-
New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.
LGHL Player to Watch: Chance Gray is Ohio State’s shooting guard of the future, primed for an immediate impact
- News
- 0 Replies
Player to Watch: Chance Gray is Ohio State’s shooting guard of the future, primed for an immediate impact
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Chris Pietsch-The Register Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cincinnati native left the Buckeye State, but can return in a big way with Ohio State.
When the winter NCAA season tips off, Ohio State women’s basketball will feature a highly rated younger sister of a basketball family. A player who won amateur accolades like Gatorade Player of the Year for their state, a spot on the McDonald’s All-American team and more.
In this case, Land-Grant isn’t talking about Jaloni Cambridge. Cincinnati, Ohio’s own Chance Gray joined the Buckeyes from the transfer portal.
Gray has to fill the shoes of some departing stars, but has the ability to usher in a successful new edition of the Scarlet and Gray. Gray dons scarlet and gray after two seasons for an Oregon Ducks side whose spotlight has faded in recent years.
After three 30-win seasons, head coach Kelly Graves’ Ducks dipped to an 11-21 2023-24 record. Without Gray, it could’ve worse for the new Big Ten side.
Since Gray’s first NCAA game, the guard played, and started, in all but one Oregon game. In that first contest, Gray showed the type of player to expect this year: A quick offensive-minded shooting guard, with the handles to work around defenses.
Against the Northwestern Wildcats on Nov. 7, 2022, Gray scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and added four assists. An all-around performance in what became an All-Freshman Team debut.
That offense continued, with Gray averaging double-digits in both seasons at Oregon. With the Buckeyes, Gray fills a role vacated by now WNBA guard Jacy Sheldon. The two guards had similar paths in their first two NCAA seasons, before Sheldon moved to predominantly point guard duties in her final three years.
Sheldon and Gray averaged 12.3 and 12 points respectively in their first two campaigns. For Sheldon, her third season was statistically her best with a weapon around her in guard Taylor Mikesell.
While Gray and Mikesell have similar paths from Ohio raised to stops in Oregon, that’s where the similarities end. Mikesell was a historically strong three-point shooter. Gray can shoot from deep, but has an all-around offensive game and ball handling skills to make moves, when needed.
Something else the two former Ducks have in common is that Gray has no shortage of weapons with this upcoming Buckeyes side.
Aside from the No. 2 ranked prospect in the country in Cambridge, there’s an experienced group of playmakers. Forwards Cotie McMahon, Taylor Thierry and Ajae Petty compliment Gray in different ways.
For McMahon and Thierry, they’re known entities to Scarlet and Gray supporters.
McMahon finds holes in the defense and fills it with attacks to the basket. Last season, McMahon added more drive-and-dish moments, finding open teammates. Those will land at the hands of Gray, who will get her fair share of chances to take deep shots or move to open spots for midrange jumpers.
In the case of Thierry and Petty, they’re both threats inside the paint. For Thierry, the Buckeye entering her senior season is the most athletic person on any NCAA court. Thierry moves behind defenders and cleans up opportunities on the glass. With Petty, transferring to Ohio State this offseason, there’s the physicality to back into defenders and hit interior baskets.
Gray isn’t playing point guard with Cambridge and graduate senior Madison Greene on the roster, but she’ll have opportunities to build up assist numbers.
What about defense?
Head coach Kevin McGuff built a well known, chaos-inducing, press. Gray isn’t at the levels of Sheldon, the anchor of that defensive tactic, but Gray’s ceiling is high.
Back to that first NCAA game for Gray. The guard wasn’t only creating offensively but added three steals. As a freshman, Gray won an honorable mention on the Pac 12 All-Defensive Team. Under the guidance of McGuff, Gray can improve that defensive ability.
Defense is a team game, and last year the Ducks weren’t great in that department. Oregon ended in second to last place in the Pac 12 with a 98.6 defensive rating. Gray is now on the best defensive team in the Big Ten.
While it will take time for the new look Buckeyes to gel, when it does expect Gray to be a crucial part of its success.
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
Chris Pietsch-The Register Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cincinnati native left the Buckeye State, but can return in a big way with Ohio State.
When the winter NCAA season tips off, Ohio State women’s basketball will feature a highly rated younger sister of a basketball family. A player who won amateur accolades like Gatorade Player of the Year for their state, a spot on the McDonald’s All-American team and more.
In this case, Land-Grant isn’t talking about Jaloni Cambridge. Cincinnati, Ohio’s own Chance Gray joined the Buckeyes from the transfer portal.
Gray has to fill the shoes of some departing stars, but has the ability to usher in a successful new edition of the Scarlet and Gray. Gray dons scarlet and gray after two seasons for an Oregon Ducks side whose spotlight has faded in recent years.
After three 30-win seasons, head coach Kelly Graves’ Ducks dipped to an 11-21 2023-24 record. Without Gray, it could’ve worse for the new Big Ten side.
Since Gray’s first NCAA game, the guard played, and started, in all but one Oregon game. In that first contest, Gray showed the type of player to expect this year: A quick offensive-minded shooting guard, with the handles to work around defenses.
Against the Northwestern Wildcats on Nov. 7, 2022, Gray scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and added four assists. An all-around performance in what became an All-Freshman Team debut.
That offense continued, with Gray averaging double-digits in both seasons at Oregon. With the Buckeyes, Gray fills a role vacated by now WNBA guard Jacy Sheldon. The two guards had similar paths in their first two NCAA seasons, before Sheldon moved to predominantly point guard duties in her final three years.
Sheldon and Gray averaged 12.3 and 12 points respectively in their first two campaigns. For Sheldon, her third season was statistically her best with a weapon around her in guard Taylor Mikesell.
While Gray and Mikesell have similar paths from Ohio raised to stops in Oregon, that’s where the similarities end. Mikesell was a historically strong three-point shooter. Gray can shoot from deep, but has an all-around offensive game and ball handling skills to make moves, when needed.
Something else the two former Ducks have in common is that Gray has no shortage of weapons with this upcoming Buckeyes side.
Aside from the No. 2 ranked prospect in the country in Cambridge, there’s an experienced group of playmakers. Forwards Cotie McMahon, Taylor Thierry and Ajae Petty compliment Gray in different ways.
For McMahon and Thierry, they’re known entities to Scarlet and Gray supporters.
McMahon finds holes in the defense and fills it with attacks to the basket. Last season, McMahon added more drive-and-dish moments, finding open teammates. Those will land at the hands of Gray, who will get her fair share of chances to take deep shots or move to open spots for midrange jumpers.
In the case of Thierry and Petty, they’re both threats inside the paint. For Thierry, the Buckeye entering her senior season is the most athletic person on any NCAA court. Thierry moves behind defenders and cleans up opportunities on the glass. With Petty, transferring to Ohio State this offseason, there’s the physicality to back into defenders and hit interior baskets.
Gray isn’t playing point guard with Cambridge and graduate senior Madison Greene on the roster, but she’ll have opportunities to build up assist numbers.
What about defense?
Head coach Kevin McGuff built a well known, chaos-inducing, press. Gray isn’t at the levels of Sheldon, the anchor of that defensive tactic, but Gray’s ceiling is high.
Back to that first NCAA game for Gray. The guard wasn’t only creating offensively but added three steals. As a freshman, Gray won an honorable mention on the Pac 12 All-Defensive Team. Under the guidance of McGuff, Gray can improve that defensive ability.
Defense is a team game, and last year the Ducks weren’t great in that department. Oregon ended in second to last place in the Pac 12 with a 98.6 defensive rating. Gray is now on the best defensive team in the Big Ten.
While it will take time for the new look Buckeyes to gel, when it does expect Gray to be a crucial part of its success.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: How many Buckeyes will average double-digit points per game?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: How many Buckeyes will average double-digit points per game?
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Ohio State will rely on several players with huge upside but far less established success at the college level.
Bruce Thornton averaged 15.7 points per game last season, and Meechie Johnson averaged 14.1. Both guards will be relied on to carry a significant portion of Ohio State’s offense this year, but in order to compete at the top of the Big Ten, others will have to produce more than they have to this point in college.
Beyond Thornton and Johnson, Micah Parrish is the highest scorer on this roster at 9.3 PPG, and then Aaron Bradshaw at 4.9 PPG. Growth up and down the roster is going to be crucial.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated what would need to be accomplished for Jake Diebler’s first season to be a success. Connor said hang a banner (Big Ten, etc.), and Justin said just make the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the heightened expectations that accompanied Diebler’s hiring, 75% of readers sided with Justin, asserting that the first-year head coach just making the NCAA Tournament would be a good starting point for year one.
Connor- 75
This season, Ohio State is going to rely heavily on players who are rich in talent but lack experience and/or proven track records at the collegiate level. It’s possible that the Buckeyes trot out three starters who averaged less than five points per game last season.
Diebler and his staff are betting on those players blossoming this season now that they’re being given extended minutes. Johnson and Thornton will probably be Ohio State’s top two scorers, but there are several others who could develop into reliable options, too.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25481310/2049061407.jpg "COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 03 Michigan at Ohio State")
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This team could realistically have four guys average 10 or more, starting with Thornton and Johnson. Both were all-conference players in their respective conferences last year, and it would not be a longshot for either of them to win 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year.
It’ll be interesting to see how ball handling duties are split up, since both guys are ball-dominant guards, and my guess is Thornton plays mostly point guard while Johnson plays shooting guard. Barring injuries, both of these guys will score way more than 10 per game.
Felix Okpara’s departure opened the door for Bradshaw to get penciled in as the starting center before he even arrived on campus for summer workouts. With Austin Parks as the only other true big man on the roster, I expect Bradshaw’s minutes to double from last season at Kentucky, when he played just under 14 minutes per game.
Especially if his three-point shot comes around, I think Bradshaw will sleep walk to 10 points per game. Jared Sullinger was the last Ohio State player to record 15 double-doubles in a single season (he had 18 during the 2010-2011 season). I think Bradshaw will have at least that many this year.
The (potential) fourth player who could average 10 is whichever of Devin Royal or Sean Stewart starts this season — and I expect one of them will. Royal already has a smoothness to his offensive game that shows how much potential he has. If it wasn’t for foul trouble, he would’ve averaged more than the 4.7 points per game he recorded last season. If he’s starting, he might get to 10 even with foul trouble. If he comes off the bench, probably not.
Stewart is a similar line of thinking. He said that he wants to show people that his offensive toolset is more than just “running and dunking,” but we haven’t seen a whole lot more than that thus far (he’s only played one season). If he’s coming off the bench, I’m not sure how long it will take him to get into a rhythm with a new program and start scoring in bunches consistently.
There’s are a couple of reasons why I believe the Buckeyes can have five guys average double-digits in points. It won’t be easy, but they have a roster and play style that could be conducive to high scoring.
First of all, there is no volume scorer on this team. Some might consider Meechie Johnson to be that, but I chalk his usage up more to that role at South Carolina as the go-to scorer. Johnson’s usage will likely decrease a bit now that he won’t be the primary ball handler, as Bruce Thornton should handle the majority of those duties to help free up Johnson a bit more.
Thornton, Johnson, Micah Parrish, Sean Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw will likely be the starting lineup. Devin Royal could average 10 points per game off the bench, but I don’t think he will consistently have the opportunity to do that. I think he will play 20-25 minutes a game, and there will certainly be games that he is in double figures, but the scoring likely won’t be at a high enough volume to average that.
However, I don’t think it is unreasonable to think that the entire starting five could average between 10 and 13 points per game. More than likely, the two guards will average more than that, but this is the most talented scoring frontcourt the Buckeyes have had in a while with Stewart and Bradshaw (potential-wise), and that could force more opportunities to them and away from the guards.
Also, we know Jake Diebler likes to run. This is going to be a high-octane, fast-paced offense that will score a lot of points. For obvious reasons, that gives more opportunities for more points and guys that can average double figures.
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
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
Ohio State will rely on several players with huge upside but far less established success at the college level.
Bruce Thornton averaged 15.7 points per game last season, and Meechie Johnson averaged 14.1. Both guards will be relied on to carry a significant portion of Ohio State’s offense this year, but in order to compete at the top of the Big Ten, others will have to produce more than they have to this point in college.
Beyond Thornton and Johnson, Micah Parrish is the highest scorer on this roster at 9.3 PPG, and then Aaron Bradshaw at 4.9 PPG. Growth up and down the roster is going to be crucial.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated what would need to be accomplished for Jake Diebler’s first season to be a success. Connor said hang a banner (Big Ten, etc.), and Justin said just make the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the heightened expectations that accompanied Diebler’s hiring, 75% of readers sided with Justin, asserting that the first-year head coach just making the NCAA Tournament would be a good starting point for year one.
After 155 weeks:
Connor- 75
Justin- 60
Other- 16
(There have been four ties)
This season, Ohio State is going to rely heavily on players who are rich in talent but lack experience and/or proven track records at the collegiate level. It’s possible that the Buckeyes trot out three starters who averaged less than five points per game last season.
Diebler and his staff are betting on those players blossoming this season now that they’re being given extended minutes. Johnson and Thornton will probably be Ohio State’s top two scorers, but there are several others who could develop into reliable options, too.
This week’s question: How many Buckeyes will average double-digit points per game?
Connor: Four or fewer
This team could realistically have four guys average 10 or more, starting with Thornton and Johnson. Both were all-conference players in their respective conferences last year, and it would not be a longshot for either of them to win 2025 Big Ten Player of the Year.
It’ll be interesting to see how ball handling duties are split up, since both guys are ball-dominant guards, and my guess is Thornton plays mostly point guard while Johnson plays shooting guard. Barring injuries, both of these guys will score way more than 10 per game.
Felix Okpara’s departure opened the door for Bradshaw to get penciled in as the starting center before he even arrived on campus for summer workouts. With Austin Parks as the only other true big man on the roster, I expect Bradshaw’s minutes to double from last season at Kentucky, when he played just under 14 minutes per game.
Especially if his three-point shot comes around, I think Bradshaw will sleep walk to 10 points per game. Jared Sullinger was the last Ohio State player to record 15 double-doubles in a single season (he had 18 during the 2010-2011 season). I think Bradshaw will have at least that many this year.
The (potential) fourth player who could average 10 is whichever of Devin Royal or Sean Stewart starts this season — and I expect one of them will. Royal already has a smoothness to his offensive game that shows how much potential he has. If it wasn’t for foul trouble, he would’ve averaged more than the 4.7 points per game he recorded last season. If he’s starting, he might get to 10 even with foul trouble. If he comes off the bench, probably not.
Stewart is a similar line of thinking. He said that he wants to show people that his offensive toolset is more than just “running and dunking,” but we haven’t seen a whole lot more than that thus far (he’s only played one season). If he’s coming off the bench, I’m not sure how long it will take him to get into a rhythm with a new program and start scoring in bunches consistently.
Justin: At least five
There’s are a couple of reasons why I believe the Buckeyes can have five guys average double-digits in points. It won’t be easy, but they have a roster and play style that could be conducive to high scoring.
First of all, there is no volume scorer on this team. Some might consider Meechie Johnson to be that, but I chalk his usage up more to that role at South Carolina as the go-to scorer. Johnson’s usage will likely decrease a bit now that he won’t be the primary ball handler, as Bruce Thornton should handle the majority of those duties to help free up Johnson a bit more.
Thornton, Johnson, Micah Parrish, Sean Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw will likely be the starting lineup. Devin Royal could average 10 points per game off the bench, but I don’t think he will consistently have the opportunity to do that. I think he will play 20-25 minutes a game, and there will certainly be games that he is in double figures, but the scoring likely won’t be at a high enough volume to average that.
However, I don’t think it is unreasonable to think that the entire starting five could average between 10 and 13 points per game. More than likely, the two guards will average more than that, but this is the most talented scoring frontcourt the Buckeyes have had in a while with Stewart and Bradshaw (potential-wise), and that could force more opportunities to them and away from the guards.
Also, we know Jake Diebler likes to run. This is going to be a high-octane, fast-paced offense that will score a lot of points. For obvious reasons, that gives more opportunities for more points and guys that can average double figures.
Continue reading...
