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LGHL Defensive adjustment, rebounding shorten Ohio State women’s basketball’s season
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Defensive adjustment, rebounding shorten Ohio State women’s basketball’s season
ThomasCostello 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
After a strong start, Sunday’s final score shows a tale of diminishing returns for the Buckeyes.
Things couldn’t have started any better for Ohio State women’s basketball on Sunday. The Duke Blue Devils were stifled offensively, frustrated defensively and the Buckeyes continued to exploit the young visiting side. Then it all went wrong. Here’s how lack of adjustment and a continued thorn in the Buckeyes’ side has Ohio State looking to next season.
Entering the final NCAA Tournament game of the weekend in Columbus, a storyline was the experienced Buckeyes facing a young Blue Devils team. Looking at the five players who played the most for each side this year, Ohio State’s roster averaged 41 more college appearances than Duke.
It showed in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Ohio State jumped out to a 12-4 lead, stretching it to 10 points by the end of the first quarter. Look in the details of the quarter and it reeked of Buckeyes dominance. Of Duke’s 10 points scored, six of them came from the free throw line, and after forward Reigan Richardson hit a midrange jumper with 8:05 left in the quarter, the Blue Devils couldn’t muster another made shot from the field until 6:53 left in the second quarter.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s group benefited from an opponent playing man coverage. Players found space in behind the defense, and the Buckeyes owned a 26-to-6 points in the paint first half advantage.
Even with all the post success, the Buckeyes were outrebounded 10-to-7 in the first 10 minutes, but considering the five forced turnovers for the home side, it didn’t really impact the game. After all, the height and size advantage of Duke was likely going to end in a negative rebounding margin for Ohio State. Then things began to unravel.
It began offensively with Richardson propelling the Blue Devils. After hitting two three-point shots, the lead was trimmed to 11 points and the Buckeyes went cold, taking just two shots in the final two minutes of the first half.
A nine-point Duke run gave Ohio State a four-point lead heading into halftime, and the rest of the game was an attempt to hang on.
For Ohio State, forward Cotie McMahon did everything she could to propel the team. In the third quarter, the sophomore scored nine of the Buckeyes’ 14 points. The Buckeyes kept going into the paint.
“As the game wore on, we really got out of sync on offense,” said head coach Kevin McGuff. “And Duke was playing really good defense, so they had a hand in that.”
The Blue Devils knew that the Buckeyes wanted to go into the paint, and Ohio State gave the ACC side exactly what they expected. Layup attempts by McMahon and Taylor Thierry stopped falling, and whistles weren’t blowing on the inside shots.
All-in-all, the Buckeye offense became one dimensional. It was a move by design for the Blue Devils.
“I think they were obviously keying on the three-point line, so our counter to that is to kind of spread ‘em out and attack,” said McGuff. “I think that was working for awhile. Then when we did get some opportunities at the three-point line, we weren’t connecting.”
By the end of the third quarter, Ohio State had only eight three-point attempts in total — none of which came in the second quarter. It wasn’t until 14 seconds remaining in the game that guard Jacy Sheldon hit a three, the lone make from deep all game. No makes came for Rebeka Mikulášiková, Celeste Taylor, Rikki Harris or Thierry. Bench shooter Emma Shumate never saw a minute on the court.
Rebounding also got worse.
Each quarter, Duke out-rebounded Ohio State by five. The Buckeyes ended the day with 20 rebounds, compared to 38 for the opposition. The continued offensive moves to the basket drew attention from the Blue Devils. Plus, with Ohio State attacking the basket, missed shots had three Duke players and sometimes only one Buckeye available to battle, with the rest outside the arc waiting to get back on defense.
While experience benefited the Buckeyes, and propelled its quick start, it was complacency against a young team committed to its strategy that ended the Scarlet and Gray’s season.
“They made mistakes, but they kept playing hard, and they’re very athletic and they made enough plays to win the game,” said McGuff.
Richardson, one of the lone starting upperclassmen for head coach Kara Lawson, seemingly willed the Blue Devils to victory. The guard had 10 points, four rebounds and no turnovers in the final 10 minutes. A 24-point quarter against 13 for Ohio State, with each quarter of scoring less than the last. Richardson’s 28 points and seven rebounds move Duke to the Sweet Sixteen.
Now, what’s left for Ohio State are questions that won’t be answered until at least November.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
After a strong start, Sunday’s final score shows a tale of diminishing returns for the Buckeyes.
Things couldn’t have started any better for Ohio State women’s basketball on Sunday. The Duke Blue Devils were stifled offensively, frustrated defensively and the Buckeyes continued to exploit the young visiting side. Then it all went wrong. Here’s how lack of adjustment and a continued thorn in the Buckeyes’ side has Ohio State looking to next season.
Entering the final NCAA Tournament game of the weekend in Columbus, a storyline was the experienced Buckeyes facing a young Blue Devils team. Looking at the five players who played the most for each side this year, Ohio State’s roster averaged 41 more college appearances than Duke.
It showed in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Ohio State jumped out to a 12-4 lead, stretching it to 10 points by the end of the first quarter. Look in the details of the quarter and it reeked of Buckeyes dominance. Of Duke’s 10 points scored, six of them came from the free throw line, and after forward Reigan Richardson hit a midrange jumper with 8:05 left in the quarter, the Blue Devils couldn’t muster another made shot from the field until 6:53 left in the second quarter.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s group benefited from an opponent playing man coverage. Players found space in behind the defense, and the Buckeyes owned a 26-to-6 points in the paint first half advantage.
Even with all the post success, the Buckeyes were outrebounded 10-to-7 in the first 10 minutes, but considering the five forced turnovers for the home side, it didn’t really impact the game. After all, the height and size advantage of Duke was likely going to end in a negative rebounding margin for Ohio State. Then things began to unravel.
It began offensively with Richardson propelling the Blue Devils. After hitting two three-point shots, the lead was trimmed to 11 points and the Buckeyes went cold, taking just two shots in the final two minutes of the first half.
A nine-point Duke run gave Ohio State a four-point lead heading into halftime, and the rest of the game was an attempt to hang on.
For Ohio State, forward Cotie McMahon did everything she could to propel the team. In the third quarter, the sophomore scored nine of the Buckeyes’ 14 points. The Buckeyes kept going into the paint.
“As the game wore on, we really got out of sync on offense,” said head coach Kevin McGuff. “And Duke was playing really good defense, so they had a hand in that.”
The Blue Devils knew that the Buckeyes wanted to go into the paint, and Ohio State gave the ACC side exactly what they expected. Layup attempts by McMahon and Taylor Thierry stopped falling, and whistles weren’t blowing on the inside shots.
All-in-all, the Buckeye offense became one dimensional. It was a move by design for the Blue Devils.
“I think they were obviously keying on the three-point line, so our counter to that is to kind of spread ‘em out and attack,” said McGuff. “I think that was working for awhile. Then when we did get some opportunities at the three-point line, we weren’t connecting.”
By the end of the third quarter, Ohio State had only eight three-point attempts in total — none of which came in the second quarter. It wasn’t until 14 seconds remaining in the game that guard Jacy Sheldon hit a three, the lone make from deep all game. No makes came for Rebeka Mikulášiková, Celeste Taylor, Rikki Harris or Thierry. Bench shooter Emma Shumate never saw a minute on the court.
Rebounding also got worse.
Each quarter, Duke out-rebounded Ohio State by five. The Buckeyes ended the day with 20 rebounds, compared to 38 for the opposition. The continued offensive moves to the basket drew attention from the Blue Devils. Plus, with Ohio State attacking the basket, missed shots had three Duke players and sometimes only one Buckeye available to battle, with the rest outside the arc waiting to get back on defense.
While experience benefited the Buckeyes, and propelled its quick start, it was complacency against a young team committed to its strategy that ended the Scarlet and Gray’s season.
“They made mistakes, but they kept playing hard, and they’re very athletic and they made enough plays to win the game,” said McGuff.
Richardson, one of the lone starting upperclassmen for head coach Kara Lawson, seemingly willed the Blue Devils to victory. The guard had 10 points, four rebounds and no turnovers in the final 10 minutes. A 24-point quarter against 13 for Ohio State, with each quarter of scoring less than the last. Richardson’s 28 points and seven rebounds move Duke to the Sweet Sixteen.
Now, what’s left for Ohio State are questions that won’t be answered until at least November.
Continue reading...
LGHL What is the ceiling for Ohio State’s wide receivers?
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What is the ceiling for Ohio State’s wide receivers?
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Each wide receiver class under Brian Hartline seems to unlock a new level of talent.
Ohio State’s embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position has become cliché at this point. Whether an unheralded recruit like Chris Olave or a highly prized one like Carnell Tate, the Buckeyes always find talent at the position.
That has almost always been the case, but Brian Hartline has elevated Ohio State’s ability to attract top national wideouts to unprecedented heights. It’s gotten to the point where it’s more surprising when a top receiver doesn’t opt to attend Ohio State, but there are a few.
Whether they are unwilling to compete against the best of the best or simply secure better NIL deals elsewhere, there are some who take their talents to other schools. In that rare occurence, Hartline simply finds another gem to take that recruit’s place.
The old timers among us may have grown up watching the OG stud, Paul Warfield (on black-and-white televisions, no doubt), while those around my age grew up watching Doug Donley, Gary Williams, Mike Lanese, and Cris Carter. Others had the pleasure of discovering the Buckeyes while Joey Galloway or David Boston or Terry Glenn were torturing Big Ten defenses. A little later, it was Ted Ginn Jr., Santonio Holmes, and Michael Jenkins.
To summarize, Ohio State has had ridiculous wideouts for many years. Even some of the second receivers who didn’t excel at the NFL level were outstanding college players.
As good as the school’s wide receiver history has been, the recent times have seen a whole new level. It begs the question: How high is the ceiling at Ohio State?
Olave burst onto the scene late in his freshman season and went on to a stellar OSU career. This coincided on the timeline with Hartline becoming Ohio State’s wide receivers coach. While Olave may have had the talent all along, Hartline helped him develop into a first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in 2022.
Olave was joined at Ohio State by an even better teammate in Garrett Wilson. The two of them terrorized defensive coordinators on Ohio State’s schedule, and Wilson went to the New York Jets one pick higher than Olave went to the Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft, and edged out his college teammate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (Olave finished fourth, despite having similar numbers in two fewer games played).
The short-lived nickname of Earth, Wind & Fire surfaced to describe Olave, Wilson, and younger teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both Olave and Wilson declared that Smith-Njigba was the best receiver of the three. Indeed, Smith-Njigba’s performance seemed to prove their point.
Smith-Njigba finished with more receptions and yards than his teammates in 2021, although both Olave and Wilson recorded more touchdowns. But the real proof seemed to be the 2022 Rose Bowl. Smith-Njigba set an Ohio State record, a new high mark for any bowl game, and an FBS receiving record with 347 yards on 15 receptions, averaging more than 23 yards per catch in a wild win over Utah. The rising star was on pace to rewrite the OSU record books at the position.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a celebratory final season at Ohio State for Smith-Njigba was marred by injuries. The Dallas native was limited to just three games and five receptions in 2022, and still managed to be the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, going to the Seattle Seahawks.
But a funny thing happened while Smith-Njigba was sidelined for much of 2022. Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka showed the nation that Ohio State’s starting wide receiver tandem wasn’t interested in taking steps backward.
Harrison, who had his coming out party in that 2022 Rose Bowl with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns, led Ohio State with 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Egbuka was hot on his tail, catching 74 balls for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns of his own.
Like Smith-Njigba in 2022, Egbuka was slowed by injuries last season, cutting his receptions by almost half and his yards and touchdowns by more than half. Saddled with Ohio State’s first year starting quarterback and an unusually poor passing season under Ryan Day, Harrison managed 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 more touchdowns — despite everyone in the stadium knowing he was getting the ball whenever possible when Kyle McCord dropped back to throw.
Harrison was a Heisman Trophy finalist, and is about to make a lot of money as a high, first-round pick next month.
While Ohio State was struggling offensively in 2023, Carnell Tate found a way to leave his mark on the program as a freshman wide receiver. Tate caught 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown — not eye-popping numbers, but for a freshman at Ohio State, that’s not bad. Tate figures to have an expanded role in 2024, and Egbuka returns to try to build on his legacy and lead Ohio State to a championship, while improving his own future draft stock.
And despite Tate’s obvious talent, there is a new name already on every Ohio State fan’s lips when it comes to wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith.
Smith, the No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class per 247Sports, has been turning heads the last couple of seasons at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. But perhaps even more eye-catching was the fact that he has already set a new record at Ohio State.
On March 21, Smith had the black stripe removed from his helmet after only four spring practices. It was the fastest any freshman has lost his black stripe in spring practice. The guy whose record he broke is Tate, someone he’ll likely be on the field with a lot this fall.
It remains to be seen what kind of college careers Tate and Smith will have. However, what Hartline has done to the position group borders on the absurd. Presumably, there is a ceiling for how impressive Ohio States receivers’ room can be. Have we reached that ceiling yet?
No one can say. But every time it seems as if there’s no way to top it, Hartline somehow does. Whether that’s because he just keeps landing better talent, has himself developed as a coach with the ability to better unlock it, or a combination of the two is unknowable.
It will be fun watching the Tate and Smith show to see where they end up on Ohio State’s list of all-time greats. It seems premature — and maybe even a bit arrogant — to even use the phrase “all-time greats” when discussing a true freshman and a true sophomore, but that is what Ohio State’s success at the position dictates.
For now, it’s wise to just enjoy the ride and see where it goes.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Each wide receiver class under Brian Hartline seems to unlock a new level of talent.
Ohio State’s embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position has become cliché at this point. Whether an unheralded recruit like Chris Olave or a highly prized one like Carnell Tate, the Buckeyes always find talent at the position.
That has almost always been the case, but Brian Hartline has elevated Ohio State’s ability to attract top national wideouts to unprecedented heights. It’s gotten to the point where it’s more surprising when a top receiver doesn’t opt to attend Ohio State, but there are a few.
Whether they are unwilling to compete against the best of the best or simply secure better NIL deals elsewhere, there are some who take their talents to other schools. In that rare occurence, Hartline simply finds another gem to take that recruit’s place.
The old timers among us may have grown up watching the OG stud, Paul Warfield (on black-and-white televisions, no doubt), while those around my age grew up watching Doug Donley, Gary Williams, Mike Lanese, and Cris Carter. Others had the pleasure of discovering the Buckeyes while Joey Galloway or David Boston or Terry Glenn were torturing Big Ten defenses. A little later, it was Ted Ginn Jr., Santonio Holmes, and Michael Jenkins.
To summarize, Ohio State has had ridiculous wideouts for many years. Even some of the second receivers who didn’t excel at the NFL level were outstanding college players.
As good as the school’s wide receiver history has been, the recent times have seen a whole new level. It begs the question: How high is the ceiling at Ohio State?
Olave burst onto the scene late in his freshman season and went on to a stellar OSU career. This coincided on the timeline with Hartline becoming Ohio State’s wide receivers coach. While Olave may have had the talent all along, Hartline helped him develop into a first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in 2022.
Olave was joined at Ohio State by an even better teammate in Garrett Wilson. The two of them terrorized defensive coordinators on Ohio State’s schedule, and Wilson went to the New York Jets one pick higher than Olave went to the Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft, and edged out his college teammate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (Olave finished fourth, despite having similar numbers in two fewer games played).
The short-lived nickname of Earth, Wind & Fire surfaced to describe Olave, Wilson, and younger teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Both Olave and Wilson declared that Smith-Njigba was the best receiver of the three. Indeed, Smith-Njigba’s performance seemed to prove their point.
Smith-Njigba finished with more receptions and yards than his teammates in 2021, although both Olave and Wilson recorded more touchdowns. But the real proof seemed to be the 2022 Rose Bowl. Smith-Njigba set an Ohio State record, a new high mark for any bowl game, and an FBS receiving record with 347 yards on 15 receptions, averaging more than 23 yards per catch in a wild win over Utah. The rising star was on pace to rewrite the OSU record books at the position.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a celebratory final season at Ohio State for Smith-Njigba was marred by injuries. The Dallas native was limited to just three games and five receptions in 2022, and still managed to be the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, going to the Seattle Seahawks.
But a funny thing happened while Smith-Njigba was sidelined for much of 2022. Marvin Harrison Jr., and Emeka Egbuka showed the nation that Ohio State’s starting wide receiver tandem wasn’t interested in taking steps backward.
Harrison, who had his coming out party in that 2022 Rose Bowl with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns, led Ohio State with 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Egbuka was hot on his tail, catching 74 balls for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns of his own.
Like Smith-Njigba in 2022, Egbuka was slowed by injuries last season, cutting his receptions by almost half and his yards and touchdowns by more than half. Saddled with Ohio State’s first year starting quarterback and an unusually poor passing season under Ryan Day, Harrison managed 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 more touchdowns — despite everyone in the stadium knowing he was getting the ball whenever possible when Kyle McCord dropped back to throw.
Harrison was a Heisman Trophy finalist, and is about to make a lot of money as a high, first-round pick next month.
While Ohio State was struggling offensively in 2023, Carnell Tate found a way to leave his mark on the program as a freshman wide receiver. Tate caught 18 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown — not eye-popping numbers, but for a freshman at Ohio State, that’s not bad. Tate figures to have an expanded role in 2024, and Egbuka returns to try to build on his legacy and lead Ohio State to a championship, while improving his own future draft stock.
And despite Tate’s obvious talent, there is a new name already on every Ohio State fan’s lips when it comes to wide receivers — Jeremiah Smith.
Smith, the No. 1 prospect in the 2024 class per 247Sports, has been turning heads the last couple of seasons at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida. But perhaps even more eye-catching was the fact that he has already set a new record at Ohio State.
On March 21, Smith had the black stripe removed from his helmet after only four spring practices. It was the fastest any freshman has lost his black stripe in spring practice. The guy whose record he broke is Tate, someone he’ll likely be on the field with a lot this fall.
It remains to be seen what kind of college careers Tate and Smith will have. However, what Hartline has done to the position group borders on the absurd. Presumably, there is a ceiling for how impressive Ohio States receivers’ room can be. Have we reached that ceiling yet?
No one can say. But every time it seems as if there’s no way to top it, Hartline somehow does. Whether that’s because he just keeps landing better talent, has himself developed as a coach with the ability to better unlock it, or a combination of the two is unknowable.
It will be fun watching the Tate and Smith show to see where they end up on Ohio State’s list of all-time greats. It seems premature — and maybe even a bit arrogant — to even use the phrase “all-time greats” when discussing a true freshman and a true sophomore, but that is what Ohio State’s success at the position dictates.
For now, it’s wise to just enjoy the ride and see where it goes.
Continue reading...
Baltimore Bridge Collapse
- By ScriptOhio
- Open Discussion (Work-safe)
- 57 Replies
Maryland: Ship hits Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse
A ship has hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, causing it to collapse, authorities said.
www.foxnews.com
Maryland: Ship hits Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse
The Francis Scott Key Bridge along I-695 in Maryland collapsed into the Baltimore harbor early Tuesday morning following a "ship strike," Maryland transportation officials said.A livestream of the bridge appeared to show a cargo ship colliding with a support beam, causing the bridge to break and fall into the Patapsco River. Multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time.
Emergency crews were searching for at least 20 people believed to be in the water, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press around 3 a.m. Officials have described this as a mass casualty event. There were no specific number of deceased.
"Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people," Cartwright said, calling the collapse a "developing mass casualty event."
It is believed that a Singapore-flagged cargo ship struck the heavily-traveled bridge. The large vessel then caught fire before it sank.
The Maryland Transportation Authority said on social media that all lanes are closed in both directions and that traffic is being detoured. Later, it urged drivers to avoid the I-695 southeast corridor and to instead use I-95 or I-895.
Login to view embedded media
Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. confirmed emergency personnel were responding and rescue efforts were underway.
Cartwright said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 a.m. that a vessel traveling from Baltimore had struck the bridge, causing it to collapse.
"This is a dire emergency," Cartwright added.
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continued
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which remaining NCAA Tournament team are you rooting for?
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You’re Nuts: Which remaining NCAA Tournament team are you rooting for?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Which Sweet 16 team has your backing?
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
March Madness has been... well, madness again this year. No big surprise, right? For my money, the NCAA Tournament – men’s or women’s, pick your poison – is the best, most exciting, multi-day sporting event there is. It’s just a vibe, really. Like the Olympics or the World Cup but significantly better. Because there’s no race-walking, sailing, synchronized swimming, or perpetual U.S. disappointment.
And speaking of disappointment: How about them Buckeyes!? Yeesh. Thanks to a shocking upset of the Lady Bucks at home, Ohio State no longer has a team in “the” tournament. I mean, sure, the men have advanced to the Elite 8 of the NIT, but c’mon... For all intents and purposes, the college basketball season is over for OSU fans.
But that doesn’t mean we should stop enjoying the tournament(s). Whether you have gambling interests or a “backup school” that you’ve always rooted for, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Or, in my case, money to be lost. I’m not dwelling on it, though. I promise. Let’s just get on with this edition You’re Nuts.
With both Ohio State squads out of major title contention, Gene and I have now hitched – or decided to hitch – our respective wagons to other teams. And for me, this was not a difficult choice or decision. It never was. It never has been. Because I have rooted for North Carolina since I was a kid. Probably more so than OSU, if I’m being completely honest. So I am riding with the Tar Heels, just like I have been for 30+ years.
My love of, or for, North Carolina goes back to my obsession with Michael Jordan. When I became obsessed with MJ, I became a fan of UNC by proxy. The program’s history, the legendary players, their powder blue jerseys, the whole deal. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Heels have historically won a ton of games.
Conversely, Ohio State was in the midst of a real rough patch when I was beginning to develop my fandom and learn about the game. Quite frankly, they (OSU) stunk in the mid-90s. The end of the Randy Ayers era was about as bad as it gets. And during that same rough patch for the Buckeyes, North Carolina brought in Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison. From then on, my allegiance was at least split.
Not only have I always sort of rooted for UNC, but the program has also never given me a reason not to... That seems like I just used a quadruple negative, I apologize... But the Heels win, they bring in players that are easy to root for, they play in a great environment, and they’ve maintained a special kind of continuity.
Since 1997, when the great Dean Smith retired, North Carolina has had four coaches — all with strong ties to Smith. Bill Guthridge was an assistant of Smith’s who took over upon the latter’s retirement, while Matt Doherty, Roy Williams, and Hubert Davis all played and/or worked for the legendary coach. I mean, how freaking cool is that!? And with the exception of Doherty, they’ve all had great success.
What I appreciate and/or enjoy about UNC’s recent teams is that they’ve been comprised of players who stick around and embrace being a Tar Heel. Not a lot of one-and-doners in Chapel Hill. And for some reason, I really like that. Call me old school or a traditionalist, but I will always cling to the pageantry of college sports, even if decision makers and people in power seem to be doing all they can to ruin them.
So I guess this has been a long explanation of why I am rooting for a 1-seed with a reasonable chance to win it all. But don’t call me a bandwagon fan. At least I can honestly say that I have rooted for North Carolina for decades. Go Heels!
Unlike Josh, I actually have enjoyed watching the Ohio State men play in the NIT. Truth be told, I didn’t watch a ton of the Buckeyes while Chris Holtmann was at the helm this season, as it was clear the team was following pretty much the same exact script from the past few years under Holtmann. I have, however, watched every game since Jake Diebler took over, and while it was disappointing that Ohio State ultimately did not make the NCAA Tournament, it is clear that the team is playing better and with more energy under its new head coach.
On that note, Ohio State actually has a really good chance to make the Final Four (I know it isn’t officially called that, but let me live) of the NIT. The Buckeyes will play host to Georgia on Tuesday night, a team that went just 6-12 in the SEC this season before pulling off an upset of Wake Forest on Sunday night — the No. 1 seed in the region. With the Demon Deacons now off the board and Diebler’s team getting to host another game in the tournament, a win for Ohio State would pit them up against the winner of Seton Hall and UNLV for a spot in the NIT Championship game.
While I will continue to root on the Buckeyes in the NIT, the NCAA Tournament has also been a lot of fun to watch. There have been a ton of great upsets and storylines, as well as breakout players and Cinderellas to root for. With no real dog in the fight for me for any of the teams remaining in the Sweet 16, I am always a fan of the underdog, and so I will hitch my wagon to the lowest remaining seed in the field: the No. 11 NC State Wolfpack.
NC State began its March Madness run with an upset of No. 6 Texas Tech. While many lower seeded programs generally rely on one star player putting up big numbers to win games in the Tournament, the Wolfpack defeated the Red Raiders 80-67 with a complete team effort. Four different players scored at least 16 points in the contest, led by Ben Middlebrooks’ career-high 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting and an impressive 9-of-10 at the free throw line. As a team, NC State shot over 50% from the floor.
The Wolfpack continued their run with a 79-73 win over Jack Gohlke and fellow double-digit seed Oakland on Saturday. While all five starters for NC State reached double-figures in scoring, it was forward DJ Burns Jr. leading the way this time around with a team-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The 6-foot-9 Burns recorded a double-digit with 11 rebounds, as he and Mohamed Diarra (13 rebounds) helped beat the Golden Grizzlies 46-34 on the boards.
NC State will face its toughest test yet in the Sweet 16, as they will now take on No. 2 seed Marquette on Friday. The Golden Eagles are a tough squad, led by Kam Jones (17.1 PPG) and Tyler Kolek (15.3 PPG). Marquette narrowly avoided an upset in its previous game against Colorado, with the two teams tied at 74-74 with less than four minutes remaining. A three-point jumper with 2:54 to go put the Golden Eagles up for good, and the Wolf Pack will now enter Friday’s matchup as 6.5-point underdogs.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Which Sweet 16 team has your backing?
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Which remaining NCAA Tournament team are you rooting for?
Josh’s Take
March Madness has been... well, madness again this year. No big surprise, right? For my money, the NCAA Tournament – men’s or women’s, pick your poison – is the best, most exciting, multi-day sporting event there is. It’s just a vibe, really. Like the Olympics or the World Cup but significantly better. Because there’s no race-walking, sailing, synchronized swimming, or perpetual U.S. disappointment.
And speaking of disappointment: How about them Buckeyes!? Yeesh. Thanks to a shocking upset of the Lady Bucks at home, Ohio State no longer has a team in “the” tournament. I mean, sure, the men have advanced to the Elite 8 of the NIT, but c’mon... For all intents and purposes, the college basketball season is over for OSU fans.
But that doesn’t mean we should stop enjoying the tournament(s). Whether you have gambling interests or a “backup school” that you’ve always rooted for, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Or, in my case, money to be lost. I’m not dwelling on it, though. I promise. Let’s just get on with this edition You’re Nuts.
With both Ohio State squads out of major title contention, Gene and I have now hitched – or decided to hitch – our respective wagons to other teams. And for me, this was not a difficult choice or decision. It never was. It never has been. Because I have rooted for North Carolina since I was a kid. Probably more so than OSU, if I’m being completely honest. So I am riding with the Tar Heels, just like I have been for 30+ years.
My love of, or for, North Carolina goes back to my obsession with Michael Jordan. When I became obsessed with MJ, I became a fan of UNC by proxy. The program’s history, the legendary players, their powder blue jerseys, the whole deal. And it certainly doesn’t hurt that the Heels have historically won a ton of games.
Conversely, Ohio State was in the midst of a real rough patch when I was beginning to develop my fandom and learn about the game. Quite frankly, they (OSU) stunk in the mid-90s. The end of the Randy Ayers era was about as bad as it gets. And during that same rough patch for the Buckeyes, North Carolina brought in Vince Carter and Antawn Jamison. From then on, my allegiance was at least split.
Not only have I always sort of rooted for UNC, but the program has also never given me a reason not to... That seems like I just used a quadruple negative, I apologize... But the Heels win, they bring in players that are easy to root for, they play in a great environment, and they’ve maintained a special kind of continuity.
Since 1997, when the great Dean Smith retired, North Carolina has had four coaches — all with strong ties to Smith. Bill Guthridge was an assistant of Smith’s who took over upon the latter’s retirement, while Matt Doherty, Roy Williams, and Hubert Davis all played and/or worked for the legendary coach. I mean, how freaking cool is that!? And with the exception of Doherty, they’ve all had great success.
What I appreciate and/or enjoy about UNC’s recent teams is that they’ve been comprised of players who stick around and embrace being a Tar Heel. Not a lot of one-and-doners in Chapel Hill. And for some reason, I really like that. Call me old school or a traditionalist, but I will always cling to the pageantry of college sports, even if decision makers and people in power seem to be doing all they can to ruin them.
So I guess this has been a long explanation of why I am rooting for a 1-seed with a reasonable chance to win it all. But don’t call me a bandwagon fan. At least I can honestly say that I have rooted for North Carolina for decades. Go Heels!
Gene’s Take
Unlike Josh, I actually have enjoyed watching the Ohio State men play in the NIT. Truth be told, I didn’t watch a ton of the Buckeyes while Chris Holtmann was at the helm this season, as it was clear the team was following pretty much the same exact script from the past few years under Holtmann. I have, however, watched every game since Jake Diebler took over, and while it was disappointing that Ohio State ultimately did not make the NCAA Tournament, it is clear that the team is playing better and with more energy under its new head coach.
On that note, Ohio State actually has a really good chance to make the Final Four (I know it isn’t officially called that, but let me live) of the NIT. The Buckeyes will play host to Georgia on Tuesday night, a team that went just 6-12 in the SEC this season before pulling off an upset of Wake Forest on Sunday night — the No. 1 seed in the region. With the Demon Deacons now off the board and Diebler’s team getting to host another game in the tournament, a win for Ohio State would pit them up against the winner of Seton Hall and UNLV for a spot in the NIT Championship game.
While I will continue to root on the Buckeyes in the NIT, the NCAA Tournament has also been a lot of fun to watch. There have been a ton of great upsets and storylines, as well as breakout players and Cinderellas to root for. With no real dog in the fight for me for any of the teams remaining in the Sweet 16, I am always a fan of the underdog, and so I will hitch my wagon to the lowest remaining seed in the field: the No. 11 NC State Wolfpack.
NC State began its March Madness run with an upset of No. 6 Texas Tech. While many lower seeded programs generally rely on one star player putting up big numbers to win games in the Tournament, the Wolfpack defeated the Red Raiders 80-67 with a complete team effort. Four different players scored at least 16 points in the contest, led by Ben Middlebrooks’ career-high 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting and an impressive 9-of-10 at the free throw line. As a team, NC State shot over 50% from the floor.
The Wolfpack continued their run with a 79-73 win over Jack Gohlke and fellow double-digit seed Oakland on Saturday. While all five starters for NC State reached double-figures in scoring, it was forward DJ Burns Jr. leading the way this time around with a team-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. The 6-foot-9 Burns recorded a double-digit with 11 rebounds, as he and Mohamed Diarra (13 rebounds) helped beat the Golden Grizzlies 46-34 on the boards.
NC State will face its toughest test yet in the Sweet 16, as they will now take on No. 2 seed Marquette on Friday. The Golden Eagles are a tough squad, led by Kam Jones (17.1 PPG) and Tyler Kolek (15.3 PPG). Marquette narrowly avoided an upset in its previous game against Colorado, with the two teams tied at 74-74 with less than four minutes remaining. A three-point jumper with 2:54 to go put the Golden Eagles up for good, and the Wolf Pack will now enter Friday’s matchup as 6.5-point underdogs.
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