there is nothing left to salvage
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land
Column: Ohio State and Columbus are missing out on some fun outdoor hockey events
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Tennis: No. 1 Buckeyes Comeback to Top No. 9 Wake Forest 4-3
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Volleyball: No. 11 Buckeyes Start MIVA Season With 3-1 Win
Ohio State Athletics
IYKYK
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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
Former Ohio State wide receiver Dimitrious Stanley dies at age 48
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
An Appreciation: Friends recall life and times of ex-Buckeye Dimitrious Stanley
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
Nick Bosa, Garrett Wilson honored for 2023 NFL seasons
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Garrett Wilson praises Jaxon Smith-Njigba ahead of 2023 NFL draft
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State NIL collectives The Foundation, O Foundation announce merger
Pete Nakos, Lettermen Row
Key takeaways: Tony Alford, running backs put frustrating 2022 behind them (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Roster Reset: Buckeyes cornerback room has pieces to reclaim ‘BIA’ status (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Key Takeaways as Tim Walton retools, revitalizes cornerbacks (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Tristan Gebbia offers a blueprint for how Ohio State can keep its quarterback room full
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
What does Ohio State’s defense need to do to make a championship leap under Jim Knowles? (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
Former Ohio State football players Amir Riep, Jahsen Wint found not guilty of rape and kidnapping charges
Stephen Means, cleveland.com
On the Hardwood
Northwestern slips past Ohio State in back-and-forth affair, 69-63
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
What enabled Northwestern to pull away from Ohio State?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Keeps Finding New Ways to Lose During Stretch of 10 Losses in 11 Games
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Media puts Chris Holtmann on hot seat after Ohio State’s loss to Northwestern
Brad Crawford, Bucknuts
Chris Holtmann on Brice Sensabaugh’s Reduced Role Against Northwestern: “It Just Was the Rotation”
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Column: Ohio State’s season comes down to a matchup against Northwestern. If they lose, there is nothing left to salvage
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Column: Ohio State and Columbus are missing out on some fun outdoor hockey events
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Tennis: No. 1 Buckeyes Comeback to Top No. 9 Wake Forest 4-3
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Volleyball: No. 11 Buckeyes Start MIVA Season With 3-1 Win
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
IYKYK
Continue reading...
LGHL Buck Off Podcast: Buckeyes at NFL Awards, Super Bowl preview, and why the Pac-12 is the worst
- News
- 0 Replies
Buck Off Podcast: Buckeyes at NFL Awards, Super Bowl preview, and why the Pac-12 is the worst
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The guys are back to discuss everything you need for Super Bowl weekend, as well as other news from the week.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to get into everything around the sports world this week and then some.
We start the episode with a discussion about the Buckeyes at the NFL awards, including Garrett Wilson, Nick Bosa and more. This leads to a trip down memory lane discussing the differing skillsets of Chris Olave and Wilson, and their memorable rookie seasons. Then we discuss the Bosa Brothers’ tale of two seasons. And this turns into a discussion about getting into someone’s head.
After that our nostalgia kicks in and we discuss LeBron James and our favorite video game memories from childhood. We talk about the scoring record of LeBron and how it was such a big sports moment that needed even more appreciation. This leads to a conversation about the NCAA basketball video games and how we can’t wait for the next college football video game.
Then our conversation turns to our Super Bowl preview, and you have one host on each side of the matchup. We debate who will win, favorite non-football Super Bowl activities to make the game more interesting (hint: betting), and then we make our picks for the game.
Continuing on with the show, we discuss the current media news in Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 a year early as well as how far down the Pac-12 has fallen. In both conversations there is a lot of talks about future failures and how bad the situations for all three will be in a few years.
To close out the show, we give our final thoughts about the best Super Bowl food and what we’re doing this weekend for the bIg game.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The guys are back to discuss everything you need for Super Bowl weekend, as well as other news from the week.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to get into everything around the sports world this week and then some.
We start the episode with a discussion about the Buckeyes at the NFL awards, including Garrett Wilson, Nick Bosa and more. This leads to a trip down memory lane discussing the differing skillsets of Chris Olave and Wilson, and their memorable rookie seasons. Then we discuss the Bosa Brothers’ tale of two seasons. And this turns into a discussion about getting into someone’s head.
After that our nostalgia kicks in and we discuss LeBron James and our favorite video game memories from childhood. We talk about the scoring record of LeBron and how it was such a big sports moment that needed even more appreciation. This leads to a conversation about the NCAA basketball video games and how we can’t wait for the next college football video game.
Then our conversation turns to our Super Bowl preview, and you have one host on each side of the matchup. We debate who will win, favorite non-football Super Bowl activities to make the game more interesting (hint: betting), and then we make our picks for the game.
Continuing on with the show, we discuss the current media news in Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 a year early as well as how far down the Pac-12 has fallen. In both conversations there is a lot of talks about future failures and how bad the situations for all three will be in a few years.
To close out the show, we give our final thoughts about the best Super Bowl food and what we’re doing this weekend for the bIg game.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
LGHL Buckeyes make the top six for a 2024 running back target
- News
- 0 Replies
Buckeyes make the top six for a 2024 running back target
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Plus, Ohio State continues to send out new offers in future cycles.
With Ohio State’s players doing winter workouts in preparation of spring football in the coming months, the effort is being put in place to ensure the 2023 campaign finishes better than this past year. In the same manner the players are working, the staff is putting in the hours on the recruiting trail, and that was evident again on Thursday as a couple of headlines came about in regard to Buckeye football recruiting.
The Buckeyes were once again active on Thursday, sending out a new offer to another defensive line prospect. Showing the time is now for evaluations and offers to go out, position coach Larry Johnson is a little quicker on the offers it seems in these next couple of cycles, and that only benefits Ohio State as more time to build lasting relationships always helps in recruiting efforts.
The next in line to see Ohio State offer, class of 2025 product Amare Adams took to Twitter to share the latest news. A 6-foot-3, 275 pound defensive tackle from South Carolina, Adams currently holds just under double-digit offers to his name, but with schools such as Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida State, and now Ohio State in the mix this early on certainly shows the type of player he is now and is expected to be at the next level.
The No. 46 player nationally, Adams checks in as the sixth best player at his position and the top player in his home state for the 2025 class per 247Sports. There is one prediction in favor of South Carolina on the 247Sports Crystal Ball, but only one submission this early isn’t a guarantee by any means. More top programs are sure to be next in line to offer Amare, but with the Buckeyes now in the fold, the communication from Johnson will really start to pick up as they look to be a real threat in this recruitment for the long haul.
What Ohio State is going to do at the running back position in the 2024 class is pretty critical. Without signing a running back in 2023, the Buckeyes are fine thanks to their elite depth already on the roster, but you definitely need a running back in 2024 — and possibly even two.
There’s multiple options out there, and with the in-state Ohio targets such as Jordan Marshall receiving most of the early attention, it may seem like the plan is already in place. However, there’s other candidates out there who are just as interested in the Buckeyes, and that was shown to be true again on Thursday.
Trimming his recruitment down a bit and cutting the list to a top six schools, Texas native James Peoples announced via Twitter the next major step in his recruitment. The No. 76 player nationally, James is also the sixth best running back in the class and the 11th best player in Texas for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. An obvious home run for any program who lands him, Ohio State would love to continue being a real player for his commitment, and the good news yesterday was they still remain in the running.
Rounding out the six final schools included TCU, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. With over 20 offers to his name, getting to six shows he is going through the process pretty seriously. Right now, the schools listed as “warm” on his 247Sports profile are Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas, but from his own doing, the three others are very much still in it.
Peoples is one to watch very closely over the next couple of months, as this process with Ohio State and their running back needs begin to sort itself out.
Last night, the Buckeyes notched another feather in their cap with the NFL Awards, as Ohio State products took home two of the crowns. Much like the Draft success, Ohio State players are excelling on Sundays, and seeing both Nick Bosa as AP Defensive Player of the Year and Garrett Wilson as Offensive Rookie of the Year did wonders for the Buckeyes and their recruiting efforts.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Plus, Ohio State continues to send out new offers in future cycles.
With Ohio State’s players doing winter workouts in preparation of spring football in the coming months, the effort is being put in place to ensure the 2023 campaign finishes better than this past year. In the same manner the players are working, the staff is putting in the hours on the recruiting trail, and that was evident again on Thursday as a couple of headlines came about in regard to Buckeye football recruiting.
2025 defensive lineman earns Buckeye offer
The Buckeyes were once again active on Thursday, sending out a new offer to another defensive line prospect. Showing the time is now for evaluations and offers to go out, position coach Larry Johnson is a little quicker on the offers it seems in these next couple of cycles, and that only benefits Ohio State as more time to build lasting relationships always helps in recruiting efforts.
The next in line to see Ohio State offer, class of 2025 product Amare Adams took to Twitter to share the latest news. A 6-foot-3, 275 pound defensive tackle from South Carolina, Adams currently holds just under double-digit offers to his name, but with schools such as Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida State, and now Ohio State in the mix this early on certainly shows the type of player he is now and is expected to be at the next level.
The No. 46 player nationally, Adams checks in as the sixth best player at his position and the top player in his home state for the 2025 class per 247Sports. There is one prediction in favor of South Carolina on the 247Sports Crystal Ball, but only one submission this early isn’t a guarantee by any means. More top programs are sure to be next in line to offer Amare, but with the Buckeyes now in the fold, the communication from Johnson will really start to pick up as they look to be a real threat in this recruitment for the long haul.
Blessed to receive another offer from Ohio State University!!! @R2X_Rushmen1 @OhioStateFB @CoachBake99 @CoachEstepLCHS @coachap21 @Coach_Stan3️
️ pic.twitter.com/yxP7aLNZb9
— Amare Adams (@AmareAdams7) February 9, 2023
2024 running back names a top schools list
What Ohio State is going to do at the running back position in the 2024 class is pretty critical. Without signing a running back in 2023, the Buckeyes are fine thanks to their elite depth already on the roster, but you definitely need a running back in 2024 — and possibly even two.
There’s multiple options out there, and with the in-state Ohio targets such as Jordan Marshall receiving most of the early attention, it may seem like the plan is already in place. However, there’s other candidates out there who are just as interested in the Buckeyes, and that was shown to be true again on Thursday.
Trimming his recruitment down a bit and cutting the list to a top six schools, Texas native James Peoples announced via Twitter the next major step in his recruitment. The No. 76 player nationally, James is also the sixth best running back in the class and the 11th best player in Texas for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. An obvious home run for any program who lands him, Ohio State would love to continue being a real player for his commitment, and the good news yesterday was they still remain in the running.
Rounding out the six final schools included TCU, Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. With over 20 offers to his name, getting to six shows he is going through the process pretty seriously. Right now, the schools listed as “warm” on his 247Sports profile are Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas, but from his own doing, the three others are very much still in it.
Peoples is one to watch very closely over the next couple of months, as this process with Ohio State and their running back needs begin to sort itself out.
Quick Hits
- Uniforms, facilities, NIL, winning, and more are all major aspects of recruiting and what is desired by prep players, but maybe is nothing as important as a program’s ability to develop and get guys to the NFL.
Last night, the Buckeyes notched another feather in their cap with the NFL Awards, as Ohio State products took home two of the crowns. Much like the Draft success, Ohio State players are excelling on Sundays, and seeing both Nick Bosa as AP Defensive Player of the Year and Garrett Wilson as Offensive Rookie of the Year did wonders for the Buckeyes and their recruiting efforts.
- Missed from earlier this week, Ohio State also extended another offer to class of 2026 defensive lineman, Tony Cumberland. Without a ranking strictly due to his class status, it’s only a matter of time before he’s one of the more well-known and highly ranked players in his cycle, as he already holds offers from the likes of Oregon, Wisconsin, Washington, Arizona, Arizona State, and now Ohio State.
Continue reading...
LGHL Northwestern slips past Ohio State in back-and-forth affair, 69-63
- News
- 0 Replies
Northwestern slips past Ohio State in back-and-forth affair, 69-63
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes finally got a really good game out of Justice Sueing, but even that was not enough to stop the misery.
With fewer than 10 games remaining in the season and the losses piling up, time is running out for Ohio State (11-13, 3-10) to scrape together enough wins to have a chance at competing in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time under head coach Chris Holtmann.
A season that began with hopes of winning a Big Ten title — or at least competing for one — are long game. The Buckeyes are now playing for their tournament lives, and even if they do go on a late run this season, the odds still are not good. Ohio State entered tonight’s game against Northwestern with nine conference losses, which is a number that would get them in the NCAA Tournament if it held and OSU won each of their final eight games.
But things went similarly to how they’ve gone over the past month-plus — badly. Northwestern avenged their New Year’s Day loss to the Buckeyes, winning 69-63 Thursday night in Columbus.
Ohio State rolled with a lineup of Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Justice Sueing, Isaac Likekele, and Zed Key. Chris Collins countered with a starting five of Boo Buie, Ty Berry, Chase Audige, Robbie Beran, and Matt Nicholson.
Unlike each of the last two games, Ohio State jumped out to an early lead instead of falling behind right from the get-go. Thanks to five quick points from Key, the Buckeyes held a 9-6 lead by the first media timeout 5:19 into the game. The Buckeyes’ first nine points of the game all came in the paint, with Likekele and Felix Okpara also scoring.
Northwestern “battled” —if you want to call it that — to a 17-15 lead at the under-eight media timeout with 7:40 remaining in the first half. Both teams were barely shooting 40% from the floor over the first 12 or so minutes, and the two teams also combined for eight turnovers by this point. Had Ohio State not missed each of their first seven three-pointers, they may have had a lead.
Northwestern ran an inbounds play to Nick Martinelli with four seconds remaining in the first half and he scored off the glass to give Northwestern a 28-27 lead heading to the halftime locker room. Buie had nine first-half points for the Wildcats, who actually shot worse overall in the first half (42.3%) than the Buckeyes (54.2%).
Ohio State missed all nine of their first-half three-point attempts but went 13-15 from two-point range. Additionally, Brice Sensabaugh was the only Buckeyes (of nine) to not score in the first half.
Ohio State finally knocked down their first three-pointer of the game 2:26 into the second half courtesy of McNeil, which tied the game up 33-33. Ohio State fell behind by five points momentarily, but held a 37-35 lead at the first media timeout of the second half.
Beran knocked down his second triple of the game with 10:34 to go to tie things up 45-all, but Thornton answered with a floater to get the Buckeyes back up by a pair of points. Chris Collins immediately called timeout, as the chess match between two coaches desperately in need of a win continued.
The Wildcats moved back in front 51-47 by the under-eight timeout thanks to a three from Berry, who had missed his first four shots from downtown before that. To this point in the game, neither team had a lead larger than six points at any time, and there were 10 lead changes.
However, Northwestern went on a 7-0 run courtesy of Buie and Barnhizer to go up 61-52 with just over four minutes remaining. Buie shot four consecutive free throws after being fouled on two drives, and Barnhizer hammered his fourth triple of the game to give Chris Collins’ squad their biggest lead yet.
The Buckeyes clawed back late — as they have been prone to do after falling behind — but were not able to complete the comeback at home, as they ultimately fell to the (most likely) tournament-bound Wildcats.
If you didn’t stay up to see Ohio State lose their 10th game in their last 11, here are a few key moments and runs that eventually did the Buckeyes in:
For the first time since injuring his shoulder against Purdue on Jan. 5, Key was able to warm up without the large shoulder brace that made it “hard for him to breathe” according to Chris Holtmann. He put it back on before the start of the game, but early on he looked much healthier and more comfortable than he has in several weeks, scoring on a three-point play and also dunking over the top of Nicholson to score five of Ohio State’s first nine points.
There were a number of times throughout the game were Key appeared to be in significant pain after being hit in his shoulder, so while it appeared that he is regaining his full range of motion, there is clearly still a lot of pain involved.
At 31.6%, Northwestern is 11th in the Big Ten in three-point shooting, but that didn’t discourage them from letting it fly early — or from knocking them down. The Wildcats canned three of their first six, with one each coming from Buie, Audige, and Brooks Barnhizer.
After falling behind 17-15 with 10 minutes remaining in the half and going over four minutes straight without a basket, the Buckeyes went on an 8-0 run over the next five minutes to go ahead 23-17. Ohio State got buckets from Roddy Gayle, Sueing, McNeil, and Tanner Holden during the run, and interestingly enough Brice Sensabaugh did not have a basket to this point. The Buckeyes were getting it done without their best offensive player, which is quite a changeup from the season script thus far.
After falling behind 23-17, the Wildcats outscored the Buckeyes 11-4 over the final five minutes to take a 28-27 lead into the halftime locker room. Inbounding the ball from the side with four seconds left, Northwestern got the ball to Nick Martinelli on the left block who spun around Sueing and glassed one just in time to take the lead back.
If I told you that Ohio State’s leading scorer had zero at halftime and that the Buckeyes missed all nine of their three-point attempts, what do you think their overall field goal percentage would be? Today, it was 54.2% — an elite mark.
Oddly enough, the Buckeyes were 13-15 (86.6%) from two-point range in the first half, and 0-9 from distance. Eight of the nine guys who saw time in the first half scored for OSU — the only one who did not was Sensabaugh.
Whether it was game script, personnel-related, or Holtmann just not liking what he saw from Sensabaugh in the first half, Ohio State’s star freshman did not score his first basket of the game until the 12:32 mark of the second half. His long stepback two gave Ohio State a 43-42 lead.
Sensabaugh only played six minutes during the first half and was 0-2 shooting with a turnover and a steal. He checked in at the 13:52 mark of the second half for his first action of the second stanza.
After Thornton’s floater got Ohio State back within two points with 6:06 remaining, Northwestern scored seven straight over the next 1:22 to take a 61-52 lead. Barnhizer capped the run with a three-pointer — his fourth of the game — which also tied his season-high of 18 points.
Trailing 61-52 with just under five minutes remaining, Sueing scored five consecutive points all on his own to get Ohio State back within two possessions, 61-57. He then went to the line with a chance to hit two free throws and make it a two-point game, but he missed both, and Ohio State still trailed by four.
Ohio State (11-13, 3-10) hosts Michigan State (15-9, 7-6) Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET — six hours ahead of the Super Bowl — on CBS. This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Spartans recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a home win over Maryland on Tuesday evening, 63-58. Tom Izzo’s team is currently the No. 42 team in the country according to KenPom, and has the No. 27-rated defense.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes finally got a really good game out of Justice Sueing, but even that was not enough to stop the misery.
With fewer than 10 games remaining in the season and the losses piling up, time is running out for Ohio State (11-13, 3-10) to scrape together enough wins to have a chance at competing in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time under head coach Chris Holtmann.
A season that began with hopes of winning a Big Ten title — or at least competing for one — are long game. The Buckeyes are now playing for their tournament lives, and even if they do go on a late run this season, the odds still are not good. Ohio State entered tonight’s game against Northwestern with nine conference losses, which is a number that would get them in the NCAA Tournament if it held and OSU won each of their final eight games.
But things went similarly to how they’ve gone over the past month-plus — badly. Northwestern avenged their New Year’s Day loss to the Buckeyes, winning 69-63 Thursday night in Columbus.
Ohio State rolled with a lineup of Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Justice Sueing, Isaac Likekele, and Zed Key. Chris Collins countered with a starting five of Boo Buie, Ty Berry, Chase Audige, Robbie Beran, and Matt Nicholson.
Unlike each of the last two games, Ohio State jumped out to an early lead instead of falling behind right from the get-go. Thanks to five quick points from Key, the Buckeyes held a 9-6 lead by the first media timeout 5:19 into the game. The Buckeyes’ first nine points of the game all came in the paint, with Likekele and Felix Okpara also scoring.
Northwestern “battled” —if you want to call it that — to a 17-15 lead at the under-eight media timeout with 7:40 remaining in the first half. Both teams were barely shooting 40% from the floor over the first 12 or so minutes, and the two teams also combined for eight turnovers by this point. Had Ohio State not missed each of their first seven three-pointers, they may have had a lead.
Northwestern ran an inbounds play to Nick Martinelli with four seconds remaining in the first half and he scored off the glass to give Northwestern a 28-27 lead heading to the halftime locker room. Buie had nine first-half points for the Wildcats, who actually shot worse overall in the first half (42.3%) than the Buckeyes (54.2%).
Ohio State missed all nine of their first-half three-point attempts but went 13-15 from two-point range. Additionally, Brice Sensabaugh was the only Buckeyes (of nine) to not score in the first half.
Ohio State finally knocked down their first three-pointer of the game 2:26 into the second half courtesy of McNeil, which tied the game up 33-33. Ohio State fell behind by five points momentarily, but held a 37-35 lead at the first media timeout of the second half.
Beran knocked down his second triple of the game with 10:34 to go to tie things up 45-all, but Thornton answered with a floater to get the Buckeyes back up by a pair of points. Chris Collins immediately called timeout, as the chess match between two coaches desperately in need of a win continued.
The Wildcats moved back in front 51-47 by the under-eight timeout thanks to a three from Berry, who had missed his first four shots from downtown before that. To this point in the game, neither team had a lead larger than six points at any time, and there were 10 lead changes.
However, Northwestern went on a 7-0 run courtesy of Buie and Barnhizer to go up 61-52 with just over four minutes remaining. Buie shot four consecutive free throws after being fouled on two drives, and Barnhizer hammered his fourth triple of the game to give Chris Collins’ squad their biggest lead yet.
The Buckeyes clawed back late — as they have been prone to do after falling behind — but were not able to complete the comeback at home, as they ultimately fell to the (most likely) tournament-bound Wildcats.
If you didn’t stay up to see Ohio State lose their 10th game in their last 11, here are a few key moments and runs that eventually did the Buckeyes in:
A new man?
For the first time since injuring his shoulder against Purdue on Jan. 5, Key was able to warm up without the large shoulder brace that made it “hard for him to breathe” according to Chris Holtmann. He put it back on before the start of the game, but early on he looked much healthier and more comfortable than he has in several weeks, scoring on a three-point play and also dunking over the top of Nicholson to score five of Ohio State’s first nine points.
There were a number of times throughout the game were Key appeared to be in significant pain after being hit in his shoulder, so while it appeared that he is regaining his full range of motion, there is clearly still a lot of pain involved.
Wildcats get a wild start beyond the arc
At 31.6%, Northwestern is 11th in the Big Ten in three-point shooting, but that didn’t discourage them from letting it fly early — or from knocking them down. The Wildcats canned three of their first six, with one each coming from Buie, Audige, and Brooks Barnhizer.
OSU uses an 8-0 run to take back the lead
After falling behind 17-15 with 10 minutes remaining in the half and going over four minutes straight without a basket, the Buckeyes went on an 8-0 run over the next five minutes to go ahead 23-17. Ohio State got buckets from Roddy Gayle, Sueing, McNeil, and Tanner Holden during the run, and interestingly enough Brice Sensabaugh did not have a basket to this point. The Buckeyes were getting it done without their best offensive player, which is quite a changeup from the season script thus far.
Northwestern scores at the buzzer to take a halftime lead
After falling behind 23-17, the Wildcats outscored the Buckeyes 11-4 over the final five minutes to take a 28-27 lead into the halftime locker room. Inbounding the ball from the side with four seconds left, Northwestern got the ball to Nick Martinelli on the left block who spun around Sueing and glassed one just in time to take the lead back.
These numbers make no sense?
If I told you that Ohio State’s leading scorer had zero at halftime and that the Buckeyes missed all nine of their three-point attempts, what do you think their overall field goal percentage would be? Today, it was 54.2% — an elite mark.
Oddly enough, the Buckeyes were 13-15 (86.6%) from two-point range in the first half, and 0-9 from distance. Eight of the nine guys who saw time in the first half scored for OSU — the only one who did not was Sensabaugh.
Sensabaugh scores for the first time, flips the lead once again
Whether it was game script, personnel-related, or Holtmann just not liking what he saw from Sensabaugh in the first half, Ohio State’s star freshman did not score his first basket of the game until the 12:32 mark of the second half. His long stepback two gave Ohio State a 43-42 lead.
Sensabaugh only played six minutes during the first half and was 0-2 shooting with a turnover and a steal. He checked in at the 13:52 mark of the second half for his first action of the second stanza.
Barnhizer’s three puts Northwestern up nine late
After Thornton’s floater got Ohio State back within two points with 6:06 remaining, Northwestern scored seven straight over the next 1:22 to take a 61-52 lead. Barnhizer capped the run with a three-pointer — his fourth of the game — which also tied his season-high of 18 points.
Sueing goes on a 5-0 run to make it closer
Trailing 61-52 with just under five minutes remaining, Sueing scored five consecutive points all on his own to get Ohio State back within two possessions, 61-57. He then went to the line with a chance to hit two free throws and make it a two-point game, but he missed both, and Ohio State still trailed by four.
Up Next:
Ohio State (11-13, 3-10) hosts Michigan State (15-9, 7-6) Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. ET — six hours ahead of the Super Bowl — on CBS. This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The Spartans recently snapped a two-game losing streak with a home win over Maryland on Tuesday evening, 63-58. Tom Izzo’s team is currently the No. 42 team in the country according to KenPom, and has the No. 27-rated defense.
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