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Ohio State vs Michigan State, Mar 10, 2023, 2:30 PM EST, BTN
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Basketball
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Not many would have predicted it coming into the week, but the No. 13 seed Ohio State men's basketball team will play a game on Friday in the Big Ten Tournament. After having to hold on for dear life on Wednesday to defeat No. 12 seed Wisconsin 65-57, the Buckeyes managed to take care of business against No. 5 seed Iowa on Friday in a 73-69 win.
.
.
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The Scarlet and Gray advance to the third round of the Big Ten Tournament and keep hopes of an improbable NCAA Tournament berth -- which will only happen if Ohio State wins all five games at the United Center -- alive. On Friday, the Buckeyes will face No. 4 seed Michigan State. The Spartans had a double bye, so this will be their first game in this year's Big Ten Tournament.
Ohio State and Michigan State will tip off at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament.
spartanswire.usatoday.com
Prediction: MSU 71, Ohio State 64
Ohio State is finally rounding out into the team we expected them to be after a disappointing season. But this will be the third game in three days for the Buckeyes and I got to believe there will be some tired legs in the second half. Michigan State makes a few more shots than Ohio State in the final minutes to pick up the victory.
With the benefit of a double-bye, Michigan State men's basketball has been able to sit back and enjoy watching the first two days of the 2023 Big Ten Tournament.
Now, the Spartans know who they will play in their first tournament game — Ohio State. After a first round win over 12-seed Wisconsin on Wednesday, the 13th-seeded Buckeyes defeated Iowa in the second round on Thursday, 73-69, to advance to the quarterfinal round where Michigan State awaits.
Ohio State to face Michigan State in Big Ten Tournament third round
Not many would have predicted it coming into the week, but the No. 13 seed Ohio State men's basketball team will play a game on Friday in the Big Ten Tournament. After having to hold on for dear life on Wednesday to defeat No. 12 seed Wisconsin 65-57, the Buckeyes managed to take care of business against No. 5 seed Iowa on Friday in a 73-69 win.
.
.
.
The Scarlet and Gray advance to the third round of the Big Ten Tournament and keep hopes of an improbable NCAA Tournament berth -- which will only happen if Ohio State wins all five games at the United Center -- alive. On Friday, the Buckeyes will face No. 4 seed Michigan State. The Spartans had a double bye, so this will be their first game in this year's Big Ten Tournament.
Ohio State and Michigan State will tip off at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament.
MSU basketball vs. Ohio State at Big Ten Tournament: Stream, broadcast info, three things to watch, prediction
MSU basketball faces Ohio State on Friday at the Big Ten Tournament– here’s what you need to know for this matchup between the Spartans and Buckeyes
spartanswire.usatoday.com
Prediction: MSU 71, Ohio State 64
Ohio State is finally rounding out into the team we expected them to be after a disappointing season. But this will be the third game in three days for the Buckeyes and I got to believe there will be some tired legs in the second half. Michigan State makes a few more shots than Ohio State in the final minutes to pick up the victory.
Michigan State to face Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals
The Spartans will begin their run at a conference tournament title on Friday afternoon...With the benefit of a double-bye, Michigan State men's basketball has been able to sit back and enjoy watching the first two days of the 2023 Big Ten Tournament.
Now, the Spartans know who they will play in their first tournament game — Ohio State. After a first round win over 12-seed Wisconsin on Wednesday, the 13th-seeded Buckeyes defeated Iowa in the second round on Thursday, 73-69, to advance to the quarterfinal round where Michigan State awaits.
LGHL Column: Saturday’s Ohio State women's ice hockey game can’t be played at OSU Ice Rink
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Column: Saturday’s Ohio State women's ice hockey game can’t be played at OSU Ice Rink
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Berl/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Its time to treat the national champions appropriately.
When I moved to Columbus with my wife, two kids and dog, we, like any transplants, needed to find something to do with our time. As a person who loves watching athletic competition and stuff to do with young kids, the Ohio State University was the first place we looked for affordable options — aka we didn’t look for football tickets.
Moving in the fall, we went to soccer games because of the free tickets and free parking price tag. We saw last second game-winning goals, extra time thrillers and got our fair share of free popcorn.
As the temperature dropped, the easiest decision for us was going to Ohio State women’s hockey games. In the first year for Buckeyes head coach Nadine Muzerall, we were at the OSU Ice Rink just about every other weekend.
The first game we attended, the arena usher called me to invite my daughters to the entrance of the rink at the end of the period. A tradition of letting kids in the crowd give the players fist bumps and get an icy cold puck from the referees.
That experience turned into a stack of pucks, one set of dual pucks after a WCHA playoff shootout, autographs and more memories than we can count.
Since we started attending that 2016-17 season, coach Muzerall and the Buckeyes have created memories of their own. In seven seasons, the Scarlet & Gray won one regular season conference title, two conference tournament trophies, appeared in three Frozen Four NCAA final tournaments and won the granddaddy of them all last season, Ohio State’s first National Championship in ice hockey, regardless of gender.
Saturday, Ohio State goes for the back-to-back, taking on the winner of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Quinnipiac (a play-in game on Thursday March 9) in the first round of the Frozen Four, with the winner moving on to the semifinals. It’s a game that’s likely to sell out, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.
That’s because the OSU Ice Rink is not suited for competitive NCAA hockey. The arena that holds a few hundred people, all on one side of the ice, is more like a public rink than a home for a National Champion.
Opponents use the locker room below the ice level, walking upstairs to get to the ice. Ohio State uses a locker room across a covered walkway inside St. John’s Arena, requiring a few stride walk outside to get from the lockers to the ice rink.
Ohio State is rectifying this situation, announcing their hopes for a new men and women’s hockey-specific arena on campus, but it could be shut down by the board of directors, and a projected open date of April 2024 doesn’t help the Buckeyes in 2023.
Good news though, Ohio State and NCAA, I’ve got you covered. I did the research for you. Move the Saturday Frozen Four game to Nationwide Arena.
Now, you might be wondering, why can’t they use the Schottenstein Center, the home of the national championshipless Ohio State men’s hockey team? The OHSAA high school wrestling state championships are at the Schott. That’s ok, because the Schott isn’t fit for champions anyway.
Moving the games to Nationwide Arena would be a win-win, with a minor schedule change. Push the Frozen Four quarterfinal to Sunday afternoon. It would give the visiting team an extra day of rest and Nationwide Arena is already hosting a slew of hockey games, so there’d be no venue updates needed.
OHSAA has their hands all over Columbus this weekend, hosting the men’s high school finals this weekend at Nationwide Arena. Saturday even has a double-header with the amateur athletes competing in the morning and the Columbus Blue Jackets playing Saturday night.
So, shift the OSU game to Sunday after the OHSAA State Final drops puck at noon ET. Sell tickets at general admission cost, the Ice Rink tickets were only eight dollars till they went sold out in Emma Maltais shot speed.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24487058/usa_today_19333365.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Bump the tickets up to $10 or $15 dollars, have both teams be honored at the Blue Jackets game to get those butts in the arena seats coming back for more hockey the next day. Give Blue Jackets season ticket holders a discounted rate or sell the general admissions right there in the lobby of Nationwide Arena. Give the local NHL fans a chance to watch actual good hockey, something they’ve been pining for all season.
Penn State, who plays in a different conference due to the Big Ten not having a women’s hockey conference (don’t get me started on the situation up in Michigan with the Wolverines’ women’s hockey club), would draw a crowd.
The Nittany Lions have their own hockey barn: Pegula Ice Arena. It’s a hockey-specific arena that holds over 5,700 people, a great size for the college game and suitable enough for an NCAA championship game. Coincidentally enough, the very place the Buckeyes lifted their first NCAA title.
Should Quinnipiac beat the Nittany Lions, they’re also a side that will travel well for a game of this magnitude, sitting in 10th in the country in average attendance.
That doesn’t include all the Buckeyes fans who could attend from here in Columbus. Scarlet & Gray supporters who won’t have to miss the game to watch guys run, jump and catch balls at a combine this weekend.
So, NCAA, Ohio State and Nationwide Arena, give more families the opportunities to create memories while watching a Buckeyes team who’s more than worthy of a large crowd. I mean, the citizens of the city are the ones paying off the arena, why not let the local public university use it for a game of this stature?
Let’s get this done. You have Land-Grant Holy Land’s full support.
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Berl/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Its time to treat the national champions appropriately.
When I moved to Columbus with my wife, two kids and dog, we, like any transplants, needed to find something to do with our time. As a person who loves watching athletic competition and stuff to do with young kids, the Ohio State University was the first place we looked for affordable options — aka we didn’t look for football tickets.
Moving in the fall, we went to soccer games because of the free tickets and free parking price tag. We saw last second game-winning goals, extra time thrillers and got our fair share of free popcorn.
As the temperature dropped, the easiest decision for us was going to Ohio State women’s hockey games. In the first year for Buckeyes head coach Nadine Muzerall, we were at the OSU Ice Rink just about every other weekend.
The first game we attended, the arena usher called me to invite my daughters to the entrance of the rink at the end of the period. A tradition of letting kids in the crowd give the players fist bumps and get an icy cold puck from the referees.
That experience turned into a stack of pucks, one set of dual pucks after a WCHA playoff shootout, autographs and more memories than we can count.
Since we started attending that 2016-17 season, coach Muzerall and the Buckeyes have created memories of their own. In seven seasons, the Scarlet & Gray won one regular season conference title, two conference tournament trophies, appeared in three Frozen Four NCAA final tournaments and won the granddaddy of them all last season, Ohio State’s first National Championship in ice hockey, regardless of gender.
Saturday, Ohio State goes for the back-to-back, taking on the winner of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Quinnipiac (a play-in game on Thursday March 9) in the first round of the Frozen Four, with the winner moving on to the semifinals. It’s a game that’s likely to sell out, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.
That’s because the OSU Ice Rink is not suited for competitive NCAA hockey. The arena that holds a few hundred people, all on one side of the ice, is more like a public rink than a home for a National Champion.
Opponents use the locker room below the ice level, walking upstairs to get to the ice. Ohio State uses a locker room across a covered walkway inside St. John’s Arena, requiring a few stride walk outside to get from the lockers to the ice rink.
Ohio State is rectifying this situation, announcing their hopes for a new men and women’s hockey-specific arena on campus, but it could be shut down by the board of directors, and a projected open date of April 2024 doesn’t help the Buckeyes in 2023.
Good news though, Ohio State and NCAA, I’ve got you covered. I did the research for you. Move the Saturday Frozen Four game to Nationwide Arena.
Now, you might be wondering, why can’t they use the Schottenstein Center, the home of the national championshipless Ohio State men’s hockey team? The OHSAA high school wrestling state championships are at the Schott. That’s ok, because the Schott isn’t fit for champions anyway.
Moving the games to Nationwide Arena would be a win-win, with a minor schedule change. Push the Frozen Four quarterfinal to Sunday afternoon. It would give the visiting team an extra day of rest and Nationwide Arena is already hosting a slew of hockey games, so there’d be no venue updates needed.
OHSAA has their hands all over Columbus this weekend, hosting the men’s high school finals this weekend at Nationwide Arena. Saturday even has a double-header with the amateur athletes competing in the morning and the Columbus Blue Jackets playing Saturday night.
So, shift the OSU game to Sunday after the OHSAA State Final drops puck at noon ET. Sell tickets at general admission cost, the Ice Rink tickets were only eight dollars till they went sold out in Emma Maltais shot speed.
Bump the tickets up to $10 or $15 dollars, have both teams be honored at the Blue Jackets game to get those butts in the arena seats coming back for more hockey the next day. Give Blue Jackets season ticket holders a discounted rate or sell the general admissions right there in the lobby of Nationwide Arena. Give the local NHL fans a chance to watch actual good hockey, something they’ve been pining for all season.
Penn State, who plays in a different conference due to the Big Ten not having a women’s hockey conference (don’t get me started on the situation up in Michigan with the Wolverines’ women’s hockey club), would draw a crowd.
The Nittany Lions have their own hockey barn: Pegula Ice Arena. It’s a hockey-specific arena that holds over 5,700 people, a great size for the college game and suitable enough for an NCAA championship game. Coincidentally enough, the very place the Buckeyes lifted their first NCAA title.
Should Quinnipiac beat the Nittany Lions, they’re also a side that will travel well for a game of this magnitude, sitting in 10th in the country in average attendance.
That doesn’t include all the Buckeyes fans who could attend from here in Columbus. Scarlet & Gray supporters who won’t have to miss the game to watch guys run, jump and catch balls at a combine this weekend.
So, NCAA, Ohio State and Nationwide Arena, give more families the opportunities to create memories while watching a Buckeyes team who’s more than worthy of a large crowd. I mean, the citizens of the city are the ones paying off the arena, why not let the local public university use it for a game of this stature?
Let’s get this done. You have Land-Grant Holy Land’s full support.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State’s men’s basketball vs. Iowa: Game preview and prediction
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Ohio State’s men’s basketball vs. Iowa: Game preview and prediction
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
The Buckeyes live for another day and now have a matchup against Iowa.
After a nearly perfect first half, the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team won an uncomfortably close matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, 65-57. This gets them another game against the Iowa Hawkeyes today, and also keeps Ohio State’s tournament hopes alive – even if the margins are incredibly thin to get there.
For the Buckeyes, the last matchup they played against the Hawkeyes was during their nine-game losing streak. On the road in Iowa City, the Buckeyes scored the ball fine but were unable to slow down the Hawkeyes from putting up points, losing the game 92-75. This was evident in the rebound battle. Iowa had 11 offensive rebounds, leading to more than their share of second-chance points.
If the Buckeyes want to continue their season, they will need to create the same magic they had in their previous win over the Hawkeyes. After beating the Hawkeyes last, the season fell off the rails. This time around, the Buckeyes have found an identity that should remain competitive against Fran McCaffrey’s squad.
There is not a team that has won the conference championship from the Buckeyes’ position, but if they can beat Iowa, anything is on the table.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24490446/usa_today_20155105.jpg "Syndication: HawkCentral")
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
The all-time series between the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes is tied at 83-83, which holds true again this year with the teams splitting the season series. McCaffrey and Holtmann have had a relatively back-and-forth battle, with them splitting the 10 games 5-5. Both teams need a win here, but the Buckeyes are playing for their season to an even greater extent than the Hawkeyes because a loss means the Buckeyes are done.
This game starts with the emergence of freshman point guard Bruce Thornton as a reliable scorer. Against Wisconsin, Thornton scored 15 points and has averaged 16.8 over the last five. In the win against Iowa earlier in the year, Thornton has zero points, and he scored 11 in the loss. If he can provide the steady hand he has shown, he is more than capable of winning the point guard battle tonight against Ahron Ulis, who has scored 12 in both matchups.
Defensively, the Buckeyes will be challenged in the front court. Kris Murray scored over 20 points in each matchup. If Ohio State’s Felix Okpara can’t keep him off the boards and use his length to alter shots, Murray will find easy work once again. Without Zed Key, the Buckeyes will also need Okpara to contribute offensively.
Over the last five games, Iowa has had a mixed bag of results, ranging from a 112-106 win over Michigan State, a 90-68 win over top-20 Indiana, and an 81-77 point loss to Nebraska, to highlight a few. When Iowa finds shots from the outside to pair with their interior offense, they can put up points with the best of them. They are ranked third in the KenPom Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Rating.
That means the Buckeyes will need to bring their A-game on both sides of the ball. In comes Brice Sensabaugh. Despite an inconsistent season, Sensabaugh scored 27 points against Iowa in that aforementioned victory. That is not a fair expectation, but if they can combine an efficient Sensabaugh performance with secret weapon Sean McNeil playing his best basketball, there is no reason the Buckeyes can’t find enough offense to win the game.
Ohio State will need continued strong performances from Justice Sueing, Eugene Brown III, and Roddy Gayle on the defensive end. This game will be an opportunity for the Buckeyes to keep building momentum, and if they win against Iowa this afternoon, the Buckeyes have a stretch of games against teams they have been competitive against this year. As we know, anything can happen in March.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24490529/1472201823.jpg "Ohio State v Wisconsin")
Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images
Ohio State got the first win under their belt in Chicago. Winning five games in five days is no easy task, though. Where the Buckeyes do have an advantage is holding a game under their belt in a tournament setting. Ohio State will likely not come out shooting 70 percent from the floor, but they understand the intensity of how the game against Wisconsin ended.
There is no taking the foot off the gas in March, and there will be stretches of hot shooting to go with cold spells playing in an unfamiliar environment. This gives another slight advantage to the Buckeyes, having already played in the arena. There is nothing separating these two teams on the floor outside of whoever has the hot hand that night.
Ohio State needs to come out of the gate aggressively, rebounding the basketball and limiting the second-chance points for Iowa’s frontcourt. In each game between the schools this year, the winner in the rebounds column has won the matchup. that puts an incredibly pivotal emphasis on a stat category the Buckeyes have been inconsistent at best.
The other key stat is the turnover margin, Ohio State lost this battle in both games and has struggled in this area at times this season. Against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes lost that battle, and it was a major factor in the Badgers being able to close the gap in the second half. Thornton had four against the Badgers, and the team as a whole had 16. That will not cut it as the Buckeyes continue to advance in the Big Ten Tournament.
For the Hawkeyes, the game starts in the front court. Okpara was not a part of the game plan much in the first two games, and Kris Murray has scored on much more seasoned big men this season. Team defense is how the Buckeyes combat a dominant big, and when they show double teams being able to recover to their man.
Ohio State is playing much better basketball than they were heading into both matchups against Iowa. In the win, the Buckeyes snapped a four-game losing streak, and that same game started a nine-game losing streak that was ended against Illinois. With Ohio State finding more consistency in its identity of late. This is a litmus test to see how much progress this Buckeye basketball team has made.
Individually, the offense will have to be the key to this one. Against a team as efficient as Iowa, there can not be long stretches of offensive stagnation. If they fall behind as they did in the loss, Iowa can get out and run the Buckeyes off the court. That is why coming out of the gate like they did yesterday is important.
A strong defensive effort, timely shooting, and working to find easy baskets are how the Buckeyes will get this done. This is by no means an easy matchup, and Ohio State knows that having been on both sides of a lopsided scoreboard. If they win this game, it sets up a matchup against a Michigan State team that Ohio State can hang around.
All it will take is a complete performance on both ends of the court – and not blowing a second-half lead.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 60.6%
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Continue reading...
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
The Buckeyes live for another day and now have a matchup against Iowa.
After a nearly perfect first half, the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team won an uncomfortably close matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, 65-57. This gets them another game against the Iowa Hawkeyes today, and also keeps Ohio State’s tournament hopes alive – even if the margins are incredibly thin to get there.
For the Buckeyes, the last matchup they played against the Hawkeyes was during their nine-game losing streak. On the road in Iowa City, the Buckeyes scored the ball fine but were unable to slow down the Hawkeyes from putting up points, losing the game 92-75. This was evident in the rebound battle. Iowa had 11 offensive rebounds, leading to more than their share of second-chance points.
If the Buckeyes want to continue their season, they will need to create the same magic they had in their previous win over the Hawkeyes. After beating the Hawkeyes last, the season fell off the rails. This time around, the Buckeyes have found an identity that should remain competitive against Fran McCaffrey’s squad.
There is not a team that has won the conference championship from the Buckeyes’ position, but if they can beat Iowa, anything is on the table.
Preview
The all-time series between the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes is tied at 83-83, which holds true again this year with the teams splitting the season series. McCaffrey and Holtmann have had a relatively back-and-forth battle, with them splitting the 10 games 5-5. Both teams need a win here, but the Buckeyes are playing for their season to an even greater extent than the Hawkeyes because a loss means the Buckeyes are done.
This game starts with the emergence of freshman point guard Bruce Thornton as a reliable scorer. Against Wisconsin, Thornton scored 15 points and has averaged 16.8 over the last five. In the win against Iowa earlier in the year, Thornton has zero points, and he scored 11 in the loss. If he can provide the steady hand he has shown, he is more than capable of winning the point guard battle tonight against Ahron Ulis, who has scored 12 in both matchups.
Defensively, the Buckeyes will be challenged in the front court. Kris Murray scored over 20 points in each matchup. If Ohio State’s Felix Okpara can’t keep him off the boards and use his length to alter shots, Murray will find easy work once again. Without Zed Key, the Buckeyes will also need Okpara to contribute offensively.
Over the last five games, Iowa has had a mixed bag of results, ranging from a 112-106 win over Michigan State, a 90-68 win over top-20 Indiana, and an 81-77 point loss to Nebraska, to highlight a few. When Iowa finds shots from the outside to pair with their interior offense, they can put up points with the best of them. They are ranked third in the KenPom Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Rating.
That means the Buckeyes will need to bring their A-game on both sides of the ball. In comes Brice Sensabaugh. Despite an inconsistent season, Sensabaugh scored 27 points against Iowa in that aforementioned victory. That is not a fair expectation, but if they can combine an efficient Sensabaugh performance with secret weapon Sean McNeil playing his best basketball, there is no reason the Buckeyes can’t find enough offense to win the game.
Ohio State will need continued strong performances from Justice Sueing, Eugene Brown III, and Roddy Gayle on the defensive end. This game will be an opportunity for the Buckeyes to keep building momentum, and if they win against Iowa this afternoon, the Buckeyes have a stretch of games against teams they have been competitive against this year. As we know, anything can happen in March.
Prediction
Ohio State got the first win under their belt in Chicago. Winning five games in five days is no easy task, though. Where the Buckeyes do have an advantage is holding a game under their belt in a tournament setting. Ohio State will likely not come out shooting 70 percent from the floor, but they understand the intensity of how the game against Wisconsin ended.
There is no taking the foot off the gas in March, and there will be stretches of hot shooting to go with cold spells playing in an unfamiliar environment. This gives another slight advantage to the Buckeyes, having already played in the arena. There is nothing separating these two teams on the floor outside of whoever has the hot hand that night.
Ohio State needs to come out of the gate aggressively, rebounding the basketball and limiting the second-chance points for Iowa’s frontcourt. In each game between the schools this year, the winner in the rebounds column has won the matchup. that puts an incredibly pivotal emphasis on a stat category the Buckeyes have been inconsistent at best.
The other key stat is the turnover margin, Ohio State lost this battle in both games and has struggled in this area at times this season. Against Wisconsin, the Buckeyes lost that battle, and it was a major factor in the Badgers being able to close the gap in the second half. Thornton had four against the Badgers, and the team as a whole had 16. That will not cut it as the Buckeyes continue to advance in the Big Ten Tournament.
For the Hawkeyes, the game starts in the front court. Okpara was not a part of the game plan much in the first two games, and Kris Murray has scored on much more seasoned big men this season. Team defense is how the Buckeyes combat a dominant big, and when they show double teams being able to recover to their man.
Ohio State is playing much better basketball than they were heading into both matchups against Iowa. In the win, the Buckeyes snapped a four-game losing streak, and that same game started a nine-game losing streak that was ended against Illinois. With Ohio State finding more consistency in its identity of late. This is a litmus test to see how much progress this Buckeye basketball team has made.
Individually, the offense will have to be the key to this one. Against a team as efficient as Iowa, there can not be long stretches of offensive stagnation. If they fall behind as they did in the loss, Iowa can get out and run the Buckeyes off the court. That is why coming out of the gate like they did yesterday is important.
A strong defensive effort, timely shooting, and working to find easy baskets are how the Buckeyes will get this done. This is by no means an easy matchup, and Ohio State knows that having been on both sides of a lopsided scoreboard. If they win this game, it sets up a matchup against a Michigan State team that Ohio State can hang around.
All it will take is a complete performance on both ends of the court – and not blowing a second-half lead.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 60.6%
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 81, Iowa 73
Continue reading...
LGHL How to Watch Ohio State-Iowa 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game
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- 0 Replies
How to Watch Ohio State-Iowa 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes play in the early afternoon today, so if you will be stuck at work, we’ve got you covered on how to watch.
The first half of Wednesday’s opening round Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game between No. 13 Ohio State and No. 12 Wisconsin was incredibly exciting for Buckeye fans. The second half... much less so. Nonetheless, Chris Holtmann’s squad held on for 65-57 victory that moves them into the second round of the tournament against the high-scoring No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday.
The two teams have split their matchups this season, both winning by considerable margins at home. While the Hawkeyes’ season has obviously been better than that of the Buckeyes, according to the DraftKings SportsBook, it is still just a one-possession contest. The fifth-seeded Hawks are currently favored by just three points in the game that will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET.
Since the game will tip off right around the time when you are likely to hit the mid-afternoon, post-lunch energy lull, we’ll run through everything you need to know to watch and get fully invested (where such practices are legal, of course) in the B1G action.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s Big Ten Tournament How to Watch article, my day job is as the news editor for TheStreamable.com, which, as you might have guessed, covers streaming services of all forms and fashions. So, I have taken that industry insider knowledge and waded through the live TV streaming service options to narrow down the myriad options for the best bet to watch not only the B1G Tournament but the Big Dance as well.
For both price, its two-week free trial, collection of channels, and its general superior user experience, I recommend signing up for YouTube TV if you need a streaming option in order to watch the Big Ten and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments. When it comes to March Madness, sports-focused streaming service fuboTV does not carry the Turner Networks, so it misses out on any early-round game broadcast on TBS, TNT, or TruTV so that one is out. Ditto for Sling TV, which is considerably cheaper than the alternatives, but depending on which subscription option you choose, doesn’t have all of the channels covering games.
DIRECTV STREAM will have all of the networks you need to watch postseason basketball but is considerably more expensive than YouTube TV. Then there’s Hulu + Live TV. The Disney-owned service does provide the extra bonus of including the Disney Bundle, so you essentially get Disney+ and ESPN+ for free, but it has no free trial, and as many Ohio State fans found out last night, it can run into some technical issues:
Keep in mind, if the Buckeyes do somehow beat Iowa this afternoon and then Michigan State on Friday, Saturday’s semifinal game will move from the Big Ten Network to CBS. Therefore, if you are looking for a streaming option for the weekend games, you can go with the Paramount+ Premium tier, which offers a 30-day free trial. So, not only can you watch the Big Ten semifinals and championship game, but you can get all of the CBS Big Dance action for free as well.
Ohio State’s 93-77 victory in Columbus over Iowa on Jan. 21 was the only win that the team had in a 15-game stretch; a run of losses that also included the 92-75 defeat on Feb. 16 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Two very similar scores, two very different outcomes.
When DraftKings SportsBook first put the odds out for the second-round B1G matchup, Iowa was only favored by two points, but that has increased by a free throw and the Hawkeyes are now three-point favorites. The total points projection has also changed as it has come down from 156.5 points to 154.
That means that the book and bettors are projecting a game somewhere in the 78-75 range. Ohio State’s moneyline is at +120 while Iowa’s is at -140. That means that if you bet $100 on the Buckeyes to win straight-up and they do, you will pocket $220 for a $120 profit. However, if you want to win $100 while betting on the Hawkeyes, you will need to put up $140 to do so.
The book also has a full complement of player and game prop bets available, including scoring totals. Brice Sensabaugh had somewhat of a rough go of it against Wisconsin last night, shooting only 4-of-10 from the field for nine points — although he did have 11 rebounds. Despite that, DraftKings has him set to go for 16.5 points this afternoon, with fellow freshman Bruce Thornton and senior Justice Sueing also in double-figures.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24490901/Screen_Shot_2023_03_09_at_7.38.49_AM.png)
If you want a more complete breakdown of the action coming up in this afternoon’s game, check out our full game preview, which includes stats, analytics, and our official prediction for the outcome.
The last bit of information that you will need to enjoy Thursday’s Big Ten Tournament action is the bracket and the schedule, and you’re in luck, I’ve got that right here for you.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24487689/MBBT_Bracket_Announcement.jpeg)
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes play in the early afternoon today, so if you will be stuck at work, we’ve got you covered on how to watch.
The first half of Wednesday’s opening round Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game between No. 13 Ohio State and No. 12 Wisconsin was incredibly exciting for Buckeye fans. The second half... much less so. Nonetheless, Chris Holtmann’s squad held on for 65-57 victory that moves them into the second round of the tournament against the high-scoring No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes on Thursday.
The two teams have split their matchups this season, both winning by considerable margins at home. While the Hawkeyes’ season has obviously been better than that of the Buckeyes, according to the DraftKings SportsBook, it is still just a one-possession contest. The fifth-seeded Hawks are currently favored by just three points in the game that will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET.
Since the game will tip off right around the time when you are likely to hit the mid-afternoon, post-lunch energy lull, we’ll run through everything you need to know to watch and get fully invested (where such practices are legal, of course) in the B1G action.
How to Watch No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 13 Ohio State
- When: Thursday, March 9 at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
As I mentioned in yesterday’s Big Ten Tournament How to Watch article, my day job is as the news editor for TheStreamable.com, which, as you might have guessed, covers streaming services of all forms and fashions. So, I have taken that industry insider knowledge and waded through the live TV streaming service options to narrow down the myriad options for the best bet to watch not only the B1G Tournament but the Big Dance as well.
For both price, its two-week free trial, collection of channels, and its general superior user experience, I recommend signing up for YouTube TV if you need a streaming option in order to watch the Big Ten and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournaments. When it comes to March Madness, sports-focused streaming service fuboTV does not carry the Turner Networks, so it misses out on any early-round game broadcast on TBS, TNT, or TruTV so that one is out. Ditto for Sling TV, which is considerably cheaper than the alternatives, but depending on which subscription option you choose, doesn’t have all of the channels covering games.
DIRECTV STREAM will have all of the networks you need to watch postseason basketball but is considerably more expensive than YouTube TV. Then there’s Hulu + Live TV. The Disney-owned service does provide the extra bonus of including the Disney Bundle, so you essentially get Disney+ and ESPN+ for free, but it has no free trial, and as many Ohio State fans found out last night, it can run into some technical issues:
Keep in mind, if the Buckeyes do somehow beat Iowa this afternoon and then Michigan State on Friday, Saturday’s semifinal game will move from the Big Ten Network to CBS. Therefore, if you are looking for a streaming option for the weekend games, you can go with the Paramount+ Premium tier, which offers a 30-day free trial. So, not only can you watch the Big Ten semifinals and championship game, but you can get all of the CBS Big Dance action for free as well.
What Are the Odds for the Ohio State vs. Iowa Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Game?
Ohio State’s 93-77 victory in Columbus over Iowa on Jan. 21 was the only win that the team had in a 15-game stretch; a run of losses that also included the 92-75 defeat on Feb. 16 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Two very similar scores, two very different outcomes.
When DraftKings SportsBook first put the odds out for the second-round B1G matchup, Iowa was only favored by two points, but that has increased by a free throw and the Hawkeyes are now three-point favorites. The total points projection has also changed as it has come down from 156.5 points to 154.
That means that the book and bettors are projecting a game somewhere in the 78-75 range. Ohio State’s moneyline is at +120 while Iowa’s is at -140. That means that if you bet $100 on the Buckeyes to win straight-up and they do, you will pocket $220 for a $120 profit. However, if you want to win $100 while betting on the Hawkeyes, you will need to put up $140 to do so.
The book also has a full complement of player and game prop bets available, including scoring totals. Brice Sensabaugh had somewhat of a rough go of it against Wisconsin last night, shooting only 4-of-10 from the field for nine points — although he did have 11 rebounds. Despite that, DraftKings has him set to go for 16.5 points this afternoon, with fellow freshman Bruce Thornton and senior Justice Sueing also in double-figures.
If you want a more complete breakdown of the action coming up in this afternoon’s game, check out our full game preview, which includes stats, analytics, and our official prediction for the outcome.
What Is the Schedule for the 2023 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament?
The last bit of information that you will need to enjoy Thursday’s Big Ten Tournament action is the bracket and the schedule, and you’re in luck, I’ve got that right here for you.
Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket:
Complete Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Network Broadcast Schedule:
Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.
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LGHL Land-Grant Uncut Podcast: Knowles confirms Sawyer won’t play Jack; Day updates QB battle
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Land-Grant Uncut Podcast: Knowles confirms Sawyer won’t play Jack; Day updates QB battle
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State Athletics
Hear the full press conference from the football team’s first day of spring practice.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On today’s episode, we’ve got uncut audio from the press conference kicking off the Ohio State football team’s 2023 spring practice. Following the first practice, the first 30 minutes of which was open to the media, head coach Ryan Day answered questions about his plans for his team over the next five weeks. He provided updates on the quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown while also discussing his plans and expectations for other players.
Then, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles took to the podium to provide further insight into the guys on his side of the ball. The biggest news from his session was the announcement that Jack Sawyer will exclusively play defensive end this season, instead of playing the DE/linebacker hybrid Jack position.
You can watch the full press conference on the official Ohio State athletics website.
Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State Athletics
Hear the full press conference from the football team’s first day of spring practice.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode, we’ve got uncut audio from the press conference kicking off the Ohio State football team’s 2023 spring practice. Following the first practice, the first 30 minutes of which was open to the media, head coach Ryan Day answered questions about his plans for his team over the next five weeks. He provided updates on the quarterback battle between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown while also discussing his plans and expectations for other players.
Then, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles took to the podium to provide further insight into the guys on his side of the ball. The biggest news from his session was the announcement that Jack Sawyer will exclusively play defensive end this season, instead of playing the DE/linebacker hybrid Jack position.
You can watch the full press conference on the official Ohio State athletics website.
Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter: @BWWMatt
Music by: www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
LGHL Buckeyes land latest member of their 2024 class: in-state lineman Marc Nave
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Buckeyes land latest member of their 2024 class: in-state lineman Marc Nave
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Marc Nave | 247Sports
BOOM! Buckeyes land new commitment in the 2024 class.
Every year the offensive line is a priority in recruiting, but landing top targets early on is a major advantage for the coaching staff. Fortunately for Ohio State, it looks like that is the trend right now for position coach Justin Frye. Locking in the commitments of multiple offensive linemen, Wednesday the Buckeyes landed the second player at the position and the fourth member of their 2024 class with the addition of Marc Nave.
An in-state target from Toledo, Nave was just offered by Ohio State at the end of January and made a quick turnaround with his decision to be a Buckeye. A 6-foot-5, 315 pound interior offensive lineman, Nave clearly has the size to play at the next level, and it’s yet another Ohio native along the trenches that is staying home for his college career. The No. 520 player nationally, Nave is the 28th best player at his position and the 18th best player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite for the 2024 class.
A three-star, the ranking may not look that impressive to Ohio State fans that are used to seeing the typical four and five-star statuses, but Nave is a player that fits the bill and is due for a rankings boost. At 20 offers to his name, Nave chose Ohio State over the likes of Auburn, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Missouri, Pitt, and several others. Regardless of the ranking and list of offers though, the Buckeyes are thrilled to have his commitment, and believe he has every chance to be great at the next level.
With a few more spots up for grabs, it will be interesting to see if the in-state 2024 linemen are who fills out the rest of the class. If so, that will make two classes in a row where the bulk of commitments are right within the state borders. Ohio can certainly produce linemen, and now the Buckeyes need to continue their development and build up the trenches with more talent and certainly more depth.
While he may be unranked via his 247Sports profile, he still holds a three-star status and has the size many programs would love to have. A safety, Rudzinski is a 6-foot-4, 190 pound athlete that at the very least will add depth to the secondary and his lineage points to him being able to hold his own for the long haul.
Fortunately, all seems to be in their favor as social media is being littered with visitors raving about their time in the facility and taking in all the program has to offer. Surely much of the same is to follow.
Later today, in-state 2025 athlete Jackson Wiley will be on site to see the Buckeyes. Though he’s making the short trek from Lewis Center, Ohio, Wiley is another youngster worth watching as his recruitment continues to pick up. Kentucky and Toledo are the two schools to have offered already, but with his talent and profile becoming more relevant, the domino effect of more schools to join the offer ranks shouldn’t take much longer.
Today is a step towards Ohio State being one of those schools as they continue to grow the relationship and keep in contact.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Marc Nave | 247Sports
BOOM! Buckeyes land new commitment in the 2024 class.
BOOM! Buckeyes land their latest commitment
Every year the offensive line is a priority in recruiting, but landing top targets early on is a major advantage for the coaching staff. Fortunately for Ohio State, it looks like that is the trend right now for position coach Justin Frye. Locking in the commitments of multiple offensive linemen, Wednesday the Buckeyes landed the second player at the position and the fourth member of their 2024 class with the addition of Marc Nave.
An in-state target from Toledo, Nave was just offered by Ohio State at the end of January and made a quick turnaround with his decision to be a Buckeye. A 6-foot-5, 315 pound interior offensive lineman, Nave clearly has the size to play at the next level, and it’s yet another Ohio native along the trenches that is staying home for his college career. The No. 520 player nationally, Nave is the 28th best player at his position and the 18th best player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite for the 2024 class.
A three-star, the ranking may not look that impressive to Ohio State fans that are used to seeing the typical four and five-star statuses, but Nave is a player that fits the bill and is due for a rankings boost. At 20 offers to his name, Nave chose Ohio State over the likes of Auburn, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Missouri, Pitt, and several others. Regardless of the ranking and list of offers though, the Buckeyes are thrilled to have his commitment, and believe he has every chance to be great at the next level.
With a few more spots up for grabs, it will be interesting to see if the in-state 2024 linemen are who fills out the rest of the class. If so, that will make two classes in a row where the bulk of commitments are right within the state borders. Ohio can certainly produce linemen, and now the Buckeyes need to continue their development and build up the trenches with more talent and certainly more depth.
Quick Hits
- While most of the news yesterday surrounded the commitment of the previously mentioned Nave, the Buckeyes also received a preferred walk-on commitment for their 2023 class from Ryan Rudzinski. Another in-state prospect, Rudzinski is no stranger to Ohio State as the son of former Buckeye Jerry Rudzinski, who played linebacker during his collegiate career.
While he may be unranked via his 247Sports profile, he still holds a three-star status and has the size many programs would love to have. A safety, Rudzinski is a 6-foot-4, 190 pound athlete that at the very least will add depth to the secondary and his lineage points to him being able to hold his own for the long haul.
- With spring practice now underway, the coaching staff is going to be just as busy with recruiting as they are with developing the current roster. Hosting top prospects every chance they can get, these next few weeks are going to play a big role for the Buckeyes and their efforts to make lasting impressions on those who come to campus.
Fortunately, all seems to be in their favor as social media is being littered with visitors raving about their time in the facility and taking in all the program has to offer. Surely much of the same is to follow.
Later today, in-state 2025 athlete Jackson Wiley will be on site to see the Buckeyes. Though he’s making the short trek from Lewis Center, Ohio, Wiley is another youngster worth watching as his recruitment continues to pick up. Kentucky and Toledo are the two schools to have offered already, but with his talent and profile becoming more relevant, the domino effect of more schools to join the offer ranks shouldn’t take much longer.
Today is a step towards Ohio State being one of those schools as they continue to grow the relationship and keep in contact.
Ohio state tomorrow@CoachBart11 @CoachJordan82 @brianhartline @etwill21 pic.twitter.com/83rjOdCRMX
— Jackson Wiley (@jackson_wiles5) March 8, 2023
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Ohio State vs Iowa, Mar 9, 2023, 2:30 PM EST, BTN
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- Buckeye Basketball
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The Ohio State men's basketball season isn't over quite yet. The No. 13 seed Buckeyes defeated No. 12 seed Wisconsin 65-57 on Wednesday evening in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament to advance to Day 2.
Thanks to the win, the Scarlet and Gray go marching on and extend the 2022-23 season for at least one more day. On Thursday, the Scarlet and Gray will face No. 5 seed Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament second round.
The Buckeyes and the Hawkeyes met twice this year, splitting the season series.
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The Ohio State men's basketball season isn't over quite yet. The No. 13 seed Buckeyes defeated No. 12 seed Wisconsin 65-57 on Wednesday evening in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament to advance to Day 2.
Thanks to the win, the Scarlet and Gray go marching on and extend the 2022-23 season for at least one more day. On Thursday, the Scarlet and Gray will face No. 5 seed Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament second round.
The Buckeyes and the Hawkeyes met twice this year, splitting the season series.
Buckeyes vs. Hawkeyes: Big Ten Tournament Betting Trends, Record ATS, Home/Road Splits
Preview the Ohio State vs. Iowa men’s college basketball matchup with odds, betting stats, trends, splits, against the spread records and more.
www.cleveland19.com
Ohio State vs. Iowa Odds & Info
- Date: Thursday, March 9, 2023
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Where: Chicago, Illinois
- Venue: United Center
| Favorite | Spread | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | -2.5 | 154.5 |
LGHL Ohio State’s men’s basketball vs. Wisconsin: Game preview and prediction
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Ohio State’s men’s basketball vs. Wisconsin: 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
Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
The Buckeyes and Badgers kick off the 2023 Big Ten Tournament tonight in Chicago, with the winner playing Iowa on Thursday.
Today Ohio State will open up the 2023 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago against the Wisconsin Badgers. If Chris Holtmann’s team wants to make this year’s NCAA Tournament, they know the only path to make the dance is by winning the Big Ten Tournament.
History isn’t on the side of the Buckeyes, as since the conference expanded, no team playing in the first round on Wednesday has ever made it to even Saturday’s semifinals.
The Buckeyes closed out their regular season schedule on Saturday with an 84-78 loss against Michigan State in East Lansing, snapping a two-game winning streak. Even though the season hasn’t come anywhere close to what was expected from the team heading into the season, Ohio State played hard until the end, they just didn’t have quite enough to take down the Spartans on Senior Day. After trailing 43-34 at halftime, the Buckeyes were able to close the deficit to 67-64 after Bruce Thornton hit a three-pointer with 5:39 left, but they wouldn’t get any closer in the game.
Thornton continued his strong play to close the regular season, finishing with 20 points. The guard is averaging 17.3 points per game over the last four games. Thornton’s scoring output against the Spartans was one shy of tying Brice Sensabaugh for the team-high, but the duo did become the first pair of Ohio State freshmen since D’Angelo Russell and Jae’Sean Tate in 2015 to each score 20 points in the same game.
Justice Sueing put together a strong all-around performance in his final regular season game for the Buckeyes, flirting with a triple-double. Sueing finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Sean McNeil also reached double figures in scoring, finishing with 11 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Ohio State did a lot of things right in the game, shooting 48 percent from the field and dishing out 15 assists while committing just eight turnovers, they just couldn’t overcome the 15-0 run the Spartans went on early in the game.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24487464/usa_today_20130486.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Purdue at Wisconsin")
Kayla Wolf-USA TODAY Sports
Now Ohio State will open up the Big Ten Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers. This will be the sixth time the two teams have met in the conference tournament, with the Buckeyes holding a 4-1 edge. The last time these two teams met in the Big Ten Tournament was in the final in 2013, with Ohio State gritting out a 50-43 win over the Badgers.
The win in 2013 was the last time the Buckeyes won the Big Ten Tournament. Since the title run, Ohio State has gone 8-8 in the Big Ten Tournament, with their run in 2021 being their only appearance in the finals.
In the beginning of February, the teams squared off in Columbus in their only meeting of the regular season. Wisconsin jumped out to a 43-27 halftime lead and looked like they would cruise to a win, but the Buckeyes fought back to cut the lead to 62-60 with 30 seconds to go after Justice Sueing hit a jumper. The bucket would be the last of the game for Ohio State, as the Badgers would go on to win 65-60.
Brice Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes in scoring with 13 points in the loss. Despite registering a team-high in scoring, it was a game to forget for Sensabaugh, who was limited to just 16 minutes on the floor before fouling out. Zed Key was the only other Buckeye to reach double figures in scoring, finishing with 12 points. One thing Ohio State did well in the loss was rebound the basketball, destroying the Badgers 45-26 on the boards.
Wisconsin snapped a two-game losing streak in Minneapolis on Sunday night with a 71-67 win over Minnesota. Much like a lot of Wisconsin’s previous games this season, the final score was decided by five points or less. With the win, the Badgers are now 11-7 in games decided by that amount. Six Wisconsin games have gone to overtime this year, with the Badgers posting a 3-3 record in games that weren’t able to be decided in regulation.
Greg Gard’s team got off to a slow start against Minnesota, falling behind 36-29 after the first 20 minutes of basketball on Sunday. Wisconsin wouldn’t really get things going until the middle of the second half, using a 7-0 run to tie the game at 53 with 8:58 left. There wouldn’t be much separation between the teams the rest of the way. Chucky Hepburn’s three-pointer with 47 seconds left broke a 62-62 tie and gave the Badgers the lead for good.
Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl put forth nearly identical performances against Minnesota, as both forwards scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Hepburn finished with 12 points, while Connor Essegian scored 11 points. The starters had to do all of the scoring for Wisconsin since the Badgers didn’t get any points from their bench.
The lack of production from the Wisconsin bench is nothing new since the majority of the scoring from the Badgers come from their starting five. Hepburn is one of the four Badgers to average double figures, leading the team with 12.2 points per game. Essegian, Crowl, and Wahl are all averaging at least 11 points per game, while Max Klesmit adds 8.3 points per game. All together, the five Wisconsin starters account for 55.3 of the 65.2 points per game the team averages.
The Badgers enter today’s game with a 26-21 record all-time in the Big Ten Tournament, winning it all on three occasions. The last time Wisconsin won the Big Ten Tournament was back in 2015 when they beat Michigan State in overtime. In 2017, the Badgers made it to the championship game, but lost to Michigan. Since the loss to the Wolverines at Madison Square Garden, Wisconsin hasn’t advanced past the semifinals.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24487460/usa_today_20131657.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatc / USA TODAY NETWORK
Both teams know the odds are stacked against them in Chicago, and nobody is expecting either to win more than a game or two at the United Center. Ohio State has been playing better basketball of late, and a lot of it can be attributed to the increased confidence Bruce Thornton has been playing with. By becoming more of a scoring threat, Thornton has taken some of the pressure of Brice Sensabaugh, who was looking like he was wearing down before the uptick in play from Thornton.
What Ohio State can’t afford is to fall behind early like they did in last month’s game against the Badgers in Columbus. A lot of the losses this season for the Buckeyes can be attributed to sluggish starts. Ohio State needs to come out of the gates strong and force the Badgers to get out of their comfort zone. Dictate the play instead of being forced to play the game your opponent wants to play.
Another area where Ohio State can’t see a repeat of what they did in the first matchup is staying out of foul trouble. Brice Sensabaugh needs to be on the floor for more than 16 minutes. Honestly, the Buckeyes need him out there for twice that amount. Even though he’s just a freshman, he is too special of a talent to be stuck on the bench. If Ohio State is able to get at least 20 points out of Sensabaugh, they should be able to win tonight.
Neither team is particularly deep on the bench, but Chris Holtmann does have a few guys that can make a difference off the bench, particularly Sean McNeil. If McNeil can find his range early, it will open things up for Sensabaugh, Thornton, and the rest of the Buckeyes. Ohio State is at their best when McNeil is on, which helps to keep opponents on their toes and having to respect the Buckeyes more from distance.
Even though many Ohio State fans have already checked out on the season, it doesn’t feel like the team has. The Buckeyes find a way to win a hard-fought game tonight, gaining some revenge on the Badgers for their only meeting in the regular season. While Ohio State’s season likely ends on Thursday against Iowa, they at least earn a win in the Big Ten Tournament, which is something that have seemed to dry up over the last few years.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 60.6%
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
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Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
The Buckeyes and Badgers kick off the 2023 Big Ten Tournament tonight in Chicago, with the winner playing Iowa on Thursday.
Today Ohio State will open up the 2023 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago against the Wisconsin Badgers. If Chris Holtmann’s team wants to make this year’s NCAA Tournament, they know the only path to make the dance is by winning the Big Ten Tournament.
History isn’t on the side of the Buckeyes, as since the conference expanded, no team playing in the first round on Wednesday has ever made it to even Saturday’s semifinals.
The Buckeyes closed out their regular season schedule on Saturday with an 84-78 loss against Michigan State in East Lansing, snapping a two-game winning streak. Even though the season hasn’t come anywhere close to what was expected from the team heading into the season, Ohio State played hard until the end, they just didn’t have quite enough to take down the Spartans on Senior Day. After trailing 43-34 at halftime, the Buckeyes were able to close the deficit to 67-64 after Bruce Thornton hit a three-pointer with 5:39 left, but they wouldn’t get any closer in the game.
Thornton continued his strong play to close the regular season, finishing with 20 points. The guard is averaging 17.3 points per game over the last four games. Thornton’s scoring output against the Spartans was one shy of tying Brice Sensabaugh for the team-high, but the duo did become the first pair of Ohio State freshmen since D’Angelo Russell and Jae’Sean Tate in 2015 to each score 20 points in the same game.
Justice Sueing put together a strong all-around performance in his final regular season game for the Buckeyes, flirting with a triple-double. Sueing finished the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Sean McNeil also reached double figures in scoring, finishing with 11 points in 28 minutes off the bench.
Ohio State did a lot of things right in the game, shooting 48 percent from the field and dishing out 15 assists while committing just eight turnovers, they just couldn’t overcome the 15-0 run the Spartans went on early in the game.
Preview
Now Ohio State will open up the Big Ten Tournament against the Wisconsin Badgers. This will be the sixth time the two teams have met in the conference tournament, with the Buckeyes holding a 4-1 edge. The last time these two teams met in the Big Ten Tournament was in the final in 2013, with Ohio State gritting out a 50-43 win over the Badgers.
The win in 2013 was the last time the Buckeyes won the Big Ten Tournament. Since the title run, Ohio State has gone 8-8 in the Big Ten Tournament, with their run in 2021 being their only appearance in the finals.
In the beginning of February, the teams squared off in Columbus in their only meeting of the regular season. Wisconsin jumped out to a 43-27 halftime lead and looked like they would cruise to a win, but the Buckeyes fought back to cut the lead to 62-60 with 30 seconds to go after Justice Sueing hit a jumper. The bucket would be the last of the game for Ohio State, as the Badgers would go on to win 65-60.
Brice Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes in scoring with 13 points in the loss. Despite registering a team-high in scoring, it was a game to forget for Sensabaugh, who was limited to just 16 minutes on the floor before fouling out. Zed Key was the only other Buckeye to reach double figures in scoring, finishing with 12 points. One thing Ohio State did well in the loss was rebound the basketball, destroying the Badgers 45-26 on the boards.
Wisconsin snapped a two-game losing streak in Minneapolis on Sunday night with a 71-67 win over Minnesota. Much like a lot of Wisconsin’s previous games this season, the final score was decided by five points or less. With the win, the Badgers are now 11-7 in games decided by that amount. Six Wisconsin games have gone to overtime this year, with the Badgers posting a 3-3 record in games that weren’t able to be decided in regulation.
Greg Gard’s team got off to a slow start against Minnesota, falling behind 36-29 after the first 20 minutes of basketball on Sunday. Wisconsin wouldn’t really get things going until the middle of the second half, using a 7-0 run to tie the game at 53 with 8:58 left. There wouldn’t be much separation between the teams the rest of the way. Chucky Hepburn’s three-pointer with 47 seconds left broke a 62-62 tie and gave the Badgers the lead for good.
Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl put forth nearly identical performances against Minnesota, as both forwards scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Hepburn finished with 12 points, while Connor Essegian scored 11 points. The starters had to do all of the scoring for Wisconsin since the Badgers didn’t get any points from their bench.
The lack of production from the Wisconsin bench is nothing new since the majority of the scoring from the Badgers come from their starting five. Hepburn is one of the four Badgers to average double figures, leading the team with 12.2 points per game. Essegian, Crowl, and Wahl are all averaging at least 11 points per game, while Max Klesmit adds 8.3 points per game. All together, the five Wisconsin starters account for 55.3 of the 65.2 points per game the team averages.
The Badgers enter today’s game with a 26-21 record all-time in the Big Ten Tournament, winning it all on three occasions. The last time Wisconsin won the Big Ten Tournament was back in 2015 when they beat Michigan State in overtime. In 2017, the Badgers made it to the championship game, but lost to Michigan. Since the loss to the Wolverines at Madison Square Garden, Wisconsin hasn’t advanced past the semifinals.
Prediction
Both teams know the odds are stacked against them in Chicago, and nobody is expecting either to win more than a game or two at the United Center. Ohio State has been playing better basketball of late, and a lot of it can be attributed to the increased confidence Bruce Thornton has been playing with. By becoming more of a scoring threat, Thornton has taken some of the pressure of Brice Sensabaugh, who was looking like he was wearing down before the uptick in play from Thornton.
What Ohio State can’t afford is to fall behind early like they did in last month’s game against the Badgers in Columbus. A lot of the losses this season for the Buckeyes can be attributed to sluggish starts. Ohio State needs to come out of the gates strong and force the Badgers to get out of their comfort zone. Dictate the play instead of being forced to play the game your opponent wants to play.
Another area where Ohio State can’t see a repeat of what they did in the first matchup is staying out of foul trouble. Brice Sensabaugh needs to be on the floor for more than 16 minutes. Honestly, the Buckeyes need him out there for twice that amount. Even though he’s just a freshman, he is too special of a talent to be stuck on the bench. If Ohio State is able to get at least 20 points out of Sensabaugh, they should be able to win tonight.
Neither team is particularly deep on the bench, but Chris Holtmann does have a few guys that can make a difference off the bench, particularly Sean McNeil. If McNeil can find his range early, it will open things up for Sensabaugh, Thornton, and the rest of the Buckeyes. Ohio State is at their best when McNeil is on, which helps to keep opponents on their toes and having to respect the Buckeyes more from distance.
Even though many Ohio State fans have already checked out on the season, it doesn’t feel like the team has. The Buckeyes find a way to win a hard-fought game tonight, gaining some revenge on the Badgers for their only meeting in the regular season. While Ohio State’s season likely ends on Thursday against Iowa, they at least earn a win in the Big Ten Tournament, which is something that have seemed to dry up over the last few years.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 60.6%
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 66, Wisconsin 62
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LGHL Three takeaways from Ohio State’s 65-57 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament
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Three takeaways from Ohio State’s 65-57 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes open up the Big Ten Tournament with a
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (13-18, 5-15) is officially facing a sudden death situation as they enter the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago this week.
In their first game of the week, the 13-seeded Buckeyes (14-18, 5-15) defeated the 12-seeded Wisconsin Badgers (17-14, 9-11) 65-57 to advance to the second round of the conference tournament against Iowa.
The first and only matchup of the season between these two teams had fireworks, but not between the players. Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann was ejected late in the first half for arguing a call. That was only the second time in his six-year career at Ohio State that he was ejected. Ohio State trailed by double digits for most of the game, but made a late run only to fall to the Badgers 65-60.
The Buckeyes started this one on fire, jumping out to a quick 11-4 lead behind five early points from Justice Sueing. The Buckeyes continued to push the lead as Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, and Brice Sensabaugh all hit buckets to make the score 25-12.
Wisconsin could not find any holes in the Buckeye defense in the first half and Ohio State led 36-18.
Thornton led the Buckeyes with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting at the half. Thornton added two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Sharpshooter Sean McNeil added 10 points off the bench and was 4-for-4 from the field.
For Wisconsin, Steven Crowl led the way with six first-half points on 3-for-7 shooting.
In the second half, the Buckeyes kept their foot on the gas pedal, extending their lead to 43-20 at the under-16 media timeout. Bruce Thornton added two free throws after the timeout to make the score 45-20, the largest deficit Wisconsin had faced all season.
At the 14:40 mark, Wisconsin strung together a scoring run (4-0) for the first time all game. Justice Sueing answered with a three-point play to make the score 50-24.
Wisconsin was able to show some signs of life in a three-minute span, cutting into the Buckeye lead with a 9-0 run and making the score 50-33 with 11:40 left in the game.
Sean McNeil answered the bell, scoring five straight points out of the Ohio State timeout and pushing the lead to 55-33 lead.
Wisconsin would not go away quietly, as they answered with an 8-0 run of their own to make the score 55-41 at the under-8 media timeout.
Both teams went cold after this, with just one bucket from each team (Justice Sueing, Tyler Wahl) being converted in between media timeouts. Ohio State led 57-43 with 3:50 left in the game.
Wisconsin got back to back to back three-point field goals from Connor Essegian, Chucky Hepburn, and Tyler Wahl to cut the Buckeye lead to just five.
Sean McNeil hit two free throws to make the score 59-52. The two teams traded fouls, turnovers, and free throws. After both teams split some free throws, Ohio State held a 62-57 lead with 34.7 seconds left in the contest.
Tyler Wahl missed back-to-back shots and Ohio State was able to hang on for the 65-57 win.
For the Buckeyes, McNeil led the way with 17 points and Bruce Thornton added 15. Justice Sueing also finished with 15. For Wisconsin, Tyler Wahl finished with 19 points, 15 coming in the second half.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes’ win over the Badgers.
During the Buckeyes’ lengthy losing streak, a common occurrence was the Buckeyes' inability to get out to an early lead. In games against Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, and Wisconsin the Buckeyes had double-digit deficits early in the game and never being able to close the gap to a manageable deficit. Playing from behind all game is not ideal.
In their most recent wins over Illinois, Maryland, and Wisconsin, the Buckeyes were able to be the aggressors early and force the opposing team to force things offensively and force them into mistakes. This is key for a young team so they do not have to rush things and can play the game and style they want too.
It is an old saying and at this point feels pretty clique, but that doesn’t mean “play like you have nothing to lose” is not still relevant.
That is exactly how this Buckeyes team has looked over the last three games and it transferred into the contest tonight. From the opening introductions to the final buzzer, Ohio State looked looser and simply looked like they were having more fun than the Badgers were.
Since the statement is true and the Buckeyes really do have nothing to lose at 14-18 on the season and the NCAA tournament is out of the question unless they win the Big Ten Tournament, the Buckeyes need to continue to play free and loose, especially against a not so great Iowa defense.
This is not a hot take or anything like that, but it feels like it should be mentioned. Head coach Chris Holtmann and the coaching staff went to the four freshmen starting lineup in mid-February when they were desperate for any type of spark and so far, it has brought multiple benefits to the lineup.
Seniors like Sean McNeil and Isaac Likekele have played freed up coming off the bench and the young freshmen have gotten crucial minutes in close games down the stretch and have gained valuable experience.
The Buckeyes will now play the No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes (19-12, 11-9) in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at 2:30 ET on Thursday on the Big Ten Network.
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes open up the Big Ten Tournament with a
The Ohio State men’s basketball team (13-18, 5-15) is officially facing a sudden death situation as they enter the Big Ten Tournament in Chicago this week.
In their first game of the week, the 13-seeded Buckeyes (14-18, 5-15) defeated the 12-seeded Wisconsin Badgers (17-14, 9-11) 65-57 to advance to the second round of the conference tournament against Iowa.
The first and only matchup of the season between these two teams had fireworks, but not between the players. Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann was ejected late in the first half for arguing a call. That was only the second time in his six-year career at Ohio State that he was ejected. Ohio State trailed by double digits for most of the game, but made a late run only to fall to the Badgers 65-60.
The Buckeyes started this one on fire, jumping out to a quick 11-4 lead behind five early points from Justice Sueing. The Buckeyes continued to push the lead as Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, and Brice Sensabaugh all hit buckets to make the score 25-12.
Wisconsin could not find any holes in the Buckeye defense in the first half and Ohio State led 36-18.
Thornton led the Buckeyes with 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting at the half. Thornton added two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Sharpshooter Sean McNeil added 10 points off the bench and was 4-for-4 from the field.
For Wisconsin, Steven Crowl led the way with six first-half points on 3-for-7 shooting.
In the second half, the Buckeyes kept their foot on the gas pedal, extending their lead to 43-20 at the under-16 media timeout. Bruce Thornton added two free throws after the timeout to make the score 45-20, the largest deficit Wisconsin had faced all season.
At the 14:40 mark, Wisconsin strung together a scoring run (4-0) for the first time all game. Justice Sueing answered with a three-point play to make the score 50-24.
Wisconsin was able to show some signs of life in a three-minute span, cutting into the Buckeye lead with a 9-0 run and making the score 50-33 with 11:40 left in the game.
Sean McNeil answered the bell, scoring five straight points out of the Ohio State timeout and pushing the lead to 55-33 lead.
Wisconsin would not go away quietly, as they answered with an 8-0 run of their own to make the score 55-41 at the under-8 media timeout.
Both teams went cold after this, with just one bucket from each team (Justice Sueing, Tyler Wahl) being converted in between media timeouts. Ohio State led 57-43 with 3:50 left in the game.
from @JusticeSueing
Ohio State:
Wisconsin:pic.twitter.com/32TtyIIR58
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 9, 2023
Wisconsin got back to back to back three-point field goals from Connor Essegian, Chucky Hepburn, and Tyler Wahl to cut the Buckeye lead to just five.
Sean McNeil hit two free throws to make the score 59-52. The two teams traded fouls, turnovers, and free throws. After both teams split some free throws, Ohio State held a 62-57 lead with 34.7 seconds left in the contest.
Tyler Wahl missed back-to-back shots and Ohio State was able to hang on for the 65-57 win.
For the Buckeyes, McNeil led the way with 17 points and Bruce Thornton added 15. Justice Sueing also finished with 15. For Wisconsin, Tyler Wahl finished with 19 points, 15 coming in the second half.
Here are three takeaways from the Buckeyes’ win over the Badgers.
Fast starts
During the Buckeyes’ lengthy losing streak, a common occurrence was the Buckeyes' inability to get out to an early lead. In games against Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, and Wisconsin the Buckeyes had double-digit deficits early in the game and never being able to close the gap to a manageable deficit. Playing from behind all game is not ideal.
In their most recent wins over Illinois, Maryland, and Wisconsin, the Buckeyes were able to be the aggressors early and force the opposing team to force things offensively and force them into mistakes. This is key for a young team so they do not have to rush things and can play the game and style they want too.
Play loose
It is an old saying and at this point feels pretty clique, but that doesn’t mean “play like you have nothing to lose” is not still relevant.
That is exactly how this Buckeyes team has looked over the last three games and it transferred into the contest tonight. From the opening introductions to the final buzzer, Ohio State looked looser and simply looked like they were having more fun than the Badgers were.
Since the statement is true and the Buckeyes really do have nothing to lose at 14-18 on the season and the NCAA tournament is out of the question unless they win the Big Ten Tournament, the Buckeyes need to continue to play free and loose, especially against a not so great Iowa defense.
Continue to start the freshman
This is not a hot take or anything like that, but it feels like it should be mentioned. Head coach Chris Holtmann and the coaching staff went to the four freshmen starting lineup in mid-February when they were desperate for any type of spark and so far, it has brought multiple benefits to the lineup.
Seniors like Sean McNeil and Isaac Likekele have played freed up coming off the bench and the young freshmen have gotten crucial minutes in close games down the stretch and have gained valuable experience.
Up Next:
The Buckeyes will now play the No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes (19-12, 11-9) in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament at 2:30 ET on Thursday on the Big Ten Network.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State offers two in-state players; top-70 running back sets visit for this month
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Ohio State offers two in-state players; top-70 running back sets visit for this month
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Twitter | @luka_gilbert
It was a busy day at the Woody as the Buckeyes kicked off spring practice while also welcoming a number of players to campus.
Tuesday was a big day for the Ohio State football team for more reasons than just the start of spring practice. There were numerous prospects on campus to take in the first of 15 sessions over the next five weeks, and Ryan Day and his treated all of the prospects on hand to the traditional campus-visit photo shoot, offered a couple of players, and discussed return trips as well.
Luka Gilbert is a 6-foot-7, 205-pound sophomore at Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio. It’s still a little early for the rankings to come in for the 2025 class, but he does have a handful of other offers from Kentucky, Nevada, Pittsburgh, and UConn. Not exactly the most impressive slate of schools, but for a kid who has only played two seasons of high school football to already earn an offer from the Buckeyes speaks to how highly Day and new TE coach Keenan Bailey think of the in-state star.
If you thought that extending offers to high school sophomores was premature, get a load of 2026 offensive tackle prospect Maxwell Riley who the Buckeyes extended a scholarship offer to on Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 263-pounder is currently a freshman at Avon Lake High School. Despite that fact, he already holds offers from Florida State, Miami (Fla.), and Toledo.
A pair of Pickerington North running backs were on hand as the Buckeyes kicked off spring ball on Tuesday, three-star 2024 RB Sam Williams-Dixon and 2025 prospect Michael Taylor. Williams-Dixon picked up an offer from OSU in January to go along with his 15 other Division I offers, including those from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Currently, OSU does not have a running back in its 2024 class, but obviously, it is early. They have offers out to 11 players in addition to Williams-Dixon, including top-100 players Jerrick Gibson, Taylor Tatum, James Peoples, and Jordan Marshall. Williams-Dixon and Marshall (Archbishop Moeller High School) are the only two Ohio prospects on the list.
In late February, Williams-Dixon announced that the Buckeyes were among his top-five schools, joining Penn State, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Rutgers. Though he originally had planned to visit all five this spring, according to Bucknuts’ Bill Kurelic, the Pickering North prospect will only make one or two more visits hit spring.
As for Williams-Dixon’s Panther teammate, Taylor only has an offer from Kentucky, but is likely working his way to one from his hometown Buckeyes. Currently, OSU has only extended eight offers to 2025 running backs, and only one — Cleveland Heights’ Marquise Davis — is from Ohio.
Speaking of running backs, No. 69 overall recruit in the country nicely confirmed that he would be coming up to Columbus at the end of the month. James Peoples is a four-star, 5-foot-10, 192-pound running back from San Antonio’s Veterans Memorial High School, and according to his Twitter feed, he will be coming to campus on Thursday, March 30.
The Buckeyes initially offered the back in mid-October and he has only continued to amass offers since then. Currently, he has 25 offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, TCU, Tennessee, Auburn, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and others.
While we certainly don’t want to speculate too much, especially with Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley’s USC on Peoples’ offer list, but the running back did use the eyeballs emoji in the tweet, so who knows what could happen at the end of the month...
There were a number of other potential Buckeyes at the Woody on Tuesday. Most of the players were from Ohio, with a selection of recruits from surrounding states. None of them are the top-end talent that you would expect to headline an OSU class, but the current juniors would have the ability to fill holes in the Buckeyes’ class, while there is plenty of time for the younger guys to work on their games in time to rise up the rankings and earn an Ohio State offer.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Twitter | @luka_gilbert
It was a busy day at the Woody as the Buckeyes kicked off spring practice while also welcoming a number of players to campus.
Tuesday was a big day for the Ohio State football team for more reasons than just the start of spring practice. There were numerous prospects on campus to take in the first of 15 sessions over the next five weeks, and Ryan Day and his treated all of the prospects on hand to the traditional campus-visit photo shoot, offered a couple of players, and discussed return trips as well.
Ohio State Offers Pair of Young, In-State Prospects
2025 Tight End Luka Gilbert | West Chester, Ohio
Luka Gilbert is a 6-foot-7, 205-pound sophomore at Lakota West High School in West Chester, Ohio. It’s still a little early for the rankings to come in for the 2025 class, but he does have a handful of other offers from Kentucky, Nevada, Pittsburgh, and UConn. Not exactly the most impressive slate of schools, but for a kid who has only played two seasons of high school football to already earn an offer from the Buckeyes speaks to how highly Day and new TE coach Keenan Bailey think of the in-state star.
2026 Offensive Tackle Maxwell Riley | Avon Lake, Ohio
If you thought that extending offers to high school sophomores was premature, get a load of 2026 offensive tackle prospect Maxwell Riley who the Buckeyes extended a scholarship offer to on Tuesday. The 6-foot-5, 263-pounder is currently a freshman at Avon Lake High School. Despite that fact, he already holds offers from Florida State, Miami (Fla.), and Toledo.
Local High School Teammates Make Visit
A pair of Pickerington North running backs were on hand as the Buckeyes kicked off spring ball on Tuesday, three-star 2024 RB Sam Williams-Dixon and 2025 prospect Michael Taylor. Williams-Dixon picked up an offer from OSU in January to go along with his 15 other Division I offers, including those from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Currently, OSU does not have a running back in its 2024 class, but obviously, it is early. They have offers out to 11 players in addition to Williams-Dixon, including top-100 players Jerrick Gibson, Taylor Tatum, James Peoples, and Jordan Marshall. Williams-Dixon and Marshall (Archbishop Moeller High School) are the only two Ohio prospects on the list.
In late February, Williams-Dixon announced that the Buckeyes were among his top-five schools, joining Penn State, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Rutgers. Though he originally had planned to visit all five this spring, according to Bucknuts’ Bill Kurelic, the Pickering North prospect will only make one or two more visits hit spring.
As for Williams-Dixon’s Panther teammate, Taylor only has an offer from Kentucky, but is likely working his way to one from his hometown Buckeyes. Currently, OSU has only extended eight offers to 2025 running backs, and only one — Cleveland Heights’ Marquise Davis — is from Ohio.
Top-100 Running Back Plans Visit for Later This Month
Speaking of running backs, No. 69 overall recruit in the country nicely confirmed that he would be coming up to Columbus at the end of the month. James Peoples is a four-star, 5-foot-10, 192-pound running back from San Antonio’s Veterans Memorial High School, and according to his Twitter feed, he will be coming to campus on Thursday, March 30.
Excited for March 30th
— James (@James_peoples17) March 7, 2023
The Buckeyes initially offered the back in mid-October and he has only continued to amass offers since then. Currently, he has 25 offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, TCU, Tennessee, Auburn, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and others.
While we certainly don’t want to speculate too much, especially with Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley’s USC on Peoples’ offer list, but the running back did use the eyeballs emoji in the tweet, so who knows what could happen at the end of the month...
Other Players Making the Trip to Campus on Tuesday
There were a number of other potential Buckeyes at the Woody on Tuesday. Most of the players were from Ohio, with a selection of recruits from surrounding states. None of them are the top-end talent that you would expect to headline an OSU class, but the current juniors would have the ability to fill holes in the Buckeyes’ class, while there is plenty of time for the younger guys to work on their games in time to rise up the rankings and earn an Ohio State offer.
2024 Cornerback Cam Boone | Lakewood, Ohio
In The ️
Had a great time can’t wait to be back in june #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/8gKT6oATB7
— Cam Boone️ (@Camrinnboone) March 8, 2023
2025 Athlete Taizaun Burns, Columbus, Ohio
2024 Interior Offensive Lineman Andrew Dennis | Mount Pleasant, Mich.
2024 Cornerback Michael-Arinzé Ezirim | Dublin, Ohio
2025 Wide Receiver Eugene Hilton, Jr. | Zionsville, Ind.
2026 Cornerback Ra’Shaud Holland | Pickerington, Ohio
2024 Interior Offensive Lineman Marc Nave Jr. | Toledo, Ohio
2027 Quarterback Jackson Smith, Arcanum, Ohio
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LGHL Ohio State recruiting: Looking at in-state 2025 quarterback Tavien St. Clair
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Ohio State recruiting: Looking at in-state 2025 quarterback Tavien St. Clair
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Tavien St. Clair | 247Sports
Maybe an over-looked prospect, but Ohio’s own St. Clair is the real deal
The quarterback position at Ohio State has always been in a good spot, but Ryan Day’s arrival in Columbus started a trend of success even higher than what the Buckeyes had seen before. Churning out multiple NFL Draft picks — another in the near future thanks to CJ Stroud — Day is crushing it when it comes to both recruiting and development.
On the current roster, both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are battling it out to be the next in line for all of the accolades this position seems to come with when you play well. But looking ahead to the future of quarterback recruiting, Day may not have to look very far for the next great talent to handle the reigns.
Stealing most of the attention for future quarterback recruiting, 2025 target Ryan Montgomery (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) is first on the list, and of course his brother Luke Montgomery has a lot to do with that exposure. In his own right though, Ryan has put up some incredible numbers only two seasons into his prep career.
Holding an offer from Ohio State, clearly the Buckeyes and Day have seen all that they need to if he’s to be the guy they really go after in that class. Surely Ryan is deserving of the offer beyond his family ties, and his skillset should only improve with two more seasons still to play. Still though, he’s not the only in-state Ohio signal caller worth looking at in this 2025 class.
Bellefontaine, Ohio is home to Tavien St. Clair, a 6-foot-4, 195 pound quarterback who may not see as much recognition in regard to Ohio State recruiting, but believe this, the staff is very much aware of St. Clair and all that he brings to the table.
Holding nearly double-digit offers right now, Tavien has the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Louisville, Pitt, and a few others in the fold for the meantime, but certainly other notable programs are soon to follow. The Buckeyes may not be on the list just yet, but with a staff taking notice and two full seasons to progress, we’re going to focus on the potential St. Clair has to be a legitimate quarterback at the next level — Buckeye or not.
Unranked right now on his 247Sports profile, the likelihood of him being one of the better quarterbacks in the 2025 class is pretty strong considering the aforementioned offer list that includes two SEC schools. That said, in reviewing both of his first two seasons on film, St. Clair, while not a finished product, gives plenty to be excited about.
The latest film from his sophomore campaign can be viewed below, but just a few notes on his intangibles that catch your attention have to be what college coaches are also seeing.
One of the facets of his game that is seen right away is his ability to extend the play. So many times a play will breakdown, and the smart thing to do in some cases is to throw the ball away and live to fight another down. But Tavien is experienced with being able to create something downfield that looked like nothing was there. That includes his legs too.
St. Clair doesn’t look to be shy when it comes to tucking the ball and taking off, and that definitely something Ohio State fans have wanted to see more of as of late.
Additionally, the arm strength is there. Whether it’s rolling out away from his dominant side where he has to set his feet and flip his hips or in a simple drop back fashion, Tavien can hit all of the spots. Coaches talk about being able to sit on one hash and drill an out route across the field in what’s referred to as an “NFL throw” and that doesn’t seem to be an issue here.
Again, this is far from a finished product, but the skillset and athleticism check every box. Montgomery may be the favorite to be Ohio State’s top target in 2025 and that very well could be the case already, but Tavien is no slouch.
It’s never a bad thing to have multiple power five talents in your own state in a recruiting class, and the Buckeyes seem to have that in 2025. It’s going to work itself out in the end, but these two players are going to be fun to watch over the next couple of years before hopefully at least one of them ends up in Columbus.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Tavien St. Clair | 247Sports
Maybe an over-looked prospect, but Ohio’s own St. Clair is the real deal
The quarterback position at Ohio State has always been in a good spot, but Ryan Day’s arrival in Columbus started a trend of success even higher than what the Buckeyes had seen before. Churning out multiple NFL Draft picks — another in the near future thanks to CJ Stroud — Day is crushing it when it comes to both recruiting and development.
On the current roster, both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are battling it out to be the next in line for all of the accolades this position seems to come with when you play well. But looking ahead to the future of quarterback recruiting, Day may not have to look very far for the next great talent to handle the reigns.
Stealing most of the attention for future quarterback recruiting, 2025 target Ryan Montgomery (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) is first on the list, and of course his brother Luke Montgomery has a lot to do with that exposure. In his own right though, Ryan has put up some incredible numbers only two seasons into his prep career.
Holding an offer from Ohio State, clearly the Buckeyes and Day have seen all that they need to if he’s to be the guy they really go after in that class. Surely Ryan is deserving of the offer beyond his family ties, and his skillset should only improve with two more seasons still to play. Still though, he’s not the only in-state Ohio signal caller worth looking at in this 2025 class.
Bellefontaine, Ohio is home to Tavien St. Clair, a 6-foot-4, 195 pound quarterback who may not see as much recognition in regard to Ohio State recruiting, but believe this, the staff is very much aware of St. Clair and all that he brings to the table.
Holding nearly double-digit offers right now, Tavien has the likes of Florida, Tennessee, Louisville, Pitt, and a few others in the fold for the meantime, but certainly other notable programs are soon to follow. The Buckeyes may not be on the list just yet, but with a staff taking notice and two full seasons to progress, we’re going to focus on the potential St. Clair has to be a legitimate quarterback at the next level — Buckeye or not.
Film Study
Unranked right now on his 247Sports profile, the likelihood of him being one of the better quarterbacks in the 2025 class is pretty strong considering the aforementioned offer list that includes two SEC schools. That said, in reviewing both of his first two seasons on film, St. Clair, while not a finished product, gives plenty to be excited about.
The latest film from his sophomore campaign can be viewed below, but just a few notes on his intangibles that catch your attention have to be what college coaches are also seeing.
One of the facets of his game that is seen right away is his ability to extend the play. So many times a play will breakdown, and the smart thing to do in some cases is to throw the ball away and live to fight another down. But Tavien is experienced with being able to create something downfield that looked like nothing was there. That includes his legs too.
St. Clair doesn’t look to be shy when it comes to tucking the ball and taking off, and that definitely something Ohio State fans have wanted to see more of as of late.
Additionally, the arm strength is there. Whether it’s rolling out away from his dominant side where he has to set his feet and flip his hips or in a simple drop back fashion, Tavien can hit all of the spots. Coaches talk about being able to sit on one hash and drill an out route across the field in what’s referred to as an “NFL throw” and that doesn’t seem to be an issue here.
Again, this is far from a finished product, but the skillset and athleticism check every box. Montgomery may be the favorite to be Ohio State’s top target in 2025 and that very well could be the case already, but Tavien is no slouch.
It’s never a bad thing to have multiple power five talents in your own state in a recruiting class, and the Buckeyes seem to have that in 2025. It’s going to work itself out in the end, but these two players are going to be fun to watch over the next couple of years before hopefully at least one of them ends up in Columbus.
Continue reading...
