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LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball parts ways with head coach Chris Holtmann
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Ohio State men’s basketball parts ways with head coach Chris Holtmann
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 John Fisher/Getty Images
The Buckeyes are in the middle of another disappointing season and currently have lost 16 road games in a row, tying a program record.
Ohio State is parting ways with men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, multiple sources reported on Wednesday. Holtmann was in his seventh year as the head coach of the program.
The Buckeyes are in the middle of another disappointing season, as they are 14-11 overall and 4-10 in conference after starting the season 10-2. Ohio State finished last season 13th in the Big Ten Conference, finishing 16-19 overall and 5-15 in the Big Ten.
The news was first reported by CFB Focus on Twitter and then confirmed by Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68, along with numerous national outlets.
Holtmann was the head coach for three seasons at Gardner Webb and then three seasons at Butler. At Gardner Webb, he was 44-54 overall and 23-29 in the conference, and at Butler, he was 70-31 overall and 34-20 in the conference. He reached the Sweet 16 with Butler in his final season, losing to eventual national champions North Carolina.
After some early success with the Buckeyes, including five straight 20-win seasons and an appearance in the Big Ten championship, the last two years have been rough sledding, and the Buckeyes have lost 16 road games in a row, tying a program record. Their last road win came on Jan. 1, 2023, at Northwestern.
Chris Holtmann was named the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year, recorded the fifth most wins in school history at 137, had five straight 20-plus win seasons, made four NCAA tournaments, and has sent several players to the NBA, most recently, E.J. Liddell, Malaki Branham, and Brice Sensabaugh.
As of right now, it is unclear who will be the interim head coach, but Jake Diebler is currently the associate head coach and will likely fill that role as the search for a new head coach will start immediately.
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 John Fisher/Getty Images
The Buckeyes are in the middle of another disappointing season and currently have lost 16 road games in a row, tying a program record.
Ohio State is parting ways with men’s basketball head coach Chris Holtmann, multiple sources reported on Wednesday. Holtmann was in his seventh year as the head coach of the program.
The Buckeyes are in the middle of another disappointing season, as they are 14-11 overall and 4-10 in conference after starting the season 10-2. Ohio State finished last season 13th in the Big Ten Conference, finishing 16-19 overall and 5-15 in the Big Ten.
The news was first reported by CFB Focus on Twitter and then confirmed by Jeff Goodman of the Field of 68, along with numerous national outlets.
Holtmann was the head coach for three seasons at Gardner Webb and then three seasons at Butler. At Gardner Webb, he was 44-54 overall and 23-29 in the conference, and at Butler, he was 70-31 overall and 34-20 in the conference. He reached the Sweet 16 with Butler in his final season, losing to eventual national champions North Carolina.
After some early success with the Buckeyes, including five straight 20-win seasons and an appearance in the Big Ten championship, the last two years have been rough sledding, and the Buckeyes have lost 16 road games in a row, tying a program record. Their last road win came on Jan. 1, 2023, at Northwestern.
Chris Holtmann was named the 2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year, recorded the fifth most wins in school history at 137, had five straight 20-plus win seasons, made four NCAA tournaments, and has sent several players to the NBA, most recently, E.J. Liddell, Malaki Branham, and Brice Sensabaugh.
As of right now, it is unclear who will be the interim head coach, but Jake Diebler is currently the associate head coach and will likely fill that role as the search for a new head coach will start immediately.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State women’s basketball and the curse of the No. 2 ranking
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State women’s basketball and the curse of the No. 2 ranking
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 Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
For the superstitious, or a least a little-stitious, the new Buckeyes’ ranking comes with a spooky streak
Black cats. Walking under a ladder. Breaking a mirror. Nobody knows the source of the bad luck for Ohio State women’s basketball, but on Monday, a curse fell upon the house of Buckeye. The curse of the Associated Press’ No. 2 ranking in the country.
Now it might not be up there with the legendary sports curses, like the Boston Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees the same week as the Titanic sunk, creating the curse of the Bambino, but the 2024 calendar hasn’t been kind to teams who earn the illustrious second-place ranking.
Dating back to January 8, when the UCLA Bruins first suffered the curse’s wrath, each of the five weeks that followed ended with the team in the No. 2 spot losing in the following week. It began with a Los Angeles rivalry win for the USC Trojans over the Bruins.
Ohio State fans know the week of Jan. 15 well, because it culminated with the Buckeyes defeat of the then No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, giving the dreaded ranking back to the Bruins, only for them to perish once again.
The ranking took a week off from ravaging the Bruins and Hawkeyes, this time falling to the Kansas State Wildcats, hungrier than ever for victims. Kansas State lost not once, but twice, in the week it sat behind the extra comfortable, and undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.
That gave the Hawkeyes another shot at breaking the curse’s formidable power, only to have the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and free throw music, come back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat Iowa yet again. Another notch for the No. 2 curse.
Monday, the worst news imaginable, sports-wise, hit the Buckeyes when AP voters entered Ohio State’s nightmares, bestowing it the No. 2 ranking. Does that mean head coach Kevin McGuff is scouring for a four-leaf clover and avoiding stepping on cracks? Does superstition come into play for the 11-year scarlet and gray program leader?
“Not really,” said McGuff. “Just, you know, whether we’re two or five or seven, it’s always the same for us.”
Oh.
“It’s like, hey, we’ve got a big game tomorrow against a red-hot Nebraska team,” said McGuff. “So we need an excellent practice today and we’ll have all of our focus on that game tomorrow.”
Reports from Tuesday’s practice didn’t include any jitters or nervousness about the ranking’s presence around the team. Instead, the focus was on not allowing the Cornhuskers to repeat what they did to Iowa on Sunday.
“Prepare for the next game and the most important game is the next one,” said forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. “So just not focusing on numbers.”
Instead, Mikulášiková is focusing on a strength of Nebraska: It’s the interior game.
The Slovakian forward has played against Cornhuskers junior center Alexis Markowski, but this year, the Buckeyes’ defense in the paint is improved from previous campaigns. Mikulášiková’s improved strength and conditioning allows the 6-foot-3 Slovakian to not only move around defenders on offense but keep up with the moves of some of the best bigs in the Big Ten.
Against the Wisconsin Badgers, Indiana Hoosiers, and Minnesota Golden Gophers, each boasting a strong post presence, Mikulášiková has stepped up to break what looked like a cursed interior defense.
Also, the Buckeyes are a year older and sit as one of the more experienced sides in the Big Ten. Despite multiple double-digit deficits this season, Ohio State has adjusted in-game and came away with an 11-game winning streak over the likes of Iowa and Indiana. In other words, sides that tormented the scarlet and gray last year.
How well does Ohio State adjust? In the last four games, in which the above four teams with impressive play in the paint are included, the Buckeyes outscored them in the third quarter a combined 110-44.
That’s pretty scary.
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 Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
For the superstitious, or a least a little-stitious, the new Buckeyes’ ranking comes with a spooky streak
Black cats. Walking under a ladder. Breaking a mirror. Nobody knows the source of the bad luck for Ohio State women’s basketball, but on Monday, a curse fell upon the house of Buckeye. The curse of the Associated Press’ No. 2 ranking in the country.
Now it might not be up there with the legendary sports curses, like the Boston Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees the same week as the Titanic sunk, creating the curse of the Bambino, but the 2024 calendar hasn’t been kind to teams who earn the illustrious second-place ranking.
Dating back to January 8, when the UCLA Bruins first suffered the curse’s wrath, each of the five weeks that followed ended with the team in the No. 2 spot losing in the following week. It began with a Los Angeles rivalry win for the USC Trojans over the Bruins.
Ohio State fans know the week of Jan. 15 well, because it culminated with the Buckeyes defeat of the then No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, giving the dreaded ranking back to the Bruins, only for them to perish once again.
The ranking took a week off from ravaging the Bruins and Hawkeyes, this time falling to the Kansas State Wildcats, hungrier than ever for victims. Kansas State lost not once, but twice, in the week it sat behind the extra comfortable, and undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.
That gave the Hawkeyes another shot at breaking the curse’s formidable power, only to have the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and free throw music, come back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat Iowa yet again. Another notch for the No. 2 curse.
Monday, the worst news imaginable, sports-wise, hit the Buckeyes when AP voters entered Ohio State’s nightmares, bestowing it the No. 2 ranking. Does that mean head coach Kevin McGuff is scouring for a four-leaf clover and avoiding stepping on cracks? Does superstition come into play for the 11-year scarlet and gray program leader?
“Not really,” said McGuff. “Just, you know, whether we’re two or five or seven, it’s always the same for us.”
Oh.
“It’s like, hey, we’ve got a big game tomorrow against a red-hot Nebraska team,” said McGuff. “So we need an excellent practice today and we’ll have all of our focus on that game tomorrow.”
Reports from Tuesday’s practice didn’t include any jitters or nervousness about the ranking’s presence around the team. Instead, the focus was on not allowing the Cornhuskers to repeat what they did to Iowa on Sunday.
“Prepare for the next game and the most important game is the next one,” said forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. “So just not focusing on numbers.”
Instead, Mikulášiková is focusing on a strength of Nebraska: It’s the interior game.
The Slovakian forward has played against Cornhuskers junior center Alexis Markowski, but this year, the Buckeyes’ defense in the paint is improved from previous campaigns. Mikulášiková’s improved strength and conditioning allows the 6-foot-3 Slovakian to not only move around defenders on offense but keep up with the moves of some of the best bigs in the Big Ten.
Against the Wisconsin Badgers, Indiana Hoosiers, and Minnesota Golden Gophers, each boasting a strong post presence, Mikulášiková has stepped up to break what looked like a cursed interior defense.
Also, the Buckeyes are a year older and sit as one of the more experienced sides in the Big Ten. Despite multiple double-digit deficits this season, Ohio State has adjusted in-game and came away with an 11-game winning streak over the likes of Iowa and Indiana. In other words, sides that tormented the scarlet and gray last year.
How well does Ohio State adjust? In the last four games, in which the above four teams with impressive play in the paint are included, the Buckeyes outscored them in the third quarter a combined 110-44.
That’s pretty scary.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men suffer record-tying loss, eight Buckeyes set for NFL combine
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Ohio State men suffer record-tying loss, eight Buckeyes set for NFL combine
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Eight Buckeyes invited to NFL scouting combine
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
So this means OSU is getting a co-defensive line coach, right?
ESPN, College Football Playoff Agree to Six-Year Extension; Disney to Control All CFP Games Through 2032
Matt Tamanini, The Streamable
Larry Johnson’s Son Tony Johnson Joins Ohio State’s Staff as Analyst/Advisor
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Big Ten football preseason win totals for 2024: Ohio State, Oregon look playoff-bound
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Chip vs. Wink: A Battle of the Ages!!
2024 Heisman odds updated before spring practice kickoff
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Versatile Sonny Styles provides options for Ohio State’s defense in 2024 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Addition of Quinshon Judkins a credit to TreVeyon Henderson’s selfless leadership (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
What Could This Be About?
What to know about the Buckeyes’ OC Chip Kelly in recruiting
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Avery Henry Pushing Forward, Motivated to Inspire Others After Cancer Battle Ended Ohio State Career
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State men tie program record with 16th-straight road loss, fall 62-54 at Wisconsin
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s bigs had a little game at Wisconsin: 6 takeaways
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Nebraska
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Visiting Locker Room: Talking Nebraska with Corn Nation
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Buckeye softball has a phenomenal opening weekend
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Lacrosse: Ohio State Earns 10-6 Win Over Bellarmine
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 1 Buckeyes Dominate No. 4 South Carolina in “Revenge Match”
Caroline Hebert, The Lantern
I honestly cannot wait to see this movie:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Eight Buckeyes invited to NFL scouting combine
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
So this means OSU is getting a co-defensive line coach, right?
ESPN, College Football Playoff Agree to Six-Year Extension; Disney to Control All CFP Games Through 2032
Matt Tamanini, The Streamable
Larry Johnson’s Son Tony Johnson Joins Ohio State’s Staff as Analyst/Advisor
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Big Ten football preseason win totals for 2024: Ohio State, Oregon look playoff-bound
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Chip vs. Wink: A Battle of the Ages!!
Who had the better hire- Ohio State or Michigan?pic.twitter.com/XgkuIir9pB
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) February 13, 2024
2024 Heisman odds updated before spring practice kickoff
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
Versatile Sonny Styles provides options for Ohio State’s defense in 2024 (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Addition of Quinshon Judkins a credit to TreVeyon Henderson’s selfless leadership (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
What Could This Be About?
What to know about the Buckeyes’ OC Chip Kelly in recruiting
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Avery Henry Pushing Forward, Motivated to Inspire Others After Cancer Battle Ended Ohio State Career
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
On the Hardwood
Ohio State men tie program record with 16th-straight road loss, fall 62-54 at Wisconsin
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s bigs had a little game at Wisconsin: 6 takeaways
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Nebraska
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Visiting Locker Room: Talking Nebraska with Corn Nation
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Buckeye softball has a phenomenal opening weekend
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Lacrosse: Ohio State Earns 10-6 Win Over Bellarmine
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: No. 1 Buckeyes Dominate No. 4 South Carolina in “Revenge Match”
Caroline Hebert, The Lantern
And now for something completely different...
I honestly cannot wait to see this movie:
Continue reading...
LGHL Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Nebraska
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Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Nebraska
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Wednesday night is the first time the Buckeyes try on their new No. 2 ranking, hoping to break an unfortunate streak in NCAA basketball.
Valentine’s Day means basketball in the Big Ten on Wednesday. That’s when No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball takes its newly earned second-best team ranking into a conference clash against a team no stranger to defeating No. 2-ranked teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Head Coach Amy Williams and the Cornhuskers travel to Columbus to try and repeat wins against second-place sides. Sunday, Big Red won after shocking the then No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes after entering the fourth quarter down 14 points, and hope to pull off another surprise win Wednesday night.
For two seasons, the names synonymous with the Nebraska Cornhuskers have been guard Jaz Shelley and center Alexis Markowski. While both will feature prominently against the Buckeyes, Nebraska features a strong pair of freshmen who can make things difficult for the scarlet and gray.
The offense runs through Shelley. In her win on Sunday, Shelley was the life of the Cornhuskers when they needed it. The Australian graduate senior led Nebraska with 23 points and five steals, and included in those points were five shots made from beyond the arc. Also, the go ahead basket in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer, with 31 seconds remaining, followed by four free throws to lock the game up for Nebraska.
Shelley is a dynamic scorer on offense, but has dealt with some injury issues in the past few seasons. This year, it’s led to inconsistent scoring from Shelley, but appears to be finding her stride as the Cornhuskers are pushing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Over the last six games, Shelley has scored double-digit points in each outing, the longest streak of the season. Shelley can shoot in all three levels. Her 2.3 made three-point shots per game are only part of the story. Shelley will also go to the basket, get to the free throw line, or take a midrange shot if given the space.
On top of scoring, Shelley is averaging 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The guard is everywhere on the court, and if the Buckeyes aren’t careful she has the ability to take over games.
Alongside Shelley, coming off the bench is freshman guard Logan Nissley. The North Dakota native doesn’t shy away from tough competitors. Sunday, Nissley had 15 points in the win over the Hawkeyes, not crumbling under the pressure of being down to the No. 2 team in the country.
Featuring in her offensive ability is deep shooting. The guard hit three against the Hawkeyes. While she isn’t likely to start, the Cornhuskers use everyone on its roster, with 10 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game.
Markowski is the other primary name to watch. The 6-foot-2 center’s acquainted herself well with the Buckeyes in the past two seasons. In two games against Ohio State, Markowski has scored a combined 38 points and grabbed 23 rebounds. As a freshman, Markowski had a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. The junior edition of Markowski is even better.
The center has increased her scoring to a career high 16.4 per game. Of those points, Markowski hits her shots at a 51.5% clip inside the arc. She’ll also shoot from deep, although not as effectively.
What’s made Markowski more dangerous this season is not only an increased focus on strength and conditioning in the offseason, but her now not having to carry the weight of being the lone post presence. Markowski now features a sidekick in freshman forward Natalie Potts.
Potts doesn’t average a double-double like her post-mate Markowski, but the freshman is establishing herself in the paint and out. The 6-foot-2 forward is big but quick. Potts can finesse defenders inside the paint, be an outlet for a drive and dish by the likes of Shelley and also play defense around the perimeter.
Potts’ and Markowski’s aggressive nature near the basket could spell trouble for the Buckeyes, especially with fouls. Fortunately for Ohio State’s post players, Big Ten games in the past month have set the scarlet and gray up well for the matchups.
The Buckeyes faced a trio of daunting post players, starting with Wisconsin Badgers’ Serah Williams, followed by Indiana Hoosiers’ forward Mackenzie Holmes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers duo of Mallory Heyer and Sophie Hart. That’s in part to the defensive growth of Ohio State forward Rebeka Mikulášiková.
After facing UCLA Bruins 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, having some luck considering the size disparity, Mikulášiková’s gone toe-to-toe with other forces near the basket and succeeded. Against Holmes and the Hoosiers, Mikulášiková, and teammates, held Holmes to under a double-double performance. That includes a third quarter where the Indiana star scored no points, had no rebounds and gave the ball up three times.
Mikulášiková’s also excelling offensively, and not by driving to the basket and hitting layups or shooting from deep. The Slovakian has found her passing stroke, and the Buckeyes haven’t stopped winning since.
If the interior defense of Ohio State can hold strong against the powerful pairing from Nebraska, it frees up the guards to cover Shelley, Nissley and others from hurting the Buckeyes from deep.
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
G- Jaz Shelley
G- Callin Hake
G- Kendall Moriarty
F- Natalie Potts
C- Alexis Markowski
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 4-4 away from Lincoln this season. That and coming down off the high of beating guard Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes means it could be a tough night against the Buckeyes.
However, the game will be mostly close. The interior offense of the Cornhuskers will make things difficult for Ohio State, but there will be adjustments. The defensive backcourt of the scarlet and gray will slow down Shelley and Nebraska’s guards.
Offensively for the Buckeyes, it won’t be a fantastic night of shooting from deep, but the play of forward Cotie McMahon and Mikulášiková inside the paint will allow Ohio State to warm up its shot from beyond the arc.
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Stream: Peacock
Tuesday afternoon, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame released its 30 shortlisted players for the Player of the Year award. Included on the list was a pair of Buckeyes in McMahon and Sheldon.
The two Buckeyes lead the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, with Sheldon leading in points and assists and McMahon on the boards.
Around the Big Ten, only Mackenzie Holmes and Caitlin Clark join the pair of Buckeyes on the list.
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
Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK
Wednesday night is the first time the Buckeyes try on their new No. 2 ranking, hoping to break an unfortunate streak in NCAA basketball.
Valentine’s Day means basketball in the Big Ten on Wednesday. That’s when No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball takes its newly earned second-best team ranking into a conference clash against a team no stranger to defeating No. 2-ranked teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Head Coach Amy Williams and the Cornhuskers travel to Columbus to try and repeat wins against second-place sides. Sunday, Big Red won after shocking the then No. 2 ranked Iowa Hawkeyes after entering the fourth quarter down 14 points, and hope to pull off another surprise win Wednesday night.
Preview
For two seasons, the names synonymous with the Nebraska Cornhuskers have been guard Jaz Shelley and center Alexis Markowski. While both will feature prominently against the Buckeyes, Nebraska features a strong pair of freshmen who can make things difficult for the scarlet and gray.
The offense runs through Shelley. In her win on Sunday, Shelley was the life of the Cornhuskers when they needed it. The Australian graduate senior led Nebraska with 23 points and five steals, and included in those points were five shots made from beyond the arc. Also, the go ahead basket in the fourth quarter, a three-pointer, with 31 seconds remaining, followed by four free throws to lock the game up for Nebraska.
Shelley is a dynamic scorer on offense, but has dealt with some injury issues in the past few seasons. This year, it’s led to inconsistent scoring from Shelley, but appears to be finding her stride as the Cornhuskers are pushing for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Over the last six games, Shelley has scored double-digit points in each outing, the longest streak of the season. Shelley can shoot in all three levels. Her 2.3 made three-point shots per game are only part of the story. Shelley will also go to the basket, get to the free throw line, or take a midrange shot if given the space.
On top of scoring, Shelley is averaging 4.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The guard is everywhere on the court, and if the Buckeyes aren’t careful she has the ability to take over games.
Alongside Shelley, coming off the bench is freshman guard Logan Nissley. The North Dakota native doesn’t shy away from tough competitors. Sunday, Nissley had 15 points in the win over the Hawkeyes, not crumbling under the pressure of being down to the No. 2 team in the country.
Featuring in her offensive ability is deep shooting. The guard hit three against the Hawkeyes. While she isn’t likely to start, the Cornhuskers use everyone on its roster, with 10 players averaging at least 10 minutes per game.
Markowski is the other primary name to watch. The 6-foot-2 center’s acquainted herself well with the Buckeyes in the past two seasons. In two games against Ohio State, Markowski has scored a combined 38 points and grabbed 23 rebounds. As a freshman, Markowski had a double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds. The junior edition of Markowski is even better.
The center has increased her scoring to a career high 16.4 per game. Of those points, Markowski hits her shots at a 51.5% clip inside the arc. She’ll also shoot from deep, although not as effectively.
What’s made Markowski more dangerous this season is not only an increased focus on strength and conditioning in the offseason, but her now not having to carry the weight of being the lone post presence. Markowski now features a sidekick in freshman forward Natalie Potts.
Potts doesn’t average a double-double like her post-mate Markowski, but the freshman is establishing herself in the paint and out. The 6-foot-2 forward is big but quick. Potts can finesse defenders inside the paint, be an outlet for a drive and dish by the likes of Shelley and also play defense around the perimeter.
Potts’ and Markowski’s aggressive nature near the basket could spell trouble for the Buckeyes, especially with fouls. Fortunately for Ohio State’s post players, Big Ten games in the past month have set the scarlet and gray up well for the matchups.
The Buckeyes faced a trio of daunting post players, starting with Wisconsin Badgers’ Serah Williams, followed by Indiana Hoosiers’ forward Mackenzie Holmes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers duo of Mallory Heyer and Sophie Hart. That’s in part to the defensive growth of Ohio State forward Rebeka Mikulášiková.
After facing UCLA Bruins 6-foot-7 Lauren Betts, having some luck considering the size disparity, Mikulášiková’s gone toe-to-toe with other forces near the basket and succeeded. Against Holmes and the Hoosiers, Mikulášiková, and teammates, held Holmes to under a double-double performance. That includes a third quarter where the Indiana star scored no points, had no rebounds and gave the ball up three times.
Mikulášiková’s also excelling offensively, and not by driving to the basket and hitting layups or shooting from deep. The Slovakian has found her passing stroke, and the Buckeyes haven’t stopped winning since.
If the interior defense of Ohio State can hold strong against the powerful pairing from Nebraska, it frees up the guards to cover Shelley, Nissley and others from hurting the Buckeyes from deep.
Ohio State
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
Lineup Notes
- Three Buckeyes had five assists in the win over Michigan State on Sunday: Guard Jacy Sheldon and forwards Cotie McMahon and Rebeka Mikulášiková.
- Ohio State is one of seven teams in NCAA Division I women’s basketball on a current 10+ game winning streak.
- Guard Celeste Taylor’s 20-point game was the graduate senior’s 11th game scoring at least 20 points in her NCAA career.
Nebraska
G- Jaz Shelley
G- Callin Hake
G- Kendall Moriarty
F- Natalie Potts
C- Alexis Markowski
Lineup Notes
- Guard Jaz Shelley is fourth in the Big Ten in three-point shots attempted.
- Center Alexis Markowski is one of three players in the Big Ten averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. She joins forwards Serah Williams (Wisconsin) and Kendall Bostic (Illinois).
- Freshman guard Logan Nissley scored 15 points and grabbed a season-high seven rebounds in Sunday’s win over the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Prediction
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are 4-4 away from Lincoln this season. That and coming down off the high of beating guard Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes means it could be a tough night against the Buckeyes.
However, the game will be mostly close. The interior offense of the Cornhuskers will make things difficult for Ohio State, but there will be adjustments. The defensive backcourt of the scarlet and gray will slow down Shelley and Nebraska’s guards.
Offensively for the Buckeyes, it won’t be a fantastic night of shooting from deep, but the play of forward Cotie McMahon and Mikulášiková inside the paint will allow Ohio State to warm up its shot from beyond the arc.
How to Watch
Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Stream: Peacock
LGHL Prediction: 81-75 Ohio State Buckeyes
Naismith Midseason Watch List
Tuesday afternoon, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame released its 30 shortlisted players for the Player of the Year award. Included on the list was a pair of Buckeyes in McMahon and Sheldon.
The two Buckeyes lead the team in scoring, rebounding and assists, with Sheldon leading in points and assists and McMahon on the boards.
Around the Big Ten, only Mackenzie Holmes and Caitlin Clark join the pair of Buckeyes on the list.
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