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LGHL Thierry sisters reunite, No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball defeat Youngstown 87-39
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Thierry sisters reunite, No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball defeat Youngstown 87-39
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
The Buckeyes defeat the Horizon League side with Stanford looming.
In a Saturday morning matchup, it was two pairs of sisters grabbing attention in an 87-39 win for No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball over Youngstown State.
The pair that didn’t make any in-game impact were the Cambridge sisters of Ohio State. After missing Tuesday’s game against the Ball State Cardinals, guard Kennedy Cambridge was listed out again against the Penguins. Joining her on the injury report was freshman Jaloni Cambridge, who took a hard fall in the win over Ball State, missing her first game of the season.
Ohio State’s Taylor Thierry and Youngstown State’s Haley Thierry were the storyline on the court. It took over a quarter, but with 3:16 remaining in the second, the senior sisters took the court for the first time since high school, this time on opposing teams.
At that point in the game, the Buckeyes were up 26 points. Ohio State started the day strong, scoring the first 12 points of the game before the Penguins got on the scoreboard. To the visitor’s credit, the Horizon League side traded baskets with the Scarlet and Gray the rest of the quarter, heading into the second quarter with a nine-point deficit.
Youngstown started the scoring in the second, but then the Penguins offense melted. Ohio State went on a 25-point run, scoring 31 of the final 33 points of the quarter with Haley Thierry hitting two free throws to give Youngstown State four points in the quarter, the lowest point total allowed by head coach Kevin McGuff’s group in a second quarter this season.
Turnovers were key for the Scarlet and Gray, forcing 22 in the first half and scoring 30 points off the added possessions.
Standing out offensively was forward Cotie McMahon. The junior from Centerville hit the first basket of the game and kept going, scoring 16 points in the first quarter and 22 entering halftime — a point total that’s already the 13th highest scoring performance in McMahon’s three-year NCAA career.
With the Cambridge sisters’ injuries, and four players already out on the availability report due to potential redshirt status at seasons’ end, Ohio State only had eight available players, which almost went down to seven in the first quarter.
Going up for a stop on defense, freshman center Elsa Lemmilä‘s head collided with a Youngstown player, who immediately called for a substitution and left the game momentarily. Lemmilä returned in the second quarter and didn’t look impacted by the contact in the first quarter.
The second half started like the game itself, with the Buckeyes holding the Penguins to no points in the first four minutes of the half. Youngstown responded like they did in the first, hitting shots and trying to outrun Ohio State, who looked comfortable with their nearly 40-point lead.
Youngstown’s run ended soon after it began, with Ohio State going on an eight-point run to extend the lead to 44 points. Then, with 2:10 remaining, the Thierry twins came back into the game. Haley showed up in her limited minutes in the third quarter. Thierry stripped the ball from Lemmilä under the basket, winning the ball for the Penguins. Then, on the next offensive possession for the visitors, had a quick reaction assist on the fast break.
Taylor got the last laugh in the fourth quarter when the forward hit a layup over her sister. On the next defensive drive for the Buckeyes, Thierry blocked her sister with the two talking and laughing heading back down the court with the game firmly in Ohio State’s hands.
McMahon led the Buckeyes in scoring on the day with 29 points and five rebounds, her top scoring game of the season and third best overall. Ajae Petty had her second double-double in scarlet and gray with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Taylor Thierry had nine points, seven rebounds and seven steals.
The Buckeyes have one more non-conference home game this season, and it’s another early 11:00 a.m. ET start. This time, it’s against the Grand Valley State University Lakers of NCAA’s Division II.
Last season, Grand Valley came to the Schottenstein Center and lost 73-49, one of only three losses for the Lakers last season. This year, the Lakers are ranked No. 1 in the WBCA Division II top-25, with three wins over fellow ranked sides. Grand Valley State have an averaging winning margin of 29.1 points per game in their 10 wins.
After Tuesday, it’s a trip to San Francisco to face the Stanford Cardinal on Friday.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State women’s basketball on Twitter | @OhioStateWBB
The Buckeyes defeat the Horizon League side with Stanford looming.
In a Saturday morning matchup, it was two pairs of sisters grabbing attention in an 87-39 win for No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball over Youngstown State.
The pair that didn’t make any in-game impact were the Cambridge sisters of Ohio State. After missing Tuesday’s game against the Ball State Cardinals, guard Kennedy Cambridge was listed out again against the Penguins. Joining her on the injury report was freshman Jaloni Cambridge, who took a hard fall in the win over Ball State, missing her first game of the season.
Ohio State’s Taylor Thierry and Youngstown State’s Haley Thierry were the storyline on the court. It took over a quarter, but with 3:16 remaining in the second, the senior sisters took the court for the first time since high school, this time on opposing teams.
At that point in the game, the Buckeyes were up 26 points. Ohio State started the day strong, scoring the first 12 points of the game before the Penguins got on the scoreboard. To the visitor’s credit, the Horizon League side traded baskets with the Scarlet and Gray the rest of the quarter, heading into the second quarter with a nine-point deficit.
Youngstown started the scoring in the second, but then the Penguins offense melted. Ohio State went on a 25-point run, scoring 31 of the final 33 points of the quarter with Haley Thierry hitting two free throws to give Youngstown State four points in the quarter, the lowest point total allowed by head coach Kevin McGuff’s group in a second quarter this season.
Turnovers were key for the Scarlet and Gray, forcing 22 in the first half and scoring 30 points off the added possessions.
Standing out offensively was forward Cotie McMahon. The junior from Centerville hit the first basket of the game and kept going, scoring 16 points in the first quarter and 22 entering halftime — a point total that’s already the 13th highest scoring performance in McMahon’s three-year NCAA career.
With the Cambridge sisters’ injuries, and four players already out on the availability report due to potential redshirt status at seasons’ end, Ohio State only had eight available players, which almost went down to seven in the first quarter.
Going up for a stop on defense, freshman center Elsa Lemmilä‘s head collided with a Youngstown player, who immediately called for a substitution and left the game momentarily. Lemmilä returned in the second quarter and didn’t look impacted by the contact in the first quarter.
The second half started like the game itself, with the Buckeyes holding the Penguins to no points in the first four minutes of the half. Youngstown responded like they did in the first, hitting shots and trying to outrun Ohio State, who looked comfortable with their nearly 40-point lead.
Youngstown’s run ended soon after it began, with Ohio State going on an eight-point run to extend the lead to 44 points. Then, with 2:10 remaining, the Thierry twins came back into the game. Haley showed up in her limited minutes in the third quarter. Thierry stripped the ball from Lemmilä under the basket, winning the ball for the Penguins. Then, on the next offensive possession for the visitors, had a quick reaction assist on the fast break.
Taylor got the last laugh in the fourth quarter when the forward hit a layup over her sister. On the next defensive drive for the Buckeyes, Thierry blocked her sister with the two talking and laughing heading back down the court with the game firmly in Ohio State’s hands.
McMahon led the Buckeyes in scoring on the day with 29 points and five rebounds, her top scoring game of the season and third best overall. Ajae Petty had her second double-double in scarlet and gray with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Taylor Thierry had nine points, seven rebounds and seven steals.
What’s Next
The Buckeyes have one more non-conference home game this season, and it’s another early 11:00 a.m. ET start. This time, it’s against the Grand Valley State University Lakers of NCAA’s Division II.
Last season, Grand Valley came to the Schottenstein Center and lost 73-49, one of only three losses for the Lakers last season. This year, the Lakers are ranked No. 1 in the WBCA Division II top-25, with three wins over fellow ranked sides. Grand Valley State have an averaging winning margin of 29.1 points per game in their 10 wins.
After Tuesday, it’s a trip to San Francisco to face the Stanford Cardinal on Friday.
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LGHL Uncut: Thierry twins talk reuniting on the court in Ohio State victory
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Uncut: Thierry twins talk reuniting on the court in Ohio State victory
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University Athletic Department
Cotie McMahon also talks four quarter mentality and Kevin McGuff gives updates on Kennedy and Jaloni Cambridge.
Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
In an early Saturday morning game, No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomed the in-state Youngstown State Penguins to the Schottenstein Center. Following an 87-39 win for the Buckeyes, the Thierry sisters Taylor and Haley Thierry spoke to the media together.
The twins who competed against each other for the first time in their lives discussed seeing each other at the scorer’s table in the second quarter, Taylor’s block on Haley in the fourth quarter and the size of the crowd who came out to see the fraternal twins play.
Following the sisters, Cotie McMahon joins Thierry to discuss the one-sided Buckeyes win that should have been a larger margin in the eyes of Ohio State. The two lament allowing the Penguins to score 14 points in the first quarter, working towards playing hard for 40 minutes and playing at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Coach McGuff ends the press conference with an update on Kennedy and Jaloni Cambridge’s injuries, who were both out against the Penguins. Plus, what he thought of the intensity level of his team and the growing leadership ability of McMahon.
That and more on the latest “Uncut.”
Connect with Thomas:
Bluesky: @ThomasCostello
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State University Athletic Department
Cotie McMahon also talks four quarter mentality and Kevin McGuff gives updates on Kennedy and Jaloni Cambridge.
Throughout the year, Land-Grant Holy Land will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
In an early Saturday morning game, No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomed the in-state Youngstown State Penguins to the Schottenstein Center. Following an 87-39 win for the Buckeyes, the Thierry sisters Taylor and Haley Thierry spoke to the media together.
The twins who competed against each other for the first time in their lives discussed seeing each other at the scorer’s table in the second quarter, Taylor’s block on Haley in the fourth quarter and the size of the crowd who came out to see the fraternal twins play.
Following the sisters, Cotie McMahon joins Thierry to discuss the one-sided Buckeyes win that should have been a larger margin in the eyes of Ohio State. The two lament allowing the Penguins to score 14 points in the first quarter, working towards playing hard for 40 minutes and playing at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Coach McGuff ends the press conference with an update on Kennedy and Jaloni Cambridge’s injuries, who were both out against the Penguins. Plus, what he thought of the intensity level of his team and the growing leadership ability of McMahon.
That and more on the latest “Uncut.”
Connect with Thomas:
Bluesky: @ThomasCostello
Theme music provided by www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State gets run off the court by Auburn, falling to the Tigers 91-53
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Ohio State gets run off the court by Auburn, falling to the Tigers 91-53
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Auburn and Johni Broome showed why they are considered to be one of the top teams in the country, dominating the Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team (6-4, 1-1) traveled to Atlanta and fell 91-53 to the No. 2 Auburn Tigers (9-1, 0-0) on Saturday afternoon after getting down early again and failing to recover.
This was the leadoff game in the Holiday Hoops-giving, and the other games in the event will be Florida against Arizona State and Grand Canyon against Georgia. The Gators and Sun Devils play at 3:30 p.m., and the Grand Canyon Antelopes and Georgia Bulldogs wrap up the college action at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Not many teams, if any, have played a tougher schedule than Auburn. The Tigers have played No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 9 Duke, and Memphis, so they are no stranger to big games. According to KenPom, Auburn was the No. 1 team in the country, No. 1 in offensive efficiency, and No. 22 in defensive efficiency coming into the contest. Ohio State was ranked No. 28 overall, No. 21 in offensive efficiency, and No. 37 in defensive efficiency.
The Buckeyes got off to another slow start in this one, as Auburn made three of its first four baskets. Auburn star Johni Broome got off to a fast start as well, recording 11 points and six rebounds in the first seven minutes of the game as Auburn jumped out to a 15-5 start and then a 22-8 lead.
Auburn stayed hot, making 10 of its first 15 shots from the floor and five of its first seven three-pointers. The Tigers went on a seven-minute scoreless streak, but the Buckeyes could never get enough offense strung together to go on a run and successfully cut into the lead.
Auburn ended the first half on a 13-3 run and pushed the lead all the way to 49-21. The Tigers finished the first half 19-for-39 from the field, 9-for-16 from three-point range, and only 2-for-3 from the free throw line. Ohio State was an abysmal 6-for-24 from the field, 1-for-5 from three-point range, and 8-for-14 from the free-throw line.
Broome was unstoppable, recording 17 points and 14 rebounds in the opening half. He has now recorded a double-double in 26-straight games. Denver Jones added 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting all from three-point range.
The Buckeyes' offense was unable to get going in the first half, with Devin Royal and Sean Stewart leading the team with six points. Royal was 1-for-4 from the field, while Stewart was 2-for-7. Ohio State turned the ball over five times, leading to eight points at the other end.
Auburn pushed its lead to 53-26 in the first three minutes of the second half, with Broome recording a quick three rebounds to get his total to 17. Auburn then recorded two more baskets to push its lead to 30.
With 25 minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers led 59-30 and had recorded 15 points to Ohio State’s two second-chance points. John Mobley Jr. then found Devin Royal for an alley-oop to cut the deficit to 27. Auburn answered with five-straight points to double up the Buckeyes and take a 64-32 lead.
Ohio State never got into a rhythm on offense and remained down by 30 to 35 points throughout the second half. Ohio State’s leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, who was averaging 16.2 points per game coming into the game, only recorded his first points with 4:50 left in the game.
Auburn went on to win the game 91-53.
Johni Broome finished as the MVP, recording 21 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists. This was Broome’s first 20-20 game of the season, coming close once before when he recorded 23 points and 19 rebounds against North Carolina. Denver Jones and Jakhi Howard recorded 14 and 11 points, respectively. Nine Auburn players recorded five or more points.
For Ohio State, Devin Royal finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while Micah Parrish recorded 10 points as the sole Buckeyes to get into double figures.
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justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Auburn and Johni Broome showed why they are considered to be one of the top teams in the country, dominating the Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team (6-4, 1-1) traveled to Atlanta and fell 91-53 to the No. 2 Auburn Tigers (9-1, 0-0) on Saturday afternoon after getting down early again and failing to recover.
This was the leadoff game in the Holiday Hoops-giving, and the other games in the event will be Florida against Arizona State and Grand Canyon against Georgia. The Gators and Sun Devils play at 3:30 p.m., and the Grand Canyon Antelopes and Georgia Bulldogs wrap up the college action at 6:00 p.m. ET.
Not many teams, if any, have played a tougher schedule than Auburn. The Tigers have played No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 9 Duke, and Memphis, so they are no stranger to big games. According to KenPom, Auburn was the No. 1 team in the country, No. 1 in offensive efficiency, and No. 22 in defensive efficiency coming into the contest. Ohio State was ranked No. 28 overall, No. 21 in offensive efficiency, and No. 37 in defensive efficiency.
The Buckeyes got off to another slow start in this one, as Auburn made three of its first four baskets. Auburn star Johni Broome got off to a fast start as well, recording 11 points and six rebounds in the first seven minutes of the game as Auburn jumped out to a 15-5 start and then a 22-8 lead.
Auburn stayed hot, making 10 of its first 15 shots from the floor and five of its first seven three-pointers. The Tigers went on a seven-minute scoreless streak, but the Buckeyes could never get enough offense strung together to go on a run and successfully cut into the lead.
Auburn ended the first half on a 13-3 run and pushed the lead all the way to 49-21. The Tigers finished the first half 19-for-39 from the field, 9-for-16 from three-point range, and only 2-for-3 from the free throw line. Ohio State was an abysmal 6-for-24 from the field, 1-for-5 from three-point range, and 8-for-14 from the free-throw line.
Broome was unstoppable, recording 17 points and 14 rebounds in the opening half. He has now recorded a double-double in 26-straight games. Denver Jones added 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting all from three-point range.
The Buckeyes' offense was unable to get going in the first half, with Devin Royal and Sean Stewart leading the team with six points. Royal was 1-for-4 from the field, while Stewart was 2-for-7. Ohio State turned the ball over five times, leading to eight points at the other end.
Auburn pushed its lead to 53-26 in the first three minutes of the second half, with Broome recording a quick three rebounds to get his total to 17. Auburn then recorded two more baskets to push its lead to 30.
With 25 minutes remaining in the game, the Tigers led 59-30 and had recorded 15 points to Ohio State’s two second-chance points. John Mobley Jr. then found Devin Royal for an alley-oop to cut the deficit to 27. Auburn answered with five-straight points to double up the Buckeyes and take a 64-32 lead.
Ohio State never got into a rhythm on offense and remained down by 30 to 35 points throughout the second half. Ohio State’s leading scorer, Bruce Thornton, who was averaging 16.2 points per game coming into the game, only recorded his first points with 4:50 left in the game.
Auburn went on to win the game 91-53.
Johni Broome finished as the MVP, recording 21 points, 20 rebounds, and six assists. This was Broome’s first 20-20 game of the season, coming close once before when he recorded 23 points and 19 rebounds against North Carolina. Denver Jones and Jakhi Howard recorded 14 and 11 points, respectively. Nine Auburn players recorded five or more points.
For Ohio State, Devin Royal finished with 14 points and five rebounds, while Micah Parrish recorded 10 points as the sole Buckeyes to get into double figures.
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LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Auburn: Game preview and prediction
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Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Auburn: Game preview and prediction
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes will have their hands full in Atlanta as they take on one of the top teams in the country.
After a week off from games, The Ohio State Buckeyes (6-3, 1-1) will head to Atlanta and State Farm Arena for the Holiday Hoopsgiving Event to face the No. 2 Auburn Tigers (8-1).
The other games in the event will be Florida against Arizona State and Grand Canyon against Georgia. The Buckeyes and Tigers kick things off at 1:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Gators and Sun Devils at 3:30. The Grand Canyon Antelopes and Georgia Bulldogs wrap up the college action at 6:00.
Not many teams, if any, have played a tougher schedule than Auburn. The Tigers have played No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 9 Duke, and Memphis.
Their only loss thus far was to Duke in Durham, 84-78. The Tigers still have to play No. 11 Purdue next Saturday, a “neutral” site game in Birmingham, Alabama. Auburn’s last game was a 98-54 thumping of Richmond last Saturday.
Ohio State is coming off a solid bounce-back 80-66 win over Rutgers last weekend after getting blown out by Maryland to open up Big Ten play, which puts the Buckeyes’ Big Ten record at an even 1-1 to start the year.
According to KenPom, Auburn is the No. 1 team in the country, No. 1 in offensive efficiency, and No. 22 in defensive efficiency. Ohio State is ranked No. 28 overall, No. 21 in offensive efficiency, and No. 37 in defensive efficiency.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789546/usa_today_24933457.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The No. 2 ranked Auburn Tigers come into this one led by one of the best players in the country, Johni Broome.
Broome leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks and is averaging 19.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game. He is shooting 56.6 percent from the field and has been one of the most dominant players in the country.
Auburn is a deep team, with seven players averaging at least eight points per game. Chad Baker-Mazara is averaging 13.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Freshman Tahaad Pettiford and Georgia Tech senior transfer Miles Kelly are averaging 11.3 and 11.0 points per game, respectively.
Junior point guard and three-year captain Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes into this contest back in his home state. The standout guard is averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
He has been incredibly efficient, shooting 56 percent from the field, 53 percent from three-point range, and 82 percent from the free-throw line. Thornton also leads the Buckeyes in minutes as the only player to average over 30 minutes a game at 32.7.
Breakout sophomore forward Devin Royal has had a great first nine games of the season, averaging 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 62 percent shooting from the field.
Freshman sensation John Mobley Jr. is averaging 12.9 points per game on 55 percent shooting from three-point range. He is only shooting 49 percent from the field, so he has struggled with finishing at the rim, but has been an offensive spark plug off the bench with his shooting of the deep ball.
Senior transfers Micah Parrish and Meechie Johnson are averaging 10.2 and 9.6 points per game, respectively. Johnson has been decent this year, but he is down almost five points per game from last season, even though his three-point shooting numbers are up.
Sophomore transfer center Aaron Bradshaw is back with the team after missing the last five games due to a university investigation, but it is unclear if he will play in this one, as head coach Jake Diebler said this week that Bradshaw still needs to go through a “return to play” process. The 7-foot-1 center would be useful to help clog the paint against Broome and this talented Auburn frontcourt.
The Buckeyes have shot the ball very well this year, shooting 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the three-point line.
An issue this season has been at the free-throw line, as the Buckeyes are shooting just 67.6 percent from the charity stripe, and only three Buckeyes are shooting over 70 percent from the free-throw line (Thornton, Mobley, Bradshaw).
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25789541/usa_today_24941953.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Richmond at Auburn")
John Reed-Imagn Images
I think the Buckeyes will lose this matchup, but if they can keep it close, it will say a lot about the team.
Simply put, Auburn is one of the best teams in the country and a national title contender, while Ohio State does not look like either of those things thus far. The Buckeyes have had trouble against bigger and more physical teams like Texas A&M and Maryland, and Johni Broome is one of the top players in the country.
I don’t know how the Buckeyes will stop Broome in the paint, even if Aaron Bradshaw plays. If he doesn’t, Broome will likely be able to dictate how this game is played below the basket and have one of his best games of the season.
However, if the Buckeyes can at least keep it close, it will help their confidence moving forward that they can play with a team that has national title hopes.
ESPN BPI: Auburn 77.0%
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
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justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes will have their hands full in Atlanta as they take on one of the top teams in the country.
After a week off from games, The Ohio State Buckeyes (6-3, 1-1) will head to Atlanta and State Farm Arena for the Holiday Hoopsgiving Event to face the No. 2 Auburn Tigers (8-1).
The other games in the event will be Florida against Arizona State and Grand Canyon against Georgia. The Buckeyes and Tigers kick things off at 1:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Gators and Sun Devils at 3:30. The Grand Canyon Antelopes and Georgia Bulldogs wrap up the college action at 6:00.
Not many teams, if any, have played a tougher schedule than Auburn. The Tigers have played No. 4 Houston, No. 5 Iowa State, No. 12 North Carolina, No. 9 Duke, and Memphis.
Their only loss thus far was to Duke in Durham, 84-78. The Tigers still have to play No. 11 Purdue next Saturday, a “neutral” site game in Birmingham, Alabama. Auburn’s last game was a 98-54 thumping of Richmond last Saturday.
Ohio State is coming off a solid bounce-back 80-66 win over Rutgers last weekend after getting blown out by Maryland to open up Big Ten play, which puts the Buckeyes’ Big Ten record at an even 1-1 to start the year.
According to KenPom, Auburn is the No. 1 team in the country, No. 1 in offensive efficiency, and No. 22 in defensive efficiency. Ohio State is ranked No. 28 overall, No. 21 in offensive efficiency, and No. 37 in defensive efficiency.
Preview
The No. 2 ranked Auburn Tigers come into this one led by one of the best players in the country, Johni Broome.
Broome leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks and is averaging 19.6 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game. He is shooting 56.6 percent from the field and has been one of the most dominant players in the country.
Auburn is a deep team, with seven players averaging at least eight points per game. Chad Baker-Mazara is averaging 13.1 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Freshman Tahaad Pettiford and Georgia Tech senior transfer Miles Kelly are averaging 11.3 and 11.0 points per game, respectively.
Junior point guard and three-year captain Bruce Thornton leads the Buckeyes into this contest back in his home state. The standout guard is averaging 16.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.
He has been incredibly efficient, shooting 56 percent from the field, 53 percent from three-point range, and 82 percent from the free-throw line. Thornton also leads the Buckeyes in minutes as the only player to average over 30 minutes a game at 32.7.
Breakout sophomore forward Devin Royal has had a great first nine games of the season, averaging 14.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game on 62 percent shooting from the field.
Freshman sensation John Mobley Jr. is averaging 12.9 points per game on 55 percent shooting from three-point range. He is only shooting 49 percent from the field, so he has struggled with finishing at the rim, but has been an offensive spark plug off the bench with his shooting of the deep ball.
Senior transfers Micah Parrish and Meechie Johnson are averaging 10.2 and 9.6 points per game, respectively. Johnson has been decent this year, but he is down almost five points per game from last season, even though his three-point shooting numbers are up.
Sophomore transfer center Aaron Bradshaw is back with the team after missing the last five games due to a university investigation, but it is unclear if he will play in this one, as head coach Jake Diebler said this week that Bradshaw still needs to go through a “return to play” process. The 7-foot-1 center would be useful to help clog the paint against Broome and this talented Auburn frontcourt.
The Buckeyes have shot the ball very well this year, shooting 50 percent from the field and 42 percent from the three-point line.
An issue this season has been at the free-throw line, as the Buckeyes are shooting just 67.6 percent from the charity stripe, and only three Buckeyes are shooting over 70 percent from the free-throw line (Thornton, Mobley, Bradshaw).
Prediction
I think the Buckeyes will lose this matchup, but if they can keep it close, it will say a lot about the team.
Simply put, Auburn is one of the best teams in the country and a national title contender, while Ohio State does not look like either of those things thus far. The Buckeyes have had trouble against bigger and more physical teams like Texas A&M and Maryland, and Johni Broome is one of the top players in the country.
I don’t know how the Buckeyes will stop Broome in the paint, even if Aaron Bradshaw plays. If he doesn’t, Broome will likely be able to dictate how this game is played below the basket and have one of his best games of the season.
However, if the Buckeyes can at least keep it close, it will help their confidence moving forward that they can play with a team that has national title hopes.
ESPN BPI: Auburn 77.0%
Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
LGHL score prediction: Auburn 84, Ohio State 74
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