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LGHL Ohio State to try and flip Florida defensive lineman this week
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Ohio State to try and flip Florida defensive lineman this week
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2024 four-star DL Amaris Williams via USA TODAY via 247Sports
Ohio State is hoping to flip a four-star DL target from Florida this week. The Buckeyes also made the top five for a 2025 five-star safety.
Ohio State is just weeks away from playing Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. More upperclassmen for the Buckeyes than initially expected are playing in the game, despite testing the NFL Draft waters. Because of this, you may expect the majority of headlines surrounding the Buckeyes to focus on the upcoming game.
However, the Early Signing Period begins this week, and Ohio State will be hoping most if not all of their verbal commits to sign their National Letters of Intent this week, like in years past. This year looks to be different though, as the Buckeyes are trying to flip recruits committed elsewhere, as well as hold off other programs from poaching their own commits.
Of Ohio State’s current commitments, the two biggest names rumored to have the potential to flip are four-star defensive end Eddrick Houston, who is being courted by Alabama and Clemson, and five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who is being courted by Miami. As it sits, Ohio State has to like where it sits with both Houston and Smith, and many recruiting experts expect both to sign with Ohio State this week. Recruiting is never predictable though, so anything could happen.
With that being said, Ohio State is also working to flip a Florida defensive live commit in four-star Amaris Williams, who announced Monday that he will be signing his NIL on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
The Buckeyes recently saw five-star DL commit Justin Scott flip to Miami, and have missed on some of their last targets at the position in the class, so adding Williams would be a big moral win for the program.
However, Williams is already committed to Florida and is also being courted by Auburn. He visited with Ohio State twice this fall, but the Buckeyes have appeared to lose momentum as of late. Williams took an official visit with Auburn last weekend, and all signs point to that visit being key in his recruitment.
Ohio State still holds the only 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction, so they are far from out of this one. Williams signing will definitely be one for Buckeye Nation to follow on Wednesday.
Williams is the No. 12 DL target in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 79 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of North Carolina.
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2024 four-star DL Amaris Williams via USA TODAY via 247Sports
Ohio State is hoping to flip a four-star DL target from Florida this week. The Buckeyes also made the top five for a 2025 five-star safety.
Ohio State is just weeks away from playing Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. More upperclassmen for the Buckeyes than initially expected are playing in the game, despite testing the NFL Draft waters. Because of this, you may expect the majority of headlines surrounding the Buckeyes to focus on the upcoming game.
However, the Early Signing Period begins this week, and Ohio State will be hoping most if not all of their verbal commits to sign their National Letters of Intent this week, like in years past. This year looks to be different though, as the Buckeyes are trying to flip recruits committed elsewhere, as well as hold off other programs from poaching their own commits.
Of Ohio State’s current commitments, the two biggest names rumored to have the potential to flip are four-star defensive end Eddrick Houston, who is being courted by Alabama and Clemson, and five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who is being courted by Miami. As it sits, Ohio State has to like where it sits with both Houston and Smith, and many recruiting experts expect both to sign with Ohio State this week. Recruiting is never predictable though, so anything could happen.
With that being said, Ohio State is also working to flip a Florida defensive live commit in four-star Amaris Williams, who announced Monday that he will be signing his NIL on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
The Buckeyes recently saw five-star DL commit Justin Scott flip to Miami, and have missed on some of their last targets at the position in the class, so adding Williams would be a big moral win for the program.
However, Williams is already committed to Florida and is also being courted by Auburn. He visited with Ohio State twice this fall, but the Buckeyes have appeared to lose momentum as of late. Williams took an official visit with Auburn last weekend, and all signs point to that visit being key in his recruitment.
Ohio State still holds the only 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction, so they are far from out of this one. Williams signing will definitely be one for Buckeye Nation to follow on Wednesday.
Williams is the No. 12 DL target in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 79 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of North Carolina.
Quick Hits
- Ohio State is also putting a lot of recruiting focus on the 2025 class, with this year’s cycle being almost wrapped up. These efforts continue to payoff, and the Buckeyes made the top five schools for a five-star safety Faheem Delane. Alongside Ohio State, Delane included LSU, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Alabama in his top schools. Delane is the No. 1 safety in the 2025 class and is the No. 24 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of Maryland.
- Speaking of Ohio State defensive line recruiting in the 2024 class, the Buckeyes missed out on one of their final defensive line targets when four-star DL Carlon Jones committed to USC in favor of the Buckeyes and Alabama. Jones officially visited with the Buckeyes earlier this month, and following the visit Ohio State was viewed as the leaders in his recruitment. USC made a last-minute push for Jones and it worked, as he is now committed to be a Trojan.
- Ohio State also saw another one of its targets commit elsewhere on Monday. 2025 four-star tight end Emaree Winston committed to Texas over UCF and Ohio State. The Buckeyes have made the tight end position one of early importance in next year’s class and Winston was one of their top targets at the position.
- As expected, four-star running back Jordan Lyle flipped his commitment from Ohio State to Miami on Monday night. Another blow to the Buckeyes’ recruiting class at the hands of the Hurricanes, OSU does still hold the No. 2 group in the country. However, momentum is certainly not on their side at this juncture. Lyle is the No. 11 RB in the 2024 class, and the Buckeyes’ still have two others committed at the position in James Peoples (No. 4 RB) and Sam Williams-Dixon (No. 86 RB).
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LGHL No. 2 UCLA holds off No. 13 Ohio State 77-71 in exciting finish
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No. 2 UCLA holds off No. 13 Ohio State 77-71 in exciting finish
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 Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Buckeyes fall to a second future Big Ten team, this time against the Bruins
Monday night, the Ohio State women’s basketball team welcomed Los Angeles’ own UCLA Bruins to the Schottenstein Center. Outside the arena, the near-freezing temperatures and snow accumulating likely wasn’t a welcome sight to the future Big Ten Bruins side.
However, inside the arena, the Bruins didn’t need much time to thaw. UCLA beat the Buckeyes but took advantage of a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Ohio State responded but still suffered its first home loss of the year 77-71.
The start of the game couldn’t have gone any better for head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes. After UCLA won the jump, the defense closed in on UCLA center Lauren Betts to force a turnover on the first Bruins offensive possession. Then, guard/forward Taylor Thierry put on a show.
Thierry hit the first points of the game, a layup down the middle of the lane, and followed it up in a big way. First, a three-point make on the next possession. Then, Thierry intercepted the inbound UCLA pass and found guard Jacy Sheldon quickly to put Ohio State up seven points after two minutes.
That forced a UCLA timeout on a momentous occasion for the Buckeyes. Ohio State did what the UConn Huskies and Florida State Seminoles couldn’t do: Have a lead against the Bruins. Although, it was far too early to call it a Buckeyes win.
UCLA isn’t the No. 2 team in the country for nothing. The Bruins battled back to tie the game at 10 apiece. It happened in the paint. Of UCLA’s first 10 points, eight came in the paint and half came from Betts. Heading to the bench with four minutes remaining in the quarter, Betts already had four points and four rebounds.
Ohio State’s energy level to begin the game dipped at times in the first quarter. With Betts out, the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize and the game stayed within a possession for the rest of the opening 10 minutes. Guard Madison Greene also came in with 2:51 remaining and had an impressive pass that almost gave the Scarlet and Gray the lead at the end of the quarter.
Greene, going up against Betts, used her smaller stature to get low to the ground and pass the ball in to guard Celeste Taylor. The final layup missed the mark, going for a tough layup from under the basket. Both sides stayed locked, heading into the second quarter tied 17-17.
The Buckeyes pushed their lead back up to start the quarter, thanks to the defensive effort of forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. The forward, going up one-on-one against Betts, intercepted a pass using strong positioning on the perimeter. That turned into a break for Sheldon, who followed the layup with a three-point shot. Then Mikulášiková got into the scoring fun, spinning near the basket and hitting a shot with two defenders pressing.
From there, Ohio State’s shooting slowed. The Buckeyes’ five-point lead dwindled into the first UCLA lead of the game, but the timing of a media timeout gave Coach McGuff the opportunity to work with his team. It didn’t help. UCLA came out of the timeout continuing its run, up to 10 points with 4:11 remaining in the half. A frustrated McGuff called a timeout, yelling at the Buckeyes as they returned to the bench.
Mikulášiková broke the run with a three-point shot in the corner, trimming the Buckeyes' deficit to four. On the other end of the court though, Mikulášiková picked up another foul for Ohio State. This time, seemingly by standing and raising her arms as Betts closed in towards the rim.
The game looked like it could begin to drift away from the Buckeyes, but timely shots kept it close. Guard Rikki Harris and Thierry each hit layups to avoid a double-digit deficit. Thierry’s attempt at the end of the quarter cut UCLA’s lead down to six points in a half of basketball where the Buckeyes had eight fewer foul shot attempts and were outrebounded 22-13.
UCLA tried getting off a last-second heave at the buzzer but was both late and off-target. Even so, the Bruins took a 37-31 lead into halftime, with the Buckeyes needing to find the intensity from the start of the game to try and turn things back in their favor.
Ohio State came out with more energy, but it didn’t correlate to scoring. Taylor scored four early points, but that was it. However, on the Bruins side, everything was working in their favor, going on an 11-4 run in the first three-and-a-half minutes of the half. That ballooned UCLA’s lead up to 13 points.
The lead for UCLA kept growing and growing though. Ohio State allowed 10 points off turnovers in the third quarter and the Buckeyes shot 28.6% from the field. It was a bad combination that made a tough comeback nearly impossible as UCLA grew its lead to 21 points, until Sheldon, who scored the final six points for OSU in the third quarter, hit a three near the end of the quarter.
There was no momentum from that shot though as the Buckeyes picked up where it left off in the third quarter, giving up two turnovers in the first minute and twenty seconds of the fourth quarter. UCLA increased its lead to 22 points off those giveaways. All that it felt like the Buckeyes had to play for was pride as the seconds ticked away.
Math wasn’t on Ohio State’s side. Even though the scarlet and gray rebounded from those early quarter turnovers, going on a 9-2 run, it still only cut the Buckeyes deficit down to 15 points. It felt like a potential comeback at moments, but the minutes on the game clock weren’t there.
Coach McGuff’s side looked like a different team. With 4:41 left in the game, the deficit was down to 10 points for the Buckeyes. An eight-point run, courtesy of Thierry and Sheldon, gave not only the team but the fans in the crowd hope for what would have been the most miraculous comeback for this side.
The momentum stalled though. Both teams’ scoring slowed, which fed right into the hands of UCLA who decided to slow the game down. Despite Ohio State’s best final-quarter efforts, the Bruins came away with the 77-71 victory.
Sheldon and Thierry led the Buckeyes on the night with 30 and 20 points, while no other Ohio State player hit double-digit scoring in the loss.
Usually a strength for the Buckeyes, especially sophomore forward Cotie McMahon, the paint was heavily guarded on Monday night. While Betts did have a season-high in fouls, not hard to do when the center has only had one per game in six of nine UCLA outings, most attempts under the basket turned into a block for the 6-foot-7 big.
McMahon struggled with less room to work, scoring seven points in the defeat, and six of those from beyond the arc. It wasn’t only the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year struggling. UCLA doubled Ohio State’s interior points. Betts led the way in that category, scoring 17 points on the night.
Monday was the second defeat for the Buckeyes against a future Big Ten squad. The start of the season, back on Nov. 6, featured freshman guard Juju Watkins and the USC Trojans defeated Ohio State 83-74. Then, the Bruins, led by four dynamic sophomores, gave the Buckeyes more than they could handle.
It shows that the Big Ten isn’t only getting stronger next year when the two Los Angeles sides join the conference, but they also have the ability to shoot straight to the top of the conference. It’s not only Ohio State that should be worried.
The Buckeyes have one more game before the holiday weekend, a Friday matinee against the Belmont Bruins at 1 p.m. ET. It features a rare coach vs. daughter situation between Coach McGuff and guard Kilyn McGuff. It’s the first time the Ohio State coach coaches against one of his children at the NCAA level.
It’ll also be a competitive contest against a Belmont team that’s surprised teams over the past two seasons. Especially in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, when the Bruins defeated the Oregon Ducks in the first round of March Madness, in double overtime.
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 Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Buckeyes fall to a second future Big Ten team, this time against the Bruins
Monday night, the Ohio State women’s basketball team welcomed Los Angeles’ own UCLA Bruins to the Schottenstein Center. Outside the arena, the near-freezing temperatures and snow accumulating likely wasn’t a welcome sight to the future Big Ten Bruins side.
However, inside the arena, the Bruins didn’t need much time to thaw. UCLA beat the Buckeyes but took advantage of a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter. Ohio State responded but still suffered its first home loss of the year 77-71.
The start of the game couldn’t have gone any better for head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes. After UCLA won the jump, the defense closed in on UCLA center Lauren Betts to force a turnover on the first Bruins offensive possession. Then, guard/forward Taylor Thierry put on a show.
Thierry hit the first points of the game, a layup down the middle of the lane, and followed it up in a big way. First, a three-point make on the next possession. Then, Thierry intercepted the inbound UCLA pass and found guard Jacy Sheldon quickly to put Ohio State up seven points after two minutes.
That forced a UCLA timeout on a momentous occasion for the Buckeyes. Ohio State did what the UConn Huskies and Florida State Seminoles couldn’t do: Have a lead against the Bruins. Although, it was far too early to call it a Buckeyes win.
UCLA isn’t the No. 2 team in the country for nothing. The Bruins battled back to tie the game at 10 apiece. It happened in the paint. Of UCLA’s first 10 points, eight came in the paint and half came from Betts. Heading to the bench with four minutes remaining in the quarter, Betts already had four points and four rebounds.
Ohio State’s energy level to begin the game dipped at times in the first quarter. With Betts out, the Buckeyes couldn’t capitalize and the game stayed within a possession for the rest of the opening 10 minutes. Guard Madison Greene also came in with 2:51 remaining and had an impressive pass that almost gave the Scarlet and Gray the lead at the end of the quarter.
Greene, going up against Betts, used her smaller stature to get low to the ground and pass the ball in to guard Celeste Taylor. The final layup missed the mark, going for a tough layup from under the basket. Both sides stayed locked, heading into the second quarter tied 17-17.
The Buckeyes pushed their lead back up to start the quarter, thanks to the defensive effort of forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. The forward, going up one-on-one against Betts, intercepted a pass using strong positioning on the perimeter. That turned into a break for Sheldon, who followed the layup with a three-point shot. Then Mikulášiková got into the scoring fun, spinning near the basket and hitting a shot with two defenders pressing.
From there, Ohio State’s shooting slowed. The Buckeyes’ five-point lead dwindled into the first UCLA lead of the game, but the timing of a media timeout gave Coach McGuff the opportunity to work with his team. It didn’t help. UCLA came out of the timeout continuing its run, up to 10 points with 4:11 remaining in the half. A frustrated McGuff called a timeout, yelling at the Buckeyes as they returned to the bench.
Mikulášiková broke the run with a three-point shot in the corner, trimming the Buckeyes' deficit to four. On the other end of the court though, Mikulášiková picked up another foul for Ohio State. This time, seemingly by standing and raising her arms as Betts closed in towards the rim.
The game looked like it could begin to drift away from the Buckeyes, but timely shots kept it close. Guard Rikki Harris and Thierry each hit layups to avoid a double-digit deficit. Thierry’s attempt at the end of the quarter cut UCLA’s lead down to six points in a half of basketball where the Buckeyes had eight fewer foul shot attempts and were outrebounded 22-13.
UCLA tried getting off a last-second heave at the buzzer but was both late and off-target. Even so, the Bruins took a 37-31 lead into halftime, with the Buckeyes needing to find the intensity from the start of the game to try and turn things back in their favor.
Ohio State came out with more energy, but it didn’t correlate to scoring. Taylor scored four early points, but that was it. However, on the Bruins side, everything was working in their favor, going on an 11-4 run in the first three-and-a-half minutes of the half. That ballooned UCLA’s lead up to 13 points.
The lead for UCLA kept growing and growing though. Ohio State allowed 10 points off turnovers in the third quarter and the Buckeyes shot 28.6% from the field. It was a bad combination that made a tough comeback nearly impossible as UCLA grew its lead to 21 points, until Sheldon, who scored the final six points for OSU in the third quarter, hit a three near the end of the quarter.
There was no momentum from that shot though as the Buckeyes picked up where it left off in the third quarter, giving up two turnovers in the first minute and twenty seconds of the fourth quarter. UCLA increased its lead to 22 points off those giveaways. All that it felt like the Buckeyes had to play for was pride as the seconds ticked away.
Math wasn’t on Ohio State’s side. Even though the scarlet and gray rebounded from those early quarter turnovers, going on a 9-2 run, it still only cut the Buckeyes deficit down to 15 points. It felt like a potential comeback at moments, but the minutes on the game clock weren’t there.
Coach McGuff’s side looked like a different team. With 4:41 left in the game, the deficit was down to 10 points for the Buckeyes. An eight-point run, courtesy of Thierry and Sheldon, gave not only the team but the fans in the crowd hope for what would have been the most miraculous comeback for this side.
The momentum stalled though. Both teams’ scoring slowed, which fed right into the hands of UCLA who decided to slow the game down. Despite Ohio State’s best final-quarter efforts, the Bruins came away with the 77-71 victory.
Sheldon and Thierry led the Buckeyes on the night with 30 and 20 points, while no other Ohio State player hit double-digit scoring in the loss.
Paint Protected
Usually a strength for the Buckeyes, especially sophomore forward Cotie McMahon, the paint was heavily guarded on Monday night. While Betts did have a season-high in fouls, not hard to do when the center has only had one per game in six of nine UCLA outings, most attempts under the basket turned into a block for the 6-foot-7 big.
McMahon struggled with less room to work, scoring seven points in the defeat, and six of those from beyond the arc. It wasn’t only the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year struggling. UCLA doubled Ohio State’s interior points. Betts led the way in that category, scoring 17 points on the night.
Dangerous Big Ten Future
Monday was the second defeat for the Buckeyes against a future Big Ten squad. The start of the season, back on Nov. 6, featured freshman guard Juju Watkins and the USC Trojans defeated Ohio State 83-74. Then, the Bruins, led by four dynamic sophomores, gave the Buckeyes more than they could handle.
It shows that the Big Ten isn’t only getting stronger next year when the two Los Angeles sides join the conference, but they also have the ability to shoot straight to the top of the conference. It’s not only Ohio State that should be worried.
What’s Next
The Buckeyes have one more game before the holiday weekend, a Friday matinee against the Belmont Bruins at 1 p.m. ET. It features a rare coach vs. daughter situation between Coach McGuff and guard Kilyn McGuff. It’s the first time the Ohio State coach coaches against one of his children at the NCAA level.
It’ll also be a competitive contest against a Belmont team that’s surprised teams over the past two seasons. Especially in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, when the Bruins defeated the Oregon Ducks in the first round of March Madness, in double overtime.
Continue reading...
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Poll
Should The Bears Trade Justin Fields?
- By ScriptOhio
- Professional Football
- 24 Replies
Hey, nobody has posted a "poll" lately so I thought that I'd try one.....
www.cbssports.com
A year after trading the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and the eventual rights to Bryce Young, the Bears are in a similar position with three games remaining in the regular season as a result of that trade, as the Panthers pick they acquired would currently be No. 1 overall.
His play this season has inspired a bit more confidence in his capabilities moving forward. However, has it been enough to tip the scales in his favor? The NFC North franchise could keep their young quarterback and try to build upon the momentum established over the past month, winning three of their last five games. In that scenario, they could either select the best non-quarterback at No. 1 overall or trade out of the pick for the second consecutive year. The defense, particularly, has shown a lot of promise over the second half of the season since acquiring Montez Sweat. If the offense can catch up, the Bears should be able to rise quickly in a relatively open NFC.
So, again, why would Chicago trade Justin Fields?
First, he was drafted by neither general manager Ryan Poles nor head coach Matt Eberflus. They do not have ties to the quarterback outside of the past year they have spent together. Fields, who is nearing the end of his third season, was drafted No. 11 overall. He is through 60% of his rookie contract if it is assumed that the fifth-year option would be used.
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What should Bears do with Justin Fields? Chicago faces decision to trade QB or top pick for 2nd straight year
Chicago is in line to pick No. 1 in the 2024 NFL Draft, but should it trade the pick again or deal Fields?
www.cbssports.com
What should Bears do with Justin Fields? Chicago faces decision to trade QB or top pick for 2nd straight year
Who could have known exploring whether the Chicago Bears should take a quarterback at No. 1 overall or soldier forth with Justin Fields would become evergreen content?A year after trading the No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft and the eventual rights to Bryce Young, the Bears are in a similar position with three games remaining in the regular season as a result of that trade, as the Panthers pick they acquired would currently be No. 1 overall.
Should the Bears trade Justin Fields and draft a quarterback?
Why would Chicago keep Justin Fields?His play this season has inspired a bit more confidence in his capabilities moving forward. However, has it been enough to tip the scales in his favor? The NFC North franchise could keep their young quarterback and try to build upon the momentum established over the past month, winning three of their last five games. In that scenario, they could either select the best non-quarterback at No. 1 overall or trade out of the pick for the second consecutive year. The defense, particularly, has shown a lot of promise over the second half of the season since acquiring Montez Sweat. If the offense can catch up, the Bears should be able to rise quickly in a relatively open NFC.
So, again, why would Chicago trade Justin Fields?
First, he was drafted by neither general manager Ryan Poles nor head coach Matt Eberflus. They do not have ties to the quarterback outside of the past year they have spent together. Fields, who is nearing the end of his third season, was drafted No. 11 overall. He is through 60% of his rookie contract if it is assumed that the fifth-year option would be used.
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LGHL Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 2 UCLA
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Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball vs. No. 2 UCLA
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
Facing Lauren Betts will require the Buckeyes focusing closely on their strengths.
The future of Big Ten basketball returns Monday, as the Ohio State women’s basketball team faces its second challenge against a soon-to-be ex-Pac 12 team. After dropping the season opener to the USC Trojans, the Buckeyes have an opportunity for redemption against the other Los Angeles side in the No. 2 UCLA Bruins.
If the scarlet and gray want to compete, there’s a 6-foot-7 center standing in their way. Her, plus a group of strong underclassmen from the West Coast side, requires the Buckeyes’ strengths consistently for 40 minutes.
Here are five storylines to watch heading into Monday night’s marquee matchup in not only the Big Ten, but the NCAA as a whole.
A main storyline of Monday isn’t if center Lauren Betts is going to have a big game. The better question is how big? The sophomore transfer from Stanford University went from a freshman who averaged less than 10 minutes per game to the star of a UCLA Bruins team full of stars.
Betts leads the No. 2 team in the nation in both scoring and rebounding, almost averaging a double-double with 17.0 points and 9.7 rebounds. At 6-foot-7, there’s nobody on the Buckeyes who can match her size. The center plays like a traditional big. Betts will get near the paint, back into her defender and spin, or force, her way to the rim for high percentage shots.
The only way to possibly limit the center is getting her in foul trouble, but that’s not exactly easy as the sophomore has upperclassmen patience and discipline. Betts hasn’t had more than one foul per game in the nine starts she’s had with the Bruins.
She’s the kind of player Ohio State’s had trouble with over the past two seasons. The game might elicit flashbacks of University of South Florida’s Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu’s 34 points and 17 rebounds performance against the Buckeyes last December. Also, the 27-point, 15-rebound performance by University of Illinois’ forward Kendall Bostic in January.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Ohio State won both of those games, even though it saw double-digit deficits. While Betts won’t likely be neutralized, the best bet for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side is making life difficult on the other four Bruins on the court.
On Nov. 24, the Bruins faced the UConn Huskies in a main event-style billing in the Cayman Islands. The game was much more of a vacation for the Bruins than the Huskies.
UCLA led the entirety of the game, once being up as much as 23 points against the perennial college basketball power. What hurt UConn wasn’t Betts directly, who had a “quiet” 13 points and seven rebounds. The center helped UCLA indirectly because the defense was so focused on playing in the perimeter that Bruins guards had a field day.
Leading the day were guards Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne. When the offense UCLA offense moved down the court, and pressure built around Betts, Rice and Osborne hit their shots. Osborne led the day going 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, and Rice following behind going 2-for-4. Rice’s other 18 points in the team-leading 24-point performance came going at the basket and pulling up for midrange shots.
Rice is a force. In that game against UConn, Rice benefited from the added attention to Betts and grabbed 11 rebounds. In terms of running the offense, she also had eight assists, putting her within two of a triple-double. Stopping Betts means trying to stop Rice.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, graduate guards Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor have been in strong defensive form to start the season. While still developing their partnership after Taylor joined in the offseason out of Duke University, the two don’t get players much time to breathe. As long as Ohio State gets back quickly on transition defense, Rice, Osborne and other Bruins won’t have the same easy looks as they had against UConn.
For that to come to fruition, Coach McGuff will need a 40-minute consistent performance from the duo of guards. Both Sheldon and Taylor seemingly have endless energy, so stamina shouldn’t be a worry. Stopping shooting and making passes difficult, all while staying out of foul trouble, will be the real worries.
Speaking of Rice, both her and guard Londynn Jones reunite with a teammate on Monday night: Sophomore forward Cotie McMahon. Together, the trio won the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 and most recently brought home the gold in the FIBA U19 World Cup.
The Buckeyes don’t need motivation to play the No. 2 team in the country, but consider it a little extra “oomph” for McMahon. Friday night, the forward only played 17 minutes against NCAA Division II side Grand Valley State — maybe in an effort to keep her ready for Monday.
Ohio State’s offense will need a complete McMahon performance, even with Betts patrolling inside the paint. McMahon’s ability to get to the basket, and draw whistles, could be what the scarlet and gray needs early in the game to not allow the Bruins to get off to a hot start.
Since starting the year with a difficult day against the USC Trojans, scoring seven points and turning the ball over five times in 34 minutes, McMahon’s been strong and consistent. The forward averaged 18.1 points in the seven games following the defeat to the Trojans.
The most impressive came a week ago against the Penn State Nittany Lions. McMahon had 27 points and eight rebounds, her strongest performance of the young season. While those were needed points, especially considering McMahon had a slow start and came on strong in the second half, the most important piece of the stat line when considering Monday’s opponent is the season-high three steals. McMahon will need to be an active participant in the press.
Ohio State will need its havoc-inducing press to have a standout performance on Monday. UCLA has stars on its roster, but feature a team of predominantly underclassmen. While those sophomores like Rice and Jones are younger, they still have international experience. Also, the Bruins have six of the top 100 recruits combined from the last two years.
However, an experienced group of Ohio State graduate seniors can leverage that additional time in the NCAA game to exploit the Bruins as often as they can. That means forcing turnovers and not missing chances on the extra offensive possessions created.
Because of the Buckeyes’ defensive prowess, they average seven more shot attempts per game compared to their opponents. Against USC, Ohio State allowed more overall shots to the Trojans, and USC hit over 50% of their attempts on the night. Compare that to the Buckeyes who shot only 39.7% on the day.
Since that Nov. 6 defeat, the Buckeyes’ offense is improving with additional game experience for new players. Ohio State only had nine assists against USC, in the seven games that followed the scarlet and gray averaged 18 per game. While the opponents haven't been up to the caliber of a USC or UCLA, its in those games where players grow chemistry. Monday will test how strong of a bond the offense has built over the last month and a half.
With Betts on the court, Ohio State isn’t likely to win the rebounding margin, but it has to win all of the close chances it can. Friday, the Buckeyes took a step back in rebounding though, being out rebounded by the Grand Valley State Lakers 30-25.
“If we rebound like that on Monday, it’s going to be a long night, I can assure you,” said Coach McGuff following the win. “So we’ll have to really get back at it, make sure we’re on point in practice.”
That means McMahon and Thierry, the primary targets for rebounds, will be battling the likes of Betts and the Bruins inside the paint. However, when Sheldon and Taylor get rebounds, good things happen.
Both bring intensity to the court, and in stretches this season that ability to get around players turned into Sheldon and Taylor getting under the basket and taking advantage of lax rebounding attempts by opponents.
In the 20-point route of the Tennessee Volunteers, Taylor led the game with 12 rebounds, and seven from Sheldon, against a taller SEC team. That’s with 6-foot-6 center Tamari Key in the game for 16 minutes, a season high following heart concerns that cut the player’s 22-23 season short.
When shots go up, expect Sheldon and Taylor to join the fray in the paint. While it may not mean a rebounding performance in Ohio State’s favor, taking anything away from the Bruins will be a long way in staying competitive.
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Facing Lauren Betts will require the Buckeyes focusing closely on their strengths.
The future of Big Ten basketball returns Monday, as the Ohio State women’s basketball team faces its second challenge against a soon-to-be ex-Pac 12 team. After dropping the season opener to the USC Trojans, the Buckeyes have an opportunity for redemption against the other Los Angeles side in the No. 2 UCLA Bruins.
If the scarlet and gray want to compete, there’s a 6-foot-7 center standing in their way. Her, plus a group of strong underclassmen from the West Coast side, requires the Buckeyes’ strengths consistently for 40 minutes.
Here are five storylines to watch heading into Monday night’s marquee matchup in not only the Big Ten, but the NCAA as a whole.
Lauren Betts
A main storyline of Monday isn’t if center Lauren Betts is going to have a big game. The better question is how big? The sophomore transfer from Stanford University went from a freshman who averaged less than 10 minutes per game to the star of a UCLA Bruins team full of stars.
Betts leads the No. 2 team in the nation in both scoring and rebounding, almost averaging a double-double with 17.0 points and 9.7 rebounds. At 6-foot-7, there’s nobody on the Buckeyes who can match her size. The center plays like a traditional big. Betts will get near the paint, back into her defender and spin, or force, her way to the rim for high percentage shots.
The only way to possibly limit the center is getting her in foul trouble, but that’s not exactly easy as the sophomore has upperclassmen patience and discipline. Betts hasn’t had more than one foul per game in the nine starts she’s had with the Bruins.
She’s the kind of player Ohio State’s had trouble with over the past two seasons. The game might elicit flashbacks of University of South Florida’s Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu’s 34 points and 17 rebounds performance against the Buckeyes last December. Also, the 27-point, 15-rebound performance by University of Illinois’ forward Kendall Bostic in January.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Ohio State won both of those games, even though it saw double-digit deficits. While Betts won’t likely be neutralized, the best bet for head coach Kevin McGuff’s side is making life difficult on the other four Bruins on the court.
Defense around the arc
On Nov. 24, the Bruins faced the UConn Huskies in a main event-style billing in the Cayman Islands. The game was much more of a vacation for the Bruins than the Huskies.
UCLA led the entirety of the game, once being up as much as 23 points against the perennial college basketball power. What hurt UConn wasn’t Betts directly, who had a “quiet” 13 points and seven rebounds. The center helped UCLA indirectly because the defense was so focused on playing in the perimeter that Bruins guards had a field day.
Leading the day were guards Kiki Rice and Charisma Osborne. When the offense UCLA offense moved down the court, and pressure built around Betts, Rice and Osborne hit their shots. Osborne led the day going 6-for-10 from beyond the arc, and Rice following behind going 2-for-4. Rice’s other 18 points in the team-leading 24-point performance came going at the basket and pulling up for midrange shots.
Rice is a force. In that game against UConn, Rice benefited from the added attention to Betts and grabbed 11 rebounds. In terms of running the offense, she also had eight assists, putting her within two of a triple-double. Stopping Betts means trying to stop Rice.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, graduate guards Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor have been in strong defensive form to start the season. While still developing their partnership after Taylor joined in the offseason out of Duke University, the two don’t get players much time to breathe. As long as Ohio State gets back quickly on transition defense, Rice, Osborne and other Bruins won’t have the same easy looks as they had against UConn.
For that to come to fruition, Coach McGuff will need a 40-minute consistent performance from the duo of guards. Both Sheldon and Taylor seemingly have endless energy, so stamina shouldn’t be a worry. Stopping shooting and making passes difficult, all while staying out of foul trouble, will be the real worries.
Defeating Team USA teammates
Speaking of Rice, both her and guard Londynn Jones reunite with a teammate on Monday night: Sophomore forward Cotie McMahon. Together, the trio won the U18 Americas Championship in 2022 and most recently brought home the gold in the FIBA U19 World Cup.
The Buckeyes don’t need motivation to play the No. 2 team in the country, but consider it a little extra “oomph” for McMahon. Friday night, the forward only played 17 minutes against NCAA Division II side Grand Valley State — maybe in an effort to keep her ready for Monday.
Ohio State’s offense will need a complete McMahon performance, even with Betts patrolling inside the paint. McMahon’s ability to get to the basket, and draw whistles, could be what the scarlet and gray needs early in the game to not allow the Bruins to get off to a hot start.
Since starting the year with a difficult day against the USC Trojans, scoring seven points and turning the ball over five times in 34 minutes, McMahon’s been strong and consistent. The forward averaged 18.1 points in the seven games following the defeat to the Trojans.
The most impressive came a week ago against the Penn State Nittany Lions. McMahon had 27 points and eight rebounds, her strongest performance of the young season. While those were needed points, especially considering McMahon had a slow start and came on strong in the second half, the most important piece of the stat line when considering Monday’s opponent is the season-high three steals. McMahon will need to be an active participant in the press.
Next level press
Ohio State will need its havoc-inducing press to have a standout performance on Monday. UCLA has stars on its roster, but feature a team of predominantly underclassmen. While those sophomores like Rice and Jones are younger, they still have international experience. Also, the Bruins have six of the top 100 recruits combined from the last two years.
However, an experienced group of Ohio State graduate seniors can leverage that additional time in the NCAA game to exploit the Bruins as often as they can. That means forcing turnovers and not missing chances on the extra offensive possessions created.
Because of the Buckeyes’ defensive prowess, they average seven more shot attempts per game compared to their opponents. Against USC, Ohio State allowed more overall shots to the Trojans, and USC hit over 50% of their attempts on the night. Compare that to the Buckeyes who shot only 39.7% on the day.
Since that Nov. 6 defeat, the Buckeyes’ offense is improving with additional game experience for new players. Ohio State only had nine assists against USC, in the seven games that followed the scarlet and gray averaged 18 per game. While the opponents haven't been up to the caliber of a USC or UCLA, its in those games where players grow chemistry. Monday will test how strong of a bond the offense has built over the last month and a half.
Rebounding. Rebounding. Rebounding.
With Betts on the court, Ohio State isn’t likely to win the rebounding margin, but it has to win all of the close chances it can. Friday, the Buckeyes took a step back in rebounding though, being out rebounded by the Grand Valley State Lakers 30-25.
“If we rebound like that on Monday, it’s going to be a long night, I can assure you,” said Coach McGuff following the win. “So we’ll have to really get back at it, make sure we’re on point in practice.”
That means McMahon and Thierry, the primary targets for rebounds, will be battling the likes of Betts and the Bruins inside the paint. However, when Sheldon and Taylor get rebounds, good things happen.
Both bring intensity to the court, and in stretches this season that ability to get around players turned into Sheldon and Taylor getting under the basket and taking advantage of lax rebounding attempts by opponents.
In the 20-point route of the Tennessee Volunteers, Taylor led the game with 12 rebounds, and seven from Sheldon, against a taller SEC team. That’s with 6-foot-6 center Tamari Key in the game for 16 minutes, a season high following heart concerns that cut the player’s 22-23 season short.
When shots go up, expect Sheldon and Taylor to join the fray in the paint. While it may not mean a rebounding performance in Ohio State’s favor, taking anything away from the Bruins will be a long way in staying competitive.
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