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LGHL You’re Nuts: Who is your dream first-round College Football Playoff opponent?
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You’re Nuts: Who is your dream first-round College Football Playoff opponent?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: Who is your dream first-round College Football Playoff opponent for Ohio State?
The Buckeyes (and their fans!) desperately need to do a factory reset after last weekend’s Rivalry Week debacle, and the Tennessee Volunteers are this season’s AppleCare.
The Vols’ 10-win regular season makes them a compelling SEC opponent as a really strong, middle-of-the-pack team. When you’re trying to refocus, sometimes a challenge–but not the hardest possible challenge–is a good thing. It helps you maintain the chip on your shoulder that we see so often in championship teams by forcing you to rise to the occasion while saving some energy for the even harder games coming down the pike.
That chip-on-the-shoulder attitude can make the difference in falling in the first round or winning a title. Consider the 2014 Ohio State team that won a title with a third-string quarterback: They’d faced adversity, people doubted them, and that doubt fueled them.
Talent—which the current group of Buckeyes has in droves—can only take you so far. This team needs to recenter and rediscover that inner fire. Tennessee is the exact team to help them stoke it and bring back their “Championship or Bust” mentality. The Wolverines were not a stop sign; they were a speed bump, and they didn’t ruin our season unless we let them ruin it.
If the current CFP projections hold (they won’t lock until after the conference championship games this weekend), the Buckeyes will get the No. 8 seed and with it, the chance to host the projected No. 9 Vols in the first round (as an aside, it would be only the second meeting between these two programs ever, which feels nuts). It’s a best-case scenario for the Buckeyes.
This is an Ohio State team that just lost a Rivalry Week game in their own home and then brawled their opponents in defense of the field. Coming home for Round One would allow the Buckeyes to reestablish whose house it is, something I think is of particular importance for the seniors who returned to win a championship. The quarterfinals move to bowl game format (Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, etc.), so Round One is the seniors’ last chance to play at home, and they’re highly motivated to leave their home with a win.
Plus, on paper, these are two teams that are almost perfectly matched: Neither team is immune to slow starts or missteps and have proved that sometimes the biggest challenge is staying out of your own way. OSU has struggled with slow starts all season, and Tennessee found themselves in a similar situation as recently as rivalry weekend against Vanderbilt but went on to win handily.
Both teams have high-powered QBs and formidable running backs, though the Vols do, at times, seem to have a Jekyll and Hyde situation at quarterback, with prolific freshman Nico Iamaleava still finding his groove. When he’s on, there’s almost no one better. When he’s off, it opens the door, especially for the Buckeyes’ secondary. He’s had as many as 314 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game to as little as 158 yards and no touchdowns (in the Vols’ loss against Florida).
Sound familiar, OSU fans? Our own Will Howard has had his own hit-and-miss moments, and after the performance against Michigan (for which I hold the coaches primarily responsible but for which Howard still has to account for some miscues), it’s good to see whether he comes out with a vengeance or whether his confidence is a bit shaken.
Conversely, I wouldn’t read too much into Iamaleava being a freshman – at this point, he’s successfully played a tough SEC schedule, but a slow start, especially from him, cracks the door for the Silver Bullets and Jim Knowles to create some magic.
And then there are the running backs: Dylan Sampson at Tennessee has had a lights-out season, breaking multiple program records (including rushing touchdowns with 22 and rushing yards with 1,485 yards). He’ll be an excellent test for the Buckeyes’ defensive line, and it will be nice to see whether they can handle Sampson as easily as they did someone like Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson or if Sampson becomes more of a thorn in their side.
The Buckeyes aren’t lacking at running back either, with a wealth of options between Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson (though so help me God, Chip Kelly better not sit around and try to have them run the ball up the center all game). This bodes well for the Buckeyes as Tennessee has had moments where they’ve struggled to contain the rush (particularly in their game against Kentucky).
Defensively the Vols and the Bucks both teams are tough: The Buckeyes have the fewest points allowed; the Vols contained every team but Vanderbilt to fewer than 20 points. Vanderbilt put up 23. OSU leads the country in red-zone scoring defense, but Tennessee isn’t too far behind them.
Both teams have two losses: One that’s not so terrible, and one that’s pretty embarrassing (OSU’s better loss is better than Tennessee’s better loss, but OSU’s worse loss is worse than Tennessee’s worse loss, so let’s take an average here).
All this to say – these are two very similar football teams, which allows Ohio State to re-establish itself, work out its kinks, and get its act together on its home field.
Now, if you’ve followed along with me here at Land Grant-Holy Land, you know my little brother attended Tennessee, so he and I each root for our own school first and foremost, but in general, my family follows and roots for both teams. I promise that’s not why I’m choosing the Vols, but because of this, a Buckeye matchup in Round One feels particularly win-win for me.
Either my team wins (best-case scenario) or my second-favorite team wins, and if my second-favorite team wins, it also increases the likelihood of a new head coach for the Buckeyes next year. Either way, I like my odds.
Both teams are fighting to prove themselves on a bigger stage. Vols’ head coach Josh Heupel has restored the program to glory, and the Buckeyes need to save face after that loss.
Ultimately, that makes for good football (which is fun to watch as a fan) and sets the Buckeyes up to harness their talent and regain their confidence. If they’re able to do that against a dynamic opponent like the Vols (and bring some dignity back to the Horseshoe), it just might be the gas in the tank these Buckeyes need to go all the way.
In all fairness, I don’t think that this is actually possible given the rankings that the College Football Playoff committee released on Tuesday. The only way that I think it could even be possible is if Texas wins the SEC Championship handily and Tulane and Clemson beat Boise State and SMU respectively in very close — perhaps even controversial fashion; even then, I don’t think it has much more than 2.7238% chance of happening.
Nonetheless, the prompt was our “dream” matchup, so that’s what I’m going with. Now, I realize that there will be a lot of people predicting UGA to win the whole dang thing, but hear me out. While it did come in a loss, one of the most inspired coaching performances that we’ve seen from Ryan Day during the postseason came against Georgia in the Peacoch Bowl following the 2022 season. That was the game in which the Buckeyes came within a field goal of essentially winning the national title.
If there is any team that is going to get the Buckeyes’ — and more importantly the coaching staff’s — attention, it is going to be Kirby Smart’s Dawgs. Despite the regular failures of Day in big games, I still for some reason believe that this year’s team is capable of winning the national title, but there can’t be any of the traditional Ryan Day turtling that we see against marquee opponents.
We know that Day can come up with an A+ offensive game plan against Georgia, and Jim Knowles’ defense is lightyears beyond where it was in his first season in Columbus. So, if Day can get back in his bag and allow Chip Kelly to call a creative game, then I think this is the best opportunity for OSU to begin a championship run on a positive note.
Also, when you throw in the fact that it will likely be a cold-weather game, that makes things even more interesting. Granted, the Buckeyes didn’t fare exactly well in the cold-ish wind and weather in The Horseshoe against Michigan, but now that they’ve got that out of their system and Day has (hopefully) seen the monumental error of his ways, there should be a decided Buckeye advantage over the SEC stalwarts.
Admittedly, I used to live not too too far from Athens, Georgia and it does get cold there, so the Dawgs will likely be able to practice in weather at least somewhat colder than a team from South Florida would be able to, but it certainly nothing approaching the mid-teens and low-20s.
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Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: Who is your dream first-round College Football Playoff opponent for Ohio State?
Jami’s Take: Tennessee in Columbus
The Buckeyes (and their fans!) desperately need to do a factory reset after last weekend’s Rivalry Week debacle, and the Tennessee Volunteers are this season’s AppleCare.
The Vols’ 10-win regular season makes them a compelling SEC opponent as a really strong, middle-of-the-pack team. When you’re trying to refocus, sometimes a challenge–but not the hardest possible challenge–is a good thing. It helps you maintain the chip on your shoulder that we see so often in championship teams by forcing you to rise to the occasion while saving some energy for the even harder games coming down the pike.
That chip-on-the-shoulder attitude can make the difference in falling in the first round or winning a title. Consider the 2014 Ohio State team that won a title with a third-string quarterback: They’d faced adversity, people doubted them, and that doubt fueled them.
Talent—which the current group of Buckeyes has in droves—can only take you so far. This team needs to recenter and rediscover that inner fire. Tennessee is the exact team to help them stoke it and bring back their “Championship or Bust” mentality. The Wolverines were not a stop sign; they were a speed bump, and they didn’t ruin our season unless we let them ruin it.
If the current CFP projections hold (they won’t lock until after the conference championship games this weekend), the Buckeyes will get the No. 8 seed and with it, the chance to host the projected No. 9 Vols in the first round (as an aside, it would be only the second meeting between these two programs ever, which feels nuts). It’s a best-case scenario for the Buckeyes.
This is an Ohio State team that just lost a Rivalry Week game in their own home and then brawled their opponents in defense of the field. Coming home for Round One would allow the Buckeyes to reestablish whose house it is, something I think is of particular importance for the seniors who returned to win a championship. The quarterfinals move to bowl game format (Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, etc.), so Round One is the seniors’ last chance to play at home, and they’re highly motivated to leave their home with a win.
Plus, on paper, these are two teams that are almost perfectly matched: Neither team is immune to slow starts or missteps and have proved that sometimes the biggest challenge is staying out of your own way. OSU has struggled with slow starts all season, and Tennessee found themselves in a similar situation as recently as rivalry weekend against Vanderbilt but went on to win handily.
Both teams have high-powered QBs and formidable running backs, though the Vols do, at times, seem to have a Jekyll and Hyde situation at quarterback, with prolific freshman Nico Iamaleava still finding his groove. When he’s on, there’s almost no one better. When he’s off, it opens the door, especially for the Buckeyes’ secondary. He’s had as many as 314 yards and 3 touchdowns in a game to as little as 158 yards and no touchdowns (in the Vols’ loss against Florida).
Sound familiar, OSU fans? Our own Will Howard has had his own hit-and-miss moments, and after the performance against Michigan (for which I hold the coaches primarily responsible but for which Howard still has to account for some miscues), it’s good to see whether he comes out with a vengeance or whether his confidence is a bit shaken.
Conversely, I wouldn’t read too much into Iamaleava being a freshman – at this point, he’s successfully played a tough SEC schedule, but a slow start, especially from him, cracks the door for the Silver Bullets and Jim Knowles to create some magic.
And then there are the running backs: Dylan Sampson at Tennessee has had a lights-out season, breaking multiple program records (including rushing touchdowns with 22 and rushing yards with 1,485 yards). He’ll be an excellent test for the Buckeyes’ defensive line, and it will be nice to see whether they can handle Sampson as easily as they did someone like Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson or if Sampson becomes more of a thorn in their side.
The Buckeyes aren’t lacking at running back either, with a wealth of options between Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson (though so help me God, Chip Kelly better not sit around and try to have them run the ball up the center all game). This bodes well for the Buckeyes as Tennessee has had moments where they’ve struggled to contain the rush (particularly in their game against Kentucky).
Defensively the Vols and the Bucks both teams are tough: The Buckeyes have the fewest points allowed; the Vols contained every team but Vanderbilt to fewer than 20 points. Vanderbilt put up 23. OSU leads the country in red-zone scoring defense, but Tennessee isn’t too far behind them.
Both teams have two losses: One that’s not so terrible, and one that’s pretty embarrassing (OSU’s better loss is better than Tennessee’s better loss, but OSU’s worse loss is worse than Tennessee’s worse loss, so let’s take an average here).
All this to say – these are two very similar football teams, which allows Ohio State to re-establish itself, work out its kinks, and get its act together on its home field.
Now, if you’ve followed along with me here at Land Grant-Holy Land, you know my little brother attended Tennessee, so he and I each root for our own school first and foremost, but in general, my family follows and roots for both teams. I promise that’s not why I’m choosing the Vols, but because of this, a Buckeye matchup in Round One feels particularly win-win for me.
Either my team wins (best-case scenario) or my second-favorite team wins, and if my second-favorite team wins, it also increases the likelihood of a new head coach for the Buckeyes next year. Either way, I like my odds.
Both teams are fighting to prove themselves on a bigger stage. Vols’ head coach Josh Heupel has restored the program to glory, and the Buckeyes need to save face after that loss.
Ultimately, that makes for good football (which is fun to watch as a fan) and sets the Buckeyes up to harness their talent and regain their confidence. If they’re able to do that against a dynamic opponent like the Vols (and bring some dignity back to the Horseshoe), it just might be the gas in the tank these Buckeyes need to go all the way.
Matt’s Take: Georgia in Columbus
In all fairness, I don’t think that this is actually possible given the rankings that the College Football Playoff committee released on Tuesday. The only way that I think it could even be possible is if Texas wins the SEC Championship handily and Tulane and Clemson beat Boise State and SMU respectively in very close — perhaps even controversial fashion; even then, I don’t think it has much more than 2.7238% chance of happening.
Nonetheless, the prompt was our “dream” matchup, so that’s what I’m going with. Now, I realize that there will be a lot of people predicting UGA to win the whole dang thing, but hear me out. While it did come in a loss, one of the most inspired coaching performances that we’ve seen from Ryan Day during the postseason came against Georgia in the Peacoch Bowl following the 2022 season. That was the game in which the Buckeyes came within a field goal of essentially winning the national title.
If there is any team that is going to get the Buckeyes’ — and more importantly the coaching staff’s — attention, it is going to be Kirby Smart’s Dawgs. Despite the regular failures of Day in big games, I still for some reason believe that this year’s team is capable of winning the national title, but there can’t be any of the traditional Ryan Day turtling that we see against marquee opponents.
We know that Day can come up with an A+ offensive game plan against Georgia, and Jim Knowles’ defense is lightyears beyond where it was in his first season in Columbus. So, if Day can get back in his bag and allow Chip Kelly to call a creative game, then I think this is the best opportunity for OSU to begin a championship run on a positive note.
Also, when you throw in the fact that it will likely be a cold-weather game, that makes things even more interesting. Granted, the Buckeyes didn’t fare exactly well in the cold-ish wind and weather in The Horseshoe against Michigan, but now that they’ve got that out of their system and Day has (hopefully) seen the monumental error of his ways, there should be a decided Buckeye advantage over the SEC stalwarts.
Admittedly, I used to live not too too far from Athens, Georgia and it does get cold there, so the Dawgs will likely be able to practice in weather at least somewhat colder than a team from South Florida would be able to, but it certainly nothing approaching the mid-teens and low-20s.
Let us know who you are agreeing with:
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LGHL You’re Nuts: Is Saturday’s game against Rutgers a must-win for Ohio State?
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You’re Nuts: Is Saturday’s game against Rutgers a must-win for 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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State has lost two in a row and will face No. 2 Auburn after they play Rutgers.
Boy, the vibes sure have taken a sharp downturn in Columbus since last Thursday, eh?
The Ohio State men’s basketball team and the Ohio State football team have combined to go 0-3 over the last seven days, with a fourth straight loss to Michigan, a buzzer-beating loss to Pitt after leading by four with eight seconds left, and a blowout loss to Maryland that saw the Terrapins lead by as much as 40 points in the second half.
Yikes.
But alas, the sun rose today, and whichever Ohio State team you’re most drawn to at the moment, they’ve got an opportunity to make things right.
Last week, Connor and Justin picked which Big Ten men’s basketball programs were several different Thanksgiving side dishes, including green beans, sweet potato casserole, and a few others. Connor won three out of the five polls, with Justin’s only popular answer being the Michigan State to turkey comparison.
Connor- 82
Ohio State faces Rutgers on Saturday. It’s a noon game, and one of just three weekend home games that Ohio State gets this season.
The Scarlet Knights are bringing future lottery picks Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who are averaging a combined 42.6 points per game. With both teams riding two-game losing streaks, this is a big game for both teams.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25776062/usa_today_24873886.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
From a vibes standpoint, this game feels like a must-win game. You don’t want to be riding a three-game losing streak before you go face No. 2 Auburn in Atlanta, which is a neutral site but not really a “neutral” site. There’s a real chance Ohio State loses this game and also Auburn to fall to 5-5, which would be the worst 10-game start to the season since the 2015-2016 season.
But in reality, games don’t become “must-win” until your NCAA Tournament hopes or season are on the line. There are 23 games remaining until the Big Ten Tournament begins. If Ohio State loses this game, they’ll be 5-4 on the season and 0-2 in the Big Ten. 10-10 probably gets you into the NCAA Tournament (throwing a blind dart there), so Ohio State would need to go 10-8 over the next 18 Big Ten games to have a chance to dance.
Last year, Ohio State started 3-9 in Big Ten play and ended up being one win away from possibly making the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team one month later. So even though December could start out a bit rough, the Buckeyes will have three entire months to pick up wins and sweeten the NCAA Tournament resume.
If I was Bruce Thornton and the gang, I would very much consider winning this game to make things a little bit easier on yourselves. But if the ball doesn’t bounce your way on Sunday, I don’t think Ohio State’s goals suddenly become impossible to reach.
It is hard to say anything is a must-win in December on game nine out of 30, but after what happened on Black Friday against Pittsburgh and then Wednesday in College Park against Maryland, the Buckeyes have to turn this around fast.
Bad losses can snowball, and the Buckeyes pretty much only have toss-ups or tough games remaining. A week after tomorrow’s Rutgers game, Ohio State will take on Auburn, and then Kentucky one week after that. Those are two of the top teams in the country, and their physicality and frontcourts will make life hard on the Buckeyes.
If they lose to Rutgers, Auburn, and Kentucky, they will be 6-6 and will not have confidence or momentum heading into Big Ten conference play.
The Big Ten is a true toss-up this season. There are 14-15 teams that could make the tournament, but no one has played well enough to be at the top of the conference yet. It will be difficult to win 12-13 games in the conference this year because it is deep with at least good teams.
The Buckeyes will be way behind the eight ball if they start 0-2 in conference with a loss Saturday to Rutgers.
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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 via Imagn Images
Ohio State has lost two in a row and will face No. 2 Auburn after they play Rutgers.
Boy, the vibes sure have taken a sharp downturn in Columbus since last Thursday, eh?
The Ohio State men’s basketball team and the Ohio State football team have combined to go 0-3 over the last seven days, with a fourth straight loss to Michigan, a buzzer-beating loss to Pitt after leading by four with eight seconds left, and a blowout loss to Maryland that saw the Terrapins lead by as much as 40 points in the second half.
Yikes.
But alas, the sun rose today, and whichever Ohio State team you’re most drawn to at the moment, they’ve got an opportunity to make things right.
Last week, Connor and Justin picked which Big Ten men’s basketball programs were several different Thanksgiving side dishes, including green beans, sweet potato casserole, and a few others. Connor won three out of the five polls, with Justin’s only popular answer being the Michigan State to turkey comparison.
After 181 weeks:
Connor- 82
Justin- 76
Other- 18
(There have been five ties)
Ohio State faces Rutgers on Saturday. It’s a noon game, and one of just three weekend home games that Ohio State gets this season.
The Scarlet Knights are bringing future lottery picks Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who are averaging a combined 42.6 points per game. With both teams riding two-game losing streaks, this is a big game for both teams.
This week’s question: Is Saturday’s game against Rutgers a must-win game for Ohio State?
Connor: No
From a vibes standpoint, this game feels like a must-win game. You don’t want to be riding a three-game losing streak before you go face No. 2 Auburn in Atlanta, which is a neutral site but not really a “neutral” site. There’s a real chance Ohio State loses this game and also Auburn to fall to 5-5, which would be the worst 10-game start to the season since the 2015-2016 season.
But in reality, games don’t become “must-win” until your NCAA Tournament hopes or season are on the line. There are 23 games remaining until the Big Ten Tournament begins. If Ohio State loses this game, they’ll be 5-4 on the season and 0-2 in the Big Ten. 10-10 probably gets you into the NCAA Tournament (throwing a blind dart there), so Ohio State would need to go 10-8 over the next 18 Big Ten games to have a chance to dance.
Last year, Ohio State started 3-9 in Big Ten play and ended up being one win away from possibly making the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team one month later. So even though December could start out a bit rough, the Buckeyes will have three entire months to pick up wins and sweeten the NCAA Tournament resume.
If I was Bruce Thornton and the gang, I would very much consider winning this game to make things a little bit easier on yourselves. But if the ball doesn’t bounce your way on Sunday, I don’t think Ohio State’s goals suddenly become impossible to reach.
Justin: Yes
It is hard to say anything is a must-win in December on game nine out of 30, but after what happened on Black Friday against Pittsburgh and then Wednesday in College Park against Maryland, the Buckeyes have to turn this around fast.
Bad losses can snowball, and the Buckeyes pretty much only have toss-ups or tough games remaining. A week after tomorrow’s Rutgers game, Ohio State will take on Auburn, and then Kentucky one week after that. Those are two of the top teams in the country, and their physicality and frontcourts will make life hard on the Buckeyes.
If they lose to Rutgers, Auburn, and Kentucky, they will be 6-6 and will not have confidence or momentum heading into Big Ten conference play.
The Big Ten is a true toss-up this season. There are 14-15 teams that could make the tournament, but no one has played well enough to be at the top of the conference yet. It will be difficult to win 12-13 games in the conference this year because it is deep with at least good teams.
The Buckeyes will be way behind the eight ball if they start 0-2 in conference with a loss Saturday to Rutgers.
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LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball is in crisis at the center position
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Ohio State men’s basketball is in crisis at the center position
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes have no reliable options at the position right now, with no clear fixes.
There’s a song written by Maren Morris in 2019 called “The Bones” that speaks broadly to the importance of a strong foundation – whether that’s a relationship, a home, or anything else. If the “bones” of that thing are strong, the other stuff doesn’t matter too much. A strong foundation is everything.
“If the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.”
And right now, the bones of this Ohio state men’s basketball team are quivering and ready to shatter. Ohio State is in crisis right now at the center position, and it needs to be addressed by, well, two nights ago, really.
Jake Diebler’s first Ohio State team entered the season with several options at center, but none of them were known commodities.
Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart were both elite high school talents but didn’t blossom as freshmen playing at prime-time programs Kentucky and Duke. Ivan Njegovan was a late addition to the team this summer, and his experience playing professionally and ability to stretch the floor was enticing to the coaching staff. Austin Parks has the size to hang in the Big Ten and was recruited by most Big Ten programs, but barely got any opportunity last season to prove he’s able to contribute at this level.
The 5-3 Buckeyes are only four weeks into the season, and the bottom has completely fallen out at that position. The bones are not good right now, and it’s got the team scrambling to prevent an early season free fall.
Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game through the first four games of the season before becoming the focus of a university investigation in late November. The team has only said that he is going through a “university process” and is not participating in any team activities.
A week later, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Bradshaw is being investigated for a potential “domestic incident” at his off-campus residence the prior week. As of Thursday night, no charges had been filed against Bradshaw.
However, the university’s “internal process” is still ongoing, and according to Diebler, there is no timetable for him to return. Even if Bradshaw were to return, he has not practiced in over two weeks now. His return would be massive, but it’s hard to see him stepping back in and not having to shake off some rust – if he returns at all.
Stewart, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been forced to slide over and become the starting center in Bradshaw’s absence. While he’s had moments of defensive brilliance that drew effusive praise from Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb last month, his offensive game is undeveloped, and he’s been shackled with foul trouble in five of the seven games he’s played in.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25775824/usa_today_24873845.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Through seven games, Stewart is averaging one foul every 5.3 minutes played. He’s picked up four fouls four different times this year, and because of that has only averaged 16.4 minutes per game and has played more than 20 minutes one time.
So, what does Diebler have left in reserve with Bradshaw out indefinitely and Stewart on the bench in foul trouble more often than not?
Austin Parks set a career-high with 18 minutes played in Ohio State’s blowout loss to Maryland on Wednesday. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound sophomore grabbed three rebounds and recorded two assists, but did not score.
In his defense, it was only the second time in his career he played more than 10 minutes in a game. He’ll continue to learn, but right now Ohio State doesn’t have time on their side. At this moment in time, Parks does not look ready to assume a substantial role for Ohio State.
And, despite some summer rumblings that he could be ready to contribute right away, 7-foot-1 Croatian center Ivan Njegovan doesn’t look ready for Big Ten basketball yet. He’s appeared in five games so far, totaling 20 minutes.
Even despite Meechie Johnson’s slow start, Ohio State has the talent on this team to make the NCAA Tournament, and dare I say win a game or two? Bruce Thornton has elevated his game to a new level and looks like a leading candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year, if he keeps it up. The upstart combination of Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. have combined for 27.2 points per game.
But Ohio State has nothing happening on the interior — offensively or defensively. Aside from Royal, they don’t have anyone who can throw their weight around in the paint from time to time and score those high-percentage baskets. Defensively, Stewart is the only capable post defender they’ve got left, and he cannot stay on the floor for more than five minutes without picking up a foul.
If Ohio State opts to double the post, it leaves opponents open for easy three-pointers. If they leave their guys on an island against elite centers like Derik Queen, they’ll give up easy baskets that way. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
When Diebler brought in the combo of Stewart and Bradshaw, fans applauded the staff for going after blue-chip, five-star talent. Zed Key and Felix Okpara were fan favorites, but Stewart and Bradshaw undoubtedly have higher long-term ceilings.
There was no way to know what would happen with Bradshaw this season, and certainly nobody expected him to be away from the team indefinitely at any point. It’s unfortunate. Ohio State is in a bind, and there’s no way to patch it together with external options like it’s the NBA — Diebler and his staff have to figure it out in-house.
Maybe Bradshaw will come back at some point, and air traffic control can turn off the mayday signal that’s being sent from Columbus. But until we’re told otherwise, the Ohio State coaching staff has no choice but to move around the pieces they have and cover the paint in Bradshaw’s absence.
Right now, the bones aren’t good, so everything else does matter. With Rutgers coming to town on Saturday afternoon, we’ll see how the Buckeyes choose to piece it together, and who — if anyone — steps up.
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
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
The Buckeyes have no reliable options at the position right now, with no clear fixes.
There’s a song written by Maren Morris in 2019 called “The Bones” that speaks broadly to the importance of a strong foundation – whether that’s a relationship, a home, or anything else. If the “bones” of that thing are strong, the other stuff doesn’t matter too much. A strong foundation is everything.
“If the bones are good, the rest don’t matter.”
And right now, the bones of this Ohio state men’s basketball team are quivering and ready to shatter. Ohio State is in crisis right now at the center position, and it needs to be addressed by, well, two nights ago, really.
Jake Diebler’s first Ohio State team entered the season with several options at center, but none of them were known commodities.
Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart were both elite high school talents but didn’t blossom as freshmen playing at prime-time programs Kentucky and Duke. Ivan Njegovan was a late addition to the team this summer, and his experience playing professionally and ability to stretch the floor was enticing to the coaching staff. Austin Parks has the size to hang in the Big Ten and was recruited by most Big Ten programs, but barely got any opportunity last season to prove he’s able to contribute at this level.
The 5-3 Buckeyes are only four weeks into the season, and the bottom has completely fallen out at that position. The bones are not good right now, and it’s got the team scrambling to prevent an early season free fall.
Bradshaw, a 7-foot-1 sophomore, averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game through the first four games of the season before becoming the focus of a university investigation in late November. The team has only said that he is going through a “university process” and is not participating in any team activities.
A week later, the Columbus Dispatch reported that Bradshaw is being investigated for a potential “domestic incident” at his off-campus residence the prior week. As of Thursday night, no charges had been filed against Bradshaw.
However, the university’s “internal process” is still ongoing, and according to Diebler, there is no timetable for him to return. Even if Bradshaw were to return, he has not practiced in over two weeks now. His return would be massive, but it’s hard to see him stepping back in and not having to shake off some rust – if he returns at all.
Stewart, a 6-foot-9 forward, has been forced to slide over and become the starting center in Bradshaw’s absence. While he’s had moments of defensive brilliance that drew effusive praise from Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb last month, his offensive game is undeveloped, and he’s been shackled with foul trouble in five of the seven games he’s played in.
Through seven games, Stewart is averaging one foul every 5.3 minutes played. He’s picked up four fouls four different times this year, and because of that has only averaged 16.4 minutes per game and has played more than 20 minutes one time.
So, what does Diebler have left in reserve with Bradshaw out indefinitely and Stewart on the bench in foul trouble more often than not?
Austin Parks set a career-high with 18 minutes played in Ohio State’s blowout loss to Maryland on Wednesday. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound sophomore grabbed three rebounds and recorded two assists, but did not score.
In his defense, it was only the second time in his career he played more than 10 minutes in a game. He’ll continue to learn, but right now Ohio State doesn’t have time on their side. At this moment in time, Parks does not look ready to assume a substantial role for Ohio State.
And, despite some summer rumblings that he could be ready to contribute right away, 7-foot-1 Croatian center Ivan Njegovan doesn’t look ready for Big Ten basketball yet. He’s appeared in five games so far, totaling 20 minutes.
Even despite Meechie Johnson’s slow start, Ohio State has the talent on this team to make the NCAA Tournament, and dare I say win a game or two? Bruce Thornton has elevated his game to a new level and looks like a leading candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year, if he keeps it up. The upstart combination of Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. have combined for 27.2 points per game.
But Ohio State has nothing happening on the interior — offensively or defensively. Aside from Royal, they don’t have anyone who can throw their weight around in the paint from time to time and score those high-percentage baskets. Defensively, Stewart is the only capable post defender they’ve got left, and he cannot stay on the floor for more than five minutes without picking up a foul.
If Ohio State opts to double the post, it leaves opponents open for easy three-pointers. If they leave their guys on an island against elite centers like Derik Queen, they’ll give up easy baskets that way. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
When Diebler brought in the combo of Stewart and Bradshaw, fans applauded the staff for going after blue-chip, five-star talent. Zed Key and Felix Okpara were fan favorites, but Stewart and Bradshaw undoubtedly have higher long-term ceilings.
There was no way to know what would happen with Bradshaw this season, and certainly nobody expected him to be away from the team indefinitely at any point. It’s unfortunate. Ohio State is in a bind, and there’s no way to patch it together with external options like it’s the NBA — Diebler and his staff have to figure it out in-house.
Maybe Bradshaw will come back at some point, and air traffic control can turn off the mayday signal that’s being sent from Columbus. But until we’re told otherwise, the Ohio State coaching staff has no choice but to move around the pieces they have and cover the paint in Bradshaw’s absence.
Right now, the bones aren’t good, so everything else does matter. With Rutgers coming to town on Saturday afternoon, we’ll see how the Buckeyes choose to piece it together, and who — if anyone — steps up.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State inks 26th member of 2025 class, but fails to flip two top tackle targets
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Ohio State inks 26th member of 2025 class, but fails to flip two top tackle 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
Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes hang tough and sign defensive line commit Jarquez Carter.
Signing 25 guys on Wednesday, the Buckeyes saw their fair share of news as they added two players to the fold, but also lost one of major importance. For the most part though, Wednesday went as planned and that makes for some easier planning moving forward.
Thursday helping cement the class with the one commit left making it official, and now the 2025 class is basically in the rearview mirror. The College Football Playoff and the transfer portal being the next areas to focus heavily on, Ohio State has zero downtime in the coming weeks as they’ll not only look to right their regular season ending wrongs, but also take care of roster management that is crucial if this team wants to be successful next fall.
Without further hesitation, here’s what Thursday had to bring on the recruiting front both good and bad.
As mentioned, basically all of the work the Buckeyes needed to complete for this 2025 class was taken care of on Wednesday thanks to 25 members signing with Ohio State. Waiting for the 26th commit to join the fold, the staff didn’t receive the signature of Florida native defensive line commit, Jarquez Carter on Wednesday like the others.
The No. 277 player nationally and 28th best defensive lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, making sure Carter remained in the fold was a huge priority for the Buckeyes knowing their crucial need for depth in his position group. Maybe not a major threat to leave the class, the reasoning for Carter’s delay was due to his signing ceremony being on Thursday rather than Wednesday. That said, seeing the four other hats on the table during his presentation and knowing other programs were trying to flip him late still caused plenty of reason for concern.
Fortunately, Ohio State avoided disaster when Carter stuck with his Buckeye commitment and made it official with his signature. The final commit for this class, it does look as if the Buckeyes are done with high school recruits and will now shift their focus solely to the transfer portal. With plenty of needs to be met, the attrition already being seen has to be taken care of. Sure, the playoff game(s) are top priority, but if this staff knows what’s good for them they will attack the portal harder than they ever have, and especially when it comes to the trenches on both sides of the ball.
When Ohio State had the surprise visit of David Sanders Jr. for the Indiana game, it was not only a shock, but also a chance for the Buckeyes to potentially get back into the mix for the No. 5 player nationally and top tackle in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. The claim all along was that this wasn’t a money grab from the Sanders camp and that there really was a reason to visit Columbus this late in the process, but of course that remained to be seen considering he was still very much committed to Tennessee.
On Wednesday, the hope was there for some slight chance at flipping Sanders away from the Vols when news broke that he would not be signing that day, but Thursday’s update felt par for the course this recruiting cycle as once again the hope was gone thanks to Sanders Jr. officially signing with Tennessee and keeping his commitment with the Vols.
Regardless of reason, this feels like it was his family’s chance at increasing the NIL potential, and if that’s the case that’s just the college football landscape currently. Losing out as the runner-up earlier this fall for the top offensive tackle in the country was hard enough, and seeing him stick with his commitment is just as tough to go through.
As if the Sanders Jr. signing wasnt enough, the recruitment of Josh Petty reared it’s head again as he too had some late antics that saw him not sign with Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
The No. 52 player nationally and eighth best offensive tackle in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Petty was reportedly hearing from multiple programs up until the final minutes, and Thursday he chose to like Sanders Jr. stick with his original decision and sign with Georgia Tech.
Two misses for the Buckeyes this cycle, it goes back to the theme that has become apparent the last couple of cycles. Ohio State does have good players that they’ve landed on the offensive line, but the top national targets seem to always go elsewhere regardless of who the position coach is.
Further proof to the transfer portal needing to be watched closer than ever, these next few weeks will be very telling as to where this program is headed from a trenches stance.
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
Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes hang tough and sign defensive line commit Jarquez Carter.
Signing 25 guys on Wednesday, the Buckeyes saw their fair share of news as they added two players to the fold, but also lost one of major importance. For the most part though, Wednesday went as planned and that makes for some easier planning moving forward.
Thursday helping cement the class with the one commit left making it official, and now the 2025 class is basically in the rearview mirror. The College Football Playoff and the transfer portal being the next areas to focus heavily on, Ohio State has zero downtime in the coming weeks as they’ll not only look to right their regular season ending wrongs, but also take care of roster management that is crucial if this team wants to be successful next fall.
Without further hesitation, here’s what Thursday had to bring on the recruiting front both good and bad.
26th member makes it official for Ohio State
As mentioned, basically all of the work the Buckeyes needed to complete for this 2025 class was taken care of on Wednesday thanks to 25 members signing with Ohio State. Waiting for the 26th commit to join the fold, the staff didn’t receive the signature of Florida native defensive line commit, Jarquez Carter on Wednesday like the others.
The No. 277 player nationally and 28th best defensive lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, making sure Carter remained in the fold was a huge priority for the Buckeyes knowing their crucial need for depth in his position group. Maybe not a major threat to leave the class, the reasoning for Carter’s delay was due to his signing ceremony being on Thursday rather than Wednesday. That said, seeing the four other hats on the table during his presentation and knowing other programs were trying to flip him late still caused plenty of reason for concern.
Fortunately, Ohio State avoided disaster when Carter stuck with his Buckeye commitment and made it official with his signature. The final commit for this class, it does look as if the Buckeyes are done with high school recruits and will now shift their focus solely to the transfer portal. With plenty of needs to be met, the attrition already being seen has to be taken care of. Sure, the playoff game(s) are top priority, but if this staff knows what’s good for them they will attack the portal harder than they ever have, and especially when it comes to the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Strike one and two for late heroics on the offensive line
When Ohio State had the surprise visit of David Sanders Jr. for the Indiana game, it was not only a shock, but also a chance for the Buckeyes to potentially get back into the mix for the No. 5 player nationally and top tackle in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. The claim all along was that this wasn’t a money grab from the Sanders camp and that there really was a reason to visit Columbus this late in the process, but of course that remained to be seen considering he was still very much committed to Tennessee.
On Wednesday, the hope was there for some slight chance at flipping Sanders away from the Vols when news broke that he would not be signing that day, but Thursday’s update felt par for the course this recruiting cycle as once again the hope was gone thanks to Sanders Jr. officially signing with Tennessee and keeping his commitment with the Vols.
Regardless of reason, this feels like it was his family’s chance at increasing the NIL potential, and if that’s the case that’s just the college football landscape currently. Losing out as the runner-up earlier this fall for the top offensive tackle in the country was hard enough, and seeing him stick with his commitment is just as tough to go through.
As if the Sanders Jr. signing wasnt enough, the recruitment of Josh Petty reared it’s head again as he too had some late antics that saw him not sign with Georgia Tech on Wednesday.
The No. 52 player nationally and eighth best offensive tackle in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Petty was reportedly hearing from multiple programs up until the final minutes, and Thursday he chose to like Sanders Jr. stick with his original decision and sign with Georgia Tech.
Two misses for the Buckeyes this cycle, it goes back to the theme that has become apparent the last couple of cycles. Ohio State does have good players that they’ve landed on the offensive line, but the top national targets seem to always go elsewhere regardless of who the position coach is.
Further proof to the transfer portal needing to be watched closer than ever, these next few weeks will be very telling as to where this program is headed from a trenches stance.
Continue reading...
LGHL Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomes No. 21 Illinois
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Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomes No. 21 Illinois
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes have the Illini’s number in recent years, but how does a new look Ohio State match up, and will Cotie McMahon play?
It’s been a long non-conference slate for Ohio State women’s basketball without a power conference opponent. After seven games, the Buckeyes are a perfect 7-0, with minor scrapes to show for it from a trip to Belmont. Aside from that narrow victory, it’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Scarlet and Gray. That changes Sunday when the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini come to town.
While the game only teases the Big Ten calendar, with non-conference games returning on the other side of the afternoon matchup, it gives a glimpse into who this Ohio State team will be once the competition increases.
Here are five things to watch this weekend.
The last four games of the season have been without star forward Cotie McMahon. Picking up a lower leg injury on her right leg in practice, McMahon’s been in a boot and supporting the Buckeyes from the sidelines.
On Wednesday, Ohio State showed a first glimpse of McMahon’s possible return.
While the visuals elicit excitement for Ohio State fans, it’s a sign of progress, not a sign of an imminent return.
“She’s in practice and still kind of day-to-day but she’s made significant progress so I think we’ll be in a good position with her,” said head coach Kevin McGuff.
Should McMahon continue to be out on Sunday, which won’t be released by the conference until Sunday afternoon, Ohio State will continue with guard Kennedy Cambridge playing in the third guard role, with Taylor Thierry playing forward.
Just because McMahon isn’t on the court, doesn’t mean the players on the Buckeyes don’t benefit from having the forward around. In McMahon’s junior season, she’s grown into a leader on the team and brings the same desire and passion off the bench.
“When we coming out the game, even on timeouts when she feels that we’re not living up to the standard or playing as hard as we can,” said forward Ajae Petty. “She’s always talking and being encouraging and different things like that.”
Ohio State would rather have the upperclassmen on the court, especially against an Illinois group that’s full of seniority of their own. The Fighting Illini regularly start five seniors, and three are in their fifth years.
An element of playing the teams on Ohio State’s schedule is running into the occasional lull.
After the tip, teams bring intensity and their game plan to the Buckeyes, and Ohio State matches it. In most games this year, they’ve exceeded it, creating large deficits in the first half that ultimately end in victories.
Coming out of the halftime locker room, opponents bring a renewed intensity and have run into Buckeye teams who are sitting on sometimes leads over 20 points, which turns into opponents battling back. Maybe not in terms of erasing deficits, but going on sustained runs that take Ohio State time to break through.
In six of seven games this season, opponents have their best scoring quarters in the third quarter.
Against Utah State on Friday, Ohio State allowed 18 first-half points, and then 17 in the third quarter. Against Old Dominion on Thanksgiving day, it was a staunch defensive performance allowing 14 first-half points with the Monarchs scoring 18 in the third.
This stretches back through the non-conference schedule, with four opponents either matching or outscoring their entire first-half productivity in the 10 minutes following halftime.
I think we’ve shown that we can be really good but I still don’t think we’re anywhere close to what we’re capable of being and I think a lot of it has to do with consistency,” said McGuff. “It’s just we have a lot of new people where what we do is new to them and so we look good at times but we don’t sustain it for as long as we have in years past with older more mature teams.”
Ohio State’s eventually knocked off the cobwebs and hit their stride to recover from any sort of letdown, but the game against the Belmont Bruins shows it takes longer with a group who’s only played together for a few months.
The Buckeyes couldn’t string together an effective offense and when that third-quarter slump hit, there was only a four-point lead that the Bruins turned into a nine-point fourth-quarter lead.
Guard Jaloni Cambridge and the Scarlet and Gray showed that high level of talent to erase it and come away with the victory, but they won’t have the same luxury against Big Ten teams.
Now, the history between Ohio State and Illinois shows that even mature teams can go down to this side. In the 22-23 season, the Buckeyes needed a 17-point comeback in the second half to come away with the victory. Can this new iteration afford to allow the same kind of deficit to build and expect to win?
The Buckeyes have mostly had their way with Illinois over the past four seasons, but regardless of the final score, forward Kendall Bostic has a great game.
Here are Bostic’s stat lines against Ohio State over the past three seasons:
Jan. 6, 2022: 11 points/16 rebounds
Feb. 14, 2022: 12 points/16 rebounds
Jan. 8, 2023: 27 points/15 rebounds
Jan. 25, 2024: 13 points/18 rebounds
To put it lightly — no one’s stopped Bostic on the Buckeyes.
Bostic averages more rebounds per game against Ohio State than any of the other 16 teams in the Big Ten but the Buckeyes might finally have the personnel to slow her down.
Combining graduate forward Ajae Petty and freshman Elsa Lemmilä has given Ohio State a presence inside that they haven’t seen since the days of Aaliyah Patty and Dorka Juhász. Petty and Lemmilä average 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 rebounds collectively, with no Ohio State player averaging more than seven in the past three seasons.
Offensively, Petty’s come into her own over the past week of Buckeye games, scoring a season-high in points against Old Dominion (24) with her first double-double in scarlet and gray. Petty followed it up with a 19-point, nine-rebound game against the Utah State Aggies.
For Lemmilä, the 6-foot-6 center is still working on consistently offensively but defensively uses her size to her advantage, sitting seventh in the Big Ten with 16 blocks, all coming from a bench role.
Between the two, the Buckeyes rarely lack size on the court but how will they respond in a big game situation like facing their first conference opponent of the season?
The stage shouldn’t be too big for Petty, who spent last year starting every game of a tough SEC slate of games.
“Knowing that I’ve played against other talented players and knowing what I can do. I think that’s the biggest thing, just knowing that I’m capable of playing against those top players,” said Petty. “The SEC is a tough conference, but the Big Ten’s a really tough conference as well.”
Last season, the biggest matchup in the post was against the LSU Tigers and their now-WNBA forward Angel Reese. Kentucky lost, but Petty had 10 first-half rebounds playing against Reese, and outrebounded the star 15-14.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25774927/usa_today_22684675.jpg "NCAA Womens Basketball: Kentucky at Louisiana State")
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
That was on a Wildcats team that struggled all season, and not an Ohio State side that has others that can get involved in defending the paint like Taylor Thierry and the older Cambridge sister.
While the size and strength of the Illini interior are formidable, the play on the perimeter makes Illinois a team to be reckoned with.
“Got great guard play they really really experienced on the perimeter,” said McGuff. “Makira Cook is incredible I really really love her game and in Genesis [Bryant] also really really talented, so I like their talent level I love their guard play. They play really hard, they’re well organized and so we’re certainly gonna have our hands full.”
The effectiveness of the Cook, Bryant, and Adalia McKenzie trio has varied against Ohio State in the last two seasons, but it’s a different group of guards going up against this experienced side.
In the past two seasons, the trio started 180 games for the Illini. Ohio State’s likely starting duo, if McMahon is out, has 67 NCAA starts, and 66 of them come from shooting guard Chance Gray.
McGuff has No. 1 point guard Jaloni Cambridge, Gray, and the older Cambridge. The younger Cambridge is 12th in the nation in defensive rating (62.6) and leads the Big Ten with 6.4 percent of her defensive possessions ending in a steal for the freshman.
Since starting four games ago, Kennedy Cambridge averages 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, showing the NCAA the formidable defensive duo the Cambridge sisters bring to the game.
The idea that it would take time for the Buckeyes full-court press to adjust to the absence of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor may have been exaggerated when comparing the two sides.
Looking only at games against non-power conference schools, the perimeter defense of the 24-25 Buckeyes averages 25.7 turnovers forced, compared to 24.7 from last year’s group. Ohio State is fourth in the country in forcing turnovers, and first in the Big Ten.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25775001/2183536009.jpg "Cleveland State v Ohio State")
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
How will that translate to the conference schedule? The trio in Illinois are slow to start their scoring clip this year, all shooting below their averages from last season, but that’s from a small sample size, including a tough shooting day against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Illinois combined to shoot 26.7 percent from the field, with Bryant especially struggling, going 0-of-8 from the floor and scoring one point. McKenzie picked up some of the scoring, leading the Illini with 18 points, but the defensive prowess shown by Ohio State early means the three need to be on their game.
Will their experience playing together, and years in the NCAA, give them what they need to rebound from that game against the Wildcats? All three are playing in their final seasons of eligibility, with none of them beating Ohio State. Barring a matchup in the postseason, Sunday is the last time for Illinois to stop a 12-game losing streak to the Scarlet and Gray, meaning an even more motivated side is expected.
The ultimate question entering Sunday surrounds the Buckeyes' ability to beat a ranked Big Ten team. Thierry’s been in this position of playing through mid-major after mid-major before facing a team that truly challenges Ohio State over the past three seasons.
“I think we’re pretty prepared. We’ve been coming in practice with a mindset to get better and improve our mistakes from previous games,” said Thierry. “So, I think we’re just excited to get started and get ready with this Big Ten play.”
It’s not only the players. It might sound crazy, but beating teams by 30 to 40 points loses its excitement after a while. Belmont gave some heart palpitations for Buckeye fans, but no other game this season will carry with it the heavy weight of expectations like Sunday’s matchup will.
Within the walls of the program, the expectations are always high, but from the outside looking in, it’s hard to know what will happen when the two teams meet up at the Schottenstein Center.
Illinois has the experience, played two power conference schools already this year, splitting with a win against the Florida State Seminoles and then the aforementioned fall to the Wildcats. Ohio State hasn’t been close to that level.
When the final buzzer sounds Sunday, will the storyline be that the Buckeyes are ready for conference play or that progress is further along than previously thought?
Either way, the games matter a little more starting this weekend.
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
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes have the Illini’s number in recent years, but how does a new look Ohio State match up, and will Cotie McMahon play?
It’s been a long non-conference slate for Ohio State women’s basketball without a power conference opponent. After seven games, the Buckeyes are a perfect 7-0, with minor scrapes to show for it from a trip to Belmont. Aside from that narrow victory, it’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Scarlet and Gray. That changes Sunday when the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini come to town.
While the game only teases the Big Ten calendar, with non-conference games returning on the other side of the afternoon matchup, it gives a glimpse into who this Ohio State team will be once the competition increases.
Here are five things to watch this weekend.
Cotie McMahon: In or Out?
The last four games of the season have been without star forward Cotie McMahon. Picking up a lower leg injury on her right leg in practice, McMahon’s been in a boot and supporting the Buckeyes from the sidelines.
On Wednesday, Ohio State showed a first glimpse of McMahon’s possible return.
While the visuals elicit excitement for Ohio State fans, it’s a sign of progress, not a sign of an imminent return.
“She’s in practice and still kind of day-to-day but she’s made significant progress so I think we’ll be in a good position with her,” said head coach Kevin McGuff.
Should McMahon continue to be out on Sunday, which won’t be released by the conference until Sunday afternoon, Ohio State will continue with guard Kennedy Cambridge playing in the third guard role, with Taylor Thierry playing forward.
Just because McMahon isn’t on the court, doesn’t mean the players on the Buckeyes don’t benefit from having the forward around. In McMahon’s junior season, she’s grown into a leader on the team and brings the same desire and passion off the bench.
“When we coming out the game, even on timeouts when she feels that we’re not living up to the standard or playing as hard as we can,” said forward Ajae Petty. “She’s always talking and being encouraging and different things like that.”
Ohio State would rather have the upperclassmen on the court, especially against an Illinois group that’s full of seniority of their own. The Fighting Illini regularly start five seniors, and three are in their fifth years.
Consistency Needed
An element of playing the teams on Ohio State’s schedule is running into the occasional lull.
After the tip, teams bring intensity and their game plan to the Buckeyes, and Ohio State matches it. In most games this year, they’ve exceeded it, creating large deficits in the first half that ultimately end in victories.
Coming out of the halftime locker room, opponents bring a renewed intensity and have run into Buckeye teams who are sitting on sometimes leads over 20 points, which turns into opponents battling back. Maybe not in terms of erasing deficits, but going on sustained runs that take Ohio State time to break through.
In six of seven games this season, opponents have their best scoring quarters in the third quarter.
Against Utah State on Friday, Ohio State allowed 18 first-half points, and then 17 in the third quarter. Against Old Dominion on Thanksgiving day, it was a staunch defensive performance allowing 14 first-half points with the Monarchs scoring 18 in the third.
This stretches back through the non-conference schedule, with four opponents either matching or outscoring their entire first-half productivity in the 10 minutes following halftime.
I think we’ve shown that we can be really good but I still don’t think we’re anywhere close to what we’re capable of being and I think a lot of it has to do with consistency,” said McGuff. “It’s just we have a lot of new people where what we do is new to them and so we look good at times but we don’t sustain it for as long as we have in years past with older more mature teams.”
Ohio State’s eventually knocked off the cobwebs and hit their stride to recover from any sort of letdown, but the game against the Belmont Bruins shows it takes longer with a group who’s only played together for a few months.
The Buckeyes couldn’t string together an effective offense and when that third-quarter slump hit, there was only a four-point lead that the Bruins turned into a nine-point fourth-quarter lead.
Guard Jaloni Cambridge and the Scarlet and Gray showed that high level of talent to erase it and come away with the victory, but they won’t have the same luxury against Big Ten teams.
Now, the history between Ohio State and Illinois shows that even mature teams can go down to this side. In the 22-23 season, the Buckeyes needed a 17-point comeback in the second half to come away with the victory. Can this new iteration afford to allow the same kind of deficit to build and expect to win?
Containing Kendall Bostic
The Buckeyes have mostly had their way with Illinois over the past four seasons, but regardless of the final score, forward Kendall Bostic has a great game.
Here are Bostic’s stat lines against Ohio State over the past three seasons:
Jan. 6, 2022: 11 points/16 rebounds
Feb. 14, 2022: 12 points/16 rebounds
Jan. 8, 2023: 27 points/15 rebounds
Jan. 25, 2024: 13 points/18 rebounds
To put it lightly — no one’s stopped Bostic on the Buckeyes.
Bostic averages more rebounds per game against Ohio State than any of the other 16 teams in the Big Ten but the Buckeyes might finally have the personnel to slow her down.
Combining graduate forward Ajae Petty and freshman Elsa Lemmilä has given Ohio State a presence inside that they haven’t seen since the days of Aaliyah Patty and Dorka Juhász. Petty and Lemmilä average 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 rebounds collectively, with no Ohio State player averaging more than seven in the past three seasons.
Offensively, Petty’s come into her own over the past week of Buckeye games, scoring a season-high in points against Old Dominion (24) with her first double-double in scarlet and gray. Petty followed it up with a 19-point, nine-rebound game against the Utah State Aggies.
For Lemmilä, the 6-foot-6 center is still working on consistently offensively but defensively uses her size to her advantage, sitting seventh in the Big Ten with 16 blocks, all coming from a bench role.
Between the two, the Buckeyes rarely lack size on the court but how will they respond in a big game situation like facing their first conference opponent of the season?
The stage shouldn’t be too big for Petty, who spent last year starting every game of a tough SEC slate of games.
“Knowing that I’ve played against other talented players and knowing what I can do. I think that’s the biggest thing, just knowing that I’m capable of playing against those top players,” said Petty. “The SEC is a tough conference, but the Big Ten’s a really tough conference as well.”
Last season, the biggest matchup in the post was against the LSU Tigers and their now-WNBA forward Angel Reese. Kentucky lost, but Petty had 10 first-half rebounds playing against Reese, and outrebounded the star 15-14.
That was on a Wildcats team that struggled all season, and not an Ohio State side that has others that can get involved in defending the paint like Taylor Thierry and the older Cambridge sister.
Guard Battle
While the size and strength of the Illini interior are formidable, the play on the perimeter makes Illinois a team to be reckoned with.
“Got great guard play they really really experienced on the perimeter,” said McGuff. “Makira Cook is incredible I really really love her game and in Genesis [Bryant] also really really talented, so I like their talent level I love their guard play. They play really hard, they’re well organized and so we’re certainly gonna have our hands full.”
The effectiveness of the Cook, Bryant, and Adalia McKenzie trio has varied against Ohio State in the last two seasons, but it’s a different group of guards going up against this experienced side.
In the past two seasons, the trio started 180 games for the Illini. Ohio State’s likely starting duo, if McMahon is out, has 67 NCAA starts, and 66 of them come from shooting guard Chance Gray.
McGuff has No. 1 point guard Jaloni Cambridge, Gray, and the older Cambridge. The younger Cambridge is 12th in the nation in defensive rating (62.6) and leads the Big Ten with 6.4 percent of her defensive possessions ending in a steal for the freshman.
Since starting four games ago, Kennedy Cambridge averages 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, showing the NCAA the formidable defensive duo the Cambridge sisters bring to the game.
The idea that it would take time for the Buckeyes full-court press to adjust to the absence of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor may have been exaggerated when comparing the two sides.
Looking only at games against non-power conference schools, the perimeter defense of the 24-25 Buckeyes averages 25.7 turnovers forced, compared to 24.7 from last year’s group. Ohio State is fourth in the country in forcing turnovers, and first in the Big Ten.
How will that translate to the conference schedule? The trio in Illinois are slow to start their scoring clip this year, all shooting below their averages from last season, but that’s from a small sample size, including a tough shooting day against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Illinois combined to shoot 26.7 percent from the field, with Bryant especially struggling, going 0-of-8 from the floor and scoring one point. McKenzie picked up some of the scoring, leading the Illini with 18 points, but the defensive prowess shown by Ohio State early means the three need to be on their game.
Will their experience playing together, and years in the NCAA, give them what they need to rebound from that game against the Wildcats? All three are playing in their final seasons of eligibility, with none of them beating Ohio State. Barring a matchup in the postseason, Sunday is the last time for Illinois to stop a 12-game losing streak to the Scarlet and Gray, meaning an even more motivated side is expected.
Big Ten Begins
The ultimate question entering Sunday surrounds the Buckeyes' ability to beat a ranked Big Ten team. Thierry’s been in this position of playing through mid-major after mid-major before facing a team that truly challenges Ohio State over the past three seasons.
“I think we’re pretty prepared. We’ve been coming in practice with a mindset to get better and improve our mistakes from previous games,” said Thierry. “So, I think we’re just excited to get started and get ready with this Big Ten play.”
It’s not only the players. It might sound crazy, but beating teams by 30 to 40 points loses its excitement after a while. Belmont gave some heart palpitations for Buckeye fans, but no other game this season will carry with it the heavy weight of expectations like Sunday’s matchup will.
Within the walls of the program, the expectations are always high, but from the outside looking in, it’s hard to know what will happen when the two teams meet up at the Schottenstein Center.
Illinois has the experience, played two power conference schools already this year, splitting with a win against the Florida State Seminoles and then the aforementioned fall to the Wildcats. Ohio State hasn’t been close to that level.
When the final buzzer sounds Sunday, will the storyline be that the Buckeyes are ready for conference play or that progress is further along than previously thought?
Either way, the games matter a little more starting this weekend.
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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Is it time to panic after last night’s beatdown in College Park?
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Bucketheads Podcast: Is it time to panic after last night’s beatdown in College Park?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes lost to Pittsburgh in overtime and then got boat-raced by Maryland on the road, but how bad was it?
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for episode 139 of the Bucketheads Podcast, and we are here to talk Ohio State men’s basketball fans off the ledge...maybe.
After losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland and falling to 5-3 on the season, is it time to push the panic button yet? And what went wrong in the Buckeyes 83-59 loss to Maryland in the DMV?
Also, how can the Buckeyes move forward without Aaron Bradshaw? The frontcourt seems to be a weakness moving forward, so how can Jake Diebler and the coaching staff help fix that as we move into the heart of the season?
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes lost to Pittsburgh in overtime and then got boat-raced by Maryland on the road, but how bad was it?
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for episode 139 of the Bucketheads Podcast, and we are here to talk Ohio State men’s basketball fans off the ledge...maybe.
After losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland and falling to 5-3 on the season, is it time to push the panic button yet? And what went wrong in the Buckeyes 83-59 loss to Maryland in the DMV?
Also, how can the Buckeyes move forward without Aaron Bradshaw? The frontcourt seems to be a weakness moving forward, so how can Jake Diebler and the coaching staff help fix that as we move into the heart of the season?
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
