-
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 You’re Nuts: How concerned are you about the Ohio State men’s basketball team?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: How concerned are you about the Ohio State men’s basketball team?
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
The Buckeyes have lost two-straight games while scoring their lowest and second-lowest point totals of the season.
There’s no sugar coating it: the last week has been a brutal one for the Ohio State men’s basketball team. After it stumbled against Penn State, Ohio State ripped off four consecutive wins, putting it in a pretty good spot with games against Indiana and Wisconsin on the horizon.
Unfortunately, neither of those games went well... at all. After setting a season-low in points with its 71-65 loss to Indiana, Ohio State followed it up by setting a new season-low in points with a 71-60 loss to Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are now 12-4 overall on the season, and 2-3 in Big Ten play.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether freshman guard Taison Chatman, the former top-40 recruit, should see an increase in playing time in Big Ten play. 68% of the readers sided with Connor, who said Chatman should see more minutes moving forward. The other 32% sided with Justin, who isn’t quite sold that he needs to be playing more at this point.
Connor- 64
As stated above, the men’s basketball Buckeyes seem to have hit a bump in the road... or a mountain, depending who you ask. Losers of two straight, the Buckeyes will now face Michigan on the road and Penn State at home — two games they ought to win if they’re still interested in going to the NCAA Tournament.
Does the fact that we’re now saying “if” they make the NCAA Tournament mean that we should grab the panic button? On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you with this team?
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25221016/usa_today_22265304.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
It’s not time to jump ship yet, because I don’t think the boat is sinking. But there’s a few very concerning trends that we’re seeing from these Buckeyes that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
For starters, Ohio State’s defense has regressed significantly since Big Ten play began. After briefly having a top-50 defense in the country according to KenPom, its defensive rank has slipped down to 77 overall. The games against Indiana and Wisconsin were two of the Buckeyes’ worst defensive performances of the season, and in both contests the Buckeyes were unable to get the crucial defensive stops it needed to close out games.
After getting back within two points against Indiana with 1:44 left in the game, Malik Reneau diced up the Buckeyes’ interior defense for a hook shot to get the Hoosiers back up by four — essentially ending the game.
After taking a four-point lead over Wisconsin with 6:14 remaining, the Badgers went on a 19-4 run to end the game, only missing one shot in the process.
Both games were competitive throughout and the Buckeyes had an opportunity to win it in the closing minutes. Both times, Ohio State crumbled on the defensive end and was unable to close out the game. I’m starting to question how much this team really improved defensively from last year, if at all. And if they didn’t improve at all on that end, it’s going to be really difficult to make the tournament.
The other very concerning trend is the all-around poor play of Roddy Gayle. Up until about a week ago, Gayle was having a breakout season that warranted All-Big Ten honors at the end of the season. But over his last three games, Gayle has hit 11 of his 46 shots, one of his last 13 three-pointers, and has 12 turnovers to just five assists. Gayle doesn’t look comfortable at all shooting it, and was clearly hesistant to let it fly against Wisconsin, even with nobody standing in front of him.
The talent is there, but right now Gayle is in his own head to a point where his minutes are hurting the team and making it less likely they win games. With the serious lack of bench production that this team brings, Ohio State really can’t afford for Gayle to fall into a prolonged cold stretch.
For the first time this year, I think it’s reasonable to wonder if this team has what it takes to get back to the NCAA Tournament. With 75% of the Big Ten schedule still in front of Ohio State, there’s plenty of time to get things moving in the right direction — but I don’t like how it looks at the moment.
I want to preface this by saying that, as I write this, I am watching Michigan at Maryland. That is important to my overall point.
These last two games obviously have gone about as badly as they could have for the Buckeyes. There were times they were in a good spot in the second half in both games, only to fall short in the final eight minutes. Whether it is coaching, execution, or some late fatigue (I think it can be a combination of all of it), you have to be able to close games.
Oddly enough, after Alabama, UCLA, West Virginia, and, to a degree, Minnesota, this team looked like they would be able to close games down the stretch. Now, after Penn State, Indiana, Wisconsin, and even Texas A&M early in the season, the late-game struggles from last season have seemingly seeped into this season.
However, I don’t think the sky is falling. I also recognize that this could age horribly if the Buckeyes do not pick up two wins this week. You are at Michigan, who is the worst team in the conference, and then at home against Penn State, and I don’t have to explain why that one is important.
If they win both of those, then the train is back on the tracks, and then they have a chance to pick up two decent wins against Northwestern and Nebraska, who looks like a tournament team this season.
If they lose either of those, then my panic level hits 10. And the season is over. You have to win both of those games.
I am not panicking right now because, at the end of the day while the last two games look really bad, it really is two losses and one at Assembly Hall and then against a top 15 team. Which is not the end of the world.
But the hand is hovering over the panic button right now.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes have lost two-straight games while scoring their lowest and second-lowest point totals of the season.
There’s no sugar coating it: the last week has been a brutal one for the Ohio State men’s basketball team. After it stumbled against Penn State, Ohio State ripped off four consecutive wins, putting it in a pretty good spot with games against Indiana and Wisconsin on the horizon.
Unfortunately, neither of those games went well... at all. After setting a season-low in points with its 71-65 loss to Indiana, Ohio State followed it up by setting a new season-low in points with a 71-60 loss to Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are now 12-4 overall on the season, and 2-3 in Big Ten play.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated whether freshman guard Taison Chatman, the former top-40 recruit, should see an increase in playing time in Big Ten play. 68% of the readers sided with Connor, who said Chatman should see more minutes moving forward. The other 32% sided with Justin, who isn’t quite sold that he needs to be playing more at this point.
After 134 weeks:
Connor- 64
Justin- 52
Other- 14
(There have been four ties)
As stated above, the men’s basketball Buckeyes seem to have hit a bump in the road... or a mountain, depending who you ask. Losers of two straight, the Buckeyes will now face Michigan on the road and Penn State at home — two games they ought to win if they’re still interested in going to the NCAA Tournament.
Does the fact that we’re now saying “if” they make the NCAA Tournament mean that we should grab the panic button? On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you with this team?
Today’s Question: On a scale of 1-10, how concerned are you with the Ohio State men’s basketball team?
Connor: 6
It’s not time to jump ship yet, because I don’t think the boat is sinking. But there’s a few very concerning trends that we’re seeing from these Buckeyes that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
For starters, Ohio State’s defense has regressed significantly since Big Ten play began. After briefly having a top-50 defense in the country according to KenPom, its defensive rank has slipped down to 77 overall. The games against Indiana and Wisconsin were two of the Buckeyes’ worst defensive performances of the season, and in both contests the Buckeyes were unable to get the crucial defensive stops it needed to close out games.
After getting back within two points against Indiana with 1:44 left in the game, Malik Reneau diced up the Buckeyes’ interior defense for a hook shot to get the Hoosiers back up by four — essentially ending the game.
After taking a four-point lead over Wisconsin with 6:14 remaining, the Badgers went on a 19-4 run to end the game, only missing one shot in the process.
Both games were competitive throughout and the Buckeyes had an opportunity to win it in the closing minutes. Both times, Ohio State crumbled on the defensive end and was unable to close out the game. I’m starting to question how much this team really improved defensively from last year, if at all. And if they didn’t improve at all on that end, it’s going to be really difficult to make the tournament.
The other very concerning trend is the all-around poor play of Roddy Gayle. Up until about a week ago, Gayle was having a breakout season that warranted All-Big Ten honors at the end of the season. But over his last three games, Gayle has hit 11 of his 46 shots, one of his last 13 three-pointers, and has 12 turnovers to just five assists. Gayle doesn’t look comfortable at all shooting it, and was clearly hesistant to let it fly against Wisconsin, even with nobody standing in front of him.
The talent is there, but right now Gayle is in his own head to a point where his minutes are hurting the team and making it less likely they win games. With the serious lack of bench production that this team brings, Ohio State really can’t afford for Gayle to fall into a prolonged cold stretch.
For the first time this year, I think it’s reasonable to wonder if this team has what it takes to get back to the NCAA Tournament. With 75% of the Big Ten schedule still in front of Ohio State, there’s plenty of time to get things moving in the right direction — but I don’t like how it looks at the moment.
Justin: 4
I want to preface this by saying that, as I write this, I am watching Michigan at Maryland. That is important to my overall point.
These last two games obviously have gone about as badly as they could have for the Buckeyes. There were times they were in a good spot in the second half in both games, only to fall short in the final eight minutes. Whether it is coaching, execution, or some late fatigue (I think it can be a combination of all of it), you have to be able to close games.
Oddly enough, after Alabama, UCLA, West Virginia, and, to a degree, Minnesota, this team looked like they would be able to close games down the stretch. Now, after Penn State, Indiana, Wisconsin, and even Texas A&M early in the season, the late-game struggles from last season have seemingly seeped into this season.
However, I don’t think the sky is falling. I also recognize that this could age horribly if the Buckeyes do not pick up two wins this week. You are at Michigan, who is the worst team in the conference, and then at home against Penn State, and I don’t have to explain why that one is important.
If they win both of those, then the train is back on the tracks, and then they have a chance to pick up two decent wins against Northwestern and Nebraska, who looks like a tournament team this season.
If they lose either of those, then my panic level hits 10. And the season is over. You have to win both of those games.
I am not panicking right now because, at the end of the day while the last two games look really bad, it really is two losses and one at Assembly Hall and then against a top 15 team. Which is not the end of the world.
But the hand is hovering over the panic button right now.
Continue reading...
LGHL Buckeyes in good position for major in-state priority in 2025, could soon offer Ohio native
- News
- 0 Replies
Buckeyes in good position for major in-state priority in 2025, could soon offer Ohio native
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State is looking at a big time Cincinnati native to be another member of this 2025 haul on the defensive line.
Thursday was more good news in Columbus, as Ohio State was able to bring back Emeka Egbuka for a his senior season. The news of Egbuka giving it another go has fit the bill with the rest of this week, and now the Buckeyes really only await the decisions from TreVeyon Henderson and JT Tuimoloau, both of which will have a major impact on this 2024 roster.
Regardless of what happens, Ohio State has been reloading, and it’s in large part thanks to their current players knowing there’s an opportunity to get back to the expectations this program has.
With Ohio State signing a smaller class in 2024 along the defensive line and being able to keep majority of their current roster players, the staff is going to have to bring in a much larger 2025 class at the position. Sure, the transfer portal can be a help when numbers are an issue, but as you have seen with this staff before, they would rather bring in high school targets and develop them rather than just relaying on the portal to build the roster.
In the range of five to maybe even seven players at the position would be the goal, and with one four-star already in the mix, Ohio State is off to a strong start. Staying right in-state, the Buckeyes have long been fans of Cincinnati native Justin Hill, and rightfully so. A 6-foot-3, 220 pound athlete out of Winton Woods, Hill comes from a program Ohio State has been able to have success with thanks to guys such as Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Miyan Williams and they’re hoping to keep the pipeline alive and well in 2025 with the talented edge rusher.
The No. 138 player nationally, Hill is the 13th-best edge rusher in the class and the sixth best-player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. It seems as if the momentum for Hill to Ohio State is starting to gain some real traction as of late. Though the Crystal Ball predictions via 247Sports have yet to be submitted, On3 Sports Recruiting Machine has the Buckeyes running away with the likelihood of keeping Hill at home for his college career.
With over 20 offers to his name, Hill has programs such as Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and several others in the fold, and is making his way through the process. Though Ohio State certainly is sticking out, trips this month to Oregon being scheduled show there’s still work to do to make it happen for the Buckeyes.
Zahir Mathis is already committed as an edge rusher in this 2025 cycle, and Ohio State will do their best to make sure Hill ends up the same way. For now, the work continues on with the Buckeyes in a good spot.
In sticking with the in-state trend of defensive line targets, Ohio State very well could be on the verge of going after another very soon. As previously mentioned, this 2025 position group has to be increased from in year’s past, and having the ability to seriously look at Ohio native players certainly helps the staff. Not that it’s ever a guarantee, but in-state players tend to have dreams of playing for the Buckeyes more often than not, and in this case, the staff is likely to come calling soon.
On Wednesday, Northmont High School (Clayton, Ohio) product Cedric Works saw a major development in his recruitment when Georgia dished out his latest offer. A 6-foot-4, 220 pound athlete, Works is currently the No. 362 player nationally and 27th best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite. With the recent offer being his biggest to date, Works still has several others that have already pulled the trigger with the likes of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Pitt, Purdue, West Virginia and others in the mix. Ohio State has yet to offer, but that may soon change.
With a class that needs increased numbers and being an in-state player, there’s really not much more the staff needs to know. Certainly the Buckeyes are very aware of Works already, but with Georgia now paying attention it’s likely a matter of when and not if Cedric earns an offer from his in-state school. As it’s seen many times, a domino effect can occur once a heavy hitting program comes offering a under the radar prospect, but in this case being right in Ohio State’s back yard, odds are Works is next in line to hear from the Buckeyes.
The No. 251 player nationally and 33rd best defensive lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Kirks has been a topic of interest lately because of the fact that he’s of course an Ohio product, but also a guy the staff could try and land late to help with defensive line numbers in a smaller 2024 haul.
This weekend will be one to pay close attention to, because if an offer is finally extended, it may just be a matter of time before Ohio State lands another addition to their 2024 class.
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
Ohio State is looking at a big time Cincinnati native to be another member of this 2025 haul on the defensive line.
Thursday was more good news in Columbus, as Ohio State was able to bring back Emeka Egbuka for a his senior season. The news of Egbuka giving it another go has fit the bill with the rest of this week, and now the Buckeyes really only await the decisions from TreVeyon Henderson and JT Tuimoloau, both of which will have a major impact on this 2024 roster.
Regardless of what happens, Ohio State has been reloading, and it’s in large part thanks to their current players knowing there’s an opportunity to get back to the expectations this program has.
In-state target a major priority in 2025
With Ohio State signing a smaller class in 2024 along the defensive line and being able to keep majority of their current roster players, the staff is going to have to bring in a much larger 2025 class at the position. Sure, the transfer portal can be a help when numbers are an issue, but as you have seen with this staff before, they would rather bring in high school targets and develop them rather than just relaying on the portal to build the roster.
In the range of five to maybe even seven players at the position would be the goal, and with one four-star already in the mix, Ohio State is off to a strong start. Staying right in-state, the Buckeyes have long been fans of Cincinnati native Justin Hill, and rightfully so. A 6-foot-3, 220 pound athlete out of Winton Woods, Hill comes from a program Ohio State has been able to have success with thanks to guys such as Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Miyan Williams and they’re hoping to keep the pipeline alive and well in 2025 with the talented edge rusher.
The No. 138 player nationally, Hill is the 13th-best edge rusher in the class and the sixth best-player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. It seems as if the momentum for Hill to Ohio State is starting to gain some real traction as of late. Though the Crystal Ball predictions via 247Sports have yet to be submitted, On3 Sports Recruiting Machine has the Buckeyes running away with the likelihood of keeping Hill at home for his college career.
With over 20 offers to his name, Hill has programs such as Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and several others in the fold, and is making his way through the process. Though Ohio State certainly is sticking out, trips this month to Oregon being scheduled show there’s still work to do to make it happen for the Buckeyes.
Zahir Mathis is already committed as an edge rusher in this 2025 cycle, and Ohio State will do their best to make sure Hill ends up the same way. For now, the work continues on with the Buckeyes in a good spot.
Northmont product could be the next in line
In sticking with the in-state trend of defensive line targets, Ohio State very well could be on the verge of going after another very soon. As previously mentioned, this 2025 position group has to be increased from in year’s past, and having the ability to seriously look at Ohio native players certainly helps the staff. Not that it’s ever a guarantee, but in-state players tend to have dreams of playing for the Buckeyes more often than not, and in this case, the staff is likely to come calling soon.
On Wednesday, Northmont High School (Clayton, Ohio) product Cedric Works saw a major development in his recruitment when Georgia dished out his latest offer. A 6-foot-4, 220 pound athlete, Works is currently the No. 362 player nationally and 27th best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite. With the recent offer being his biggest to date, Works still has several others that have already pulled the trigger with the likes of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Pitt, Purdue, West Virginia and others in the mix. Ohio State has yet to offer, but that may soon change.
With a class that needs increased numbers and being an in-state player, there’s really not much more the staff needs to know. Certainly the Buckeyes are very aware of Works already, but with Georgia now paying attention it’s likely a matter of when and not if Cedric earns an offer from his in-state school. As it’s seen many times, a domino effect can occur once a heavy hitting program comes offering a under the radar prospect, but in this case being right in Ohio State’s back yard, odds are Works is next in line to hear from the Buckeyes.
Quick Hits
- With all of the recruiting news lately in can get lost in the mix, but this weekend is sure to be a big one as the Buckeyes will play host to 2024 Ohio native, Dominic Kirks. Starting his official visit soon, Kirks has been a name to watch in the recent weeks, as the Washington commit from Painesville, Ohio didn’t sign his LOI on signing day.
The No. 251 player nationally and 33rd best defensive lineman in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Kirks has been a topic of interest lately because of the fact that he’s of course an Ohio product, but also a guy the staff could try and land late to help with defensive line numbers in a smaller 2024 haul.
This weekend will be one to pay close attention to, because if an offer is finally extended, it may just be a matter of time before Ohio State lands another addition to their 2024 class.
Continue reading...
