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LGHL You’re Nuts: What’s the biggest ‘What if’ moment of Ohio State’s season?
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You’re Nuts: What’s the biggest ‘What if’ moment of Ohio State’s season?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
What if that one thing happened differently for the Buckeyes?
Ohio State lost five games last season by three points or fewer. If any of those five had flipped the other way, the Buckeyes probably would’ve heard their names called on Selection Sunday. They didn’t, however, and they weren’t included in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, they were one of the first four teams left on the outside looking in.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which former Buckeyes absolutely should’ve been drafted higher in the NBA Draft. Connor went with Buckeyes and Bucks legend Michael Redd (43rd pick), while Justin picked William Buford, one of the best basketball players to ever come out of Toledo and was undrafted in 2012.
68% of the readers sided with Connor/Redd, while 22% agreed with Justin that Buford was the biggest draft snub out of all former Buckeyes. The remaining 10% felt it was a different player than either of those two options.
Connor- 90
This week, we’re both being Captain Hindsight and picking one moment that could’ve had huge ramifications if things had gone differently. It can be a shot that was missed, a player that missed a game, or even a fan touching a ball in play.
Each of our writers is picking one moment that could’ve changed the course of Ohio State’s season if it had gone a little bit differently:
Ohio State got steamrolled by Northwestern at home, were silenced on the road at Assembly Hall against Indiana, and shrunk in the moment against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament. But for how poorly the Buckeyes played over the final 10 or so games of the season, their home game against Michigan was one of the most entertaining, high-level games of the entire college basketball season.
Neither team led by more than seven at any point in the game. The Wolverines led by four points with under one minute to go, but Ohio State had a prime opportunity to send the game to overtime in the final moment. Alas, after shaking Danny Wolf and sending him to the ground, Bruce Thornton short-armed a five-foot floater so badly that it missed the rim, net, and everything else. Ruben Jones caught the shot that could’ve been called a passing turnover as much as a missed shot, and the game was over.
Michigan improved to 12-2 in the Big Ten with the win, and Ohio State fell to 7-8. The Buckeyes were, at the time, still right in range to make the NCAA Tournament but clearly weren’t going to win the conference. Michigan, on the other hand, was the favorite to win the Big Ten at the time.
But what if that shot had fallen? After the game, Thornton said he takes that same shot in practice over and over, every day. And for the rest of the season, Thornton was cash money on nearly every close floater that he took.
If Thornton had knocked down the shot to send the game to overtime, Ohio State would’ve had the upper hand. The crowd was getting into it, two Michigan starters had four fouls, and Devin Royal was playing the most impressive game of his college career to that point.
If the game had gone to overtime, Ohio State likely would’ve beaten the No. 20 team in the country. So many different things would’ve happened if Thornton wouldn’t have alligator-armed that shot.
The Buckeyes probably would’ve made the NCAA Tournament — what happens then? How would the narrative around the program and Diebler change if they had even made the NCAA Tournament?
Jake Diebler would’ve won the only matchup of the year between him and Dusty May — would the narrative around the current Ohio State coach and the guy who was in the running to be the Ohio State coach change?
Maybe Michigan doesn’t get a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Maybe they slip to a 6-instead, and would face an 11-seed instead of a 12. Would they still make the Sweet Sixteen?
Does Ohio State come out more focused in the next game against Northwestern, and with more confidence after beating a top-20 Michigan team?
For most of the Ohio State men’s basketball season, it was pretty apparent that the Buckeyes would either barely make or barely miss the NCAA Tournament.
There are many possible options, and a huge game early in the season that felt like it could come back to haunt them was the Black Friday loss to Pittsburgh at home. This was early in the year, and it should have been easy to forget about and move on, but it was hard to let go after the Buckeyes held the lead for the majority of the game, only to lose it — also bringing golfers.
The Michigan moment would have been awesome for Thornton as the three-year starter, but this win could have helped propel them through the season, helping them get someone.
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-Imagn Images
What if that one thing happened differently for the Buckeyes?
Ohio State lost five games last season by three points or fewer. If any of those five had flipped the other way, the Buckeyes probably would’ve heard their names called on Selection Sunday. They didn’t, however, and they weren’t included in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, they were one of the first four teams left on the outside looking in.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which former Buckeyes absolutely should’ve been drafted higher in the NBA Draft. Connor went with Buckeyes and Bucks legend Michael Redd (43rd pick), while Justin picked William Buford, one of the best basketball players to ever come out of Toledo and was undrafted in 2012.
68% of the readers sided with Connor/Redd, while 22% agreed with Justin that Buford was the biggest draft snub out of all former Buckeyes. The remaining 10% felt it was a different player than either of those two options.
After 202 weeks:
Connor- 90
Justin- 86
Other- 20
(There have been six ties)
This week, we’re both being Captain Hindsight and picking one moment that could’ve had huge ramifications if things had gone differently. It can be a shot that was missed, a player that missed a game, or even a fan touching a ball in play.
Each of our writers is picking one moment that could’ve changed the course of Ohio State’s season if it had gone a little bit differently:
Connor: What if Bruce Thornton didn’t airball that shot against Michigan?
Ohio State got steamrolled by Northwestern at home, were silenced on the road at Assembly Hall against Indiana, and shrunk in the moment against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament. But for how poorly the Buckeyes played over the final 10 or so games of the season, their home game against Michigan was one of the most entertaining, high-level games of the entire college basketball season.
Neither team led by more than seven at any point in the game. The Wolverines led by four points with under one minute to go, but Ohio State had a prime opportunity to send the game to overtime in the final moment. Alas, after shaking Danny Wolf and sending him to the ground, Bruce Thornton short-armed a five-foot floater so badly that it missed the rim, net, and everything else. Ruben Jones caught the shot that could’ve been called a passing turnover as much as a missed shot, and the game was over.
Michigan improved to 12-2 in the Big Ten with the win, and Ohio State fell to 7-8. The Buckeyes were, at the time, still right in range to make the NCAA Tournament but clearly weren’t going to win the conference. Michigan, on the other hand, was the favorite to win the Big Ten at the time.
But what if that shot had fallen? After the game, Thornton said he takes that same shot in practice over and over, every day. And for the rest of the season, Thornton was cash money on nearly every close floater that he took.
If Thornton had knocked down the shot to send the game to overtime, Ohio State would’ve had the upper hand. The crowd was getting into it, two Michigan starters had four fouls, and Devin Royal was playing the most impressive game of his college career to that point.
If the game had gone to overtime, Ohio State likely would’ve beaten the No. 20 team in the country. So many different things would’ve happened if Thornton wouldn’t have alligator-armed that shot.
The Buckeyes probably would’ve made the NCAA Tournament — what happens then? How would the narrative around the program and Diebler change if they had even made the NCAA Tournament?
Jake Diebler would’ve won the only matchup of the year between him and Dusty May — would the narrative around the current Ohio State coach and the guy who was in the running to be the Ohio State coach change?
Maybe Michigan doesn’t get a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Maybe they slip to a 6-instead, and would face an 11-seed instead of a 12. Would they still make the Sweet Sixteen?
Does Ohio State come out more focused in the next game against Northwestern, and with more confidence after beating a top-20 Michigan team?
Justin: The Black Friday Pittsburgh loss
For most of the Ohio State men’s basketball season, it was pretty apparent that the Buckeyes would either barely make or barely miss the NCAA Tournament.
There are many possible options, and a huge game early in the season that felt like it could come back to haunt them was the Black Friday loss to Pittsburgh at home. This was early in the year, and it should have been easy to forget about and move on, but it was hard to let go after the Buckeyes held the lead for the majority of the game, only to lose it — also bringing golfers.
The Michigan moment would have been awesome for Thornton as the three-year starter, but this win could have helped propel them through the season, helping them get someone.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State lands a transfer long snapper, men’s hoops will play in CBS Sports Classic afterall
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State lands a transfer long snapper, men’s hoops will play in CBS Sports Classic afterall
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
X | @gmarionmills
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 to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Ohio State lands transfer portal long snapper Grant Mills
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Ryan Day reveals the biggest mistake OSU fans make when they meet him
Lori Schmidt, The Columbus Dispatch
“You Could Feel That Confidence”: Team Synergy Fueled Ohio State’s Blowout Wins Over Tennessee and Oregon in the College Football Playoff
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
Spring Rewind: Evaluating Ohio State wide receivers coming out of spring
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes
Austin Siereveld “going to be a starter” Ohio State offensive line: what that means
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where draft experts have Buckeyes landing in too-early 2026 NFL Draft big boards, mock drafts
Spencer Holbrook, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes to Play North Carolina in 2025 CBS Sports Classic
Ohio State Athletics
What change to CBS Sports Classic field means for the Ohio State men
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Lacrosse: No. 5 Buckeyes Defeat No. 17 Rutgers to Advance to B1G Tournament Title Game
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 5 Seed Buckeyes Ready for Buffalo in NCAA Opening on Saturday
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Athletics & Alumni Association Unite for Exciting New Varsity O
Ohio State Athletics
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
X | @gmarionmills
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 to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State lands transfer portal long snapper Grant Mills
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
BUCKEYE BOUND@OhioStateFB @ryandaytime @theGunnerDaniel pic.twitter.com/op0sE1GjYC
— Grant Mills (@gmarionmills) May 1, 2025
Ryan Day reveals the biggest mistake OSU fans make when they meet him
Lori Schmidt, The Columbus Dispatch
“You Could Feel That Confidence”: Team Synergy Fueled Ohio State’s Blowout Wins Over Tennessee and Oregon in the College Football Playoff
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
Spring Rewind: Evaluating Ohio State wide receivers coming out of spring
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes
Austin Siereveld “going to be a starter” Ohio State offensive line: what that means
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
Where draft experts have Buckeyes landing in too-early 2026 NFL Draft big boards, mock drafts
Spencer Holbrook, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes to Play North Carolina in 2025 CBS Sports Classic
Ohio State Athletics
What change to CBS Sports Classic field means for the Ohio State men
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Lacrosse: No. 5 Buckeyes Defeat No. 17 Rutgers to Advance to B1G Tournament Title Game
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 5 Seed Buckeyes Ready for Buffalo in NCAA Opening on Saturday
Ohio State Athletics
Athletics & Alumni Association Unite for Exciting New Varsity O
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State offers talented 2028 defensive lineman, will receive official visit from 2026 edge rusher
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State offers talented 2028 defensive lineman, will receive official visit from 2026 edge rusher
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes sent out another new offer to a big time 2028 defensive lineman with college ready size.
Spending time all over the country this week, the Buckeyes are searching for the right fits in their 2026 class and beyond. Turning over every stone and offering new players seemingly each day, there’s never a down time for these coaches, and that in large part is why they continue to see success.
Sure to be more names earning offers and major visits in the weeks to come, there’s plenty to look forward to as the summer months approach quickly.
Spending time in the Chicago area on Thursday, Ohio State sent out a handful of offers to more of the top rising prospects in a region that’s always producing elite talent. Like any other major Midwest city, Ohio State’s coaching staff keeps tabs on the regional targets and certainly these new names will be ones to watch for the long haul.
Another new name to the offer list, 6-foot-5, 355 pound defensive lineman Caleb Tucker got the nod from Ohio State this week, and that makes for another Larry Johnson target to monitor as he shared the latest update in his recruitment.
Just a high school freshman, Tucker’s size is already what you’d expect from a college athlete so it’s no surprise to see nearly 20 offers to his name, but with three seasons still to improve in his game and develop physically, it’s exciting to see just how high his stock can rise when all is said and done. Unranked right now, that’s sure to change when the 2028 rankings are updated.
Schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, and others are already in the fold, but seeing Ohio State also take notice should help continue his rise as other top suitors take notice. From here, the Buckeyes will look to get him on campus in the early summer weeks as they plan to host all of their top recruits and as these visits tend to go, Ohio State tends to have these prospects leaving nothing short of impressed with all their program has to offer.
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Holding the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the country with only 11 current commits shows just how highly ranked Ohio State’s average pledge is. With zero commits along the defensive line though, this fits the mold of the last couple of cycles as Larry Johnson tends to work a little longer than some of the other positions.
Not a worry by any means right now, Ohio State is in great position for several top players along the defensive front, and these upcoming summer visits should lead to much more traction for this class as a whole when it comes to both edge rushers and interior guys.
More names to follow suit, the Buckeyes did receive positive news on Thursday that Jake Kruel has already slotted Columbus as one of his official visits he will take in the near future.
The No. 31 player nationally and forth best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Kruel’s ranking fits considering he holds 50 offers to his name and from every top program in the country. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Jake’s got some size to add to his frame before getting to the next level, but with his speed, length, and ability to bend make him such a highly-touted player and worthy of the four-star status.
Set to see a few schools now, Ohio State will be one of his stops for sure, but he too will also see the likes of Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. Rarely does a visit not go very well for the Buckeyes and this should be the same story when Kruel comes to town.
Leaving the Tar Heels after just one year, Mills will have multiple seasons of eligibility for Ohio State backing a unit that is often called upon. It may not be the most exciting addition, but clearly it’s a welcomed new member.
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
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes sent out another new offer to a big time 2028 defensive lineman with college ready size.
Spending time all over the country this week, the Buckeyes are searching for the right fits in their 2026 class and beyond. Turning over every stone and offering new players seemingly each day, there’s never a down time for these coaches, and that in large part is why they continue to see success.
Sure to be more names earning offers and major visits in the weeks to come, there’s plenty to look forward to as the summer months approach quickly.
Buckeyes offer class of 2028 Illinois native
Spending time in the Chicago area on Thursday, Ohio State sent out a handful of offers to more of the top rising prospects in a region that’s always producing elite talent. Like any other major Midwest city, Ohio State’s coaching staff keeps tabs on the regional targets and certainly these new names will be ones to watch for the long haul.
Another new name to the offer list, 6-foot-5, 355 pound defensive lineman Caleb Tucker got the nod from Ohio State this week, and that makes for another Larry Johnson target to monitor as he shared the latest update in his recruitment.
Just a high school freshman, Tucker’s size is already what you’d expect from a college athlete so it’s no surprise to see nearly 20 offers to his name, but with three seasons still to improve in his game and develop physically, it’s exciting to see just how high his stock can rise when all is said and done. Unranked right now, that’s sure to change when the 2028 rankings are updated.
Schools such as Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, USC, and others are already in the fold, but seeing Ohio State also take notice should help continue his rise as other top suitors take notice. From here, the Buckeyes will look to get him on campus in the early summer weeks as they plan to host all of their top recruits and as these visits tend to go, Ohio State tends to have these prospects leaving nothing short of impressed with all their program has to offer.
Login to view embedded media
2026 edge rusher locks in Ohio State official visit
Holding the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the country with only 11 current commits shows just how highly ranked Ohio State’s average pledge is. With zero commits along the defensive line though, this fits the mold of the last couple of cycles as Larry Johnson tends to work a little longer than some of the other positions.
Not a worry by any means right now, Ohio State is in great position for several top players along the defensive front, and these upcoming summer visits should lead to much more traction for this class as a whole when it comes to both edge rushers and interior guys.
More names to follow suit, the Buckeyes did receive positive news on Thursday that Jake Kruel has already slotted Columbus as one of his official visits he will take in the near future.
The No. 31 player nationally and forth best edge rusher in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Kruel’s ranking fits considering he holds 50 offers to his name and from every top program in the country. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Jake’s got some size to add to his frame before getting to the next level, but with his speed, length, and ability to bend make him such a highly-touted player and worthy of the four-star status.
Set to see a few schools now, Ohio State will be one of his stops for sure, but he too will also see the likes of Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. Rarely does a visit not go very well for the Buckeyes and this should be the same story when Kruel comes to town.
NEWS Elite EDGE Jake Kreul has locked in official visits to Colorado, Florida, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Texas, @Hayesfawcett3 reports
Kreul ranks No. 36 NATL. (No. 6 EDGE) in the 2026 class.
Read: https://t.co/XMgLyTNYRS pic.twitter.com/3zlSWOQHnF
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 1, 2025
Quick Hits
- Thursday proved that Ohio State is not quite finished adding to the current roster when they added the new commitment of long-snapper Grant Mills. A transfer from North Carolina, this is now the second UNC player to make the move to Columbus, and now the Buckeyes have added depth to a special teams unit that is always important.
Leaving the Tar Heels after just one year, Mills will have multiple seasons of eligibility for Ohio State backing a unit that is often called upon. It may not be the most exciting addition, but clearly it’s a welcomed new member.
BUCKEYE BOUND
— Grant Mills (@gmarionmills) May 1, 2025
Continue reading...