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LGHL Minnesota forward Jamison Battle announces transfer to Ohio State
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Minnesota forward Jamison Battle announces transfer to Ohio State
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound lefty wing is already familiar with the Big Ten, and fills multiple needs for the 2023-2024 team.
Chris Holtmann, Jake Diebler, and the Ohio State men’s basketball staff landed one of the biggest fish in the transfer pool today with the announcement that Minnesota forward Jamison Battle will transfer to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.
Battle, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, spent his first two seasons at George Washington, where he averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over 45 games. He shot 42.9% overall at George Washington, including 36.3% from three-point range.
He then transferred closer to home in 2021, where he led the last-place Golden Gophers in scoring during the 2021-2022 season at 17.5 points per game — this was also the seventh-highest mark in the Big Ten. The jump from the A-10 to the Big Ten didn’t impact his production, as Battle actually set career-highs in nearly every stat category during his first year at Minnesota.
His production and efficiency dropped off pretty steeply as a senior last year, however. Battle averaged 12.4 points per game, but on a career-low 37.1% shooting overall and only 31.1% from three. He averaged 3.8 rebounds per game — over one full rebound shy of his career average — and shot 78.1% from the free throw line.
Battle scored in double digits in 44 of his 56 games at Minnesota, with his career-high of 39 points happening back on February 27, 2022 in a home loss to Indiana. In three career games against Ohio State, he averaged 12.3 points and five rebounds per game, while going 6-22 (27.3%) from beyond the arc.
Adding Battle to the 2023-2024 Ohio State team fulfills two needs — adding a perimeter threat as well as adding a forward with length who can fill in one of the forward positions vacated by Justice Sueing and (potentially) Brice Sensabaugh.
Battle has never graded out as an elite shooter with a career three-point mark of 35%, but he did shoot higher than 35% in three of his four seasons before a huge regression this past year pulled his career average down. He’s averaged seven three-point tries per game each of the past two seasons, which places him top-three in the Big Ten each year in attempts from beyond the arc. His most recent season looks like an outlier, and it could have something to do with playing on a horrendous Minnesota team that averaged just 63 points per game.
Second, Ohio State will most likely need to fill both starting forward positions if Sensabaugh stays in the NBA Draft. Incoming freshmen Scotty Middleton and Devin Royal both look like they have the potential to be stars eventually, but it’s a big ask to start both side-by-side right away. Battle will step in and assume one of those two spots, and also bring experience to a team that will start multiple underclassmen regardless. This team may not need Battle to score 17 points per game on 14 shots per night like he did as a junior at Minnesota, but it will need him to be a consistent double-digit scorer night in and night out.
Battle was not ranked by 247Sports coming out of Minneapolis’ De La Salle High School, but Rivals had him as a three-star recruit. Upon announcing he was transferring on March 16, Battle was contacted by Ohio State as well as up to 20 other schools, including Xavier, Butler, Indiana, Clemson, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Utah, LSU, Santa Clara, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Villanova. He visited Ohio State in late March to meet with the coaching staff and check out the facilities and campus.
247Sports rated Battle as the No. 25 transfer available in the transfer portal this year. On3 had him listed as the No. 15 transfer available. If Sensabaugh returns, he will slide into the other forward position next to Battle. If Sensabaugh leaves, it will likely be Middleton or Royal starting alongside Battle.
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
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound lefty wing is already familiar with the Big Ten, and fills multiple needs for the 2023-2024 team.
Chris Holtmann, Jake Diebler, and the Ohio State men’s basketball staff landed one of the biggest fish in the transfer pool today with the announcement that Minnesota forward Jamison Battle will transfer to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.
Battle, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound forward from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, spent his first two seasons at George Washington, where he averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over 45 games. He shot 42.9% overall at George Washington, including 36.3% from three-point range.
He then transferred closer to home in 2021, where he led the last-place Golden Gophers in scoring during the 2021-2022 season at 17.5 points per game — this was also the seventh-highest mark in the Big Ten. The jump from the A-10 to the Big Ten didn’t impact his production, as Battle actually set career-highs in nearly every stat category during his first year at Minnesota.
His production and efficiency dropped off pretty steeply as a senior last year, however. Battle averaged 12.4 points per game, but on a career-low 37.1% shooting overall and only 31.1% from three. He averaged 3.8 rebounds per game — over one full rebound shy of his career average — and shot 78.1% from the free throw line.
Battle scored in double digits in 44 of his 56 games at Minnesota, with his career-high of 39 points happening back on February 27, 2022 in a home loss to Indiana. In three career games against Ohio State, he averaged 12.3 points and five rebounds per game, while going 6-22 (27.3%) from beyond the arc.
Adding Battle to the 2023-2024 Ohio State team fulfills two needs — adding a perimeter threat as well as adding a forward with length who can fill in one of the forward positions vacated by Justice Sueing and (potentially) Brice Sensabaugh.
Battle has never graded out as an elite shooter with a career three-point mark of 35%, but he did shoot higher than 35% in three of his four seasons before a huge regression this past year pulled his career average down. He’s averaged seven three-point tries per game each of the past two seasons, which places him top-three in the Big Ten each year in attempts from beyond the arc. His most recent season looks like an outlier, and it could have something to do with playing on a horrendous Minnesota team that averaged just 63 points per game.
Second, Ohio State will most likely need to fill both starting forward positions if Sensabaugh stays in the NBA Draft. Incoming freshmen Scotty Middleton and Devin Royal both look like they have the potential to be stars eventually, but it’s a big ask to start both side-by-side right away. Battle will step in and assume one of those two spots, and also bring experience to a team that will start multiple underclassmen regardless. This team may not need Battle to score 17 points per game on 14 shots per night like he did as a junior at Minnesota, but it will need him to be a consistent double-digit scorer night in and night out.
Battle was not ranked by 247Sports coming out of Minneapolis’ De La Salle High School, but Rivals had him as a three-star recruit. Upon announcing he was transferring on March 16, Battle was contacted by Ohio State as well as up to 20 other schools, including Xavier, Butler, Indiana, Clemson, Oklahoma, Iowa State, Utah, LSU, Santa Clara, Nebraska, Illinois, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, and Villanova. He visited Ohio State in late March to meet with the coaching staff and check out the facilities and campus.
247Sports rated Battle as the No. 25 transfer available in the transfer portal this year. On3 had him listed as the No. 15 transfer available. If Sensabaugh returns, he will slide into the other forward position next to Battle. If Sensabaugh leaves, it will likely be Middleton or Royal starting alongside Battle.
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LGHL Buck Off Podcast: The year of the tight end, recruiting news, and Brian Hartline man or God?
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Buck Off Podcast: The year of the tight end, recruiting news, and Brian Hartline man or God?
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
Hartline has made a fanbase numb, and the guys discuss the ridiculous recruiting potential of the 2024 class.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” I’m joined by Jordan Williams to to talk about the ridiculous outlook of Ohio State’s recruiting class and the ascension of one man into the realm of the Gods.
We start the show with a discussion about the tight end position, and why this might be the most sneaky elite unit on the team. Our talk gets into Ryan Day’s love for all things 11/12-personnel, Jordan’s four wide receiver dream, and why this year might be the year the 37 catch total falls. With all this talk, the guys announce the official “Year of the Tight End”
After that, our discussion turns to the recruiting front, and why Brian Hartline’s run of recruits – most recently five-star Mylan Graham – has us all numb to what he is actually accomplishing. The talk continues into a dialogue about Hartline’s white receiver competitiveness and growing career aspirations in the coaching profession.
To close out the recruiting talk, the guys get into the pending commitment of Air Noland and why he might be the most exciting quarterback prospect of the class (hint: he’s left-handed and puts up stats). Then they read the 247Sports Ohio State crystal ball list on air, and discuss how Ohio State’s recruiting might get super ridiculous.
After that our chitchat moves to the running back room. The excitement for Treveyon Henderson needs to start rising, and the health of this room can truly take the team to the next level.
To close out the show, we discuss Ohio State’s career/NIL fair.
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
Hartline has made a fanbase numb, and the guys discuss the ridiculous recruiting potential of the 2024 class.
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 to talk about the ridiculous outlook of Ohio State’s recruiting class and the ascension of one man into the realm of the Gods.
We start the show with a discussion about the tight end position, and why this might be the most sneaky elite unit on the team. Our talk gets into Ryan Day’s love for all things 11/12-personnel, Jordan’s four wide receiver dream, and why this year might be the year the 37 catch total falls. With all this talk, the guys announce the official “Year of the Tight End”
After that, our discussion turns to the recruiting front, and why Brian Hartline’s run of recruits – most recently five-star Mylan Graham – has us all numb to what he is actually accomplishing. The talk continues into a dialogue about Hartline’s white receiver competitiveness and growing career aspirations in the coaching profession.
To close out the recruiting talk, the guys get into the pending commitment of Air Noland and why he might be the most exciting quarterback prospect of the class (hint: he’s left-handed and puts up stats). Then they read the 247Sports Ohio State crystal ball list on air, and discuss how Ohio State’s recruiting might get super ridiculous.
After that our chitchat moves to the running back room. The excitement for Treveyon Henderson needs to start rising, and the health of this room can truly take the team to the next level.
To close out the show, we discuss Ohio State’s career/NIL fair.
Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod
Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB
Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State offers 2025 five-star linebacker, makes the cut for pair of 2024 targets
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Ohio State offers 2025 five-star linebacker, makes the cut for pair of 2024 targets
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Doral Chenoweth / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes kept their fast and furious recruiting approach on Thursday by sending out a new offer in the 2025 class.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has always been a linebacker guy at heart, but when it comes to recruiting he’d even admit that’s he would rather deal with schematics and game planning in comparison to having to be constantly in communication with his top targets.
Fortunately for Ohio State, the Buckeyes were able to bring home former star, James Laurinaitis to help coach the linebacker spot for one, but also to really aid in recruiting. Though he’s not able to travel due to NCAA rules with his specific position, when prospects are on campus Laurinaitis goes to work, and it’s been going well to say the least.
Like Brian Hartline, Laurinaitis brings not only Ohio State experience to the table, but also first-hand NFL success that really translates to what a young recruit needs to hear. Doing everything he’s been asked to at a high level since his arrival in Columbus, the Buckeyes are going to continue leaning on his efforts when targeting linebackers. It looks like another one will now be getting some attention from James, as Ohio State sent out their latest linebacker offer on Thursday in the 2025 class.
Taking to Twitter to share the latest update in his recruitment, the latest to earn a Buckeye offer is California product, Noah Mikhail. A 6-foot-3, 205 pound athlete, Mikhail is only a high school sophomore, but has all of the accolades to show why Ohio State is interested. The No. 28 player nationally, Mikhail is the third-best linebacker in the class and the sixth-best player in California for the 2025 cycle per the 247Sports Composite.
At nearly 30 offers to his name, the Buckeyes may be a little late to the party, but join the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, and several more to offer the five-star. After visits to Michigan and Notre Dame this week, it was Ohio State’s turn to host Noah on Thursday. While the visit clearly went well enough for him to earn an offer, you can bet this won’t be the only time Mikhail hears from Laurinaitis and what the Buckeyes have to offer.
It’s going to be a critical cycle for Ohio State when it comes to landing elite cornerbacks to help solidify a defensive secondary that needs continued attention. Every recruiting class prioritizes the cornerback spot in today’s college football landscape with the high flying passing offenses, but this 2024 class really does seem to be that much more important, and maybe it’s because two of the better players at the position are in-state thanks to Bryce West and Aaron Scott.
Though those are the two highest targets on Ohio State’s board, two players at the position isn’t the goal as the Buckeyes will want to take at least three. Fortunately, there’s several key prospects that have Ohio State in the pecking order, and that was proven to be the case on Thursday as five-star defensive back Kobe Black trimmed his offer list down from 30 schools to a final group of 11.
While 11 programs still being in the mix is quite a few, cutting more than half of the other suitors out of the picture does lead to him getting closer to a decision. Making the cut for Black included LSU, Oregon, Texas, USC, Alabama, TCU, Texas A&M, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. On his 247Sports profile, Black has Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas, and Ohio State as the “warm” programs, but this really is anyone’s game.
What would be a huge addition for any school at least the Buckeyes are still in it to this point for the No. 16 player nationally and third best cornerback in the country per the 247Sports Composite. As they’ve done well with landing corners out of Texas before, they’ll shoot their shot again in 2024.
With Ohio State included, the other five programs to make the list include Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, UAB, and Oklahoma. Not the perfect guarantee, it does still carry weight that on his 247Sports profile only Ohio State and Tennessee are listed as “warm” with the in-state school for Spillman holding the lone Crystal Ball prediction.
The Buckeyes may have some work to do here to beat out the Vols, but they’ve made it this far for the No. 245 player nationally and 22nd best linebacker in the country per the 247Sports Composite.
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
Doral Chenoweth / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes kept their fast and furious recruiting approach on Thursday by sending out a new offer in the 2025 class.
Ohio State sends out offer to 2025 linebacker
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has always been a linebacker guy at heart, but when it comes to recruiting he’d even admit that’s he would rather deal with schematics and game planning in comparison to having to be constantly in communication with his top targets.
Fortunately for Ohio State, the Buckeyes were able to bring home former star, James Laurinaitis to help coach the linebacker spot for one, but also to really aid in recruiting. Though he’s not able to travel due to NCAA rules with his specific position, when prospects are on campus Laurinaitis goes to work, and it’s been going well to say the least.
Like Brian Hartline, Laurinaitis brings not only Ohio State experience to the table, but also first-hand NFL success that really translates to what a young recruit needs to hear. Doing everything he’s been asked to at a high level since his arrival in Columbus, the Buckeyes are going to continue leaning on his efforts when targeting linebackers. It looks like another one will now be getting some attention from James, as Ohio State sent out their latest linebacker offer on Thursday in the 2025 class.
Taking to Twitter to share the latest update in his recruitment, the latest to earn a Buckeye offer is California product, Noah Mikhail. A 6-foot-3, 205 pound athlete, Mikhail is only a high school sophomore, but has all of the accolades to show why Ohio State is interested. The No. 28 player nationally, Mikhail is the third-best linebacker in the class and the sixth-best player in California for the 2025 cycle per the 247Sports Composite.
At nearly 30 offers to his name, the Buckeyes may be a little late to the party, but join the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, and several more to offer the five-star. After visits to Michigan and Notre Dame this week, it was Ohio State’s turn to host Noah on Thursday. While the visit clearly went well enough for him to earn an offer, you can bet this won’t be the only time Mikhail hears from Laurinaitis and what the Buckeyes have to offer.
Buckeyes make the cut for five-star defensive back
It’s going to be a critical cycle for Ohio State when it comes to landing elite cornerbacks to help solidify a defensive secondary that needs continued attention. Every recruiting class prioritizes the cornerback spot in today’s college football landscape with the high flying passing offenses, but this 2024 class really does seem to be that much more important, and maybe it’s because two of the better players at the position are in-state thanks to Bryce West and Aaron Scott.
Though those are the two highest targets on Ohio State’s board, two players at the position isn’t the goal as the Buckeyes will want to take at least three. Fortunately, there’s several key prospects that have Ohio State in the pecking order, and that was proven to be the case on Thursday as five-star defensive back Kobe Black trimmed his offer list down from 30 schools to a final group of 11.
While 11 programs still being in the mix is quite a few, cutting more than half of the other suitors out of the picture does lead to him getting closer to a decision. Making the cut for Black included LSU, Oregon, Texas, USC, Alabama, TCU, Texas A&M, Florida, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Ohio State. On his 247Sports profile, Black has Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, Texas, and Ohio State as the “warm” programs, but this really is anyone’s game.
What would be a huge addition for any school at least the Buckeyes are still in it to this point for the No. 16 player nationally and third best cornerback in the country per the 247Sports Composite. As they’ve done well with landing corners out of Texas before, they’ll shoot their shot again in 2024.
BREAKING: Five-Star CB Kobe Black is down toSchools!
The 6’2 188 CB from Waco, TX is ranked as a Top 15 Player in the ‘24 Class (No. 2 CB)
Where Should He Go? https://t.co/G1O5WfpYti pic.twitter.com/c6tnpa6OYN
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 6, 2023
Quick Hits
- Another top schools list being published on Thursday, this one from Edwin Spillman. A 2024 linebacker, Spillman is a 6-foot-1, 215 pound athlete out of Tennessee and has an impressive 34 offers to his name. Taking things seriously, Spillman cut his list all the way down to just six finalists before he comes to his final call.
With Ohio State included, the other five programs to make the list include Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, UAB, and Oklahoma. Not the perfect guarantee, it does still carry weight that on his 247Sports profile only Ohio State and Tennessee are listed as “warm” with the in-state school for Spillman holding the lone Crystal Ball prediction.
The Buckeyes may have some work to do here to beat out the Vols, but they’ve made it this far for the No. 245 player nationally and 22nd best linebacker in the country per the 247Sports Composite.
Continue reading...
LGHL What is Ohio State men’s basketball getting in Jamison Battle?
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What is Ohio State men’s basketball getting in Jamison Battle?
Connor Lemons 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
Battle represents one of the biggest — if not the biggest — transfer addition in the Chris Holtmann era at Ohio State.
On Thursday afternoon, former Minnesota forward Jamison Battle announced he was transferring to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility. Battle, who transferred from George Washington to Minnesota in the summer of 2021, will be a graduate of the University of Minnesota and therefore will not need to sit one year, per NCAA guidelines.
Ohio State fans should be relatively familiar with the 6-foot-7, 220-pound lefty, as he’s played in the Big Ten for two seasons now and tangled with the Buckeyes thrice, going 1-2 in the process and averaging just over 12 points per game in those appearances. If they’ve watched him beyond just those three games (if you don’t watch Minnesota basketball, that’s understandable), then they’ll know that Battle might be the perfect addition to this roster, even if he doesn’t quite reach his full potential.
Here’s what Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes are getting with Battle, and some logic as to why he was a massive target for this coaching staff:
With the departure of Justice Sueing and Brice Sensabaugh’s likely exit for the NBA Draft, Ohio State is suddenly without both of its starting forwards from last season. Scotty Middleton and Devin Royal are both high four-star recruits and will likely see some starts next season, but starting any combination of Royal, Middleton, Tanner Holden, and Kalen Etzler is a great recipe for another 13th-place finish in the Big Ten (respectfully). A move had to be made.
The transfer portal was pretty heavy with guards this year, while forwards were a bit harder to come by. Battle was one of the best power forwards looking to transfer, and he will slide right in to Ohio State’s starting lineup in November, likely alongside one of the aforementioned talented freshmen.
At 6-foot-7 and just over 220 pounds, Battle is big enough to finish in traffic and could surprise people with his rebounding, but his biggest asset is his three-point shot. Back and foot injuries — plus playing on a horrendous Minnesota team last year — impacted his numbers, but Battle is still a 35% three-point shooter for his career and he takes them in bunches.
With Sueing, Sensabaugh, and Sean McNeil gone, that leaves Ohio State without three of its top four three-point shooters from last season. Those three combined to hit 61.5% of the Buckeyes’ threes last season, and Chris Holtmann and his staff are now tasked with replacing those makes somehow. Battle is a good start.
For his career, Battle averages 7.1 three-point attempts per game and 5.1 two-point attempts. That’s not quite “Justin Ahrens” range, but Battle has historically preferred to knock down jumpers as opposed to driving. However, 42% of his shots have come from inside the arc, so he won’t exclusively operate on the outside. And with his size, he can finish at the rim.
Before seeing his numbers dip drastically last season, Battle shot 37%, 35%, and 37% from distance in his first three years in college. Holtmann is certainly banking on him returning to that level, so that the tandem of Zed Key and Felix Okpara will have room to operate below the basket. Battle drawing attention on the outside will also help Roddy Gayle and Bruce Thornton be the best versions of themselves — to guys who are at their best when able to carve inside for higher percentage looks around the basket.
It’s cliché and sometimes overused, but as of now Battle and Holden are the two most experienced players on the 2023-24 roster. Much was made about the youth of last season’s team, but next season’s roster will still include a whopping eight underclassmen — four freshmen and four sophomores.
Gayle, Thornton, and Okpara have all experienced the grind of a full Big Ten season now, and their youth will no longer be used as an excuse if and when struggles happen. Still, this Ohio State team is shaping up to only have three or four upperclassmen, including Battle. There’s a good chance he will be voted one of the team captains come August, alongside Thornton and Key.
Ohio State’s last two recruiting classes have clearly kept a close eye on the defensive side of the ball. Sensabaugh is the outlier, but Thornton, Gayle, and Okpara all proved to be average to above-average defenders last season, with plenty of room to grow. Middleton hasn’t even arrived yet, but expectations are sky high for the 6-foot-6 versatile wing from Miami. We can finally begin to slide some of these pieces around in our minds and see what Holtmann and his coaching staff have been formulating over the past two-plus years on the defensive end.
Battle does not bring a defensive pedigree to Columbus, although it’s hard to recall too many instances where his defense stuck out as obtusely poor. At his size, he can’t switch onto many guards or centers, but can bounce between the three and four. He averages exactly two personal fouls per game and only has 53 career steals and 42 career blocks over four years, so I wouldn’t categorize him as the biggest risk taker on defense.
He’ll guard his man, but don’t expect Battle to jump many passing lanes or reject many shots at the rim.
Including the saxophone, apparently?
Perhaps the biggest knock on Chris Holtmann’s transfer portal moves to this point is that he rarely goes out and adds a player with a “killer” mentality that can score in bunches. Instead, Ohio State has filled specific niche roles and valued experience — sometimes it’s worked out, and sometimes it hasn’t.
Battle does bring experience and some other attributes in small quantities, but his biggest asset is that he can flat-out score the basketball. On top of that, he’s already done it in the Big Ten, averaging 17.5 points per game as a junior at Minnesota and 12.4 PPG last year as a senior.
Holden brought the enticing possibility of big-time scoring ability, but for one reason or another it simply has not materialized to this point. Battle, on the other hand, scored 10+ points in all but 12 games at Minnesota, including 17 games scoring 20 or more points and two games scoring 30-plus. There were nights where Battle would score eight or 10 straight points for the Gophers, keeping a putrid offense afloat even if the end result was still a loss by the final buzzer.
There will be games where he puts up a crooked number while also being inefficient — that comes with the territory when adding someone with the offensive splits Battle has. But because he’s not reluctant to shoot the ball, his floor is very high. He may not average 17 points per game again, but 10-12 PPG looks like his floor, with the possibility of much more.
For the first time since arriving in Columbus six years ago, Holtmann went out and grabbed a bucket-getter, with little concern about the other stuff. Take the points, and worry about the rest later.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Battle represents one of the biggest — if not the biggest — transfer addition in the Chris Holtmann era at Ohio State.
On Thursday afternoon, former Minnesota forward Jamison Battle announced he was transferring to Ohio State for his final year of eligibility. Battle, who transferred from George Washington to Minnesota in the summer of 2021, will be a graduate of the University of Minnesota and therefore will not need to sit one year, per NCAA guidelines.
Ohio State fans should be relatively familiar with the 6-foot-7, 220-pound lefty, as he’s played in the Big Ten for two seasons now and tangled with the Buckeyes thrice, going 1-2 in the process and averaging just over 12 points per game in those appearances. If they’ve watched him beyond just those three games (if you don’t watch Minnesota basketball, that’s understandable), then they’ll know that Battle might be the perfect addition to this roster, even if he doesn’t quite reach his full potential.
Here’s what Chris Holtmann’s Buckeyes are getting with Battle, and some logic as to why he was a massive target for this coaching staff:
A big body on the perimeter
With the departure of Justice Sueing and Brice Sensabaugh’s likely exit for the NBA Draft, Ohio State is suddenly without both of its starting forwards from last season. Scotty Middleton and Devin Royal are both high four-star recruits and will likely see some starts next season, but starting any combination of Royal, Middleton, Tanner Holden, and Kalen Etzler is a great recipe for another 13th-place finish in the Big Ten (respectfully). A move had to be made.
The transfer portal was pretty heavy with guards this year, while forwards were a bit harder to come by. Battle was one of the best power forwards looking to transfer, and he will slide right in to Ohio State’s starting lineup in November, likely alongside one of the aforementioned talented freshmen.
At 6-foot-7 and just over 220 pounds, Battle is big enough to finish in traffic and could surprise people with his rebounding, but his biggest asset is his three-point shot. Back and foot injuries — plus playing on a horrendous Minnesota team last year — impacted his numbers, but Battle is still a 35% three-point shooter for his career and he takes them in bunches.
Someone to stretch the floor, open up driving lanes
With Sueing, Sensabaugh, and Sean McNeil gone, that leaves Ohio State without three of its top four three-point shooters from last season. Those three combined to hit 61.5% of the Buckeyes’ threes last season, and Chris Holtmann and his staff are now tasked with replacing those makes somehow. Battle is a good start.
For his career, Battle averages 7.1 three-point attempts per game and 5.1 two-point attempts. That’s not quite “Justin Ahrens” range, but Battle has historically preferred to knock down jumpers as opposed to driving. However, 42% of his shots have come from inside the arc, so he won’t exclusively operate on the outside. And with his size, he can finish at the rim.
Before seeing his numbers dip drastically last season, Battle shot 37%, 35%, and 37% from distance in his first three years in college. Holtmann is certainly banking on him returning to that level, so that the tandem of Zed Key and Felix Okpara will have room to operate below the basket. Battle drawing attention on the outside will also help Roddy Gayle and Bruce Thornton be the best versions of themselves — to guys who are at their best when able to carve inside for higher percentage looks around the basket.
Experience
It’s cliché and sometimes overused, but as of now Battle and Holden are the two most experienced players on the 2023-24 roster. Much was made about the youth of last season’s team, but next season’s roster will still include a whopping eight underclassmen — four freshmen and four sophomores.
Gayle, Thornton, and Okpara have all experienced the grind of a full Big Ten season now, and their youth will no longer be used as an excuse if and when struggles happen. Still, this Ohio State team is shaping up to only have three or four upperclassmen, including Battle. There’s a good chance he will be voted one of the team captains come August, alongside Thornton and Key.
An able (but not great) defender
Ohio State’s last two recruiting classes have clearly kept a close eye on the defensive side of the ball. Sensabaugh is the outlier, but Thornton, Gayle, and Okpara all proved to be average to above-average defenders last season, with plenty of room to grow. Middleton hasn’t even arrived yet, but expectations are sky high for the 6-foot-6 versatile wing from Miami. We can finally begin to slide some of these pieces around in our minds and see what Holtmann and his coaching staff have been formulating over the past two-plus years on the defensive end.
Battle does not bring a defensive pedigree to Columbus, although it’s hard to recall too many instances where his defense stuck out as obtusely poor. At his size, he can’t switch onto many guards or centers, but can bounce between the three and four. He averages exactly two personal fouls per game and only has 53 career steals and 42 career blocks over four years, so I wouldn’t categorize him as the biggest risk taker on defense.
He’ll guard his man, but don’t expect Battle to jump many passing lanes or reject many shots at the rim.
A man of many talents
Including the saxophone, apparently?
Someone who can (and will) take over games
JAMISON BATTLE
: B1G+ pic.twitter.com/LDIBkAqx7y
— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) November 10, 2021
Perhaps the biggest knock on Chris Holtmann’s transfer portal moves to this point is that he rarely goes out and adds a player with a “killer” mentality that can score in bunches. Instead, Ohio State has filled specific niche roles and valued experience — sometimes it’s worked out, and sometimes it hasn’t.
Battle does bring experience and some other attributes in small quantities, but his biggest asset is that he can flat-out score the basketball. On top of that, he’s already done it in the Big Ten, averaging 17.5 points per game as a junior at Minnesota and 12.4 PPG last year as a senior.
Holden brought the enticing possibility of big-time scoring ability, but for one reason or another it simply has not materialized to this point. Battle, on the other hand, scored 10+ points in all but 12 games at Minnesota, including 17 games scoring 20 or more points and two games scoring 30-plus. There were nights where Battle would score eight or 10 straight points for the Gophers, keeping a putrid offense afloat even if the end result was still a loss by the final buzzer.
There will be games where he puts up a crooked number while also being inefficient — that comes with the territory when adding someone with the offensive splits Battle has. But because he’s not reluctant to shoot the ball, his floor is very high. He may not average 17 points per game again, but 10-12 PPG looks like his floor, with the possibility of much more.
For the first time since arriving in Columbus six years ago, Holtmann went out and grabbed a bucket-getter, with little concern about the other stuff. Take the points, and worry about the rest later.
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2026 GA DL Deuce Geralds (LSU Verbal)
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2025 OH S Trey McNutt (Oregon Signee)
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