-
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 Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Maryland
- News
- 0 Replies
Game Preview: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. Maryland
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 G Fiume/Getty Images
With a share of a title on the line on Senior Day, the two teams with the best wining streaks in the conference face off.
Sunday afternoon, Ohio State women’s basketball celebrates Senior Day, the annual tradition where players in their final seasons are honored before the game.
This season, the Buckeyes are chock full of graduate seniors, with at least five players in their final seasons of NCAA eligibility. In total, seven players could receive recognition, with the final list not made public by the University.
After the pomp and circumstance, the Scarlet and Gray could lock up a share of its 17th Big Ten regular season championship. However, the Maryland Terrapins are showing the Big Ten that they aren’t a side that will go down easily.
It’s been a hectic few weeks in the Big Ten, but not for the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s on a 13-game winning streak, while the teams with it at the top of the conference have each dropped games in February.
The Buckeyes have played well — better than anyone in the Big Ten in 2024 — but the Terrapins are on a roll themselves. Following a close home defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 3, with Maryland leading the visitors early in the fourth quarter, the Terrapins turned the strong performance into a four-game winning streak, currently the second-longest winning streak in the Big Ten.
Maryland’s doing it through fantastic play by guard Shyanne Sellers and forward Jakia Brown-Turner. On Jan. 17, when Ohio State took the away edition of the matchup, Sellers was limited by foul trouble. Playing only 27 minutes, Sellers still scored 12 points, had nine rebounds and seven assists. Since then, Sellers is coming into her own as the leader of the Terps, on the court.
In Maryland’s last three games of the winning streak, Sellers is at a new level. The Aurora, Ohio native averages a double-double and within four points of averaging a triple-double with 18.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
Earlier this season, the Terrapins were still trying to learn how to gel without now-WNBA player Diamond Miller. Now, Maryland’s identity is clear and it can cause issues for the Buckeyes.
Head coach Brenda Frese’s side is finding space inside the paint offensively and on the boards. Maryland averages 40 rebounds a game in the current winning streak, an area in which the Buckeyes can struggle. Brown-Turner is the catalyst of Sellers’ increased passing efficiency and points inside the paint.
The former NC State forward is averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds since her game against the Buckeyes in College Park. While Brown-Turner was known for her three-point shooting down in the ACC, she’s become an interior outlet for Coach Frese.
Brown-Turner averages 11.6 attempts inside the arc in the past 10 games, compared to only 7.5 in the first 15 games. She’s been a turning point for Maryland’s season that saw it drop out of the AP top-25 for the first time since the 09/10 season.
A key for both teams will be connected to that interior play: Fouling.
In Maryland, Sellers wasn’t the only person with foul troubles. Ohio State guard Celeste Taylor also picked up two early fouls in the first quarter but head coach Kevin McGuff couldn’t afford to lose the guard’s defense, so she stayed in the game.
Maryland and Ohio State are first and third, respectively, in amount of free throws taken per game, two of three teams in the conference averaging more than 20 per game. For both teams, losing starters to foul trouble takes a bit a knock on Sunday.
For Maryland, they’re guaranteed to be without senior guard Lavender Briggs, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Wednesday. Briggs was a favorite for Coach Frese off the bench, averaging the third most minutes per game on the roster despite starting only 10 games.
Ohio State’s knock at depth isn’t for sure yet, with availability reports not required until three hours before the game tips off. Guard Rikki Harris rolled her left ankle on Thursday against Penn State, with preliminary reports from Coach McGuff saying it was an ankle sprain.
Harris has continued her Buckeye history of playing strongly and doing whatever’s necessary to win. This season, it’s been shooting. Harris is making similar number of three-point shots as last season, when she was a starter. Now, completely off the bench, Harris is hitting near one a game at a 34.5% clip. Also, her 86.0 defensive rating is the best in her four-year playing career.
Shooting was what hurt the Buckeyes the last time they played Maryland. The Scarlet and Gray went 4-for-26 from beyond the arc in College Park. Compare that to the current form and Ohio State is a different team. In six February games, the Buckeyes are averaging nine three-point shots per game. Against Penn State on Thursday, away from Columbus, it was 11 made from deep. Shooting better gets points on the scoreboard, but it also gives more room to rebound.
Against Penn State, the boards didn’t go in Ohio State’s favor, with the Nittany Lions clogging the paint, which may have helped the deep shooting because of a rough Penn State defensive performance. Maryland is less likely to have one of those days, but the Buckeyes did perform well in the rebounding department the last time out.
Both forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon had nine rebounds (six on offense) for Ohio State in a game where the Buckeyes out rebounded the Terps 42-39. Thierry, McMahon and the Scarlet and Gray will need to find better positioning, or slow Maryland from getting into the post, if they want to replicate that performance.
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
G- Bri McDaniel
G- Shyanne Sellers
G- Brinae Alexander
F- Faith Masonious
F- Jakia Brown-Turner
Maryland will come out strong, taking advantage of an emotional pregame Senior Day celebration with at least five graduate seniors taking part in the ceremony. Ohio State is going to get past it, and look beyond potentially clinching a share of the title, and continue its form against the Terps.
McMahon will star for the Buckeyes in the game, hitting a double-double of at least 20 points, with Ohio State forcing turnovers in a game of speed versus speed. Maryland’s style of play fits well into what the Scarlet and Gray want to do, and it’ll result in the third game in a row where the Buckeyes force at least 20 turnovers.
Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports App
Saturday, the Buckeyes shared a Senior Day video, with Ohio State players each sharing their thoughts about time in scarlet and gray before Sunday’s celebration. Of the players who still have a year to return — Guards Harris and Madison Greene — only Harris was featured in the video.
Participation in Senior Day doesn’t mean a player is done, but it’s usually a strong sign of a decision. Guards Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor and forwards Rebeka Mikulášiková, Taiyier Parks and Karla Vres are all locks for leaving since each has finished their five years of eligibility.
There’s still a question mark surrounding forward Eboni Walker, who has played in five seasons, but Ohio State’s been working on getting her a redshirt season for the 2021-22 campaign with the Syracuse Orange.
As of Wednesday, there’s no official word if those efforts have earned the forward another year of eligibility.
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 G Fiume/Getty Images
With a share of a title on the line on Senior Day, the two teams with the best wining streaks in the conference face off.
Sunday afternoon, Ohio State women’s basketball celebrates Senior Day, the annual tradition where players in their final seasons are honored before the game.
This season, the Buckeyes are chock full of graduate seniors, with at least five players in their final seasons of NCAA eligibility. In total, seven players could receive recognition, with the final list not made public by the University.
After the pomp and circumstance, the Scarlet and Gray could lock up a share of its 17th Big Ten regular season championship. However, the Maryland Terrapins are showing the Big Ten that they aren’t a side that will go down easily.
Preview
It’s been a hectic few weeks in the Big Ten, but not for the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s on a 13-game winning streak, while the teams with it at the top of the conference have each dropped games in February.
The Buckeyes have played well — better than anyone in the Big Ten in 2024 — but the Terrapins are on a roll themselves. Following a close home defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 3, with Maryland leading the visitors early in the fourth quarter, the Terrapins turned the strong performance into a four-game winning streak, currently the second-longest winning streak in the Big Ten.
Maryland’s doing it through fantastic play by guard Shyanne Sellers and forward Jakia Brown-Turner. On Jan. 17, when Ohio State took the away edition of the matchup, Sellers was limited by foul trouble. Playing only 27 minutes, Sellers still scored 12 points, had nine rebounds and seven assists. Since then, Sellers is coming into her own as the leader of the Terps, on the court.
In Maryland’s last three games of the winning streak, Sellers is at a new level. The Aurora, Ohio native averages a double-double and within four points of averaging a triple-double with 18.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game.
Earlier this season, the Terrapins were still trying to learn how to gel without now-WNBA player Diamond Miller. Now, Maryland’s identity is clear and it can cause issues for the Buckeyes.
Head coach Brenda Frese’s side is finding space inside the paint offensively and on the boards. Maryland averages 40 rebounds a game in the current winning streak, an area in which the Buckeyes can struggle. Brown-Turner is the catalyst of Sellers’ increased passing efficiency and points inside the paint.
The former NC State forward is averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds since her game against the Buckeyes in College Park. While Brown-Turner was known for her three-point shooting down in the ACC, she’s become an interior outlet for Coach Frese.
Brown-Turner averages 11.6 attempts inside the arc in the past 10 games, compared to only 7.5 in the first 15 games. She’s been a turning point for Maryland’s season that saw it drop out of the AP top-25 for the first time since the 09/10 season.
JBT is on the Big Ten POTW Honor Roll
Career-high 32 points
12-17 FG
7 rebs
3 steals @JustJakiaa x #BuiltForIt pic.twitter.com/R7aJ2cCV4Y
— Maryland Women’s Basketball (@TerpsWBB) February 19, 2024
A key for both teams will be connected to that interior play: Fouling.
In Maryland, Sellers wasn’t the only person with foul troubles. Ohio State guard Celeste Taylor also picked up two early fouls in the first quarter but head coach Kevin McGuff couldn’t afford to lose the guard’s defense, so she stayed in the game.
Maryland and Ohio State are first and third, respectively, in amount of free throws taken per game, two of three teams in the conference averaging more than 20 per game. For both teams, losing starters to foul trouble takes a bit a knock on Sunday.
For Maryland, they’re guaranteed to be without senior guard Lavender Briggs, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Wednesday. Briggs was a favorite for Coach Frese off the bench, averaging the third most minutes per game on the roster despite starting only 10 games.
Ohio State’s knock at depth isn’t for sure yet, with availability reports not required until three hours before the game tips off. Guard Rikki Harris rolled her left ankle on Thursday against Penn State, with preliminary reports from Coach McGuff saying it was an ankle sprain.
Harris has continued her Buckeye history of playing strongly and doing whatever’s necessary to win. This season, it’s been shooting. Harris is making similar number of three-point shots as last season, when she was a starter. Now, completely off the bench, Harris is hitting near one a game at a 34.5% clip. Also, her 86.0 defensive rating is the best in her four-year playing career.
Shooting was what hurt the Buckeyes the last time they played Maryland. The Scarlet and Gray went 4-for-26 from beyond the arc in College Park. Compare that to the current form and Ohio State is a different team. In six February games, the Buckeyes are averaging nine three-point shots per game. Against Penn State on Thursday, away from Columbus, it was 11 made from deep. Shooting better gets points on the scoreboard, but it also gives more room to rebound.
Against Penn State, the boards didn’t go in Ohio State’s favor, with the Nittany Lions clogging the paint, which may have helped the deep shooting because of a rough Penn State defensive performance. Maryland is less likely to have one of those days, but the Buckeyes did perform well in the rebounding department the last time out.
Both forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon had nine rebounds (six on offense) for Ohio State in a game where the Buckeyes out rebounded the Terps 42-39. Thierry, McMahon and the Scarlet and Gray will need to find better positioning, or slow Maryland from getting into the post, if they want to replicate that performance.
Ohio State
G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášikova
Lineup Notes
- Guard Celeste Taylor scored her 1,500th career point on Thursday against Penn State, and she’s also creating more scoring chances with Ohio State, averaging a career high 3.3 assists per game.
- Guard Jacy Sheldon is 81 points away from scoring 2,000 career points, all in scarlet and gray.
- If Ohio State wins, it’ll be only the second time since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014-15 that the Buckeyes have beaten the Terrapins twice in the same season. Maryland holds a 14-7 all-time record against the Scarlet and Gray.
Maryland
G- Bri McDaniel
G- Shyanne Sellers
G- Brinae Alexander
F- Faith Masonious
F- Jakia Brown-Turner
Lineup Notes
- Guard Bri McDaniel 44.4% three-point shooting percentage is third in Maryland program history.
- The Terrapins feature four 1,000-point scorers in McDaniel, Shyanne Sellers, Lavender Briggs and Jakia Brown-Turner.
- Brown-Turner enters Sunday coming off a career high 32 points, seven rebounds and three steals against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Prediction
Maryland will come out strong, taking advantage of an emotional pregame Senior Day celebration with at least five graduate seniors taking part in the ceremony. Ohio State is going to get past it, and look beyond potentially clinching a share of the title, and continue its form against the Terps.
McMahon will star for the Buckeyes in the game, hitting a double-double of at least 20 points, with Ohio State forcing turnovers in a game of speed versus speed. Maryland’s style of play fits well into what the Scarlet and Gray want to do, and it’ll result in the third game in a row where the Buckeyes force at least 20 turnovers.
How to Watch
Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Television: Big Ten Network
Stream: Fox Sports App
LGHL Prediction: 89-82 Ohio State Buckeyes
Who’s Returning?
Saturday, the Buckeyes shared a Senior Day video, with Ohio State players each sharing their thoughts about time in scarlet and gray before Sunday’s celebration. Of the players who still have a year to return — Guards Harris and Madison Greene — only Harris was featured in the video.
Participation in Senior Day doesn’t mean a player is done, but it’s usually a strong sign of a decision. Guards Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor and forwards Rebeka Mikulášiková, Taiyier Parks and Karla Vres are all locks for leaving since each has finished their five years of eligibility.
There’s still a question mark surrounding forward Eboni Walker, who has played in five seasons, but Ohio State’s been working on getting her a redshirt season for the 2021-22 campaign with the Syracuse Orange.
As of Wednesday, there’s no official word if those efforts have earned the forward another year of eligibility.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Michigan State: Game Preview and Prediction
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Michigan State: Game Preview and Prediction
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Can the Buckeyes end their road losing streak and pick up a big win in the process?
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (15-12, 5-11) has two more chances to secure a road win this season and break its program-record 17-straight road losses. One of those comes today at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
The Buckeyes will face the Michigan State Spartans (17-10, 9-7), who are coming off a disappointing loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes at home, snapping a three-game winning streak over Illinois, Penn State, and Michigan.
Michigan State came into the season ranked in the top five in the preseason poll, but outside of some flashes, this season in general has been disappointing for the Spartans. They want to end the season strong to establish their spot in the NCAA Tournament and avoid any slip-ups as the season finishes.
Ohio State fired its head coach, Chris Holtmann, a week and a half ago, and it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. The Buckeyes upset the No. 2 ranked Purdue Boilermakers last Sunday to start 1-0 with interim head coach Jake Diebler, but lost at Minnesota on Thursday night, 88-79.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25303584/usa_today_22590536.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Minnesota")
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State is led into this contest by sophomore point guard Bruce Thornton, averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle is averaging 14.2 points and 5.1 boards per contest, and sophomore guard Roddy Gayle averages 13.7 and 4.2, respectively. Battle has been the top shooter in the conference this season, as he leads the Big Ten in three-point percentage at 44.0 percent and three-pointers made at 73.
Michigan State is led by Tyson Walker, who has put up 18.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his third season in East Lansing. Malik Hall averages 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins are averaging 11.3 and 11.0 points per contest, respectively.
This will be a challenge offensively for the Buckeyes, as the Spartans are second in the conference in defense, giving up only 66.2 points per game. The Buckeyes are ninth in scoring in the conference, scoring 74.2 points per game.
Michigan State has struggled to find any consistency this season, but the talent is undeniable, and they look like a team that can make a deep run in the tournament when all the wheels are clicking in order. Ohio State is just trying to find any type of footing this season, as they are going to finish under. 500 in conference play for the second-straight season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25303588/usa_today_22523030.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Michigan State at Penn State")
Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan State has two key advantages coming into this game. The first one is the obvious home-court advantage. Ohio State has lost 17 road games in a row, and is going into one of the toughest places to win in the conference.
The second one is rest. Ohio State played Thursday at 8:00 pm ET, while Michigan State played on Tuesday at 7:00 pm ET. Sometimes, the schedule shakes out a little weirdly, and this is one of those examples where the traveling team has over two days less rest time. That will make it more difficult for the Buckeyes to prepare for this one.
At this point, I will predict the Buckeyes lose every road game until they win one. They have two more opportunities this season, with this trip to Sparty and then the final game of the season at Rutgers. Eventually they will break the road losing streak, and it very well may be this game, but at some point you have to be shown something, and they have not shown me anything to predict them winning a road game — especially at the Breslin Center.
I think Ohio State will keep it close throughout, but a combination of Michigan State’s defense and Ohio State’s late-game execution struggles will give the Spartans a win.
ESPN BPI: Michigan State 84.4
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
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
Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Can the Buckeyes end their road losing streak and pick up a big win in the process?
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (15-12, 5-11) has two more chances to secure a road win this season and break its program-record 17-straight road losses. One of those comes today at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
The Buckeyes will face the Michigan State Spartans (17-10, 9-7), who are coming off a disappointing loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes at home, snapping a three-game winning streak over Illinois, Penn State, and Michigan.
Michigan State came into the season ranked in the top five in the preseason poll, but outside of some flashes, this season in general has been disappointing for the Spartans. They want to end the season strong to establish their spot in the NCAA Tournament and avoid any slip-ups as the season finishes.
Ohio State fired its head coach, Chris Holtmann, a week and a half ago, and it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. The Buckeyes upset the No. 2 ranked Purdue Boilermakers last Sunday to start 1-0 with interim head coach Jake Diebler, but lost at Minnesota on Thursday night, 88-79.
Preview
Ohio State is led into this contest by sophomore point guard Bruce Thornton, averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle is averaging 14.2 points and 5.1 boards per contest, and sophomore guard Roddy Gayle averages 13.7 and 4.2, respectively. Battle has been the top shooter in the conference this season, as he leads the Big Ten in three-point percentage at 44.0 percent and three-pointers made at 73.
Michigan State is led by Tyson Walker, who has put up 18.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.9 steals per game in his third season in East Lansing. Malik Hall averages 12.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins are averaging 11.3 and 11.0 points per contest, respectively.
This will be a challenge offensively for the Buckeyes, as the Spartans are second in the conference in defense, giving up only 66.2 points per game. The Buckeyes are ninth in scoring in the conference, scoring 74.2 points per game.
Michigan State has struggled to find any consistency this season, but the talent is undeniable, and they look like a team that can make a deep run in the tournament when all the wheels are clicking in order. Ohio State is just trying to find any type of footing this season, as they are going to finish under. 500 in conference play for the second-straight season.
Prediction
Michigan State has two key advantages coming into this game. The first one is the obvious home-court advantage. Ohio State has lost 17 road games in a row, and is going into one of the toughest places to win in the conference.
The second one is rest. Ohio State played Thursday at 8:00 pm ET, while Michigan State played on Tuesday at 7:00 pm ET. Sometimes, the schedule shakes out a little weirdly, and this is one of those examples where the traveling team has over two days less rest time. That will make it more difficult for the Buckeyes to prepare for this one.
At this point, I will predict the Buckeyes lose every road game until they win one. They have two more opportunities this season, with this trip to Sparty and then the final game of the season at Rutgers. Eventually they will break the road losing streak, and it very well may be this game, but at some point you have to be shown something, and they have not shown me anything to predict them winning a road game — especially at the Breslin Center.
I think Ohio State will keep it close throughout, but a combination of Michigan State’s defense and Ohio State’s late-game execution struggles will give the Spartans a win.
ESPN BPI: Michigan State 84.4
Time: 4 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
LGHL Score Prediction: Michigan State 70, Ohio State 64
Continue reading...
LGHL Pre-spring football depth chart projection: Offense
- News
- 0 Replies
Pre-spring football depth chart projection: Offense
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes bring back a handful of pieces on offense, but also add some big names.
With spring practices set to ramp up in early March, it’s a good time to take a look at where Ohio State’s roster currently stands and attempt to project forward ahead of some key position battles. We will start this exercise here with the offensive side of the ball, where the Buckeyes return a bunch of production, but also lose a few big names while adding at key positions through the transfer portal.
QB1: Will Howard
QB2: Devin Brown OR Lincoln Kienholz
One of the two most set-in-stone position groups on offense for Ohio State — the second of which we will get to next — Will Howard did not transfer from Kansas State to not start for the Buckeyes this season. With Kyle McCord off to Syracuse, Howard brings with him four years of experience with the Wildcats, passing for nearly 5,800 yards with 48 touchdowns while rushing for another 920 yards with 19 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability should fit in well with Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s offensive game plan.
Behind Howard will be either Brown or Kienholz. It is hard to believe that Ohio State will go into the season with five scholarship quarterbacks, including five-star freshmen Air Noland and Julian Sayin, so in all likelihood the loser of the battle for the backup job in 2024 could very well enter the transfer portal to look for a starting job elsewhere. As the elder of the two, the more likely candidate for that type of scenario would be Brown, but that being said the junior probably has the inside track to being QB2 if he wants it, given that he got the nod to start in the Cotton Bowl.
RB1: TreVeyon Henderson OR Quinshon Judkins
RB2: Dallan Hayden
Ohio State will have one of the most talented running back rooms in the country this upcoming season, led by a two-headed monster of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
A surprise transfer portal addition by way of Ole Miss, Judkins comes to Columbus having led the SEC in rushing TDs each of the last two seasons and finishing first and second in rushing yards in the conference in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Having toted the rock an absurd 545 times in his two campaigns with the Rebels, Judkins comes to Ohio State looking to keep some tread off the tires in preparation for his NFL career, which will be great for both himself and Henderson to stay fresh.
Henderson, of course, has been Ohio State’s best running back when healthy over the past three seasons. He has amassed over 2,700 yards on an impressive 6.2 yards per carry during his collegiate career with 32 touchdowns, also showcasing his abilities as a threat in the passing game with 50 receptions for 569 yards and five scores. The timeshare with Judkins should help him stay on the field this year, as he has been banged up at various times in each of his first three years on campus.
Henderson and Judkins will command the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield, but Dallan Hayden will also be in the mix after showing flashes while playing sparingly in his first two years. The only other scholarship running back on the roster besides the freshmen, Hayden has tallied 663 yards and six TDs in his limited reps, and deserves an adequate amount of playing time in 2024 behind 1A and 1B.
WR Starters: Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss OR Jeremiah Smith
WR Depth: Jayden Ballard, Mylan Graham, Kyion Grayes
There aren’t many schools that could lose a generational talent at wide receiver to the NFL Draft as well as a top-three producer at wideout transferring to another school in the same conference and still feel good about their room heading into the next season, but that is exactly where Ohio State is at thanks to Brian Hartline’s recruiting prowess.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (NFL Draft) and Julian Fleming (transfer to Penn State) are both gone, but returning is Emeka Egbuka, who looks to be the next in line as a likely first round draft pick in 2025 with a healthy campaign this season. Lining up alongside him will be some combination of a trio of five-star talents in Tate, Inniss and Smith.
Tate saw the field a bit as a freshman after enrolling early last offseason, catching 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown and looking impressive in limited reps. As his fellow five-star in the 2023 class, Inniss did not get as much playing time after enrolling in the summer, but did still manage a long 58-yard TD in his lone catch of the season against Purdue. Smith, meanwhile, is the newest member of the group, but as the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class and the most highly-touted receiver prospect since Julio Jones, a significant role in year one is definitely in play.
Behind those four is a good amount of high-upside depth. Ballard is one of the Buckeyes’ two longest-tenured wideouts alongside Egbuka, but hasn’t gotten consistent playing time with all of the tremendous talents in that room over the past few years. Grayes was highly touted coming out of high school in 2022, but has caught just one pass for two yards thus far at Ohio State and enters what could be a make or break year. Graham is a freshman like Smith, but is also a five-star prospect and an impressive talent that could see the field early.
TE1: Will Kacmarek
TE2: Jelani Thurman OR Gee Scott Jr.
Seemingly one of the lesser-talked about position groups heading into this season, Ohio State will be tasked with replacing the NFL-bound Cade Stover, who racked up nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Maybe not the most capable blocker in the world, Stover was still the Buckeyes’ second-leading receiver behind Harrison Jr. last year, and the tight end position remains an important part of Day’s offensive scheme.
Despite bringing back last year’s No. 2 tight end in Gee Scott Jr. as well as a potential rising star in Jelani Thurman, Ohio State went into the transfer portal to land Ohio’s Will Kacmarek. After redshirting his first season with the Bobcats, Kacmarek recorded 42 catches for 507 yards and two scores over the past two years. Listed at 6-foot-6, 256-pounds, Kacmarek should be a solid option atop the depth chart in both the blocking and receiving game, albeit probably not quite to the level of Stover as a pass-catcher.
It’s still worth keeping an eye on a guy like Thurman, who was the No. 3 overall tight end in the 2023 recruiting class, especially as a guy who can step up as a receiver. There was some talk at one point of him potentially moving to wide receiver, but it seems for now he will remain with the tight ends. Either way, it would not be at all shocking to see Thurman on the field in more obvious passing down packages.
LT: Josh Simmons
LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Seth McLaughlin
RG: Josh Fryar
RT: Luke Montgomery OR Tegra Tshabola
OT Depth: Zen Michalski, George Fitzpatrick, Ian Moore
IOL Depth: Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, Joshua Padilla, Enokk Vimahi
The biggest question mark heading into the 2024 season for Ohio State is far and away the offensive line. The Buckeyes’ front was not up to par in 2023, and was one of the biggest reasons why the program was unable to reach its ultimate goals. With that in mind, all five of the players who started among that group are returning, but that doesn’t mean all of them are remaining atop the depth chart or playing the same position this time around.
Three spots on the offensive line are more or less set, all of which are on the left side. Josh Simmons, a former San Diego State transfer, had some early struggles with the rise in competition in Columbus, but was one of Ohio State’s best offensive linemen by season’s end, and can really take the next step this season if he can cut down on the penalties. Former five-star Donovan Jackson will maintain his spot at left guard despite some inconsistencies, while Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin comes in to take over at center.
Which brings us to the question marks: right guard and right tackle. We can assume that Josh Fryar will earn one of those two spots, with a move back to his more natural position at right guard the most likely outcome after serving as the team’s starting right tackle last season. If that is in fact the case, then the largest position battle of all this offseason will be at right tackle, with at least two but potentially more players competing for the job.
That battle figures to be either Luke Montgomery or Tegra Tshabola’s to lose. Montgomery was a four-star prospect and a top-100 overall player in the 2023 class, and the 6-foot-4, 302-pound sophomore is in prime position to make a run at the starting job. Tshabola, who was just outside the top-100 on the 247Sports Composite but was a top-40 player overall by 247Sports’ own rankings in 2022, will be his biggest competition. Tshabola is potentially better suited as a guard, but at 6-foot-6, 322 pounds was originally recruited as a tackle, and that is where Ohio State’s current need exists.
Of course, the Buckeyes could very well look to the transfer portal in the spring window to fill that right tackle spot, much like they did with Simmons last offseason. Other guys on the roster among potential tackles include Zen Michalski, George Fitzpatrick and incoming freshman Ian Moore.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes bring back a handful of pieces on offense, but also add some big names.
With spring practices set to ramp up in early March, it’s a good time to take a look at where Ohio State’s roster currently stands and attempt to project forward ahead of some key position battles. We will start this exercise here with the offensive side of the ball, where the Buckeyes return a bunch of production, but also lose a few big names while adding at key positions through the transfer portal.
Quarterbacks
QB1: Will Howard
QB2: Devin Brown OR Lincoln Kienholz
One of the two most set-in-stone position groups on offense for Ohio State — the second of which we will get to next — Will Howard did not transfer from Kansas State to not start for the Buckeyes this season. With Kyle McCord off to Syracuse, Howard brings with him four years of experience with the Wildcats, passing for nearly 5,800 yards with 48 touchdowns while rushing for another 920 yards with 19 scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability should fit in well with Ryan Day and Chip Kelly’s offensive game plan.
Behind Howard will be either Brown or Kienholz. It is hard to believe that Ohio State will go into the season with five scholarship quarterbacks, including five-star freshmen Air Noland and Julian Sayin, so in all likelihood the loser of the battle for the backup job in 2024 could very well enter the transfer portal to look for a starting job elsewhere. As the elder of the two, the more likely candidate for that type of scenario would be Brown, but that being said the junior probably has the inside track to being QB2 if he wants it, given that he got the nod to start in the Cotton Bowl.
Running Backs
RB1: TreVeyon Henderson OR Quinshon Judkins
RB2: Dallan Hayden
Ohio State will have one of the most talented running back rooms in the country this upcoming season, led by a two-headed monster of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
A surprise transfer portal addition by way of Ole Miss, Judkins comes to Columbus having led the SEC in rushing TDs each of the last two seasons and finishing first and second in rushing yards in the conference in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Having toted the rock an absurd 545 times in his two campaigns with the Rebels, Judkins comes to Ohio State looking to keep some tread off the tires in preparation for his NFL career, which will be great for both himself and Henderson to stay fresh.
Henderson, of course, has been Ohio State’s best running back when healthy over the past three seasons. He has amassed over 2,700 yards on an impressive 6.2 yards per carry during his collegiate career with 32 touchdowns, also showcasing his abilities as a threat in the passing game with 50 receptions for 569 yards and five scores. The timeshare with Judkins should help him stay on the field this year, as he has been banged up at various times in each of his first three years on campus.
Henderson and Judkins will command the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield, but Dallan Hayden will also be in the mix after showing flashes while playing sparingly in his first two years. The only other scholarship running back on the roster besides the freshmen, Hayden has tallied 663 yards and six TDs in his limited reps, and deserves an adequate amount of playing time in 2024 behind 1A and 1B.
Wide Receivers
WR Starters: Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss OR Jeremiah Smith
WR Depth: Jayden Ballard, Mylan Graham, Kyion Grayes
There aren’t many schools that could lose a generational talent at wide receiver to the NFL Draft as well as a top-three producer at wideout transferring to another school in the same conference and still feel good about their room heading into the next season, but that is exactly where Ohio State is at thanks to Brian Hartline’s recruiting prowess.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (NFL Draft) and Julian Fleming (transfer to Penn State) are both gone, but returning is Emeka Egbuka, who looks to be the next in line as a likely first round draft pick in 2025 with a healthy campaign this season. Lining up alongside him will be some combination of a trio of five-star talents in Tate, Inniss and Smith.
Tate saw the field a bit as a freshman after enrolling early last offseason, catching 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown and looking impressive in limited reps. As his fellow five-star in the 2023 class, Inniss did not get as much playing time after enrolling in the summer, but did still manage a long 58-yard TD in his lone catch of the season against Purdue. Smith, meanwhile, is the newest member of the group, but as the No. 1 overall player in the 2024 class and the most highly-touted receiver prospect since Julio Jones, a significant role in year one is definitely in play.
Behind those four is a good amount of high-upside depth. Ballard is one of the Buckeyes’ two longest-tenured wideouts alongside Egbuka, but hasn’t gotten consistent playing time with all of the tremendous talents in that room over the past few years. Grayes was highly touted coming out of high school in 2022, but has caught just one pass for two yards thus far at Ohio State and enters what could be a make or break year. Graham is a freshman like Smith, but is also a five-star prospect and an impressive talent that could see the field early.
Tight Ends
TE1: Will Kacmarek
TE2: Jelani Thurman OR Gee Scott Jr.
Seemingly one of the lesser-talked about position groups heading into this season, Ohio State will be tasked with replacing the NFL-bound Cade Stover, who racked up nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Maybe not the most capable blocker in the world, Stover was still the Buckeyes’ second-leading receiver behind Harrison Jr. last year, and the tight end position remains an important part of Day’s offensive scheme.
Despite bringing back last year’s No. 2 tight end in Gee Scott Jr. as well as a potential rising star in Jelani Thurman, Ohio State went into the transfer portal to land Ohio’s Will Kacmarek. After redshirting his first season with the Bobcats, Kacmarek recorded 42 catches for 507 yards and two scores over the past two years. Listed at 6-foot-6, 256-pounds, Kacmarek should be a solid option atop the depth chart in both the blocking and receiving game, albeit probably not quite to the level of Stover as a pass-catcher.
It’s still worth keeping an eye on a guy like Thurman, who was the No. 3 overall tight end in the 2023 recruiting class, especially as a guy who can step up as a receiver. There was some talk at one point of him potentially moving to wide receiver, but it seems for now he will remain with the tight ends. Either way, it would not be at all shocking to see Thurman on the field in more obvious passing down packages.
Offensive Line
LT: Josh Simmons
LG: Donovan Jackson
C: Seth McLaughlin
RG: Josh Fryar
RT: Luke Montgomery OR Tegra Tshabola
OT Depth: Zen Michalski, George Fitzpatrick, Ian Moore
IOL Depth: Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, Joshua Padilla, Enokk Vimahi
The biggest question mark heading into the 2024 season for Ohio State is far and away the offensive line. The Buckeyes’ front was not up to par in 2023, and was one of the biggest reasons why the program was unable to reach its ultimate goals. With that in mind, all five of the players who started among that group are returning, but that doesn’t mean all of them are remaining atop the depth chart or playing the same position this time around.
Three spots on the offensive line are more or less set, all of which are on the left side. Josh Simmons, a former San Diego State transfer, had some early struggles with the rise in competition in Columbus, but was one of Ohio State’s best offensive linemen by season’s end, and can really take the next step this season if he can cut down on the penalties. Former five-star Donovan Jackson will maintain his spot at left guard despite some inconsistencies, while Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin comes in to take over at center.
Which brings us to the question marks: right guard and right tackle. We can assume that Josh Fryar will earn one of those two spots, with a move back to his more natural position at right guard the most likely outcome after serving as the team’s starting right tackle last season. If that is in fact the case, then the largest position battle of all this offseason will be at right tackle, with at least two but potentially more players competing for the job.
That battle figures to be either Luke Montgomery or Tegra Tshabola’s to lose. Montgomery was a four-star prospect and a top-100 overall player in the 2023 class, and the 6-foot-4, 302-pound sophomore is in prime position to make a run at the starting job. Tshabola, who was just outside the top-100 on the 247Sports Composite but was a top-40 player overall by 247Sports’ own rankings in 2022, will be his biggest competition. Tshabola is potentially better suited as a guard, but at 6-foot-6, 322 pounds was originally recruited as a tackle, and that is where Ohio State’s current need exists.
Of course, the Buckeyes could very well look to the transfer portal in the spring window to fill that right tackle spot, much like they did with Simmons last offseason. Other guys on the roster among potential tackles include Zen Michalski, George Fitzpatrick and incoming freshman Ian Moore.
Continue reading...
LGHL Visiting Locker Room: Talking Terrapins with The Diamondback
- News
- 0 Replies
Visiting Locker Room: Talking Terrapins with The Diamondback
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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Sam Jane from Maryland’s student-run newspaper talks about the Terps current winning streak and more.
Ohio State women’s basketball is in its part of the season where teams are getting a second look at the Buckeyes. Sunday, on Senior Day, its another game against the Maryland Terrapins, who have played well against the Scarlet and Gray in past seasons.
Head coach Kevin McGuff side needed a strong fourth quarter on Jan. 17 to defeat a Terps side that’s struggled to find its identity. Now, Maryland is in a four-game winning streak, that was close to five games when the Terrapins led the Iowa Hawkeyes late before losing in the closing minutes.
To get a good look at how Maryland’s changed in the last month, Land-Grant Holy Land reached out to Sam Jane of The Diamondback. The Terps beat writer discussed what’s different about this team, where guard Shyanne Sellers needs to improve to beat the Buckeyes and what Maryland needs to do to beat Ohio State.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Even though the Terps lost to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa, the narrow margin of defeat seemed to shake loose something in Maryland. Was it confidence or have the pieces started to click into place for head coach Brenda Frese?
LGHL: Everyone knew that guard Shyanne Sellers was set to take the reins this season with now-WNBA pro Diamond Miller departing the program. During Maryland’s current four-game winning streak, the Ohioan is hitting a new level. Can you explain what’s gotten her there and what makes her so dangerous this season?
LGHL: You mentioned Brown-Turner. For all the talk about Sellers, Brown-Turner seems to be the star of this team right now. The former NC State player’s been Coach Frese’s most consistent scorer since the start of the 2024 calendar year. How has she improved since Buckeye fans saw her last?
LGHL: What does Maryland have to do on Sunday to beat Ohio State?
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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Sam Jane from Maryland’s student-run newspaper talks about the Terps current winning streak and more.
Ohio State women’s basketball is in its part of the season where teams are getting a second look at the Buckeyes. Sunday, on Senior Day, its another game against the Maryland Terrapins, who have played well against the Scarlet and Gray in past seasons.
Head coach Kevin McGuff side needed a strong fourth quarter on Jan. 17 to defeat a Terps side that’s struggled to find its identity. Now, Maryland is in a four-game winning streak, that was close to five games when the Terrapins led the Iowa Hawkeyes late before losing in the closing minutes.
To get a good look at how Maryland’s changed in the last month, Land-Grant Holy Land reached out to Sam Jane of The Diamondback. The Terps beat writer discussed what’s different about this team, where guard Shyanne Sellers needs to improve to beat the Buckeyes and what Maryland needs to do to beat Ohio State.
Land-Grant Holy Land: Even though the Terps lost to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa, the narrow margin of defeat seemed to shake loose something in Maryland. Was it confidence or have the pieces started to click into place for head coach Brenda Frese?
LGHL: Everyone knew that guard Shyanne Sellers was set to take the reins this season with now-WNBA pro Diamond Miller departing the program. During Maryland’s current four-game winning streak, the Ohioan is hitting a new level. Can you explain what’s gotten her there and what makes her so dangerous this season?
LGHL: You mentioned Brown-Turner. For all the talk about Sellers, Brown-Turner seems to be the star of this team right now. The former NC State player’s been Coach Frese’s most consistent scorer since the start of the 2024 calendar year. How has she improved since Buckeye fans saw her last?
LGHL: What does Maryland have to do on Sunday to beat Ohio State?
Continue reading...