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LGHL Game Preview: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 25 Penn State

Game Preview: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 25 Penn State
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Big Ten play begins for the Buckeyes, welcoming the Nittany Lions to Columbus.

In the last two seasons, matchups between Ohio State women’s basketball and the Penn State Nittany Lions have been infrequent. Caught in a stretch of the Big Ten schedule where each side only had one meetup per season, the two former powerhouses in the conference only had one chance to renew the rivalry.

Although the Buckeyes trail the overall program series against the Nittany Lions, sitting at 37-29, it’s been all scarlet and gray over the past 10 years. Ohio State is 13-3 in that stretch, and on a two-game winning streak. However, this year Penn State looks like it's closer to flipping the script as ever.

Preview​


Sunday’s game had all the makings of a potential early season conference blockbuster, until Monday night. That’s when the Penn State Nittany Lions looked vulnerable again, something they haven’t looked so far in the 23-24 season. At the hands of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Penn State fell to 7-2, and likely out of the top 25 rankings, which the Nittany Lions just got back into the same day after 10 years.

The Mountaineers won 83-65, using a pestering press defense for much of 40 minutes. It shut Penn State’s big three down, scoring a combined 18 points. Now, PSU has to dust itself off against an Ohio State side that’s going to continue what the Mountaineers started.

Last season, the Buckeyes were known for strong defense and this year its even better. After eight games in the 22-23 campaign, the scarlet and gray averaged 13.1 turnovers and 63.0 points per game. This season, turnovers are up and points are down, averaging 13.9 and 57.8 respectively.

While concerns over three-point shooting dominated the narrative for head coach Kevin McGuff’s unit in the offseason, a better defense has made it a moot point. Even with a tough defeat to start the season, against the USC Trojans, the team chemistry’s improved game-by-game and today there aren’t many teams who want to go up against the Buckeyes.

Even so, Penn State still has the personnel to give the defense a challenge. Leading PSU are the three names Big Ten have grown to know over the past few seasons. Guard Makenna Marisa is where it all begins. The two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection leads the Nittany Lions in points and point-creation with 16.0 points and 3.7 assists per game.

For years, stopping Marisa was a challenge but also the best way to stop the Happy Valley side. Now though, guards Shay Ciezki and Leilani Kapinus lead a whole cast of support. The sophomore and junior are different styles of guards. Ohio State has to watch the deep shooting game of Ciezki and Kapinus plays a similar offensive game to guard/forward Taylor Thierry.

They’ve both been on the team for three years (two for Ciezki) but the transfer portal was busy in the offseason. Head coach Carolyn Kieger added six transfers, but the two making the biggest impact are guards Taylor Valladay and Jayla Oden.

Valladay comes in from the University of Virginia. The former Cavalier began the season in the starting rotation but moved to a bench role in the last five games. Valladay is a quick and tall guard who will get to the line frequently if the Buckeyes aren’t careful. In the Lions last two games, the graduate senior has 29 combined points scored, 11 and 18 point-games.


Oden won’t play as much as Valladay, but the former Illinois Fighting Illini guard comes in to score key bench points for the Lions. The Baltimore, Maryland native is having a career year for coach Kieger, averaging 7.1 points off the bench in less minutes than last year in Illinois.

Sunday might be a game won either by the most disciplined side or at the free throw line. Each team features names who predominantly score inside the paint. Will sophomore forward Cotie McMahon continue her tear? McMahon had a slow first game against the Trojans but has since averaged 16.9 points and 5.0 rebounds.

When McMahon isn’t spinning around, or running straight into, a crowd in the paint, she’s working on her long shooting game. McMahon has a three in each of the last four games, plus debuting a midrange fadeaway, the same move used by her favorite NBA player LeBron James.

For Ohio State, it has to stop Kapinus and forward Ali Bringham under the basket. The two are a physical presence in the paint who can rebound and hit layups. How the two get into the offensive game though goes back to defense. If the Buckeyes steal sisters duo of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor play the defense they’ve played to start the season, ranked fifth and sixth in the conference respectively in steals, Marisa and Ciezki won’t have the same impact on scoring or getting the ball into Penn State bigs.

Projected Starters​

Ohio State​


G- Jacy Sheldon
G- Celeste Taylor
G- Taylor Thierry
F- Cotie McMahon
F- Rebeka Mikulášiková

Lineup Notes​

  • The Buckeyes have used the same starting five in every game so far this season. Barring a surprise injury, expect that to continue.
  • Forward Rebeka Mikulášiková averages 15 points over the past three games, becoming the fourth Buckeye to average double-digit points in the early 23-24 season.
  • Guard Emma Shumate now leads Ohio State with 15 made three-point shots after hitting six against the Ohio Bobcats on Tuesday. Last year, guard Taylor Mikesell had 26 three-point shots after eight games.

Penn State​


G- Shay Ciezki
G- Makenna Marisa
G- Leilani Kapinus
F- Chanaya Pinto
F- Ali Brigham

Lineup Notes​

  • Penn State’s used this lineup in each of the last five games.
  • Ciezki averages 13.8 points per game, but had a rough outing against West Virginia, scoring no points and committing four fouls in 22 minutes.
  • Guard Ashley Owusu, former All-American, has yet to get onto the court for Penn State this season.

Prediction​


The Buckeyes will win if they don’t allow Ciezki to get going from beyond the arc, which should happen unless the Nittany Lions use Marisa to get up the court and have Ciezki draw attention by getting up to the front court.

Defensively, Sheldon and Taylor will make the sophomore Ciezki’s day difficult, but Marisa will still hit big shots. Inside the paint, the Nittany Lions have an advantage on rebounding but defensively will struggle against the likes of McMahon, Thierry and Mikulášiková.

How to Watch​


Date: Sunday, Dec. 9, 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio
Stream: B1G+

LGHL Prediction: 87-71 Ohio State Buckeyes​

Alumni Day​


Sunday, the Buckeyes in-arena atmosphere will include a visit from some Ohio State players of the past. Local ones like program legend Katie Smith have appeared at editions of this in the past. Could guard Taylor Mikesell also make an appearance? Who knows.

Unfortunately, the game won’t be on any television service to highlight both the alumni and a top 25 Big Ten conference matchup. The game’s been put on B1G+, meaning less eyes will be on a battle that deserves a lot of them.

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LGHL “We thought the game was over.” Ohio State’s lack of urgency led to loss at Penn State

“We thought the game was over.” Ohio State’s lack of urgency led to loss at Penn State
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Penn State

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State sat back and watched its 18-point lead fall apart during an inexcusable loss in State College Saturday night.

With 15:31 remaining during Ohio State’s game against Penn State on Saturday night, Jamison Battle lifted up and knocked down a triple from the corner, putting Ohio State up 55-37 — its largest lead of the night. The Buckeyes looked well on their way to their second consecutive Big Ten win, and eighth win overall. But after that shot went in, the Buckeyes let up. Its collective feet came off the gas pedal, and Penn State was able to wiggle its way back in.

Comebacks don’t happen quickly — especially 18-point comebacks like what happened Saturday night. After being outscored by 18 points over the first 25 minutes of the game, Penn State’s only way to win was to outscore Ohio State by 19 over the final 15 minutes. After shooting 34% in the first half and only hitting two three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, that seemed like a tall task.

Penn State didn’t do that. They outscored Ohio State by 21 over the final 15 minutes instead.

ACE ACE IN YOUR FACE!!! Is this the dagger for the Buckeyes? @PennStateMBB pic.twitter.com/UXEJkM3M1D

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 10, 2023
Click to expand...

Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, the foot that had been hovering over Penn State’s neck until that point showed them mercy. It didn’t step down and go for the kill shot. Instead, Ohio State played not to lose. It played like it just needed to kill the clock and protect a lead. That’s how comebacks happen.

After watching Penn State knock down just two of its nine three-point attempts in the first half, the Buckeyes sagged off a bit during the second half. The only player to hit a three-pointer in the first half for Penn State was Leo O’Doyle — a grad transfer who was averaging 2.3 points per game heading into Saturday’s game. The rest of Penn State combined to go 0-for-7. So is it shocking that the Buckeyes didn’t guard the three-point line with an air-tight mentality? No, not really.

But it also makes absolutely no sense why Ohio State didn’t adjust and start guarding the perimeter a bit tighter once Penn State knocked down a few of them in the second half, and that lead started to dwindle. Anyone on the team could give you a coach-speak-style answer about how Penn State put more shooters on the floor, or how they were just hitting tough shots.

It’s not true. The truth is, Ohio State thought it had this game in the bag. Roddy Gayle said as much after the game.

“I think we got a little lackadaisical,” Gayle said after the game. “We got satisfied. We had an 18-point lead, and we thought the game was over. But this is an away environment, and they threw some baskets in.”

It's a ballgame again. @PennStateMBB has cut the deficit to five points.

: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/DjBSIQ8jOK

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 10, 2023
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Kudos to Roddy, who said what most players do not want to admit after their team blows a lead. Ohio State thought this game was over with 15 minutes left. It defended like it, it handled the ball like it, and it attacked the defensive glass like it.

After Penn State shot 34% in the first half, it shot a whopping 61% in the second half. It shot 22% from three-point range in the first half, but 54% in the second half. It had two offensive rebounds in the first half, but 10 of them in the second half, which led to 14 crucial second-chance points.

Ohio State, on the other hand, shot 53.6% in the first half, and 37.5% in the second half. It had 22 defensive rebounds in the first half, but only six in the second half. It allowed Penn State to score 29 points in the first half, but a whopping 54 in the second half.

While youth won’t be accepted by anyone as an excuse after how last season went, this team is still starting four sophomores. Gayle and Thornton have both shown tremendous growth in their second year, but collectively this team did not handle Saturday night’s game with maturity or discipline.

The coaching staff isn’t without blame, either. Chris Holtmann and his staff should’ve had a quicker hook with guys in the second half if they weren’t getting the job done defensively. When Penn State strings a few baskets together, try a new combination. It starts at the top.

The Buckeyes scored at least 80 points for the sixth consecutive game. 80 points is going to win you most of your basketball games. But what good does 80 points do if Ohio State isn’t showing any sense of urgency to stop its opponent from cracking 80 as well?

This is just one data point in what will be a long college basketball season. But having a sense of urgency — or not having one — could prove to be this team’s fatal flaw.

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Google Skull Session: Marvin Harrison Jr. Wrestles With NFL Draft Decision, Six Buckeyes Receive AP All-Big Ten First - Eleven Warriors

Skull Session: Marvin Harrison Jr. Wrestles With NFL Draft Decision, Six Buckeyes Receive AP All-Big Ten First - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Skull Session: Marvin Harrison Jr. Wrestles With NFL Draft Decision, Six Buckeyes Receive AP All-Big Ten First Eleven Warriors

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Google Ohio State Wrestling: Buckeyes take third at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, prepare to host top-20 Pitt s… - Land Grant Holy Land

Ohio State Wrestling: Buckeyes take third at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, prepare to host top-20 Pitt s… - Land Grant Holy Land
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Ohio State Wrestling: Buckeyes take third at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, prepare to host top-20 Pitt s… Land Grant Holy Land

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LGHL Ohio State crumbles in second half at Penn State, falls 83-80 to end winning streak at seven

Ohio State crumbles in second half at Penn State, falls 83-80 to end winning streak at seven
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Penn State

Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State flipped the switch from “on” to “off” in the second half, giving up almost twice as many points in the second half as it did in in the first.

Winners of seven straight, the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-2, 1-1) traveled to Happy Valley Saturday night looking to extend that winning streak to eight, as well as hand the Nittany Lions (5-5, 1-1) their sixth-straight loss. First-year head coach Mike Rhoades led the ‘Nits to a 4-0 record to start the season, but since then lost five in a row, with an average margin of defeat of 9.8 points.

Ohio State, on the other hand, had won each of its last seven games by double-digits. OSU had jumped up to No. 24 in KenPom leading into this game, while Penn State was the lowest-ranked Big Ten team at No. 122.

Chris Holtmann went with the same starting lineup he’s used all season long: sophomores Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Evan Mahaffey, and Felix Okpara, next to senior forward Jamison Battle. For Mahaffey, it was a homecoming to the school he was recruited to and played at his freshman year, before transferring to Ohio State this summer.

Penn State with a starting five of Kanye Clary, Ace Baldwin, Puff Johnson, Zach Hicks, and Qudus Wahab.

Ohio State led 23-20 by the under-12 timeout, with Zed Key, Scotty Middleton, and Battle all chipping in multiple early buckets. With Thornton tightly guarded by Ace Baldwin and Gayle on the bench with two early fouls, the Buckeyes’ bench came through with clutch early baskets to hold the Nittany Lions at arm’s length. Penn State, meanwhile, was being carried by Leo O’Boyle — a graduate transfer who was averaging 2.3 points per game before tonight’s contest. O’Boyle knocked down two triples — and was fouled on another — to rack up nine early points for Penn State.

The Buckeyes continued to stretch its lead out after Penn State briefly led by one point, holding a 30-22 lead by the under-eight media timeout. Key was impactful below the basket, Battle kept Penn State’s defense extended, and Middleton continued to make plays on both ends. It very much felt like a game where if the Nittany Lions went on a cold stretch for several minutes, Ohio State was going to run away with it.

Bruce Thornton, ladies and gentlemen. @Bruce2T_ x @OhioStateHoops

: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/RogfYrdgPH

— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) December 9, 2023
Click to expand...

Despite Thornton and Gayle both spending time on the bench in the first half with two fouls apiece and comining for just nine first-half points, Ohio State still led 41-29 at halftime. The Buckeyes held Penn State to 34.4% shooting in the first half. There were no Buckeyes in double digits in the first half, but Key, Middleton, Okpara, and Battle all had multiple baskets in the first half to pick up the slack.

Roddy Gayle knocking it down! @roddy_gayle x @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/2Mt9eTEEL8

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 9, 2023
Click to expand...

Thanks to an Evan Mahaffey turnover followed by yet another O’Boyle three-pointer, Penn State was able to get back within 10 points by the under-12 media timeout, 59-49. The Nittany Lions were outplaying Ohio State through the early stages of the second half, and were especially impactful with its help defense whenever a non-primary ballhandler began dribbling for the Buckeyes. Clary also turned out to be a big problem for Roddy Gayle, as he was able to get downhill off switches and either draw fouls or score at the bucket.

Penn State took advantage of a brief, three-minute scoreless spell by the Buckeyes and went on a 13-1 run, getting Penn Stte back within one point with 6:30 left in the game before a Gayle three-pointer pushed it back to four. The Nittany Lions were scorching the nets in the second half, knocking down six of their first eight three-pointers after going 2-for-9 in the first half.

As if it was written in the stars, overnight hero Leo O’Boyle knocked own his fourth three-pointer of the game with 2:33 left in the game, tying things up at 74-all. The BJC was rocking for the first time all afternoon. Two possesions later, Okpara missed a layup but was able to grab his own miss and drop it back in, putting the Buckeyes back up, 76-74.

After Baldwin tied things back up with one minute remaining, Okpara was called for a moving screen, giving Penn State a chance to take the lead. Baldwin did just that, knocking down a step-back three from the far wing to put Penn State back up, 79-76.

After Hicks split a pair of free throws, Ohio State had the chance to win the game, but Battle’s three pointer rimmed out, and that was all she wrote. Penn State completed the comeback and snapped the Buckeyes’ winning streak, 83-80.

If you weren’t able to catch tonight’s road loss to the ‘Nits, here are a few of the key moments and played that ultimately led to Ohio State’s winning streak being snapped in Happy Valley:

Buckeyes score on first four possessions of the game ​


Both teams were off and running in this one, with the Buckeyes playing at a 100-point pace over the first several minutes of the game. Ohio State scored on each of its first four possessions of the game, including a three-pointer from Thornton and two threes from Battle. Penn State hit five of its first nine shots as well, which meant that despite the Buckeyes’ knocking down some early shots, they weren’t able create any separation.

Gayle’s costly fouls ​


Sophomore guard Roddy Gayle spent a good chunk of the first half on the bench in foul trouble, picking up his first just three minutes into the game, tapping Clary on a made basket, which he then turned into a three-point play. After sitting for roughly minutes, Gayle re-entered the game and fouled O’Boyle on a three-point attempt two minutes later, leading to three free points for the graduate transfer. Gayle went right back to the bech after the free throws.

O’Boyle rules! ​

(Say it like the line from Billy Madison)​


Leo O’Boyle is a Pennsylvania native who transferred to Penn State this past summer after four years at Lafayette, where he averaged double digits in just one of his four seasons there. Throwing shade is not the intention here, but the facts are the facts.

Coming into this game, the 6-foot-7 forward was averaging 2.3 points per game over roughly 12 minutes per contest. In Saturday’s game, he had nine points over the first 10 minutes.

Closing in! @oboyle24 with the three for @PennStateMBB pic.twitter.com/POK9i56x0Z

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 9, 2023
Click to expand...

O’Boyle, a 21% three-point shooter to this point in the season, knocked down two three-pointers early on, and was fouled by Roddy Gayle on another. The crowd was getting into it too, begging him to shoot every time he touched the ball. O’Boyle was a big-time contibutor in the first half — if it weren’t for him, Ohio State might’ve wrapped this thing up before the halftime buzzer.

Middleton showing flashes ​

GONE! @ScottyMiddleto9 knocks down the three for the Buckeyes!

cc: @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/MGoFdBrbcY

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 9, 2023
Click to expand...

Freshman guard/wing Scotty Middleton was showing up on draft boards before the season began, but that was before Mahaffey was somewhat surprisingly named a starter over him. The talent is clearly there, but the development may not be the same as a Malaki Branham or Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State fans might love that, actually).

Middleton’s season-high in points was 13 against Oakland, and he also chipped in eight against Minnesota. The freshman had eight points in the first half alone against Penn State Saturday night, dropping in two three-pointers as well as a baseline jumper from about nine feet. Middleton also had a spectacular defensive play in the first half, jumping to block D’Marco Dunn’s three-point attempt in the corner before jumping to grab the loose ball and throwing it back in to Thornton to start the break.

O’Boyle strikes again​


With Ohio State leading 59-46 and 12:18 left in the game, Mahaffey was called for a travel, and on the ensuing Penn State possession that gosh-darn ginger-haired fellow knocked down his third three-pointer of the game, getting the ‘Nits back within 10 points for the first time since the 4:08 mark of the first half.

O’Boyle had four made three-pointers through the first nine games of the season.

Hicks cuts the deficit to just five ​


With the Buckeyes on a three-minute long scoreless streak, the Nittany Lions quickly put together an 8-0 run starting at the 10:22 mark to cut the lead from 17 points all the way down to five. With 8:38 left in the game, Hicks knocked down a three from the far wing — his second of the game — to make it 64-59, Ohio State.

O’Boyle (suprise!) ties it at 74 ​


Overnight hero Leo O’Boyle knocked down a three from in front of the Penn State bench with 2:33 to go to tie things up, 74-74. The Nittany Lions were unconscious from downtown in the second half after struggling mightily from distance in the first half.

Baldwin puts the Nittany Lions ahead with 31 seconds to go ​


After he tied it at 76, Baldwin went back down on the very next possession and knocked down a step-back triple to put Penn State up, 79-76. It was Baldwin’s first three-point make on five attempts to that point.

Number 1 ​

Up Next:​


Ohio State (8-2, 1-1) now gets six days off before traveling to Atlanta, where it will take on UCLA in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena. The Bruins are 5-2 this season, with a game against Villanova having tipped an hour after Ohio State’s game against Penn State Saturday night. The Buckeyes lost to North Carolina in overtime at the CBS Sports Classic last season.

Ohio State’s game against UCLA will tip of at 3:00 p.m. on CBS.

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Google The Buckeye 20: Marvin Harrison Jr., Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson Rank As Ohio State’s Best Players A - Eleven Warriors

The Buckeye 20: Marvin Harrison Jr., Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson Rank As Ohio State’s Best Players A - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

The Buckeye 20: Marvin Harrison Jr., Denzel Burke and TreVeyon Henderson Rank As Ohio State’s Best Players A Eleven Warriors

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Google Marvin Harrison Jr. 'undecided' on 2024 NFL Draft: Ohio State WR still wants to beat Michigan, win Big Ten - CBS Sports

Marvin Harrison Jr. 'undecided' on 2024 NFL Draft: Ohio State WR still wants to beat Michigan, win Big Ten - CBS Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Marvin Harrison Jr. 'undecided' on 2024 NFL Draft: Ohio State WR still wants to beat Michigan, win Big Ten CBS Sports

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LGHL Ohio State fans are siding with Lincoln Kienholtz to be the Buckeyes’ 2024 starter

Ohio State fans are siding with Lincoln Kienholtz to be the Buckeyes’ 2024 starter
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 11 Michigan State at Ohio State

Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Fans also want to bring on the youth movement in the Cotton Bowl.

Throughout the Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

There are a lot of things changing with the Ohio State football program right now. With more than a dozen players in the transfer portal, upperclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft, recruits flipping or committing elsewhere, Ryan Day’s program is not heading in the direction that he likely would have planned.

So, earlier this week, we asked Buckeye Nation to vote in our weekly fan survey about two areas that are of the utmost concern for OSU right now: the undecided quarterback situation and the upcoming Cotton Bowl.


As you undoubtedly know, starting quarterback Kyle McCord will not be returning to Columbus next season, so Day and company have a decision to make when it comes to the most important position on the field. They can stick with one of the guys currently (or soon to be) in the QB room or dive into the portal themselves.

They also have to maximize the progress possible from the next few weeks of bowl practices in an effort to get a new group of inexperienced players as much playing time as possible for them to become major contributors in the fall.

So, check out the results of our survey below, and if you have other thoughts about either question, feel free to share them in the comments at the bottom of the page.

Check out DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.

Question 1: With Kyle McCord in the transfer portal, who do you want to be the Buckeyes starting quarterback in 2024?​



These results are interesting to me because there is a very loud contingent of folks on social media and various message boards who seem to believe that Devin Brown is done dirty by Day and should have been the starting quarterback all along. There are also some folks in the Ohio State media who seem to be banging a similar drum, either from what they’ve seen or what they have been told. Now, I have no idea if they are right or not, but just going on what I saw on the field this season, I am not incredibly confident in the future prospects of No. 33 as OSU’s starting QB. Would I be happy to be wrong? Of course, but I’m just not there.

All that aside, the seemingly vocal minority on social media led to me expect a bit of a better showing from Brown in the results. Of the guys that we know (or at least expect) to be on the roster come January, I personally would slot Brown in behind Lincoln Kienholtz and ahead of Air Noland. While Noland is clearly an incredibly talented QB, I just can’t see Day turning over the keys to this offense to a true freshman. Kienholtz on the other hand has gotten some playing time — thanks primarily to Brown’s injury — and by next fall would have been in the program for over a year. So, if we are sticking just with guys we already know, I’d go with the South Dakota Slinger first.

However, I think that it is imperative for Day to go into the portal and find a difference-maker. Let’s be honest, 2024 is essentially do-or-die for Ryan Day. If he loses to Michigan for a fourth-straight year and fails to make a run in the new, expanded 12-team playoff, his time in Columbus very well might be over. And while I am sure that he has varying levels of confidence in the other three guys in the room, I don’t know that it makes a ton of sense to run any of them out there unless he has to.

Now, there are only a small handful of quarterbacks that are — or could be — available in the portal that would be improvements over Kienholtz et. al. If Day could land Duke’s Riley Leonard, Tulane’s Michael Pratt (who is not yet in the portal), or Kansas State’s Will Howard, I think that would be a major positive — I’m partial to Pratt, but he might wait until after the Green Wave’s bowl game against Virginia Tech on Dec. 27 to decide (or at least announce) between staying, entering the NFL Draft, or putting his name in the portal.

If you don’t get one of these three guys, I would ride with Kienholtz. I know some fans are excited about Washington State’s Cameron Ward, Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel, and/or UCLA’s Dante Moore, but all of those guys have downsides to me; whether that is being turnover-prone, injury-prone, or so young that by joining OSU’s quarterback room, they could seriously hurt the future depth of the position for the Buckeyes.

Question 2: What are you most looking forward to from the Cotton Bowl matchup with Missouri?​



This is the only option for me. With all of the depth guys in the transfer portal, the Buckeye staff is going to be forced to give younger players significant minutes; and even if that leads to mistakes, I am excited to see what their potential could add to the team.


Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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LGHL Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Penn State: Game Preview and Prediction

Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Penn State: Game Preview and Prediction
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Buckeyes hit the road for the first time in Big Ten play this year, traveling to State College to battle Penn State.

After playing their last three games at home, Ohio State hits the road tonight for the first time since they played in the Emerald Coast Classic two weeks ago. The Buckeyes will head to State College to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions, who have bested Ohio State in each of the last two meetings between the schools. Following a loss to the Nittany Lions in the 2022 Big Ten Tournament, Penn State came to Columbus last year and beat Ohio State 75-71 in their only meeting during the 2022-23 season.

The Buckeyes head into tonight’s game riding a seven-game winning streak. The last time Ohio State was on the court they beat Miami (OH) 84-64 on Wednesday night. Roddy Gayle Jr. was one of six Buckeyes to reach double figures in scoring, netting a team-high 15 points against the RedHawks. Zed Key notched his second double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Bruce Thornton added 14 points, and Jamison Battle followed up his performance against Minnesota with 13 points.

Tonight’s game against Penn State will be Ohio State’s second Big Ten game of the year. The Buckeyes won their conference opener on Sunday, beating Minnesota 84-74. Following tonight’s contest against the Nittany Lions, Ohio State will play their final three non-conference games of the season before hosting Rutgers a couple days into 2024. Next Saturday, Ohio State will take on UCLA in Atlanta as part of the CBS Sports Classic, followed by a game at home against New Orleans, and a neutral site game in Cleveland against West Virginia in the Legends of Basketball Classic.

On the other side, Penn State enters tonight’s game on a five-game losing streak after winning their first four games of the season. The latest setback for the Nittany Lions came in their first conference game of the season on Wednesday night when they lost 81-75 in overtime at Maryland. Kanye Clary scored a team-high 25 points in the loss, and is pacing the team in scoring this year, averaging 16.2 points per game.

Preview​


One player for Ohio State that will be hoping for a big game tonight is Evan Mahaffey, who started his career at Penn State, playing in 34 games for the Nittany Lions as a freshman last year. Mahaffey hit the transfer portal after former Penn State head coach Micah Shrewsberry took the Notre Dame job. After scoring just 21 points in his first eight games as a Buckeye, Mahaffey had his best game in the scarlet and gray on Wednesday night, netting 10 points against Miami. The Cincinnati native will be hoping he can channel some of the same energy Jamison Battle had last week when the former Minnesota Golden Gopher took on his former team.

Last year Penn State was able to make the NCAA Tournament thanks to some outstanding play from Jalen Pickett, Seth Lundy, and a number of others. Following a win over Texas A&M in the first round of the tournament, the Nittany Lions pushed Texas to the limit before the Longhorns advanced with a 71-66 victory. Penn State finished the season with a 23-14 record, leading to Shrewsberry moving on to Notre Dame following two years in State College.

NCAA Basketball: ESPN Events Invitational Seventh Place- Penn State at VCU
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Replacing Shrewsberry is Mike Rhoades, who coached VCU for six seasons before taking the Penn State job. Rhoades compiled a 129-61 record while at the school, leading the Rams to the NCAA Tournament three times. Along with Rhoades, Penn State also brought in Ace Baldwin Jr. and Nick Kern Jr. from VCU. Baldwin is currently second on the team with 14.6 points per game, while Kern is averaging 6.8 points per game. Baldwin’s best performance of the season came against his old team during the ESPN Events Invitational when he scored 27 points in a 86-74 loss to VCU.

Baldwin and Kern weren’t the only additions during the offseason in the transfer portal by Penn State. The literal biggest addition for the Nittany Lions was 6’11” forward Qudus Wahab, who started his college career at Georgetown, spent a year at Maryland before transferring back to Georgetown prior to last season. Wahab is averaging nearly a double-double this year, scoring 10.4 points per game and pulling down 9.3 rebounds per game through the first nine games of the season. The Nittany Lions also brought in North Carolina transfers Puff Johnson and D’Marco Dunn.

An interesting matchup in tonight’s game will be between Wahab and Ohio State bigs Felix Okpara and Zed Key. While Key is coming off his second double-double of the season, Okpara has been one of the best shot blockers in the country so far this season. Okpara has now blocked at least one shot in 16 straight games dating back to last season, joining Ken Johnson, Greg Oden, and Dallas Lauderdale as Buckeyes to block at least one shot in 15 straight games since 2000. For the season Okpara has 22 blocks, which is more than half of the 40 swats Ohio State has totaled as a team.

Prediction​


Where Ohio State is going to have to be careful tonight is with their ball control and decision making since Penn State has been great this year at forcing their opponents into mistakes. The Nittany Lions are forcing 16.67 turnovers per game this year, which is tops in the Big Ten and ranks 19th in the country. So far this season the Buckeyes have done a good job at not giving up the basketball, as they have committed fewer than 10 turnovers in five of their first nine games this year.

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Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

What should help Ohio State snap their recent losing streak against Penn State is the confidence they are playing with right now. Sophomore guard Bruce Thornton has made a big leap after a solid freshman year in Columbus. Along with Thornton, Roddy Gayle Jr. has improved greatly, and the additions of Jamison Battle and Evan Mahaffey have been paying early dividends.

While it seems like Penn State always plays Ohio State tough, if there was ever a time to catch the Nittany Lions, this is the time to do so. Right now Penn State isn’t playing with a lot of confidence during their five-game losing streak. Defense has been lacking for the Nittany Lions during their losing streak, as they have allowed at least 76 points in each of those five losses. The subpar defense could be a problem against an Ohio State team that has scored at least 80 points in each of its last five games.


ESPN BPI: Ohio State 56.8%
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network

LGHL Score Prediction: Ohio State 77, Penn State 70​


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LGHL Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 25 Penn State

Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 25 Penn State
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Penn State v Minnesota

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

The Buckeyes and Nittany Lions open up Big Ten campaigns with teams coming off opposite weeks.

It’s time for Ohio State women’s basketball to dip its collective toe into conference play. Up first are the Penn State Nittany Lions, a team that’s sat in the backseat of the conference for most of the last decade. Now, the matchup between the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions features a Penn State side that’s showing glimpses of its dominant form of years past.

Before Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. ET tipoff at the Schottenstein Center, here are five storylines to watch for in the conference clash.

Guard Battle​


There are three matchups to watch especially close when these two teams take to the court. The first is a two-on-two guard battle. For Penn State, First Team All-B1G guard Makenna Marisa leads the Nittany Lions alongside guard Shay Ciezki.

The two share similar traits, albeit on different ends of their college careers. Marisa is the lifelong Nittany Lion. The sister, daughter and granddaughter of Penn State basketball players, Marisa is a graduate senior who's everything for this Lions team.

Marisa leads the Nittany Lions in scoring (16.0 points per game) and has for the past three seasons. The guard is dangerous from deep and will attack the basket. Last season, the Buckeyes thought they neutralized Marisa in their lone meeting with the Nittany Lions. After three quarters, the guard had four points. In the fourth quarter, with Ohio State up 51-31, Marisa went off.

The guard scored 18 points in the final 10 minutes, outscoring the scarlet and gray by two points. It didn’t end in a Penn State comeback victory, still losing by 12 points, but it showed that Marisa can’t be underestimated at any point in the 40 minute contest. Plus, now she has a strong supporting cast.

Ciezki is a high scoring sophomore. In the last four games before Penn State’s defeat to the West Virginia Mountaineers, Ciezki averaged 19.3 points per game, averaging 3.5 shots made from three-point range. The Buffalo, New York native is the second most dangerous shooter on the Nittany Lions, but has shown traits of an underclassmen scorer.

Monday, against West Virginia, Ciezki was completely shutdown by the Mountaineers. Picking up four fouls, Ciezki played only 22 minutes, scoring no points on four missed shots. That was against a WVU side that defended similarly to how the Buckeyes will defend: On the press.

Marisa and Ciezki have their work cut out for them going up against guards Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor. The pair of graduate seniors are fifth and sixth respectively in steals in the Big Ten so far this season. It’s not only the number of times they change possession, but how ruthless they can be on defense.

It’s likely that Marisa and Ciezki won’t have much room to breathe when they get into the half court. That means the Nittany Lions will try their best to use screens to create mismatches. It’s not going to be easy to do though with Taylor especially.

Ohio State’s defense is stronger this year and its due in part to the work put in by the former Duke guard. Taylor, likely going up against Marisa, isn’t going to give the star much of anything. Every game, Taylor presses on the half court, barely giving opposition time to think. Plus the steals and at least one highlight block per game.

However, there’s strong defense in other areas of the court, especially in the third matchup to watch between two staunch defenders.

Power Around the Perimeter​


While the experience of Sheldon and Taylor gives a distinct advantage around the arc, the most intriguing clash might be inside the paint between guard/forwards Taylor Thierry and Leilani Kapinus.

Both part of the coaches Big Ten All-Defensive Team in the 22-23 season, the two play a similar style of basketball.

Each are tall and athletic, and can crash the boards. In two games that the junior Kapinus faced the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lion has two double-doubles, with 12 and 11 rebounds in the two contests. While offensively Kapinus won’t stretch the half court like Theirry who will take a shot from deep, the Penn State guard will make driving to the paint difficult for the likes of Buckeye forward Cotie McMahon. Here’s a good example:


Also, Thierry’s on a slower run of rebounding, with two quieter games in a row. Against the Tennessee Volunteers, the guard/forward hybrid who averaged 14.8 points and 7.7 rebounds going into the game scored nine points with four rebounds. Against the Ohio Bobcats Tuesday, Thierry had another four-rebound game, but had a better scoring game with 15 points.

Will Thierry’s early game form return over more of the 40 minutes with Kapinus providing more of a challenge?

Does Emma Shumate Continue Her Tear?​


A name seen frequently off the bench last season for Ohio State was guard Emma Shumate. Appearing 31 times, the guard brought promise of big shooting which didn't manifest. Although Shumate led the team in blocks, the offense was behind the defense.

This season, the sophomore is a new person, thanks to increased confidence instilled in her by her teammates. Now, Shumate is leading the Buckeyes from deep. With 15 made three-point shots on the year, the guard who averages the ninth lowest number of minutes per game on the 15-player roster is in the best form.

However, she hasn’t had the chance in the biggest games. Against the USC Trojans, Shumate didn’t dress with an injury. Then, on Sunday, after going 5-for-11 from deep in the previous two games, only saw two minutes of game time against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Shumate responded against Ohio, having her best shooting game of her career, going 6-for-10. It’s what head coach Kevin McGuff wants to see more of if Shumate wants to see minutes against tougher competition.

“We’ve seen her do this a lot in practice and this,” said McGuff. “Now she’s starting to do it in games, and just to have confidence in herself. Because I’m confident in her right now, I want her to have confidence in herself.”

Does that mean she’ll have that chance against the Nittany Lions on Sunday?

Can Penn State Handle Defensive Heat?​


Monday, Penn State was back in the AP Top 25 poll for the first time in almost 10 years. The Nittany Lions were 7-1, with one close loss to the USC Trojans, and riding strong momentum. Then they ran into the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The Nittany Lions were mauled in Morgantown. The Mountaineers played with a full court press that stretched into the half court and forced Penn State’s worst game of the season. Head coach Carolyn Kieger’s Lions gave up season highs in turnovers (26) and steals allowed (18).

Ohio State averages 21.9 turnovers forced per game. Penn State isn’t going to have a break following its 83-65 defeat against the Big 12 side. Does that mean the Nittany Lions know what they did wrong and can adjust to a team whose defensive identity is tied up in the full court, havoc-inducing, press or will Ohio State continue a nightmarish week for the Lions?

Ashley Owusu Premiere?​


Arguably one of the biggest mysteries in college basketball is the status of guard Ashley Owusu. The former AP All-American, who started her NCAA career in the Big Ten with the Maryland Terrapins, has had an interesting two seasons in college basketball.

Following her junior year, Owusu transferred to the Virginia Tech Hokies, making it to the Final Four. However, it wasn’t with Owusu contributing on the court. After starting six games for the Hokies, Owusu was out with an injury. Then, after she returned, she never started or made the same impact. Questions surrounded head coach Kenny Brooks and if Owusu fell out of favor after returning to the team.

Owusu averaged five minutes per game in her final six games as a Hokie, and no appearances in the NCAA Tournament. So, when the guard transferred back to the Big Ten and the Penn State Nittany Lions, it looked like a chance for the graduate senior to find her previous form.

However, Owusu hasn’t played a minute this season. Coach Kieger says Owusu is out with an undisclosed injury, although the guard is warming up for the Nittany Lions before games. It’s a situation shrouded in secrecy. If healthy, getting minutes against the Buckeyes would be a surprise and potentially game-changing.

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Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The guard has 55 points in her last two games against the Buckeyes, in the 20-21 and 21-22 seasons. It’s also unknown how her presence could increase the effectiveness of the likes of Marisa, Ciezki and Kapinus.

While it doesn’t seem likely that Owusu plays, based on no concrete information shared by the team, if she does, Sunday could be much more interesting.

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