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LGHL Three takeaways from Ohio State’s painful loss on the road to Nebraska
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Three takeaways from Ohio State’s painful loss on the road to Nebraska
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
The Buckeyes losing streak is extended to five.
The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-8, 2-5) lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-9, 3-5) 63-60 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, extending the Buckeyes losing streak to five games.
The Buckeyes were slow to start, scoring just nine points through the first 12 minutes and trailing 12-9 heading into the under-8 media timeout in the first half.
However, despite all of the offensive struggles, the Buckeyes took a 22-21 lead into the halftime period. The Buckeyes have led at the half in two of their last three games, but have been unable to secure wins.
The Buckeyes were led by freshman Brice Sensabaugh, who recorded seven points and six rebounds, but he was just 2-for-11 from the field and the freshman uncharacteristically missed some open mid-range looks.
In the second half, the Buckeyes went on an almost six-minute scoring drought that allowed Nebraska to take a 55-48 lead. After some back-and-forth basketball, the Buckeyes cut the lead to 61-58 after a Brice Sensabaugh three-pointer with 38 seconds remaining, but Nebraska was able to get a couple of defensive stops and hit their free throws late and win the game and won 63-60.
Sam Griesel led the Cornhuskers with 14 points and Brice Sensabaugh led the way for the Buckeyes with 18.
Here are three things we took away from Wednesday night’s contest in Lincoln.
Offense is fun and guys like Brice Sensabaugh, Zed Key, and Sean McNeil can provide it in a hurry. However, when their offense is struggling, it can take a toll on their defensive effort and it led to breakdowns on both ends.
Junior Eugene Brown and freshman Roddy Gayle are not as great of options on the offensive side, but they have shown top-tier defense at times and most importantly during a losing streak, bringing a fresh set of energy and a spark off the bench.
Also, Gayle was a 27-point-per-game scorer his sophomore year in high school (his junior and senior seasons he dealt with injuries) and is a more-than-capable scorer, he is just young and still finding his footing. And Eugene Brown is a solid shooter who showed flashes of his three-and-D game his freshman season.
These guys can help provide a spark off the team while also working on their own individual offensive games which will be helpful in February and March as every team’s depth gets tested.
We put a lot of weight into starting lineups and who we see on the floor at the opening tip. However, at this rate, the Buckeyes might be best off bringing their star freshman scorer off the bench.
To be clear, in every game this would involve him coming off the bench and onto the floor at the under-16 media timeout. This is not him sitting out for more than the first four-five minutes of the game.
Sensabaugh is a part of the Buckeyes' best lineup so far, in terms of plus/minus, according to the Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy.
To be clear, in every game this would involve him coming off the bench and onto the floor at the under-16 media timeout. This is not him sitting out for more than the first four-five minutes of the game.
What this does is it brings your best scorer off the bench after the starters have played a hard four to five minutes to open the game when the adrenaline is pumping and are tired. Now, Sensabaugh can attack immediately and take advantage of some tired bodies and force some coaches to go to their bench earlier than they might want to, especially teams with less depth than others.
The Buckeyes’ four-game losing streak makes it feel like the sky is falling and in this conference, it can be. Every game is a battle and when you go two weeks without a win, it makes it hard to bounce back. The Buckeyes have gone from a solid 5 or 6 seed in the tournament to being on the bubble.
Ohio State’s next four games are at home against Iowa, at Illinois, at Indiana, and at home against Wisconsin. This is a difficult stretch that involves playing at two of the toughest venues in the conference.
It is still just January and there are a lot of games to be played. If Ohio State wants to get back on track, they have to take each individual game at a time and attempt to stack up some wins. This is a good enough team to win games, they just cannot look forward and have to try to take each game in a vacuum.
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
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
The Buckeyes losing streak is extended to five.
The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-8, 2-5) lost to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (10-9, 3-5) 63-60 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, extending the Buckeyes losing streak to five games.
The Buckeyes were slow to start, scoring just nine points through the first 12 minutes and trailing 12-9 heading into the under-8 media timeout in the first half.
However, despite all of the offensive struggles, the Buckeyes took a 22-21 lead into the halftime period. The Buckeyes have led at the half in two of their last three games, but have been unable to secure wins.
The Buckeyes were led by freshman Brice Sensabaugh, who recorded seven points and six rebounds, but he was just 2-for-11 from the field and the freshman uncharacteristically missed some open mid-range looks.
In the second half, the Buckeyes went on an almost six-minute scoring drought that allowed Nebraska to take a 55-48 lead. After some back-and-forth basketball, the Buckeyes cut the lead to 61-58 after a Brice Sensabaugh three-pointer with 38 seconds remaining, but Nebraska was able to get a couple of defensive stops and hit their free throws late and win the game and won 63-60.
Sam Griesel led the Cornhuskers with 14 points and Brice Sensabaugh led the way for the Buckeyes with 18.
Here are three things we took away from Wednesday night’s contest in Lincoln.
More Roddy Gayle and Eugene Brown
Offense is fun and guys like Brice Sensabaugh, Zed Key, and Sean McNeil can provide it in a hurry. However, when their offense is struggling, it can take a toll on their defensive effort and it led to breakdowns on both ends.
Junior Eugene Brown and freshman Roddy Gayle are not as great of options on the offensive side, but they have shown top-tier defense at times and most importantly during a losing streak, bringing a fresh set of energy and a spark off the bench.
Also, Gayle was a 27-point-per-game scorer his sophomore year in high school (his junior and senior seasons he dealt with injuries) and is a more-than-capable scorer, he is just young and still finding his footing. And Eugene Brown is a solid shooter who showed flashes of his three-and-D game his freshman season.
These guys can help provide a spark off the team while also working on their own individual offensive games which will be helpful in February and March as every team’s depth gets tested.
Brice Sensabaugh should come off the bench
We put a lot of weight into starting lineups and who we see on the floor at the opening tip. However, at this rate, the Buckeyes might be best off bringing their star freshman scorer off the bench.
To be clear, in every game this would involve him coming off the bench and onto the floor at the under-16 media timeout. This is not him sitting out for more than the first four-five minutes of the game.
Sensabaugh is a part of the Buckeyes' best lineup so far, in terms of plus/minus, according to the Columbus Dispatch’s Adam Jardy.
To be clear, in every game this would involve him coming off the bench and onto the floor at the under-16 media timeout. This is not him sitting out for more than the first four-five minutes of the game.
What this does is it brings your best scorer off the bench after the starters have played a hard four to five minutes to open the game when the adrenaline is pumping and are tired. Now, Sensabaugh can attack immediately and take advantage of some tired bodies and force some coaches to go to their bench earlier than they might want to, especially teams with less depth than others.
One game at a time
The Buckeyes’ four-game losing streak makes it feel like the sky is falling and in this conference, it can be. Every game is a battle and when you go two weeks without a win, it makes it hard to bounce back. The Buckeyes have gone from a solid 5 or 6 seed in the tournament to being on the bubble.
Ohio State’s next four games are at home against Iowa, at Illinois, at Indiana, and at home against Wisconsin. This is a difficult stretch that involves playing at two of the toughest venues in the conference.
It is still just January and there are a lot of games to be played. If Ohio State wants to get back on track, they have to take each individual game at a time and attempt to stack up some wins. This is a good enough team to win games, they just cannot look forward and have to try to take each game in a vacuum.
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LGHL You’re Nuts: Who will replace C.J. Stroud as Ohio State’s quarterback?
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You’re Nuts: Who will replace C.J. Stroud as Ohio State’s quarterback?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
When C.J. Stroud declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday, the Buckeyes’ first battle for next season became choosing QB1.
Stroud’s shoes won’t be easy to fill. A team leader who threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in his time as a Buckeye, Stroud set 16 Ohio State records for passing or offense, three Big Ten records, and he was the first quarterback in conference history to have back-to-back seasons with 30+ touchdown passes. These stats led him to be named a two-time Big Ten Conference offensive player of the year and quarterback of the year, along with being the only two-time Heisman finalist in Ohio State history (Finalists weren’t named prior to 1982).
For Kyle McCord, the wait to compete for the starting job has been particularly grueling. Now, his time has come to show Buckeye Nation what he is truly capable of.
McCord came into the program a five-star recruit with the 2021 class with a stronger recruiting profile than Stroud. But stats aren’t everything, as Stroud won the starting spot over McCord when it came time to choose Justin Fields’ replacement.
But McCord isn’t completely without experience at the collegiate level – he is currently the most experienced quarterback on the Buckeyes’ roster. And experience can be a game-changer when it comes to high-stakes games.
McCord, by his own admission, is still working on his leadership skills, so that’s not to say his experience will be enough to win him the starting job, but it should certainly be a factor, especially considering he is the only quarterback to have started in place of Stroud during Stroud’s time as QB1.
McCord made his debut as a true freshman (one of only four in program history to do so) in 2021 with a 59-7 victory over Akron when Stroud was battling a shoulder injury. While he was a little shaky to start, he did eventually settle in, throwing for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
Now listen, I’m not delusional enough to state with certainty that one starting win against Akron of all teams qualifies someone to follow Stroud as the starter. McCord wasn’t perfect in that game by any means, even ending his night with an interception. He has a tendency to throw off his back foot, which could interfere with his accuracy. And though McCord has taken snaps in other games, we haven’t really seen the breadth of what he can do when captaining the ship against ranked opponents like Michigan.
There is a plus side to that win though – his messy moments were fixable, and the coaches were able to start working on them back in 2021.
So this gives McCord the advantage of far more reps than his competition Devin Brown. In fact, it makes McCord more experienced than Stroud was when he was named the starter.
McCord’s experience with Buckeye playmakers actually extends beyond his collegiate career. He and Marvin Harrison Jr. played together in high school, giving him the added benefit of established chemistry with one of the Buckeyes’ star receivers.
When you consider the elements that create a star turn for quarterbacks, it goes beyond the Xs and Os. An accurate arm is just part of what it takes to excel with an elite program (which is to say nothing of excelling in the pros), and McCord has proven his patience and work ethic over the last two seasons, in addition to having the technical skills.
For example, McCord could bring some added rushing ability to the quarterback position, a nice change of pace after Stroud’s two years of being mostly a pocket player. McCord has shown that he is capable of throwing accurately on the run or rushing to pick up a few extra yards, both elements the Buckeyes have been lacking in the last two years.
After keeping his head down and biding his time, McCord’s patience and experience should pay off come this fall.
If I’m being honest, I recognize that McCord is the most likely candidate to take over behind center for the Buckeyes in the fall. He has more time in the program, he was a five-star prospect, he has the longstanding relationship with Marvin Harrison Jr. and everything else that Jami talked about above.
But here’s the thing that has me hung up, despite starting a game in 2021 while Stroud was dealing with a shoulder injury, he only threw a total of 20 passes in 2022. Now, I know that Ryan Day is frustratingly hesitant to let his offensive backups cook late in games for fear of embarrassing his opponents. I also know that he essentially did the same thing to C.J. when he was the heir apparent behind Justin Fields, but that was in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and Day said he regretted how he handled that situation.
Of course, that very well could just be coach speak, because Day basically didn’t change a damn thing in what he had to assume would be Stroud’s final season in Columbus (despite the fact that he waited to declare until nearly the last possible second). So either Day didn’t follow his own advice in handling his backup QB this season, lied about regretting it in the first place, or he wasn’t comfortable with running McCord out there.
Kyle’s numbers were good — 16 for 20 (80%), 9.5 yards per attempt, 1 touchdown — but he was mostly doing check downs and almost never got a chance to run anything even resembling the actual Ohio State offense, and that makes me curious. It could just be Day’s fear of rubbing it in, or it could be that he doesn’t think McCord is ready.
So, if Kyle wasn’t ready in Year 2, is it better to run him out there in Year 3, or give the younger player the chance to start in his sophomore season? Brown was also a top-50 prospect, but he seemingly has something that McCord doesn’t, but Buckeye fans have been dying to see more of... elite running ability. While he doesn’t have Terrelle Pryor or Justin Fields athleticism, reports from Buckeye practices this season have made it sound like Brown might have an extra gear that could come in handy for a first-time starter playing behind a rebuilt offensive line.
We know that under Day, Buckeye quarterbacks have been hesitant to run the ball, but this fall could be the perfect opportunity to change that narrative with a willing runner who might be scrambling for his life more than other recent OSU QBs.
I imagine that Ryan Day will play this out as long as possible in an effort to maintain his roster and not give either quarterback reason to leave before the season (for the record, if McCord is the starter, I don’t expect Brown to transfer), but given the fact that Day actively avoided getting McCord any actual experience this past season and the athletic advantages that Brown can bring to the offense, I would not be shocked if he ended up being the guy when the Buckeyes opened the season in Bloomington, Ind.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: Who will replace C.J. Stroud as Ohio State’s quarterback?
Jami’s Take: Kyle McCord
When C.J. Stroud declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Monday, the Buckeyes’ first battle for next season became choosing QB1.
Stroud’s shoes won’t be easy to fill. A team leader who threw for 8,123 yards and 85 touchdowns in his time as a Buckeye, Stroud set 16 Ohio State records for passing or offense, three Big Ten records, and he was the first quarterback in conference history to have back-to-back seasons with 30+ touchdown passes. These stats led him to be named a two-time Big Ten Conference offensive player of the year and quarterback of the year, along with being the only two-time Heisman finalist in Ohio State history (Finalists weren’t named prior to 1982).
For Kyle McCord, the wait to compete for the starting job has been particularly grueling. Now, his time has come to show Buckeye Nation what he is truly capable of.
McCord came into the program a five-star recruit with the 2021 class with a stronger recruiting profile than Stroud. But stats aren’t everything, as Stroud won the starting spot over McCord when it came time to choose Justin Fields’ replacement.
But McCord isn’t completely without experience at the collegiate level – he is currently the most experienced quarterback on the Buckeyes’ roster. And experience can be a game-changer when it comes to high-stakes games.
McCord, by his own admission, is still working on his leadership skills, so that’s not to say his experience will be enough to win him the starting job, but it should certainly be a factor, especially considering he is the only quarterback to have started in place of Stroud during Stroud’s time as QB1.
McCord made his debut as a true freshman (one of only four in program history to do so) in 2021 with a 59-7 victory over Akron when Stroud was battling a shoulder injury. While he was a little shaky to start, he did eventually settle in, throwing for 319 yards and two touchdowns.
Now listen, I’m not delusional enough to state with certainty that one starting win against Akron of all teams qualifies someone to follow Stroud as the starter. McCord wasn’t perfect in that game by any means, even ending his night with an interception. He has a tendency to throw off his back foot, which could interfere with his accuracy. And though McCord has taken snaps in other games, we haven’t really seen the breadth of what he can do when captaining the ship against ranked opponents like Michigan.
There is a plus side to that win though – his messy moments were fixable, and the coaches were able to start working on them back in 2021.
So this gives McCord the advantage of far more reps than his competition Devin Brown. In fact, it makes McCord more experienced than Stroud was when he was named the starter.
McCord’s experience with Buckeye playmakers actually extends beyond his collegiate career. He and Marvin Harrison Jr. played together in high school, giving him the added benefit of established chemistry with one of the Buckeyes’ star receivers.
When you consider the elements that create a star turn for quarterbacks, it goes beyond the Xs and Os. An accurate arm is just part of what it takes to excel with an elite program (which is to say nothing of excelling in the pros), and McCord has proven his patience and work ethic over the last two seasons, in addition to having the technical skills.
For example, McCord could bring some added rushing ability to the quarterback position, a nice change of pace after Stroud’s two years of being mostly a pocket player. McCord has shown that he is capable of throwing accurately on the run or rushing to pick up a few extra yards, both elements the Buckeyes have been lacking in the last two years.
After keeping his head down and biding his time, McCord’s patience and experience should pay off come this fall.
Matt’s Take: Devin Brown
If I’m being honest, I recognize that McCord is the most likely candidate to take over behind center for the Buckeyes in the fall. He has more time in the program, he was a five-star prospect, he has the longstanding relationship with Marvin Harrison Jr. and everything else that Jami talked about above.
But here’s the thing that has me hung up, despite starting a game in 2021 while Stroud was dealing with a shoulder injury, he only threw a total of 20 passes in 2022. Now, I know that Ryan Day is frustratingly hesitant to let his offensive backups cook late in games for fear of embarrassing his opponents. I also know that he essentially did the same thing to C.J. when he was the heir apparent behind Justin Fields, but that was in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and Day said he regretted how he handled that situation.
Of course, that very well could just be coach speak, because Day basically didn’t change a damn thing in what he had to assume would be Stroud’s final season in Columbus (despite the fact that he waited to declare until nearly the last possible second). So either Day didn’t follow his own advice in handling his backup QB this season, lied about regretting it in the first place, or he wasn’t comfortable with running McCord out there.
Kyle’s numbers were good — 16 for 20 (80%), 9.5 yards per attempt, 1 touchdown — but he was mostly doing check downs and almost never got a chance to run anything even resembling the actual Ohio State offense, and that makes me curious. It could just be Day’s fear of rubbing it in, or it could be that he doesn’t think McCord is ready.
So, if Kyle wasn’t ready in Year 2, is it better to run him out there in Year 3, or give the younger player the chance to start in his sophomore season? Brown was also a top-50 prospect, but he seemingly has something that McCord doesn’t, but Buckeye fans have been dying to see more of... elite running ability. While he doesn’t have Terrelle Pryor or Justin Fields athleticism, reports from Buckeye practices this season have made it sound like Brown might have an extra gear that could come in handy for a first-time starter playing behind a rebuilt offensive line.
We know that under Day, Buckeye quarterbacks have been hesitant to run the ball, but this fall could be the perfect opportunity to change that narrative with a willing runner who might be scrambling for his life more than other recent OSU QBs.
I imagine that Ryan Day will play this out as long as possible in an effort to maintain his roster and not give either quarterback reason to leave before the season (for the record, if McCord is the starter, I don’t expect Brown to transfer), but given the fact that Day actively avoided getting McCord any actual experience this past season and the athletic advantages that Brown can bring to the offense, I would not be shocked if he ended up being the guy when the Buckeyes opened the season in Bloomington, Ind.
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LGHL B1G WBB Week 10: Indiana and Maryland battle, Ohio State shines in award predictions
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B1G WBB Week 10: Indiana and Maryland battle, Ohio State shines in award predictions
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 Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The non-Buckeyes news you need from across Big Ten women’s basketball
It’s easy to get into an Ohio State bubble but there’s a lot going on around the Big Ten, especially this season in women’s basketball. The conference has the most teams in the AP Top-25 poll and features a wide array of talented seniors who are destined for the professional level.
Last week, two teams with those types of players were on display. Also, with the end of the season approaching, it’s time to predict some awards.
Thursday, Jan. 12, it was a top-10 showdown between the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 9 Maryland Terrapins. It was Indiana’s dynamic duo of center Mackenzie Holmes and guard Grace Berger versus soon-to-be WNBA lottery pick in Maryland’s star guard Diamond Miller.
Played at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, the Hoosiers’ fans witnessed a physical game. In Maryland’s starting five, four players picked up at least three fouls with three starters grabbing four apiece.
The Terrapins picked up 20 overall. Miraculously, nobody fouled out and Maryland kept it a close game for three of four quarters.
Indiana’s halfcourt defense held Maryland to 61 points, but the quarter that hurt the Terrapins the most was the second. The Hoosiers held Miller and her side to 27.3% from the field, compared to the best shooting quarter of the game for either team by Indiana, shooting 63.6%.
Leading Indiana in that category was Indiana native and Oregon Ducks transfer Sydney Parrish. The guard notched a team-high 18 points for Indiana. That performance plus freshman Yarden Garzon going 3-for-5 from deep was the difference in the 68-61 victory.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24368444/1246195457.jpg "Indiana Hoosiers guard Sydney Parrish (33) plays against...")
Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Maryland guard Diamond Miller (left) guarding Sydney Parrish (right) in a physical game on Thursday, Jan. 12.
On Maryland’s side, Miller still played an impressive game, scoring 19 points and six rebounds. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, only one of her teammates, substitute guard Brinae Alexander, contributed more than 10 points and they couldn’t match an even scoring day for the Hoosiers in the 68-61 Indiana victory.
Unfortunately for fans of the conference, the two sides don’t meet again in the regular season. Hopefully, there’s a Big Ten tournament rematch between the two sides with even more on the line.
Land-Grant Holy Land doesn’t have a media vote in any of the postseason awards, so consider this a draft of what we could potentially send to the Big Ten come season’s end. There’s still time for players to make an impact but with 10 weeks of the season down, it’s a good time to take a guess at the individual awards.
Duh. Iowa guard Caitlin Clark is having the best scoring season of her career, which is saying a lot. It’s not in the total points per game, that’s slightly down, but the Naismith Player of the Year contender is shooting 1.5% higher than last season, shooting 46.7%. With South Carolina Gamecocks center Aaliyah Boston getting more attention on defense and playing under her normal game-shattering impact, Clark is a good pick to win not only B1G Player of the Year but the Naismith award too.
This one is a close between McMahon, Minnesota Guard Mara Braun, Indiana’s Garzon, and Rutgers guard Kaylene Smikle but McMahon edges them out. The freshman forward might not have the same scoring numbers as Braun, but in-game impact McMahon’s becoming a key piece of the No. 2 team in the country, which says a lot.
Now that Northwestern Wildcat forward Veronica Burton is out of college, it’s someone else’s turn to win Defensive Player of the Year. Miller’s ability to cover the best player on the court, steal, block, and rebound are unmatched. With Clark the surefire pick for Player of the Year, it seems fair that Miller wins the Defensive Player of the Year Award for her incredible play.
Sixth player is normally the player who consistently comes off the bench first for a team and impacts the game. Now, Harris has started due to injuries, but the guard’s ability to play four out of five positions on the court, and even the move to starting point guard, shows versatility. The Indiana native’s part of the reason the Buckeyes are undefeated. If guard Jacy Sheldon returns, Harris moves back to that traditional sixth player but starting shouldn’t punish the redshirt junior for her accolades in the Big Ten.
We know, we know. Buckeyes’ head coach Kevin McGuff is leading a surprise Ohio State side to their best season ever. That’s great, and in any other year he’s a lock for Coach of the Year, but what Green’s done is incomparable in the Big Ten.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24368435/1243889618.jpg "2022 Big Ten Basketball Media Days")
Illinois Fighting Illini coach Shauna Green at Big Ten media day on Oct. 11, 2022.
The former Dayton Flyers coach came to a seven-win Illinois team who returned only five players. Through a combination of former Dayton players, other transfers, and impact players within those five returners, the Illini are playing their best season in program history. Illinois already doubled their wins from last season and are back in the top-25 AP poll for the first time since 2000.
If you have your own picks, share them on the Land-Grant Holy Land Twitter page or in the comments below.
The same six teams represent the Big Ten in the most recent AP poll, but the Hawkeyes jump the Terrapins for a spot in the top 10.
2 - Ohio State (+1)
6 - Indiana (NC)
10 - Iowa (+2)
11 - Maryland (-2)
14 - Michigan (+3)
21 - Illinois (+3)
Here’s what the rest of the conference schedule looks like in week 11, plus the first day of Week 12 because, just look at it.
Thursday, Jan. 19
Monday, Jan. 24
There are 39 days until the Big Ten regular season ends. Week 11, and the spillover into Week 12, shows how the schedule was put together with a purpose. The top teams are starting to play.
While this week won’t decide who wins the conference, Indiana’s two ranked opponents and Iowa’s trip to Columbus on Monday will start to separate teams or bring the pack even closer together.
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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 Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The non-Buckeyes news you need from across Big Ten women’s basketball
It’s easy to get into an Ohio State bubble but there’s a lot going on around the Big Ten, especially this season in women’s basketball. The conference has the most teams in the AP Top-25 poll and features a wide array of talented seniors who are destined for the professional level.
Last week, two teams with those types of players were on display. Also, with the end of the season approaching, it’s time to predict some awards.
Indiana and Maryland Battle
Thursday, Jan. 12, it was a top-10 showdown between the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers and No. 9 Maryland Terrapins. It was Indiana’s dynamic duo of center Mackenzie Holmes and guard Grace Berger versus soon-to-be WNBA lottery pick in Maryland’s star guard Diamond Miller.
Played at Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana, the Hoosiers’ fans witnessed a physical game. In Maryland’s starting five, four players picked up at least three fouls with three starters grabbing four apiece.
The Terrapins picked up 20 overall. Miraculously, nobody fouled out and Maryland kept it a close game for three of four quarters.
Indiana’s halfcourt defense held Maryland to 61 points, but the quarter that hurt the Terrapins the most was the second. The Hoosiers held Miller and her side to 27.3% from the field, compared to the best shooting quarter of the game for either team by Indiana, shooting 63.6%.
Leading Indiana in that category was Indiana native and Oregon Ducks transfer Sydney Parrish. The guard notched a team-high 18 points for Indiana. That performance plus freshman Yarden Garzon going 3-for-5 from deep was the difference in the 68-61 victory.
Maryland guard Diamond Miller (left) guarding Sydney Parrish (right) in a physical game on Thursday, Jan. 12.
On Maryland’s side, Miller still played an impressive game, scoring 19 points and six rebounds. Unfortunately for the Terrapins, only one of her teammates, substitute guard Brinae Alexander, contributed more than 10 points and they couldn’t match an even scoring day for the Hoosiers in the 68-61 Indiana victory.
Unfortunately for fans of the conference, the two sides don’t meet again in the regular season. Hopefully, there’s a Big Ten tournament rematch between the two sides with even more on the line.
Predicting Conference Awards
Land-Grant Holy Land doesn’t have a media vote in any of the postseason awards, so consider this a draft of what we could potentially send to the Big Ten come season’s end. There’s still time for players to make an impact but with 10 weeks of the season down, it’s a good time to take a guess at the individual awards.
Player of the Year: Caitlin Clark, Iowa Hawkeyes
Duh. Iowa guard Caitlin Clark is having the best scoring season of her career, which is saying a lot. It’s not in the total points per game, that’s slightly down, but the Naismith Player of the Year contender is shooting 1.5% higher than last season, shooting 46.7%. With South Carolina Gamecocks center Aaliyah Boston getting more attention on defense and playing under her normal game-shattering impact, Clark is a good pick to win not only B1G Player of the Year but the Naismith award too.
Freshman of the Year: Cotie McMahon, Ohio State Buckeyes
This one is a close between McMahon, Minnesota Guard Mara Braun, Indiana’s Garzon, and Rutgers guard Kaylene Smikle but McMahon edges them out. The freshman forward might not have the same scoring numbers as Braun, but in-game impact McMahon’s becoming a key piece of the No. 2 team in the country, which says a lot.
Defensive Player of the Year: Diamond Miller, Maryland Terrapins
Now that Northwestern Wildcat forward Veronica Burton is out of college, it’s someone else’s turn to win Defensive Player of the Year. Miller’s ability to cover the best player on the court, steal, block, and rebound are unmatched. With Clark the surefire pick for Player of the Year, it seems fair that Miller wins the Defensive Player of the Year Award for her incredible play.
Sixth Player of the Year: Rikki Harris, Ohio State Buckeyes
Sixth player is normally the player who consistently comes off the bench first for a team and impacts the game. Now, Harris has started due to injuries, but the guard’s ability to play four out of five positions on the court, and even the move to starting point guard, shows versatility. The Indiana native’s part of the reason the Buckeyes are undefeated. If guard Jacy Sheldon returns, Harris moves back to that traditional sixth player but starting shouldn’t punish the redshirt junior for her accolades in the Big Ten.
Coach of the Year: Shauna Green, Illinois Fighting Illini
We know, we know. Buckeyes’ head coach Kevin McGuff is leading a surprise Ohio State side to their best season ever. That’s great, and in any other year he’s a lock for Coach of the Year, but what Green’s done is incomparable in the Big Ten.
Illinois Fighting Illini coach Shauna Green at Big Ten media day on Oct. 11, 2022.
The former Dayton Flyers coach came to a seven-win Illinois team who returned only five players. Through a combination of former Dayton players, other transfers, and impact players within those five returners, the Illini are playing their best season in program history. Illinois already doubled their wins from last season and are back in the top-25 AP poll for the first time since 2000.
If you have your own picks, share them on the Land-Grant Holy Land Twitter page or in the comments below.
Elsewhere Around the B1G
- The Michigan Wolverines had a week showing they’re not out of the running yet, beating the Purdue Boilermakers convincingly and a 15-point win over in-state rivals, the Michigan State Spartans. Maize & Blue is still a team to watch in the Big Ten.
- Clark and the Hawkeyes showed no mercy against the Penn State Nittany Lions. Iowa beat the visitors 108-67, with Clark playing well into the fourth quarter.
- Still no conference wins for the Northwestern Wildcats, losing to Purdue and Iowa.
- Wisconsin’s comeback from a tough start to the season to win two conference games in a row, with an overtime win over the Spartans, led by forward Serah Williams who had 31 points and 13 rebounds.
Conference Standings
AP Poll
The same six teams represent the Big Ten in the most recent AP poll, but the Hawkeyes jump the Terrapins for a spot in the top 10.
2 - Ohio State (+1)
6 - Indiana (NC)
10 - Iowa (+2)
11 - Maryland (-2)
14 - Michigan (+3)
21 - Illinois (+3)
Conference Schedule
Here’s what the rest of the conference schedule looks like in week 11, plus the first day of Week 12 because, just look at it.
Wednesday, Jan. 18
- No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan State Spartans - 7:00 p.m. ET
- Nebraska Cornhuskers at Purdue Boilermakers - 7:00 p.m. ET
- Minnesota Golden Gophers at Penn State Nittany Lions - 7:00 p.m. ET
- No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini - 8:00 p.m ET
Thursday, Jan. 19
- Northwestern Wildcats at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes - 6:30 p.m. ET
- No. 11 Maryland Terrapins at Wisconsin Badgers - 7:30 p.m. ET
- No. 14 Michigan Wolverines at Rutgers Scarlet Knights - 8:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, Jan 22
- Minnesota Golden Gophers at Purdue Boilermakers - 2:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Jan. 23
- No. 11 Maryland Terrapins at Nebraska Cornhuskers - 2:00 p.m. ET
- No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini at Northwestern Wildcats - 3:00 p.m. ET
- Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan State Spartans - 3:00 p.m. ET
- Wisconsin Badgers at Penn State Nittany Lions - 5:00 p.m. ET
Monday, Jan. 24
- No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes - 7:00 p.m. ET
- No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 14 Michigan Wolverines - 8:00 p.m. ET
Home Stretch
There are 39 days until the Big Ten regular season ends. Week 11, and the spillover into Week 12, shows how the schedule was put together with a purpose. The top teams are starting to play.
While this week won’t decide who wins the conference, Indiana’s two ranked opponents and Iowa’s trip to Columbus on Monday will start to separate teams or bring the pack even closer together.
Continue reading...
LGHL A larger coaching role should lead to a larger recruiting role for Brian Hartline and Ohio State
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- 0 Replies
A larger coaching role should lead to a larger recruiting role for Brian Hartline and Ohio State
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Brian Hartline is an incredible recruiter. This new role should only expand his recruiting responsibilities.
It’s no secret how valuable Brian Hartline is to Ohio State’s football program. An alum, NFL veteran, and dynamic position coach ever since he stepped foot on campus, everything Hartline has put his hands on has seen success. Whether it be the on-field numbers his players have put up in their careers or the NFL success his guys are having each year, Hartline quickly cemented himself as the top receivers coach in the country.
Arguably Ryan Day’s most important position coach on offense, what Hartline has done as a receivers coach alone is worthy of continued praise, and is one of the main reasons Day has worked so hard to keep him over the last couple years. That has included pay raises, new titles, and now of course his latest promotion as the offensive coordinator.
Looking specifically at the job he’s done with his position, the receiver production has never been higher at Ohio State. Hartline has raised the level to an all-time high, and that’s seen at both the collegiate and professional levels when you look at this season of Marvin Harrison Jr. and in the NFL with rookies like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Hartline is incredible at development, and virtually everything else he’s tasked with on a daily basis as an Ohio State coach.
With an increased role as the team’s new offensive coordinator, there should also be an increased role in his recruiting responsibilities that stem beyond just his immediate position group. Hartline has basically focused solely on receivers when it comes to recruiting, but seeing how successful he’s been when it comes to landing elite playmakers and building relationships, surely him helping with other position groups would be beneficial for the program as a whole.
Seemingly every cycle Hartline is getting who he wants when it comes to landing players for his position room. Likewise, landing the top receiver in the country has happened more times than not since he’s been at the helm. Ehile Day has crushed it with quarterback recruiting, seeing Hartline help in other areas such as offensive line or even with running backs is reasonable, as he will in large part be calling a lot of the shots from here on with Day overseeing the operation.
Looking at offensive line, Justin Frye is only entering year two with Ohio State, and as he saw his title grow to run game coordinator this coming season, offensive line recruiting is where it all starts. The best college football programs are elite up front, and the Buckeyes have been very good, but there’s always room for improvement. Who better to help land elite players along the offensive trenches than Hartline?
He has experience recruiting in every corner of the country, and his track record alone would give him a foot in the door. Additionally, when you look at where he’s pulling these top players, many times it’s those same regions that are also producing the best offensive linemen — and even other skill positions.
It’s easier said than done, but it also doesn’t really seem that Hartline would be spread too thin in multiple areas rather than just his lone position group. Having a bigger role with the offense is something that he’s earned, and while he’s never done it before, his success everywhere else gives reason to believe that this too will go in Ohio State’s favor.
The 2024 cycle is already off and running, and recruiting efforts are being put to work daily. If the Buckeyes really want to continue being atop of the college football landscape when it comes to both recruiting and on-field success, Hartline needs to have an extended role on the trail where he’s seen so much success already.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Brian Hartline is an incredible recruiter. This new role should only expand his recruiting responsibilities.
It’s no secret how valuable Brian Hartline is to Ohio State’s football program. An alum, NFL veteran, and dynamic position coach ever since he stepped foot on campus, everything Hartline has put his hands on has seen success. Whether it be the on-field numbers his players have put up in their careers or the NFL success his guys are having each year, Hartline quickly cemented himself as the top receivers coach in the country.
Arguably Ryan Day’s most important position coach on offense, what Hartline has done as a receivers coach alone is worthy of continued praise, and is one of the main reasons Day has worked so hard to keep him over the last couple years. That has included pay raises, new titles, and now of course his latest promotion as the offensive coordinator.
Looking specifically at the job he’s done with his position, the receiver production has never been higher at Ohio State. Hartline has raised the level to an all-time high, and that’s seen at both the collegiate and professional levels when you look at this season of Marvin Harrison Jr. and in the NFL with rookies like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Hartline is incredible at development, and virtually everything else he’s tasked with on a daily basis as an Ohio State coach.
With an increased role as the team’s new offensive coordinator, there should also be an increased role in his recruiting responsibilities that stem beyond just his immediate position group. Hartline has basically focused solely on receivers when it comes to recruiting, but seeing how successful he’s been when it comes to landing elite playmakers and building relationships, surely him helping with other position groups would be beneficial for the program as a whole.
Seemingly every cycle Hartline is getting who he wants when it comes to landing players for his position room. Likewise, landing the top receiver in the country has happened more times than not since he’s been at the helm. Ehile Day has crushed it with quarterback recruiting, seeing Hartline help in other areas such as offensive line or even with running backs is reasonable, as he will in large part be calling a lot of the shots from here on with Day overseeing the operation.
Looking at offensive line, Justin Frye is only entering year two with Ohio State, and as he saw his title grow to run game coordinator this coming season, offensive line recruiting is where it all starts. The best college football programs are elite up front, and the Buckeyes have been very good, but there’s always room for improvement. Who better to help land elite players along the offensive trenches than Hartline?
He has experience recruiting in every corner of the country, and his track record alone would give him a foot in the door. Additionally, when you look at where he’s pulling these top players, many times it’s those same regions that are also producing the best offensive linemen — and even other skill positions.
It’s easier said than done, but it also doesn’t really seem that Hartline would be spread too thin in multiple areas rather than just his lone position group. Having a bigger role with the offense is something that he’s earned, and while he’s never done it before, his success everywhere else gives reason to believe that this too will go in Ohio State’s favor.
The 2024 cycle is already off and running, and recruiting efforts are being put to work daily. If the Buckeyes really want to continue being atop of the college football landscape when it comes to both recruiting and on-field success, Hartline needs to have an extended role on the trail where he’s seen so much success already.
Continue reading...
LGHL Column: The Urban Meyer NFL experiment was an even bigger disaster than we realized
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- 0 Replies
Column: The Urban Meyer NFL experiment was an even bigger disaster than we realized
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Sorry, Jacksonville.
Like many watching Saturday night’s Wild Card matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers, I tuned out at halftime, feeling confident that the beatdown we’d witnessed in the first 30 minutes would lead to a W for the Chargers and an early playoff exit for the Jags on their home turf.
But then the improbable happened. After throwing four first-half interceptions, Trevor Lawrence turned it on in the second half (and at the end of the first) with four touchdowns in the last 31 minutes of play. The Jacksonville defense stepped up, allowing just three points in the final two quarters. Jacksonville emerged with a one-point win.
After this game, we learned three things that we’ve probably suspected throughout this season:
Turnarounds happen. They’re meant to happen. It’s the reason the NFL Draft is structured the way it is, so the worst teams in the league can have a shot at redemption. And yet, we don’t often see turnarounds from teams being the worst in the league to winning a playoff game in a single season. That’s why we have to give credit to Doug Pederson and the effort he’s made in Jacksonville.
But it’s not all on the head coach. Of course it makes sense that a quarterback like Trevor Lawrence would show some improvement during his sophomore season in the league since it’s hard to have a sophomore slump when there’s nowhere to go but up after the freshman season.
And credit the $175.3 million Jacksonville doled out in free agency this year to secure players like Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff.
The thing is, though, teams don’t simply go from 0 to 60 in a single year. There was clearly untapped talent that Pederson was able to put to work in 2022 in ways that weren’t possible in 2021. In business we might call it “building operational efficiencies” — because coaching an NFL team is, after all, like running a business.
So why did this talent not thrive in 2021? Why did these efficiencies remain untapped? For all the reasons Urban Meyer had success at Ohio State, they led to abject failure in Jacksonville.
There’s no doubt that Meyer was a phenomenal college coach because he was good at the things that were required of him as a college coach. And the thing you need to be successful at in college is, uncompromisingly, recruiting. For Meyer, that meant bringing to life a winning culture and then convincing 17 and 18-year-olds to join the program because of that winning tradition — and he was really good at it. When Meyer was still at Ohio State, it was easy to point to the mutually reinforcing recruiting, championship and NFL Draft pick machines that were all but unstoppable. The “developed here” mantra was real when recruits could see guys a few years their senior being taken in the first round with a handful of Big Ten titles under their belts.
In college, even scheming doesn’t need to be all that brilliant (consider the service academies which send one or two teams to bowl games every season running the triple option). Here, recruiting once again played a role. Meyer was able to take his athletes who, because they were four- and five-star recruits, were generally better at their positions than most of the athletes on the other side of the field, and draw up schemes that made his teams look like dynamite.
Unfortunately, there’s really no such thing as recruiting in the NFL and you can’t scheme when your athletes are just as good as those on the other team. And the latter point, unfortunately for Meyer, is what matters in the pros.
Every player Meyer coached at Jacksonville was one of the top players on their teams in college, which is why they’re in the NFL. Trying to overpower opposing NFL teams simply doesn’t work; there’s more nuance to it. That’s why NFL point spreads are usually less than two touchdowns while college spreads are much, much higher. There is simply greater parity as teams are more evenly matched.
Individual game strategy matters much more in the NFL than it does in college football. That’s why even the worst teams in the league generally win a few games every season. Meyer learned the hard way that he simply cannot rely on talent mismatches to win games.
To the first point on recruiting, Meyer’s plan in the NFL revolved around the idea, so successful in college, that building a culture would lead to championships. There’s a reason we hear the Meyer-coached players on Sunday Night Football announce they went to “THE Ohio State University,” while Ryan Day-coached players (as we’ve seen throughout this season) fall back on “Ohio State.” Having come from the NFL, Day seems to approach Ohio State as a business manager.
Meyer’s culture-centric program doesn’t work with adults who are earning a paycheck and who, if given the opportunity, could earn a paycheck elsewhere. His methods of treating them like he did a complete college team seem absurd in retrospect.
Unfortunately, when culture building didn’t work, the culture in Jacksonville got so severely toxic that we couldn’t go a whole week without another wild story from the locker room. We don’t need to get into the allegations of verbal and even physical abuse that clouded the short-lived experiment in Jacksonville.
In business and football, the danger is not learning from the lessons we’ve seen. It’s one more data point of why some college coaches don’t make good NFL coaches. Sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better, but especially with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that things got much, much worse than they had to in Jacksonville under Meyer’s tenure.
Continue reading...
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Sorry, Jacksonville.
Like many watching Saturday night’s Wild Card matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers, I tuned out at halftime, feeling confident that the beatdown we’d witnessed in the first 30 minutes would lead to a W for the Chargers and an early playoff exit for the Jags on their home turf.
But then the improbable happened. After throwing four first-half interceptions, Trevor Lawrence turned it on in the second half (and at the end of the first) with four touchdowns in the last 31 minutes of play. The Jacksonville defense stepped up, allowing just three points in the final two quarters. Jacksonville emerged with a one-point win.
After this game, we learned three things that we’ve probably suspected throughout this season:
- Doug Pederson is a better coach than we realized
- Trevor Lawrence is a quarterback with a bright future
- The Urban Meyer experiment in Jacksonville was even worse than we realized
Turnarounds happen. They’re meant to happen. It’s the reason the NFL Draft is structured the way it is, so the worst teams in the league can have a shot at redemption. And yet, we don’t often see turnarounds from teams being the worst in the league to winning a playoff game in a single season. That’s why we have to give credit to Doug Pederson and the effort he’s made in Jacksonville.
But it’s not all on the head coach. Of course it makes sense that a quarterback like Trevor Lawrence would show some improvement during his sophomore season in the league since it’s hard to have a sophomore slump when there’s nowhere to go but up after the freshman season.
And credit the $175.3 million Jacksonville doled out in free agency this year to secure players like Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff.
The thing is, though, teams don’t simply go from 0 to 60 in a single year. There was clearly untapped talent that Pederson was able to put to work in 2022 in ways that weren’t possible in 2021. In business we might call it “building operational efficiencies” — because coaching an NFL team is, after all, like running a business.
So why did this talent not thrive in 2021? Why did these efficiencies remain untapped? For all the reasons Urban Meyer had success at Ohio State, they led to abject failure in Jacksonville.
There’s no doubt that Meyer was a phenomenal college coach because he was good at the things that were required of him as a college coach. And the thing you need to be successful at in college is, uncompromisingly, recruiting. For Meyer, that meant bringing to life a winning culture and then convincing 17 and 18-year-olds to join the program because of that winning tradition — and he was really good at it. When Meyer was still at Ohio State, it was easy to point to the mutually reinforcing recruiting, championship and NFL Draft pick machines that were all but unstoppable. The “developed here” mantra was real when recruits could see guys a few years their senior being taken in the first round with a handful of Big Ten titles under their belts.
In college, even scheming doesn’t need to be all that brilliant (consider the service academies which send one or two teams to bowl games every season running the triple option). Here, recruiting once again played a role. Meyer was able to take his athletes who, because they were four- and five-star recruits, were generally better at their positions than most of the athletes on the other side of the field, and draw up schemes that made his teams look like dynamite.
Unfortunately, there’s really no such thing as recruiting in the NFL and you can’t scheme when your athletes are just as good as those on the other team. And the latter point, unfortunately for Meyer, is what matters in the pros.
Every player Meyer coached at Jacksonville was one of the top players on their teams in college, which is why they’re in the NFL. Trying to overpower opposing NFL teams simply doesn’t work; there’s more nuance to it. That’s why NFL point spreads are usually less than two touchdowns while college spreads are much, much higher. There is simply greater parity as teams are more evenly matched.
Individual game strategy matters much more in the NFL than it does in college football. That’s why even the worst teams in the league generally win a few games every season. Meyer learned the hard way that he simply cannot rely on talent mismatches to win games.
To the first point on recruiting, Meyer’s plan in the NFL revolved around the idea, so successful in college, that building a culture would lead to championships. There’s a reason we hear the Meyer-coached players on Sunday Night Football announce they went to “THE Ohio State University,” while Ryan Day-coached players (as we’ve seen throughout this season) fall back on “Ohio State.” Having come from the NFL, Day seems to approach Ohio State as a business manager.
Meyer’s culture-centric program doesn’t work with adults who are earning a paycheck and who, if given the opportunity, could earn a paycheck elsewhere. His methods of treating them like he did a complete college team seem absurd in retrospect.
Unfortunately, when culture building didn’t work, the culture in Jacksonville got so severely toxic that we couldn’t go a whole week without another wild story from the locker room. We don’t need to get into the allegations of verbal and even physical abuse that clouded the short-lived experiment in Jacksonville.
In business and football, the danger is not learning from the lessons we’ve seen. It’s one more data point of why some college coaches don’t make good NFL coaches. Sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better, but especially with the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear that things got much, much worse than they had to in Jacksonville under Meyer’s tenure.
Continue reading...
LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 18, 2023
- News
- 0 Replies
Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 18, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Buckeyes WR Kamryn Babb won’t return for extra season of eligibility
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Good luck with whatever your next chapter is, 0.
Former Oregon State Quarterback Tristan Gebbia Transferring to Ohio State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
What adding transfer Tristan Gebbia means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Making sense of Ohio State adding transfer portal quarterback Tristan Gebbia (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
What addition of transfer quarterback Tristan Gebbia means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State in the transfer portal — the hits, misses and what’s to come (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
I’m ready for a full season of healthy Trey and Miyan!
Ohio State roster reset: How the scholarship numbers look at each position (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Making way-too-early projection for Buckeyes offensive depth chart next season (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Looking To 2023: Where do pundits have Ohio State pegged for next year’s playoff race
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
What Lathan Ransom’s return means for Ohio State football’s safeties in 2023
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
Did you know that Sam was once committed to play lacrosse at Notre Dam until Urban Meyer saw him playing dodgeball in gym class?
Column: Harbaugh’s return is good for the Buckeyes
Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
Former Ohio State Wide Receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson Finalists for NFL Rookie of the Year
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
Remembering five great Buckeye moments in recent years
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Buckeyes hope smarter paint decisions can reignite offense
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Five stats to know about four-game Buckeyes losing streak (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Ohio State in Desperate Need of Win on the Road at Nebraska with Buckeyes at Risk of Dropping Five Straight
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Who says Ohio State basketball is having a down year?
Women’s Basketball: Mikulášiková Named to Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll
Ohio State Athletics
Ohio State’s big men open up big lead, help shorthanded wrestling squad take down Rutgers
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Lacrosse: Inaugural Season in Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium Set For Buckeye Lacrosse Programs
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: JJ Wolf Wins Open Round Match at Australian Open
Ohio State Athletics
You’re Nuts: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
I generally think gender reveals are douchey and dumb, as a former prolific backyard professional wrestler, I can get behind ones like this!
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
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Buckeyes WR Kamryn Babb won’t return for extra season of eligibility
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Good luck with whatever your next chapter is, 0.
Former Oregon State Quarterback Tristan Gebbia Transferring to Ohio State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
What adding transfer Tristan Gebbia means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Making sense of Ohio State adding transfer portal quarterback Tristan Gebbia (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
What addition of transfer quarterback Tristan Gebbia means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Ohio State in the transfer portal — the hits, misses and what’s to come (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic
I’m ready for a full season of healthy Trey and Miyan!
Ohio State roster reset: How the scholarship numbers look at each position (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Making way-too-early projection for Buckeyes offensive depth chart next season (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Looking To 2023: Where do pundits have Ohio State pegged for next year’s playoff race
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
What Lathan Ransom’s return means for Ohio State football’s safeties in 2023
Nathan Baird, cleveland.com
Did you know that Sam was once committed to play lacrosse at Notre Dam until Urban Meyer saw him playing dodgeball in gym class?
Column: Harbaugh’s return is good for the Buckeyes
Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
Former Ohio State Wide Receivers Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson Finalists for NFL Rookie of the Year
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors
Remembering five great Buckeye moments in recent years
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Buckeyes hope smarter paint decisions can reignite offense
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Five stats to know about four-game Buckeyes losing streak (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Ohio State in Desperate Need of Win on the Road at Nebraska with Buckeyes at Risk of Dropping Five Straight
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
Who says Ohio State basketball is having a down year?
Women’s Basketball: Mikulášiková Named to Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll
Ohio State Athletics
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Ohio State’s big men open up big lead, help shorthanded wrestling squad take down Rutgers
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Lacrosse: Inaugural Season in Ohio State Lacrosse Stadium Set For Buckeye Lacrosse Programs
Ohio State Athletics
Men’s Tennis: JJ Wolf Wins Open Round Match at Australian Open
Ohio State Athletics
You’re Nuts: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
Brett Ludwiczak and Meredith Hein, Land-Grant Holy Land
And now for something completely different...
I generally think gender reveals are douchey and dumb, as a former prolific backyard professional wrestler, I can get behind ones like this!
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Nebraska: Game preview and prediction
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Nebraska: 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
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes head to Lincoln tonight to try and snap a four-game losing streak.
On Sunday we saw Ohio State (10-7, 2-4) drop another close game, with the 68-64 loss in overtime at Rutgers extending the losing streak of the Buckeyes to four games. Ohio State has a chance to get back in the win column tonight when they travel to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-9, 2-5), who sit just below the Buckeyes in the Big Ten standings.
Sunday’s game was a tough watch at times. The first basket of the game wasn’t scored until four minutes in by Caleb McConnell of Rutgers. The Buckeyes found a bit of rhythm shortly after, building a 15-4 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. Ohio State would again go cold from the field to close out the first half, scoring just eight points the rest of the period, and just three points in the final eight minutes, heading into halftime with a 23-20 lead.
Much like their first meeting with Rutgers in December, Sunday’s game was tight throughout the second half, with the biggest lead being 44-38 by the Buckeyes with 10:45 left. The lead changed hands numerous times in the second half, with most of the period seeing the score separated by no more than three points.
The game eventually went to overtime. The Buckeyes gained a 61-60 lead with a little less than two minutes left after two free throws from Brice Sensabaugh, whose 20 points led the Buckeyes. Rutgers responded 16 seconds later with a layup from Cliff Omoruyi, which gave the Scarlet Knights the lead for good. Mawot Mag added a little bit of cushion to the lead when he hit a three-pointer with 38 seconds left to give the Scarlet Knights a 65-61 lead. Rutgers would go on to earn a 68-64 victory over the Buckeyes, splitting the regular season series between the schools.
There was a bit of a surprise in Ohio State’s starting lineup on Sunday when Brice Sensabaugh wasn’t included in the starting five. Sensabaugh still had a huge impact on the game, scoring a team-high 20 points in 29 minutes. The freshman also secured 11 rebounds in the loss, recording a double-double for the second straight game. Sensabaugh is currently leading the Buckeyes with 16.9 points per game.
Also coming off the pine in the game was Zed Key, who is still dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered in the loss to Purdue nearly two weeks ago. After missing the Maryland game, Key returned for the Minnesota, and has now come off the bench in each of the last two games. Key played 28 minutes, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Ohio State needed every point they could get from Sensabaugh and Key since the starters contributed very little scoring. Sean McNeil was the only Buckeye starter to reach double figures in the loss to the Scarlet Knights, shooting 3-of-12 from the field and finishing with 11 points. Justice Sueing was 3-of-10 with his field goal attempts, while Issac Likekele missed all five of his shot attempts.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24368189/usa_today_19784773.jpg "Syndication: Journal-Courier")
Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State has dominated the series with Nebraska, holding a 20-5 record over the Cornhuskers. That doesn’t mean that tonight’s game will be an automatic win for the Buckeyes, since Nebraska has played them tough recently. Last year the Cornhuskers took Ohio State to overtime in Lincoln before Malaki Branham led the Buckeyes to victory. The win was the fifth-straight road victory over Nebraska by the Buckeyes.
The return game in Columbus is one Ohio State will want to forget. The game was originally supposed to be on Jan. 22, but was postponed and rescheduled for March 1. The game was squeezed into an already busy section of the schedule for Ohio State, and it was clear the Buckeyes didn’t have the energy needed to win the game. The 78-70 win by Nebraska was Fred Hoiberg’s first win over a ranked team as head coach of the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska enters tonight’s game with a 2-5 record in Big Ten play. The Cornhuskers have lost their last two conference games, with the most recent being a 73-55 setback at Purdue on Friday night. Fred Hoiberg’s team was shorthanded against the Boilermakers, playing without Sam Griesel and Juwan Gray. Nebraska never led in the game, and never really threatened Purdue. Zach Edey pulled down 13 rebounds in the victory, which was just six fewer rebounds than the Cornhuskers had as a team.
Derrick Walker paced Nebraska with 19 points, and the Tennessee transfer is leading the team with 14.1 points per game. Walker also is averaging 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, making him one of 12 players in the country averaging at least 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game.
Sam Griesel is the only other Cornhusker averaging double figures in scoring, with the guard netting 11.1 points per game. The North Dakota State transfer missed Nebraska’s last game, but Hoiberg is expecting the senior guard to be available to play tonight against the Buckeyes. Prior to the injury, Griesel had scored at least 10 points in each of his last five games.
While Griesel is expected to be able to play, the outlook for Juwan Gary isn’t nearly as good. The Alabama transfer was averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game before he suffered a shoulder injury against Illinois that limited him to 16 minutes in the 76-50 loss last Tuesday. With Gary injured, Wilhelm Breidenbach made the first start of his career on Friday night against Purdue.
A couple other transfers have played a key role for Nebraska this season. Emmanuel Bandoumel came to Lincoln as a grad transfer from SMU. Over the last two seasons, Bandoumel averaged double digits in scoring for the Mustangs, putting home 10.2 points per game in the 2020-21 season, and 10.6 points per game last year. This year, Bandoumel’s scoring has dipped a bit, as he is averaging 8.9 points, but he is averaging a career-high 5.1 rebounds per game.
Sophomore guard C.J. Wilcher started his career at Xavier, appearing in 15 games for the Musketeers in the 2020-21 season before transferring to Nebraska. After starting just two of the 32 games he played in last year, Wilcher has started all 18 contests for the Cornhuskers this year, and is averaging 8.7 points per game. While Wilcher has struggled of late, failing to reach double figures in scoring in seven of his last eight games, he can go off at any time.
Wilcher scored 21 points earlier this year in a win over Omaha, and last month he scored 22 points in a loss to Indiana in Bloomington.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24368191/usa_today_17449886.jpg "NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Nebraska")
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Even though it’s never easy to go on the road and win in the Big Ten, Ohio State has already done so in 2023, easily handling Northwestern 73-57 on the first evening of the year. It’s hard to imagine the Buckeyes having a ton of trouble with the Cornhuskers tonight, especially with Nebraska expected to be without Gary. While Griesel will return to the lineup, it is unknown if there will be any limitations when it comes to the amount of time he will be available to play.
One thing Ohio State has to do in this game is have some urgency. If the Buckeyes happen to slip tonight, it could be a few weeks before Chris Holtmann’s team gets another win. The schedule for Ohio State coming up is pretty brutal, with Iowa coming to Columbus on Saturday, followed by trips to Illinois and Indiana next week. The Buckeyes desperately need a win here to try and get some momentum headed in the right direction after a number of close losses lately.
Sensabaugh is playing at a high level right now, but he needs some help. Key has been gutting it out of late off the bench as he has dealt with a shoulder injury. While Sueing has been fine up until last game, McNeil and Likekele need to step up a little more than what we saw against Rutgers. The performance from Likekele was especially concerning because Holtmann reinserted him into the starting lineup to try and spark his play some, but the Oklahoma State transfer gave the team very little on the floor offensively.
Even though you can’t count Nebraska out, especially with how tough they’ve played Ohio State lately, it is going to take a huge effort from Derrick Walker and the rest of the Cornhuskers to win their second straight game against the Buckeyes. If Ohio State gets back to basics and plays fundamental basketball, they should be able to breathe easy in the second half, which is something they haven’t been able to do lately.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 76.3%
Time: 7:00 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
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes head to Lincoln tonight to try and snap a four-game losing streak.
On Sunday we saw Ohio State (10-7, 2-4) drop another close game, with the 68-64 loss in overtime at Rutgers extending the losing streak of the Buckeyes to four games. Ohio State has a chance to get back in the win column tonight when they travel to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-9, 2-5), who sit just below the Buckeyes in the Big Ten standings.
Sunday’s game was a tough watch at times. The first basket of the game wasn’t scored until four minutes in by Caleb McConnell of Rutgers. The Buckeyes found a bit of rhythm shortly after, building a 15-4 lead with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. Ohio State would again go cold from the field to close out the first half, scoring just eight points the rest of the period, and just three points in the final eight minutes, heading into halftime with a 23-20 lead.
Much like their first meeting with Rutgers in December, Sunday’s game was tight throughout the second half, with the biggest lead being 44-38 by the Buckeyes with 10:45 left. The lead changed hands numerous times in the second half, with most of the period seeing the score separated by no more than three points.
The game eventually went to overtime. The Buckeyes gained a 61-60 lead with a little less than two minutes left after two free throws from Brice Sensabaugh, whose 20 points led the Buckeyes. Rutgers responded 16 seconds later with a layup from Cliff Omoruyi, which gave the Scarlet Knights the lead for good. Mawot Mag added a little bit of cushion to the lead when he hit a three-pointer with 38 seconds left to give the Scarlet Knights a 65-61 lead. Rutgers would go on to earn a 68-64 victory over the Buckeyes, splitting the regular season series between the schools.
There was a bit of a surprise in Ohio State’s starting lineup on Sunday when Brice Sensabaugh wasn’t included in the starting five. Sensabaugh still had a huge impact on the game, scoring a team-high 20 points in 29 minutes. The freshman also secured 11 rebounds in the loss, recording a double-double for the second straight game. Sensabaugh is currently leading the Buckeyes with 16.9 points per game.
Also coming off the pine in the game was Zed Key, who is still dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered in the loss to Purdue nearly two weeks ago. After missing the Maryland game, Key returned for the Minnesota, and has now come off the bench in each of the last two games. Key played 28 minutes, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Ohio State needed every point they could get from Sensabaugh and Key since the starters contributed very little scoring. Sean McNeil was the only Buckeye starter to reach double figures in the loss to the Scarlet Knights, shooting 3-of-12 from the field and finishing with 11 points. Justice Sueing was 3-of-10 with his field goal attempts, while Issac Likekele missed all five of his shot attempts.
Preview
Ohio State has dominated the series with Nebraska, holding a 20-5 record over the Cornhuskers. That doesn’t mean that tonight’s game will be an automatic win for the Buckeyes, since Nebraska has played them tough recently. Last year the Cornhuskers took Ohio State to overtime in Lincoln before Malaki Branham led the Buckeyes to victory. The win was the fifth-straight road victory over Nebraska by the Buckeyes.
The return game in Columbus is one Ohio State will want to forget. The game was originally supposed to be on Jan. 22, but was postponed and rescheduled for March 1. The game was squeezed into an already busy section of the schedule for Ohio State, and it was clear the Buckeyes didn’t have the energy needed to win the game. The 78-70 win by Nebraska was Fred Hoiberg’s first win over a ranked team as head coach of the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska enters tonight’s game with a 2-5 record in Big Ten play. The Cornhuskers have lost their last two conference games, with the most recent being a 73-55 setback at Purdue on Friday night. Fred Hoiberg’s team was shorthanded against the Boilermakers, playing without Sam Griesel and Juwan Gray. Nebraska never led in the game, and never really threatened Purdue. Zach Edey pulled down 13 rebounds in the victory, which was just six fewer rebounds than the Cornhuskers had as a team.
Derrick Walker paced Nebraska with 19 points, and the Tennessee transfer is leading the team with 14.1 points per game. Walker also is averaging 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, making him one of 12 players in the country averaging at least 14 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game.
Sam Griesel is the only other Cornhusker averaging double figures in scoring, with the guard netting 11.1 points per game. The North Dakota State transfer missed Nebraska’s last game, but Hoiberg is expecting the senior guard to be available to play tonight against the Buckeyes. Prior to the injury, Griesel had scored at least 10 points in each of his last five games.
While Griesel is expected to be able to play, the outlook for Juwan Gary isn’t nearly as good. The Alabama transfer was averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game before he suffered a shoulder injury against Illinois that limited him to 16 minutes in the 76-50 loss last Tuesday. With Gary injured, Wilhelm Breidenbach made the first start of his career on Friday night against Purdue.
A couple other transfers have played a key role for Nebraska this season. Emmanuel Bandoumel came to Lincoln as a grad transfer from SMU. Over the last two seasons, Bandoumel averaged double digits in scoring for the Mustangs, putting home 10.2 points per game in the 2020-21 season, and 10.6 points per game last year. This year, Bandoumel’s scoring has dipped a bit, as he is averaging 8.9 points, but he is averaging a career-high 5.1 rebounds per game.
Sophomore guard C.J. Wilcher started his career at Xavier, appearing in 15 games for the Musketeers in the 2020-21 season before transferring to Nebraska. After starting just two of the 32 games he played in last year, Wilcher has started all 18 contests for the Cornhuskers this year, and is averaging 8.7 points per game. While Wilcher has struggled of late, failing to reach double figures in scoring in seven of his last eight games, he can go off at any time.
Wilcher scored 21 points earlier this year in a win over Omaha, and last month he scored 22 points in a loss to Indiana in Bloomington.
Prediction
Even though it’s never easy to go on the road and win in the Big Ten, Ohio State has already done so in 2023, easily handling Northwestern 73-57 on the first evening of the year. It’s hard to imagine the Buckeyes having a ton of trouble with the Cornhuskers tonight, especially with Nebraska expected to be without Gary. While Griesel will return to the lineup, it is unknown if there will be any limitations when it comes to the amount of time he will be available to play.
One thing Ohio State has to do in this game is have some urgency. If the Buckeyes happen to slip tonight, it could be a few weeks before Chris Holtmann’s team gets another win. The schedule for Ohio State coming up is pretty brutal, with Iowa coming to Columbus on Saturday, followed by trips to Illinois and Indiana next week. The Buckeyes desperately need a win here to try and get some momentum headed in the right direction after a number of close losses lately.
Sensabaugh is playing at a high level right now, but he needs some help. Key has been gutting it out of late off the bench as he has dealt with a shoulder injury. While Sueing has been fine up until last game, McNeil and Likekele need to step up a little more than what we saw against Rutgers. The performance from Likekele was especially concerning because Holtmann reinserted him into the starting lineup to try and spark his play some, but the Oklahoma State transfer gave the team very little on the floor offensively.
Even though you can’t count Nebraska out, especially with how tough they’ve played Ohio State lately, it is going to take a huge effort from Derrick Walker and the rest of the Cornhuskers to win their second straight game against the Buckeyes. If Ohio State gets back to basics and plays fundamental basketball, they should be able to breathe easy in the second half, which is something they haven’t been able to do lately.
ESPN BPI: Ohio State 76.3%
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: Big Ten Network
LGHL score prediction: Ohio State 71, Nebraska 58
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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: The Ohio State men’s basketball team is freefalling. Can it be fixed?
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Bucketheads Podcast: The Ohio State men’s basketball team is freefalling. Can it be fixed?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
Welcome to the airing of grievances. Take a ticket.
‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
For Episode 62 of ‘Bucketheads’, Connor and Justin are airing out some grievances. The Ohio State men’s basketball team is 0-4 over the last two weeks and has gone from a Big Ten title contender to an NCAA Tournament bubble team. What needs to change for the Buckeyes moving forward for them to turn this losing streak into a winning streak?
What do the guys prefer as the starting lineup, who should see more of the floor, and who should see less of the floor? Chris Holtmann’s seat has been “hot” since 2021 according to many fans, but is the seat getting a bit toastier after last week’s loss to Minnesota?
And what do you think? Comment your thoughts and like and subscribe to the podcast.
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
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
Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images
Welcome to the airing of grievances. Take a ticket.
‘Bucketheads’ is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
For Episode 62 of ‘Bucketheads’, Connor and Justin are airing out some grievances. The Ohio State men’s basketball team is 0-4 over the last two weeks and has gone from a Big Ten title contender to an NCAA Tournament bubble team. What needs to change for the Buckeyes moving forward for them to turn this losing streak into a winning streak?
What do the guys prefer as the starting lineup, who should see more of the floor, and who should see less of the floor? Chris Holtmann’s seat has been “hot” since 2021 according to many fans, but is the seat getting a bit toastier after last week’s loss to Minnesota?
And what do you think? Comment your thoughts and like and subscribe to the podcast.
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGHL
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL Five-star DL from Florida has Ohio State “easily top two” in his recruitment
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Five-star DL from Florida has Ohio State “easily top two” in his recruitment
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
David Stone | 247Sports
The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class.
It was a relatively eventful Tuesday on the recruiting trail, led by a pair of highly-coveted prospects holding the Buckeyes in high regard. Plus, a trio of prospects saw their hard work continue to pay off as they were on the receiving end of offers from Ohio State.
Stone, Calhoun have Buckeyes as finalists
Unquestionably the biggest news that came on Tuesday was when 2024 five-star defensive lineman David Stone of IMG Academy (FL) discussed his thoughts on Ohio State and where they stand in his recruitment with Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors.
“I’ve been a fan since I was growing up,” Stone said of the Buckeyes. “I used to watch them on TV, a lot of their games came up in Oklahoma for some reason. I’ve always been a fan of theirs. One of my first games watching them was against Wisconsin sometime in the late 2000s. And then of course with coach Johnson, that’s D-line U. He’s one of the best defensive line coaches in the country.”
Stone continued by stating that Ohio State, who offered him just one week ago, was “easily top two,” to Hodge. While the No. 4 prospect overall didn’t clarify the other program that is inside his top two, the safe assumption would be Michigan State or Oklahoma. The two programs are the only universities to receive a crystal ball prediction in favor of landing Stone.
For the Buckeyes, the next plan of action has to be getting Stone — the second highest-graded defensive lineman in the class — to get on campus for a visit. The 6-4, 270-pounder revealed that he plans to make it to campus in March.
Stone wasn’t the only one that named Ohio State as a finalist in their recruitment though. 2024 five-star offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun of Centennial (GA) narrowed things down as well, and slotted the Buckeyes inside of his top 10.
BREAKING: Four-Star OT Daniel Calhoun is down to Schools!
The 6’7 350 OT from Roswell, GA is ranked as a Top 65 Player in the ‘24 Class (No. 3 OT)https://t.co/UscaM08Rgx pic.twitter.com/8SDk79oda3
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 18, 2023
Calhoun has been a long-time target of offensive line coach Justin Frye, as the program offered him 12 months ago, and the early returns are a success. The Roswell native has the Buckeyes in the mixmbut they will have their work cut out for them with Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas also well-positioned for the No. 3 ranked offensive tackle in the cycle.
Ohio State dishes out three new offers
Aside from the good news with Stone and Calhoun, the Buckeyes were also active on the recruiting trail on Tuesday with three new offers going out. It was 2024 four-star defensive end Marquise Lightfoot of Kenwood Academy (IL), 2024 five-star quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama commit) of Carlsbed (CA), and 2024 four-stat running back Taylor Tatum of Longview (TX) who were the recipients of an Ohio State offer.
Lightfoot and Tatum haven’t began the process of narrowing things down yet, so the Buckeyes might have an opportunity to become players for the two. But Sayin on the other hand is the most interesting offer of the day.
The No. 2 QB in the entire class has been pledged to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide since November. With Raiola no longer in the picture, Ohio State has a void in their 2024 class that they hope to fill with an elite talent. Can the Buckeyes and specifically Ryan Day really gain any ground on Alabama or is this just a flyer? Surely we will found out sooner rather than later.
Grateful to receive an offer from Ohio State University. pic.twitter.com/Mup4y4TsUm
— Julian Sayin (@juliansayin2) January 18, 2023Quick Hits
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Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
David Stone | 247Sports
The Buckeyes and defensive line coach Larry Johnson look to be a major player for a top five prospect in the 2024 class.
It was a relatively eventful Tuesday on the recruiting trail, led by a pair of highly-coveted prospects holding the Buckeyes in high regard. Plus, a trio of prospects saw their hard work continue to pay off as they were on the receiving end of offers from Ohio State.
Stone, Calhoun have Buckeyes as finalists
Unquestionably the biggest news that came on Tuesday was when 2024 five-star defensive lineman David Stone of IMG Academy (FL) discussed his thoughts on Ohio State and where they stand in his recruitment with Garrick Hodge of Eleven Warriors.
“I’ve been a fan since I was growing up,” Stone said of the Buckeyes. “I used to watch them on TV, a lot of their games came up in Oklahoma for some reason. I’ve always been a fan of theirs. One of my first games watching them was against Wisconsin sometime in the late 2000s. And then of course with coach Johnson, that’s D-line U. He’s one of the best defensive line coaches in the country.”
Stone continued by stating that Ohio State, who offered him just one week ago, was “easily top two,” to Hodge. While the No. 4 prospect overall didn’t clarify the other program that is inside his top two, the safe assumption would be Michigan State or Oklahoma. The two programs are the only universities to receive a crystal ball prediction in favor of landing Stone.
For the Buckeyes, the next plan of action has to be getting Stone — the second highest-graded defensive lineman in the class — to get on campus for a visit. The 6-4, 270-pounder revealed that he plans to make it to campus in March.
Stone wasn’t the only one that named Ohio State as a finalist in their recruitment though. 2024 five-star offensive tackle Daniel Calhoun of Centennial (GA) narrowed things down as well, and slotted the Buckeyes inside of his top 10.
BREAKING: Four-Star OT Daniel Calhoun is down to Schools!
The 6’7 350 OT from Roswell, GA is ranked as a Top 65 Player in the ‘24 Class (No. 3 OT)https://t.co/UscaM08Rgx pic.twitter.com/8SDk79oda3
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 18, 2023
Calhoun has been a long-time target of offensive line coach Justin Frye, as the program offered him 12 months ago, and the early returns are a success. The Roswell native has the Buckeyes in the mixmbut they will have their work cut out for them with Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas also well-positioned for the No. 3 ranked offensive tackle in the cycle.
Ohio State dishes out three new offers
Aside from the good news with Stone and Calhoun, the Buckeyes were also active on the recruiting trail on Tuesday with three new offers going out. It was 2024 four-star defensive end Marquise Lightfoot of Kenwood Academy (IL), 2024 five-star quarterback Julian Sayin (Alabama commit) of Carlsbed (CA), and 2024 four-stat running back Taylor Tatum of Longview (TX) who were the recipients of an Ohio State offer.
Lightfoot and Tatum haven’t began the process of narrowing things down yet, so the Buckeyes might have an opportunity to become players for the two. But Sayin on the other hand is the most interesting offer of the day.
The No. 2 QB in the entire class has been pledged to Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide since November. With Raiola no longer in the picture, Ohio State has a void in their 2024 class that they hope to fill with an elite talent. Can the Buckeyes and specifically Ryan Day really gain any ground on Alabama or is this just a flyer? Surely we will found out sooner rather than later.
Grateful to receive an offer from Ohio State University. pic.twitter.com/Mup4y4TsUm
— Julian Sayin (@juliansayin2) January 18, 2023
- On3 revealed their final 2023 recruiting rankings on Tuesday, and a pair of Buckeyes saw their name among the elite. The recruiting service slotted cornerback Jermaine Mathews of Winton Woods (OH) and wide receiver Noah Rogers of Rolesville (NC) as five-star prospects in their last ranking update for the class.
- Two Ohio State coaches were on the road yesterday, as newly promoted tight ends coach Keenan Bailey was in Georgia and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was spotted at an in-state program. Bailey stopped at Cass (GA), home of three-star wide receiver Sacovie White (Georgia commit) and a 2026 offensive tackle with a handful of power five offers in Bear McWhorter.
- According to Austin Ward of Dotting The Eyes, the Buckeyes added a signal-caller from the transfer portal on Tuesday as former Oregon State QB Tristan Gebbia will head to Columbus. The latest portal addition will round out the depth at the quarterback position behind either Devin Brown or Kyle McCord.
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LGHL Column: Harbaugh’s return is good for the Buckeyes
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Column: Harbaugh’s return is good for the Buckeyes
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
Harbaugh’s tendency to stoke rivalry flames could backfire.
While rumors have been swirling around Jim Harbaugh’s plans for next season (and who would be his replacement if he chose to return to the NFL), he put them to rest Monday when he informed Michigan he would be staying next season — much to the chagrin of many Buckeye fans.
But I’m here to tell you why this move is actually a good thing for Ohio State (because ultimately, I don’t care about That Team Up North’s news unless it is news I can use for my own personal gain).
Let’s start with the obvious. If Harbaugh is staying, we can simply reject the rumor that Urban Meyer was being considered as a potential replacement, an idea floated by former Wolverine wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
Meyer — who was undefeated against Michigan during his seven years at Ohio State — is not particularly known for his loyalty, so this rumor did put the fear of God in my heart. We don’t accept it structurally, and we don’t accept it spiritually, and now, thanks to Harbaugh’s decision, we do not have to accept it at all!
But it runs deeper for me.
Because while I think there are a multitude of reasons that I loathe Jim Harbaugh so much I dream of eating cereal from a bowl of his tears, the fact of the matter is he’s done good things for the Michigan football program.
And the rivalry is, for better or worse, stronger when both teams are good, when there is legitimate competition.
In the years where OSU pretty much knew we were going to roll to victory in The Game with nary a passing glance, it became challenging to fulfill our legal obligation to hate Michigan with every fiber of our being. It’s hard to hate someone you don’t actually care about or have to lose sleep over. I know, I know. This is the part we never want to say out loud. But it’s true. The rivalry is better when both teams are better.
Harbaugh, for all the qualities that get under my skin, respects the rivalry. He talks smack year-round. In fact, he was talking smack all while doing the rebuilding stuff. From Day 1, he entered that Michigan locker room ready to piss off Ohio State, and for many years, he was just blowing smoke.
But now, the Wolverines are good. So good in fact that they’ve made the CFP in back-to-back years and have beat OSU two years in a row — something that hadn’t happened in this century.
Losing to Harbaugh’s Wolverines is painful. Like icepick lobotomy painful. They get cocky and obnoxious. They’re in your face about it. And it’s not helped by the fact that I live with a Wolverine. When he gloats, she gloats, they gloat. But I am a sore loser, so it would be awful regardless.
But the saying “No pain, no gain” exists for a reason. Because Harbaugh’s Wolverines are so obnoxious, I have to believe it lights a fire for the Buckeyes. I trust that next year, we’re going to roll into Ann Arbor out for blood, seeking not just victory but vengeance. And maybe, just maybe, if Harbaugh had chosen to return to the NFL, this same fire wouldn’t be stoked in the same way.
So while I do hope he stubs his toe every morning when he wakes up, I’m glad Jim Harbaugh is staying at Michigan. I look forward to sending him back to the NFL on a season-ending loss rather than back-to-back victories over my Buckeyes.
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JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
Harbaugh’s tendency to stoke rivalry flames could backfire.
While rumors have been swirling around Jim Harbaugh’s plans for next season (and who would be his replacement if he chose to return to the NFL), he put them to rest Monday when he informed Michigan he would be staying next season — much to the chagrin of many Buckeye fans.
But I’m here to tell you why this move is actually a good thing for Ohio State (because ultimately, I don’t care about That Team Up North’s news unless it is news I can use for my own personal gain).
Let’s start with the obvious. If Harbaugh is staying, we can simply reject the rumor that Urban Meyer was being considered as a potential replacement, an idea floated by former Wolverine wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
Meyer — who was undefeated against Michigan during his seven years at Ohio State — is not particularly known for his loyalty, so this rumor did put the fear of God in my heart. We don’t accept it structurally, and we don’t accept it spiritually, and now, thanks to Harbaugh’s decision, we do not have to accept it at all!
But it runs deeper for me.
Because while I think there are a multitude of reasons that I loathe Jim Harbaugh so much I dream of eating cereal from a bowl of his tears, the fact of the matter is he’s done good things for the Michigan football program.
And the rivalry is, for better or worse, stronger when both teams are good, when there is legitimate competition.
In the years where OSU pretty much knew we were going to roll to victory in The Game with nary a passing glance, it became challenging to fulfill our legal obligation to hate Michigan with every fiber of our being. It’s hard to hate someone you don’t actually care about or have to lose sleep over. I know, I know. This is the part we never want to say out loud. But it’s true. The rivalry is better when both teams are better.
Harbaugh, for all the qualities that get under my skin, respects the rivalry. He talks smack year-round. In fact, he was talking smack all while doing the rebuilding stuff. From Day 1, he entered that Michigan locker room ready to piss off Ohio State, and for many years, he was just blowing smoke.
But now, the Wolverines are good. So good in fact that they’ve made the CFP in back-to-back years and have beat OSU two years in a row — something that hadn’t happened in this century.
Losing to Harbaugh’s Wolverines is painful. Like icepick lobotomy painful. They get cocky and obnoxious. They’re in your face about it. And it’s not helped by the fact that I live with a Wolverine. When he gloats, she gloats, they gloat. But I am a sore loser, so it would be awful regardless.
But the saying “No pain, no gain” exists for a reason. Because Harbaugh’s Wolverines are so obnoxious, I have to believe it lights a fire for the Buckeyes. I trust that next year, we’re going to roll into Ann Arbor out for blood, seeking not just victory but vengeance. And maybe, just maybe, if Harbaugh had chosen to return to the NFL, this same fire wouldn’t be stoked in the same way.
So while I do hope he stubs his toe every morning when he wakes up, I’m glad Jim Harbaugh is staying at Michigan. I look forward to sending him back to the NFL on a season-ending loss rather than back-to-back victories over my Buckeyes.
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LGHL Ohio State’s big men open up big lead, help shorthanded wrestling squad take down Rutgers
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Ohio State’s big men open up big lead, help shorthanded wrestling squad take down Rutgers
Josh Dooley 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 / ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Still missing a few pieces, Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes leaned on size and experienced vets to get the win over a top-20 Big Ten opponent.
Ohio State’s Kaleb Romero kicked off Sunday’s Big Ten dual with a bang, as he pinned Rutgers’ Brian Soldano in their opening match at Covelli Center. It was the first of three straight decisive victories by OSU big men, giving the Buckeyes an early mental edge, as well as a massive 14-point lead.
Tom Ryan’s squad would eventually cruise to a 27-12 home victory, despite veteran staples Malik Heinselman (125 pounds), Carson Kharchla (165), and Ethan Smith (174) all missing from the lineup. Overall, Sunday’s result seemed like a nice confidence builder for this very talented team, albeit one which has consistently struggled with inconsistency (in part due to injuries).
Rather than going in weight class order, this dual began with the big fellas. Romero’s pin came against the No. 14 ranked wrestler at 184, and it gave the Buckeye All-American his 11th win of the season by either major decision (MD), tech fall (TF) or pin (fall). The Mechanicsburg, Ohio native has been a dominant force on the mat for Coach Ryan, but perhaps just as important (this season), is the fact that he has remained healthy.
Romero – along with Sammy Sasso at 149 – has given Ohio State a steady veteran presence during the past month or so of uncertainty. His six-point fall gave the Scarlet and Gray an opening lead which was never surrendered.
https://t.co/kkF3giugDg pic.twitter.com/vaQ8RBZy9N
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 15, 2023
The second match of Sunday’s dual was at 197 pounds, and it marked the return of OSU’s Gavin Hoffman. He missed the team’s Big Ten opener at Indiana due to injury, but looked to be fully healthy against Rutgers. Hoffman scored a takedown in each round, en route to a 7-3 decision over the Scarlet Knights’ Billy Janzer. Heavyweights wrestled next, wrapping up a trio of opening matches which featured both squads’ biggest athletes.
Tate Orndorff extended an early lead for the Buckeyes by earning a 15-0 tech fall over John O’Donnell. Ohio State’s biggest big man was up 6-0 after one period, 10-0 after two, and finished the match with an escape and quick takedown in the third. Like Hoffman, and most of his fellow “starters” at this point, Orndorff has also been battling through injury. He appeared fatigued while making his return at Indiana, but bounced back in dominant fashion on Sunday. Hopefully another good sign of things to come.
After a heavier-than-expected appetizer, the rest of this dish (dual) was served (wrestled) in traditional (weight class) order. Competing in place of Heinselman, Andre Gonzales suffered OSU’s first defeat at 125. The redshirt freshman from California dropped a close one to Rutgers’ Dean Peterson, who entered their match No. 13 in the national rankings.
True freshman Jesse Mendez then got his squad back on the board with a low-scoring victory at 133. The crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class scored an early takedown, and never let his opponent go on the offensive. It was not a flashy victory for Mendez, but an impressive one nonetheless.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24364480/Mendez_011523_OSUvRutgers_1335.jpg)
Ohio State athletics / ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Bad luck caught up with the Buckeyes at 141, when Dylan D’Emilio fell to Joseph Olivieri. After appearing to break a tie in the third period, D’Emilio’s takedown was reversed by video replay, sending the match to sudden victory. However, neither wrestler scored during the extra period, and a win was awarded to the Scarlet Knights via tiebreaker.
Somewhat controversial decision aside, neither wrestler did much to earn a victory over the other. D’Emilio will learn from this one and likely come out much more aggressive in his next competition.
Sasso, Paddy Gallagher, and Isaac Wilcox finished the dual for Ohio State, with each winning their respective matches. Sasso scored three takedowns in the first period (at 149), before coasting to an 11-2 MD. Gallagher and Wilcox then battled to a couple of one-point victories at 157 and 165, with the latter continuing to impress in relief duty.
Finally, up 27-6 and seeing no reason to trout out Smith, Ryan and his staff forfeited the 174-pound match. His decision may have even been predetermined, as long as the Buckeyes found themselves comfortably on top. With so many guys having already spent time on the shelf, resting Smith or any other veteran may be something we see in future matches, provided OSU is afforded the opportunity.
Sunday’s runaway victory was a solid result for a team which should be trending upward. Because it seems that after more than month spent dealing with injuries, Ohio State is finally starting to get healthy again — and doing so at the right time. The team will travel to Maryland this Friday, before taking on TTUN (also on the road) on Jan. 27.
It should be an exciting few weeks, as Ryan’s Buckeyes get to see how they stack up in the ultra-competitive Big Ten.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State athletics / ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Still missing a few pieces, Tom Ryan’s Buckeyes leaned on size and experienced vets to get the win over a top-20 Big Ten opponent.
Ohio State’s Kaleb Romero kicked off Sunday’s Big Ten dual with a bang, as he pinned Rutgers’ Brian Soldano in their opening match at Covelli Center. It was the first of three straight decisive victories by OSU big men, giving the Buckeyes an early mental edge, as well as a massive 14-point lead.
Tom Ryan’s squad would eventually cruise to a 27-12 home victory, despite veteran staples Malik Heinselman (125 pounds), Carson Kharchla (165), and Ethan Smith (174) all missing from the lineup. Overall, Sunday’s result seemed like a nice confidence builder for this very talented team, albeit one which has consistently struggled with inconsistency (in part due to injuries).
Rather than going in weight class order, this dual began with the big fellas. Romero’s pin came against the No. 14 ranked wrestler at 184, and it gave the Buckeye All-American his 11th win of the season by either major decision (MD), tech fall (TF) or pin (fall). The Mechanicsburg, Ohio native has been a dominant force on the mat for Coach Ryan, but perhaps just as important (this season), is the fact that he has remained healthy.
Romero – along with Sammy Sasso at 149 – has given Ohio State a steady veteran presence during the past month or so of uncertainty. His six-point fall gave the Scarlet and Gray an opening lead which was never surrendered.
https://t.co/kkF3giugDg pic.twitter.com/vaQ8RBZy9N
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) January 15, 2023
The second match of Sunday’s dual was at 197 pounds, and it marked the return of OSU’s Gavin Hoffman. He missed the team’s Big Ten opener at Indiana due to injury, but looked to be fully healthy against Rutgers. Hoffman scored a takedown in each round, en route to a 7-3 decision over the Scarlet Knights’ Billy Janzer. Heavyweights wrestled next, wrapping up a trio of opening matches which featured both squads’ biggest athletes.
Tate Orndorff extended an early lead for the Buckeyes by earning a 15-0 tech fall over John O’Donnell. Ohio State’s biggest big man was up 6-0 after one period, 10-0 after two, and finished the match with an escape and quick takedown in the third. Like Hoffman, and most of his fellow “starters” at this point, Orndorff has also been battling through injury. He appeared fatigued while making his return at Indiana, but bounced back in dominant fashion on Sunday. Hopefully another good sign of things to come.
After a heavier-than-expected appetizer, the rest of this dish (dual) was served (wrestled) in traditional (weight class) order. Competing in place of Heinselman, Andre Gonzales suffered OSU’s first defeat at 125. The redshirt freshman from California dropped a close one to Rutgers’ Dean Peterson, who entered their match No. 13 in the national rankings.
True freshman Jesse Mendez then got his squad back on the board with a low-scoring victory at 133. The crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class scored an early takedown, and never let his opponent go on the offensive. It was not a flashy victory for Mendez, but an impressive one nonetheless.
Bad luck caught up with the Buckeyes at 141, when Dylan D’Emilio fell to Joseph Olivieri. After appearing to break a tie in the third period, D’Emilio’s takedown was reversed by video replay, sending the match to sudden victory. However, neither wrestler scored during the extra period, and a win was awarded to the Scarlet Knights via tiebreaker.
Somewhat controversial decision aside, neither wrestler did much to earn a victory over the other. D’Emilio will learn from this one and likely come out much more aggressive in his next competition.
Sasso, Paddy Gallagher, and Isaac Wilcox finished the dual for Ohio State, with each winning their respective matches. Sasso scored three takedowns in the first period (at 149), before coasting to an 11-2 MD. Gallagher and Wilcox then battled to a couple of one-point victories at 157 and 165, with the latter continuing to impress in relief duty.
Finally, up 27-6 and seeing no reason to trout out Smith, Ryan and his staff forfeited the 174-pound match. His decision may have even been predetermined, as long as the Buckeyes found themselves comfortably on top. With so many guys having already spent time on the shelf, resting Smith or any other veteran may be something we see in future matches, provided OSU is afforded the opportunity.
Sunday’s runaway victory was a solid result for a team which should be trending upward. Because it seems that after more than month spent dealing with injuries, Ohio State is finally starting to get healthy again — and doing so at the right time. The team will travel to Maryland this Friday, before taking on TTUN (also on the road) on Jan. 27.
It should be an exciting few weeks, as Ryan’s Buckeyes get to see how they stack up in the ultra-competitive Big Ten.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
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You’re Nuts: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
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 Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Over the weekend we saw Nick and Joey Bosa playing in the NFL Playoffs. While Nick’s San Francisco 49ers were able to advance to to the next round with a win over the Seattle Seahawks, Joey’s Los Angeles Chargers blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Over the years there have been plenty of siblings that have come to Ohio State and had memorable athletic careers. Sometimes the siblings are pretty close in age, like Joey and Nick Bosa, or Andre and Kaleb Wesson. Other times there is a little more separation in age. A prime example is J.J. Sullinger, who is 10 years older than his brother Jared Sullinger.
Then there is the Boren family, who had three sons eventually play football for the Buckeyes. It didn’t always look like it would be that way, as Justin started his career at Michigan before transferring home to Columbus. Justin and Zach would play together for a period of time, while Jacoby’s first season at Ohio State was in 2012, which was the final year we’d see Zach in the scarlet and gray.
What we are looking for is your favorite Ohio State sports siblings. Could be brothers or sisters, and doesn’t have to be from just football or basketball. If there are a pair of siblings that are from a sport a little more off the beaten path, we’d love to hear about them and why they are your favorite!
Today’s question: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: Joey and Nick Bosa
I know this is an obvious choice, especially since we referenced the brothers in the intro to this article. The Bosas were just so much fun to watch on the field.
Joey was a force at defensive end early on during Urban Meyer’s tenure in Columbus, and was a key part of the defense that won the first College Football Playoff. Not only was the older Bosa the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, he went on to be the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 after being taken by the Chargers with the fourth pick in the draft.
While Joey left for the NFL following the 2015 season, Nick was just arriving in Columbus, recording five sacks in his freshman season in 2016. Much like how Joey blossomed in his sophomore season, Nick did the same, recording seven sacks and being named Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see a full junior season from Nick, as he was injured in the third game of the season in 2018, and wouldn’t return to the field. The younger Bosa was drafted with the second pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, just like his brother did.
Watching the Bosas was so much fun while they were at Ohio State. The brothers were great defensive linemen, making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks for half a decade. Plus, there was some other fun things from them, like the “Bosa shrug”, and how they were “Big Bear” and “Little Bear”. Since leaving Ohio State there have been some controversies the two have been involved in, but for this I’m just focusing on what they did as Buckeyes.
Meredith’s answer: Kelsey and Chelsea Mitchell
The Bosas are an impressive story not just for their time at Ohio State but also in the NFL, with both of them playing this Wild Card Weekend. But we also have Chelsea and Kelsey Mitchell on the hardwood.
The twins came to Columbus from Princeton High School in Cincinnati, where, together, they won a state title. Kelsey was one of the top recruits in the nation before coming to Ohio State, and her list of high school accolades was lengthy even before earning honors like three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, three-time first team All-American and No. 3 in points all-time in Division I history.
When it comes to professional success, Kelsey eventually was taken with the No. 2-overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, where she’s led her team in scoring for the past four seasons.
While Chelsea didn’t get the same level of attention as her twin, it was exciting to see the sisters playing alongside one another for several seasons (Chelsea tore her ACL her true freshman season and missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season). While players like the Bosas might be with a program at different times, it’s not often that siblings get to play alongside each other.
Continue reading...
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 Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Over the weekend we saw Nick and Joey Bosa playing in the NFL Playoffs. While Nick’s San Francisco 49ers were able to advance to to the next round with a win over the Seattle Seahawks, Joey’s Los Angeles Chargers blew a 27-0 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Over the years there have been plenty of siblings that have come to Ohio State and had memorable athletic careers. Sometimes the siblings are pretty close in age, like Joey and Nick Bosa, or Andre and Kaleb Wesson. Other times there is a little more separation in age. A prime example is J.J. Sullinger, who is 10 years older than his brother Jared Sullinger.
Then there is the Boren family, who had three sons eventually play football for the Buckeyes. It didn’t always look like it would be that way, as Justin started his career at Michigan before transferring home to Columbus. Justin and Zach would play together for a period of time, while Jacoby’s first season at Ohio State was in 2012, which was the final year we’d see Zach in the scarlet and gray.
What we are looking for is your favorite Ohio State sports siblings. Could be brothers or sisters, and doesn’t have to be from just football or basketball. If there are a pair of siblings that are from a sport a little more off the beaten path, we’d love to hear about them and why they are your favorite!
Today’s question: Who are your favorite Ohio State sports siblings?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: Joey and Nick Bosa
I know this is an obvious choice, especially since we referenced the brothers in the intro to this article. The Bosas were just so much fun to watch on the field.
Joey was a force at defensive end early on during Urban Meyer’s tenure in Columbus, and was a key part of the defense that won the first College Football Playoff. Not only was the older Bosa the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, he went on to be the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016 after being taken by the Chargers with the fourth pick in the draft.
While Joey left for the NFL following the 2015 season, Nick was just arriving in Columbus, recording five sacks in his freshman season in 2016. Much like how Joey blossomed in his sophomore season, Nick did the same, recording seven sacks and being named Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017.
Unfortunately we didn’t get to see a full junior season from Nick, as he was injured in the third game of the season in 2018, and wouldn’t return to the field. The younger Bosa was drafted with the second pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers, and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, just like his brother did.
Watching the Bosas was so much fun while they were at Ohio State. The brothers were great defensive linemen, making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks for half a decade. Plus, there was some other fun things from them, like the “Bosa shrug”, and how they were “Big Bear” and “Little Bear”. Since leaving Ohio State there have been some controversies the two have been involved in, but for this I’m just focusing on what they did as Buckeyes.
Meredith’s answer: Kelsey and Chelsea Mitchell
The Bosas are an impressive story not just for their time at Ohio State but also in the NFL, with both of them playing this Wild Card Weekend. But we also have Chelsea and Kelsey Mitchell on the hardwood.
The twins came to Columbus from Princeton High School in Cincinnati, where, together, they won a state title. Kelsey was one of the top recruits in the nation before coming to Ohio State, and her list of high school accolades was lengthy even before earning honors like three-time Big Ten Player of the Year, three-time first team All-American and No. 3 in points all-time in Division I history.
When it comes to professional success, Kelsey eventually was taken with the No. 2-overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever, where she’s led her team in scoring for the past four seasons.
While Chelsea didn’t get the same level of attention as her twin, it was exciting to see the sisters playing alongside one another for several seasons (Chelsea tore her ACL her true freshman season and missed the entirety of the 2014-15 season). While players like the Bosas might be with a program at different times, it’s not often that siblings get to play alongside each other.
Continue reading...
LGHL Remembering five great Buckeye moments in recent years
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Remembering five great Buckeye moments in recent years
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Big man touchdown, anyone?
There are some moments in sports that just can’t be beat. A buzzer-beater to win the game, a lineman scoring a touchdown and a walk-off home run are just a few. Here are some of my favorite big moments from Buckeyes the past few years.
This is one of my favorite events in all of sports. The big man touchdown. Jerron Cage was running for his absolute life on this 57-yard return and it was so much fun to watch. I was actually at the game and it was one of the most electric experiences ever.
Everybody loves a big man TD
Scoop-and-score gives the Bucks six more! pic.twitter.com/nqd6WVAka9
— ESPN (@ESPN) October 31, 2021
2. Sam Hubbard longest fumble return TD in NFL Playoff History
Alright, I know that he is now in the NFL, but obviously he is still a Buckeye. Besides, half of the Bengals went to Ohio State anyways, so they have to be Buckeye Nation’s favorite pro team. This TD sealed the deal in the Bengals’ win over the Ravens on Sunday, and boy was it an exciting finish to the game.
Hubbard was originally committed to Notre Dame for lacrosse, so the man can in fact run, as shown by the 98-yard dash seen here.
Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD
: #BALvsCIN on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/hNJJJGqxGF pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023
3. E.J. Liddell fadeaway jumper to seal the win against No. 1 Duke
This game in general will go down as one of my favorite moments in Buckeye basketball history. My biggest regret is not buying tickets to the game. Ohio State was down, yet never out in this game. Zed Key has a career night, as did Liddell and Cedric Russell.
This shot by Liddell is one of the most clutch of his Buckeye career. It put the Bucks ahead by three to at least guarantee overtime against the Blue Devils. However, they didn’t score any more after this, so the Bucks won and the fans stormed the court.
OHIO STATE (+133 ML) COMES BACK TO BEAT #1 DUKE
pic.twitter.com/vtjemine7A
— Bet The Hoops (@betthehoops) December 1, 2021
4. Tanner Holden buzzer beater against Rutgers
This moment! So fun for the Wright State transfer. Buzzer beaters are another classic sports moment that will always give you chills. You see the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. If you’re on the winning side, like the Buckeyes were, there is no better feeling!
Tanner Holden really just chucked this up from downtown and magically, it went in!
Tanner Holden only made one shot tonight…
IT WAS THIS BUZZER BEATER THREE TO WIN pic.twitter.com/xgsbNNPYaJ
— Drive The Lane (@DriveTheLanePod) December 9, 2022
5. Everything about the Tuimoloau Penn State game
Deflected pass that led to INT, INT, sack, strip sack and pick-six. J.T. Tuimoloau could not be stopped!
J.T. TUIMOLOAU PICK SIX
THIS GUY IS UNREAL @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/sMn0dh5MpJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 29, 2022
Continue reading...
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Big man touchdown, anyone?
There are some moments in sports that just can’t be beat. A buzzer-beater to win the game, a lineman scoring a touchdown and a walk-off home run are just a few. Here are some of my favorite big moments from Buckeyes the past few years.
- Jerron Cage Scoop N’ Score
This is one of my favorite events in all of sports. The big man touchdown. Jerron Cage was running for his absolute life on this 57-yard return and it was so much fun to watch. I was actually at the game and it was one of the most electric experiences ever.
Everybody loves a big man TD
Scoop-and-score gives the Bucks six more! pic.twitter.com/nqd6WVAka9
— ESPN (@ESPN) October 31, 2021
2. Sam Hubbard longest fumble return TD in NFL Playoff History
Alright, I know that he is now in the NFL, but obviously he is still a Buckeye. Besides, half of the Bengals went to Ohio State anyways, so they have to be Buckeye Nation’s favorite pro team. This TD sealed the deal in the Bengals’ win over the Ravens on Sunday, and boy was it an exciting finish to the game.
Hubbard was originally committed to Notre Dame for lacrosse, so the man can in fact run, as shown by the 98-yard dash seen here.
Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD
: #BALvsCIN on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/hNJJJGqxGF pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023
3. E.J. Liddell fadeaway jumper to seal the win against No. 1 Duke
This game in general will go down as one of my favorite moments in Buckeye basketball history. My biggest regret is not buying tickets to the game. Ohio State was down, yet never out in this game. Zed Key has a career night, as did Liddell and Cedric Russell.
This shot by Liddell is one of the most clutch of his Buckeye career. It put the Bucks ahead by three to at least guarantee overtime against the Blue Devils. However, they didn’t score any more after this, so the Bucks won and the fans stormed the court.
OHIO STATE (+133 ML) COMES BACK TO BEAT #1 DUKE
pic.twitter.com/vtjemine7A
— Bet The Hoops (@betthehoops) December 1, 2021
4. Tanner Holden buzzer beater against Rutgers
This moment! So fun for the Wright State transfer. Buzzer beaters are another classic sports moment that will always give you chills. You see the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. If you’re on the winning side, like the Buckeyes were, there is no better feeling!
Tanner Holden really just chucked this up from downtown and magically, it went in!
Tanner Holden only made one shot tonight…
IT WAS THIS BUZZER BEATER THREE TO WIN pic.twitter.com/xgsbNNPYaJ
— Drive The Lane (@DriveTheLanePod) December 9, 2022
5. Everything about the Tuimoloau Penn State game
Deflected pass that led to INT, INT, sack, strip sack and pick-six. J.T. Tuimoloau could not be stopped!
J.T. TUIMOLOAU PICK SIX
THIS GUY IS UNREAL @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/sMn0dh5MpJ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 29, 2022
Continue reading...
LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 17, 2023
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- 0 Replies
Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for January 17, 2023
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
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On the Gridiron
Column: Whatever C.J. Stroud decides today, we should celebrate it as the right decision for him
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
What C.J. Stroud draft decision means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Breaking down impact as Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
How many Ohio State records does C.J. Stroud hold?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Former and Current Buckeyes Congratulate C.J. Stroud as Star Quarterback Declares for 2023 NFL Draft: “Thank You for Everything”
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
C.J. Stroud's @OhioStateFB ranks, in two (!) seasons:
Passing yards: 2nd (8,123)
Passing TD: 2nd (85) pic.twitter.com/LbCmdF98hC
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 16, 2023
C.J. Stroud’s Draft Declaration Sets Stage for Quarterback Battle Between Kyle McCord, Devin Brown
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
C.J. Stroud’s departure means Buckeyes must break in new QB (paywall)
Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch
Big Ten football: Projecting every team’s 2023 starting QB, including Ohio State’s replacement for C.J. Stroud
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
With C.J. Stroud departing, Ohio State has one of the most interesting quarterback competitions in some time
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
C.J. Stroud’s @OhioStateFB offenses were electric.
️ pic.twitter.com/iZd65OXJWU
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 16, 2023
Ohio State football safety Lathan Ransom to return in 2023
Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
OSU winners and losers following NFL draft declaration deadline
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State roster reset: How the scholarship numbers look at each position (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
As someone who has previously worked for Matt Brown AND has worked for the Big Ten, I would 100% be on board for this:
The Big Ten could hire lots of excellent, highly experienced candidates to become the league's next commissioner.
Instead, in my humble opinion, they should hire mehttps://t.co/6oUSBXdQIY
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) January 16, 2023
Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
C.J. Hicks Prioritized Team Over Self as Freshman While Awaiting Opportunity to Play Bigger Role for Ohio State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann talks losing streak, Sensabaugh and more
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
And I would not watch it again:
#Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann, asked if the all-access broadcast made him coach differently and how he'd feel about doing it again: "I would not do it again."
That was the full answer.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 16, 2023
Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land
Here's a quote from #Buckeyes captain Justice Sueing: "The losses, obviously it’s gonna hurt. Nobody in that locker room is a loser."
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 16, 2023
Ohio State looking for answers as losing streak grows
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Notebook: Defensive rebounding issues persisted for Ohio State at Rutgers (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Outside the Shoe and Schott
How five graduate seniors helped transform Ohio State women’s hockey
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Volleyball: No. 14 Buckeyes Earn 3-1 Win at George Mason
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Gymnastics: Ohio State Scores a 196.250 to Win Georgia Quad Meet
Ohio State Athletics
First road win of the year
Buckeyes take first at the Georgia Quad with a final score of 196.250! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/C9TRp9Vshx
— Ohio State WGYM (@OhioStateWGYM) January 16, 2023
Women’s Ice Hockey: Three Buckeyes Win WCHA Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
Softball: 2023 Season Preview By The Numbers
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
What a perfect bit:
Eddie Murphy is the damn GOAT pic.twitter.com/E1B9bakTMp
— Wu-Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) January 11, 2023
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
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Column: Whatever C.J. Stroud decides today, we should celebrate it as the right decision for him
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
What C.J. Stroud draft decision means for Buckeyes (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Breaking down impact as Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
How many Ohio State records does C.J. Stroud hold?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Former and Current Buckeyes Congratulate C.J. Stroud as Star Quarterback Declares for 2023 NFL Draft: “Thank You for Everything”
Chase Brown, Eleven Warriors
C.J. Stroud's @OhioStateFB ranks, in two (!) seasons:
Passing yards: 2nd (8,123)
Passing TD: 2nd (85) pic.twitter.com/LbCmdF98hC
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 16, 2023
C.J. Stroud’s Draft Declaration Sets Stage for Quarterback Battle Between Kyle McCord, Devin Brown
Griffin Strom, Eleven Warriors
C.J. Stroud’s departure means Buckeyes must break in new QB (paywall)
Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch
Big Ten football: Projecting every team’s 2023 starting QB, including Ohio State’s replacement for C.J. Stroud
Brad Crawford, 247Sports
With C.J. Stroud departing, Ohio State has one of the most interesting quarterback competitions in some time
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
C.J. Stroud’s @OhioStateFB offenses were electric.
️ pic.twitter.com/iZd65OXJWU— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) January 16, 2023
Ohio State football safety Lathan Ransom to return in 2023
Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
OSU winners and losers following NFL draft declaration deadline
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State roster reset: How the scholarship numbers look at each position (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
As someone who has previously worked for Matt Brown AND has worked for the Big Ten, I would 100% be on board for this:
The Big Ten could hire lots of excellent, highly experienced candidates to become the league's next commissioner.
Instead, in my humble opinion, they should hire mehttps://t.co/6oUSBXdQIY
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) January 16, 2023
Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
C.J. Hicks Prioritized Team Over Self as Freshman While Awaiting Opportunity to Play Bigger Role for Ohio State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh Dooley and Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann talks losing streak, Sensabaugh and more
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
And I would not watch it again:
#Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann, asked if the all-access broadcast made him coach differently and how he'd feel about doing it again: "I would not do it again."
That was the full answer.
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 16, 2023
Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land
Here's a quote from #Buckeyes captain Justice Sueing: "The losses, obviously it’s gonna hurt. Nobody in that locker room is a loser."
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) January 16, 2023
Ohio State looking for answers as losing streak grows
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Notebook: Defensive rebounding issues persisted for Ohio State at Rutgers (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
Outside the Shoe and Schott
How five graduate seniors helped transform Ohio State women’s hockey
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Volleyball: No. 14 Buckeyes Earn 3-1 Win at George Mason
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Gymnastics: Ohio State Scores a 196.250 to Win Georgia Quad Meet
Ohio State Athletics
First road win of the year
Buckeyes take first at the Georgia Quad with a final score of 196.250! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/C9TRp9Vshx
— Ohio State WGYM (@OhioStateWGYM) January 16, 2023
Women’s Ice Hockey: Three Buckeyes Win WCHA Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
Softball: 2023 Season Preview By The Numbers
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
What a perfect bit:
Eddie Murphy is the damn GOAT pic.twitter.com/E1B9bakTMp
— Wu-Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) January 11, 2023
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State five-star DL target to commit this month
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State five-star DL target to commit this month
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2024 five-star DL Justin Scott via 247Sports
The Buckeyes soon learn if a 2024 five-star defensive line target will be joining the program, and a quick update on tight end recruiting.
With the college football season freshly concluded, Ohio State is now putting all focus on building towards the future, as next year’s season comes with a lot of questions. One week into the offseason, it would be reasonable to think that Ohio State would see a drop in making headlines.
However, Ryan Day and his staff have created an incredible recruiting machine in Columbus, and because of this, the Buckeyes will constantly be included among the college football recruiting headlines. This time, it is regarding the teams chances on landing a 2024 five-star defensive lineman who will be committing later this month.
2024 five-star DL target to commit Jan. 31
Ohio State has made it clear: the defensive tackle position is one of great importance in the 2024 recruiting class. The Buckeyes will bring in six scholarship players at the position next season, including 2023 incoming freshman and Buckeye Legacy Will Smith.
The team will be adding two more when Jason Moore and Kayden McDonald join the program in June, bringing the total to eight. This number is usually on the higher-end of the goal for personnel at the position, but college football has seen a drastic change this year with the evolution of the transfer portal. The portal exploded onto the scene, and has made it incredibly difficult to predict what the roster will look like in the coming years.
This uneasiness is likely why the Buckeyes have made it a focus to recruit the position, despite the depth on the current roster projections. The Buckeyes have already extended double-digit offers at the defensive line position, and one of the higher-regarded targets will soon be announcing his commitment.
2024 five-star DL target Justin Scott (Chicago, IL / St. Ignatius) announced over the weekend that his will be announcing his school of choice on his birthday, Jan. 31.
I will be announcing my commitment on my birthday (January 31st)!
— Justin Scott (@juustinscott) January 14, 2023
Ohio State has been one of the schools recruiting Scott the heaviest. The Buckeyes offered Scott in September. Soon following the scholarship offer, Scott took a gameday visit to Columbus on Oct. 1 for the Rutgers game.
The visit went as well as planned, and when Scott released a recruitment update earlier this month, Ohio State was among his top eight schools.
BREAKING: Elite DL Justin Scott is down to
Schools!
The 6’5 315 DL from Chicago, IL is ranked as the No. 16 Player in the ‘24 Class (No. 2 DL)https://t.co/SQv9sOWrU8 pic.twitter.com/G0py4814gr
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 9, 2023
Outside of his periodic recruitment updates, Scott has kept his recruitment rather close to the vest. Because of this, it is incredible difficult to predict a direction he is leaning. Despite this, Notre Dame seems to have found some late momentum in the recruiting rumor mill. While the Irish are currently viewed as the favorites to land Scott, the confidence behind it is not strong.
Scott is the No. 4 DL recruit in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 18 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 prospect out of Illinois.
Make sure to follow Land-Grant Holy Land as we will keep you updated on Scott’s recruitment and all things Ohio State sports related.
Quick Hits
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2024 five-star DL Justin Scott via 247Sports
The Buckeyes soon learn if a 2024 five-star defensive line target will be joining the program, and a quick update on tight end recruiting.
With the college football season freshly concluded, Ohio State is now putting all focus on building towards the future, as next year’s season comes with a lot of questions. One week into the offseason, it would be reasonable to think that Ohio State would see a drop in making headlines.
However, Ryan Day and his staff have created an incredible recruiting machine in Columbus, and because of this, the Buckeyes will constantly be included among the college football recruiting headlines. This time, it is regarding the teams chances on landing a 2024 five-star defensive lineman who will be committing later this month.
2024 five-star DL target to commit Jan. 31
Ohio State has made it clear: the defensive tackle position is one of great importance in the 2024 recruiting class. The Buckeyes will bring in six scholarship players at the position next season, including 2023 incoming freshman and Buckeye Legacy Will Smith.
The team will be adding two more when Jason Moore and Kayden McDonald join the program in June, bringing the total to eight. This number is usually on the higher-end of the goal for personnel at the position, but college football has seen a drastic change this year with the evolution of the transfer portal. The portal exploded onto the scene, and has made it incredibly difficult to predict what the roster will look like in the coming years.
This uneasiness is likely why the Buckeyes have made it a focus to recruit the position, despite the depth on the current roster projections. The Buckeyes have already extended double-digit offers at the defensive line position, and one of the higher-regarded targets will soon be announcing his commitment.
2024 five-star DL target Justin Scott (Chicago, IL / St. Ignatius) announced over the weekend that his will be announcing his school of choice on his birthday, Jan. 31.
I will be announcing my commitment on my birthday (January 31st)!
— Justin Scott (@juustinscott) January 14, 2023
Ohio State has been one of the schools recruiting Scott the heaviest. The Buckeyes offered Scott in September. Soon following the scholarship offer, Scott took a gameday visit to Columbus on Oct. 1 for the Rutgers game.
The visit went as well as planned, and when Scott released a recruitment update earlier this month, Ohio State was among his top eight schools.
BREAKING: Elite DL Justin Scott is down to
Schools!The 6’5 315 DL from Chicago, IL is ranked as the No. 16 Player in the ‘24 Class (No. 2 DL)https://t.co/SQv9sOWrU8 pic.twitter.com/G0py4814gr
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 9, 2023
Outside of his periodic recruitment updates, Scott has kept his recruitment rather close to the vest. Because of this, it is incredible difficult to predict a direction he is leaning. Despite this, Notre Dame seems to have found some late momentum in the recruiting rumor mill. While the Irish are currently viewed as the favorites to land Scott, the confidence behind it is not strong.
Scott is the No. 4 DL recruit in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 18 overall prospect. He is also the No. 1 prospect out of Illinois.
Make sure to follow Land-Grant Holy Land as we will keep you updated on Scott’s recruitment and all things Ohio State sports related.
Quick Hits
- Over the weekend, Ohio State lost out on one of its top tight end prospects in the 2024 class, when 2024 four-star TE Christian Bentancur committed to Clemson over the Buckeyes and a handful of other programs. This was certainly a miss for the Buckeyes, as they have been in heavy pursuit of Bentancur for a long time. The miss will hurt the Buckeye,s but they are far from without a contingency plan.
- Fellow 2024 four-star TE Michael Smith is set to announce his commitment Jan. 24, and the Buckeyes were recently listed as one of his top schools. Ohio State has competition for Smith, but they also sit in a great spot to land him too. He is the No. 6 TE in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 134 overall prospect. He is also the No. 24 recruit out of Georgia.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Set Number: X164186 TK1
Brian Hartline, Justin Frye and Keenan Bailey will each have more responsibilities in 2023.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh’s Take
Ryan Day handed out two important promotions this past week, one of which made national headlines.
Brian Hartline, former wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, was elevated to offensive coordinator, ending weeks of speculation. Offensive line coach Justin Frye was also given the additional responsibility of run game coordinator, a title last held by running backs coach Tony Alford.
Lots of moving and shaking, and barring any unforeseen changes, Ohio State will begin the 2023 season with most of its offensive staff taking on new or additional responsibilities.
Day also promoted Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach in December, for a total of three significant changes made to his coaching staff since the end of the 2022 regular season. Significance can be debated, seeing as though all moves were promotions from within, but it is clear that Day favors chemistry and relationships over taking big swings. And personally, I am fine with that.
Hartline’s promotion to OC received most of the attention, for good reason. He is a former Buckeye wideout, has grown up (as a coach) on the Ohio State sideline, and is widely regarded as one of the best position coaches and recruiters in college football. There have been rumors of other schools attempting to poach Hartline for what seems like forever, but he has chosen to stay committed to OSU, and now gets rewarded with an opportunity to (potentially?) call plays and take his own coaching career to the next level. Buckeye Nation hopes that he can do for the offense what he has consistently done for its wide receivers.
However, nothing is guaranteed. Hartline’s promotion, while earned, still leaves plenty of questions. Will Ryan Day pass the play-calling sticks? Can Hartline excel if given those responsibilities, even though he has never called plays before? And will the Ohio State offense suffer as a result of this shakeup? All good questions, but hypothetical at best and not likely to be answered any time soon.
Regardless of how the Day-Hartline dynamic ultimately plays out, the former WR coach will have a much larger impact on next year’s offense. But will his promotion be the most impactful in 2023?
I think not, Gene! Because I just do not believe that Day is going to hand over the keys to the offense. At least not yet. I find it more likely that he continues to call plays for at least one more season, while bringing Hartline along slowly. The latter will certainly have a voice, but I do not see him essentially going from 0-to-60 as the maestro of the Buckeyes’ offense.
For that reason, I predict Frye’s promotion to have more of an impact on the 2023 team. Unlike Hartline, OSU’s offensive line coach and new run game coordinator (RGC) has called plays before — under Day’s mentor, as a matter of fact! So although he did not get the big bump to OC, I could actually see Frye being handed complete control of the Buckeyes’ running game. I mean, it is sort of implied in the title, right? And with that control, he could help reinvigorate a facet of Ohio State’s offense which was lacking in big games.
Frye could essentially take half “ownership” of the OSU offense, with Day and Hartline combining to take over the rest. I know it sounds odd, given his (Frye) lesser title, but go with me here... HC and OC – Day and Hartline – would own the passing game and situational play calling, leaving Frye to his own devices with the ground attack... Sort of like “Hey, we are going to call a lot of your plays, make sure they look good and/or gain yards when we do.”
Because Frye does not need to be babysat. He knows a thing or two about orchestrating a potent rushing attack. In 2019, during his first season as OC at UCLA, the Bruins improved their rushing average by 40 yards per game. In both 2020 and 2021, the team finished inside the top-14 nationally (same statistic).
And as if Frye’s recent success were not impressive enough, Day also watched him work wonders as a RGC in the past. Both were on the Boston College staff in 2013, when Frye designed a run game which allowed Andre Williams to go for 2,000 yards and take home the Doak Walker award — the first and only time it has ever been awarded to an ACC running back.
I think – and hope – that Hartline will eventually become a great OC. He has succeeded in football at every level, and this promotion seems like the next step in his coaching evolution. But it is something he has never done before. Whereas Frye is sliding back into a familiar role. A role in which he has previously prospered. And the Buckeyes need him to do so again, if they want to use their stable of RB in the best way possible.
So I like both of these coaching moves, but I predict that one will yield immediate results over the other.
Gene’s Take
Like Josh, I think the promotion of Frye to run game coordinator is very significant. Ryan Day is a genius when it comes to quarterback play and passing the football, but he is lacking when it comes to designing a diverse and effective run game. Some of those flaws have been hidden by the talent at running back that Ohio State has had during Day’s tenure, but lately those shortcomings are becoming more and more apparent, specifically in short-yardage situations against the best teams on the schedule.
As a former Chip Kelly disciple, working with the offensive mastermind at UCLA from 2018 until his hiring at Ohio State in 2022, Frye can bring more in-depth and nuanced conceptions to the Buckeyes’ rushing attack. He has experience working with both gap and zone blocking, and understands the importance of creating numbers advantages for the running backs.
Whether he is able to do that with basically a brand new offensive line in 2023 remains to be seen, but anything more than just inside zone and stretch runs will be a huge upgrade — especially given all that returns to the RB room in Columbus next year.
Simply for argument’s sake, I will take the stance that because of the lack of experience up front on Ohio State’s offensive line, which will lose three of its five starters, Frye might not be able to do everything he wants from a blocking standpoint in his first year in charge of the rushing attack.
Brian Hartline, on the other hand, returns all of his top weapons from the 2022 season, including a guy who should already be playing on Sundays in Marvin Harrison Jr. and a strong supporting cast among the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson. For that reason, I think Hartline’s promotion will be more impactful in 2023.
For starters, nobody understands the strengths of each specific wide receiver more than Brian Hartline. Ohio State has done a much better job recently of playing into those strengths, as I’m still getting flashbacks of them trying to turn 6-foot-4 Binjimen Victor into a bubble screen guy, but they can hone those skillsets even more with Hartline getting more of a say in the play calls.
Ohio State lost a lot of what made their passing attack so lethal this past season when they went away from attacking the middle of the field. Gone were the slants and mesh concepts that helped them to drop 60+ points on some good Michigan teams. The passing attack was still really good, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like they were unnecessarily hamstringing themself at times by not taking some of the easy yardage they could get over the middle and instead opting to throw behind the line or take deep shots that left them behind schedule.
Like Josh said, I doubt Hartline will get to take over full play-calling duties right away in 2023, but I do think his input will be significant. Using guys like Harrison Jr. and Egbuka in specific ways keyed to their strengths will make two stellar wide receivers look even better, and maybe they will find more ways to use a guy like Johnson who excelled for the Buckeyes this year every time his name was called despite getting very limited touches.
Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new offensive line, so getting that passing game going early will be of massive importance. We know it is the defense that needs to take a significant step next season in order for the Buckeyes to really maximize their potential, but the brain trust of Day and Hartline have the possibility to put together a truly lethal offense that could maybe make up for some of the shortcomings on the other side of the football.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Set Number: X164186 TK1
Brian Hartline, Justin Frye and Keenan Bailey will each have more responsibilities in 2023.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Which assistant coach promotion will be more impactful for Ohio State?
Josh’s Take
Ryan Day handed out two important promotions this past week, one of which made national headlines.
Brian Hartline, former wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, was elevated to offensive coordinator, ending weeks of speculation. Offensive line coach Justin Frye was also given the additional responsibility of run game coordinator, a title last held by running backs coach Tony Alford.
Lots of moving and shaking, and barring any unforeseen changes, Ohio State will begin the 2023 season with most of its offensive staff taking on new or additional responsibilities.
Day also promoted Keenan Bailey to tight ends coach in December, for a total of three significant changes made to his coaching staff since the end of the 2022 regular season. Significance can be debated, seeing as though all moves were promotions from within, but it is clear that Day favors chemistry and relationships over taking big swings. And personally, I am fine with that.
Hartline’s promotion to OC received most of the attention, for good reason. He is a former Buckeye wideout, has grown up (as a coach) on the Ohio State sideline, and is widely regarded as one of the best position coaches and recruiters in college football. There have been rumors of other schools attempting to poach Hartline for what seems like forever, but he has chosen to stay committed to OSU, and now gets rewarded with an opportunity to (potentially?) call plays and take his own coaching career to the next level. Buckeye Nation hopes that he can do for the offense what he has consistently done for its wide receivers.
However, nothing is guaranteed. Hartline’s promotion, while earned, still leaves plenty of questions. Will Ryan Day pass the play-calling sticks? Can Hartline excel if given those responsibilities, even though he has never called plays before? And will the Ohio State offense suffer as a result of this shakeup? All good questions, but hypothetical at best and not likely to be answered any time soon.
Regardless of how the Day-Hartline dynamic ultimately plays out, the former WR coach will have a much larger impact on next year’s offense. But will his promotion be the most impactful in 2023?
I think not, Gene! Because I just do not believe that Day is going to hand over the keys to the offense. At least not yet. I find it more likely that he continues to call plays for at least one more season, while bringing Hartline along slowly. The latter will certainly have a voice, but I do not see him essentially going from 0-to-60 as the maestro of the Buckeyes’ offense.
For that reason, I predict Frye’s promotion to have more of an impact on the 2023 team. Unlike Hartline, OSU’s offensive line coach and new run game coordinator (RGC) has called plays before — under Day’s mentor, as a matter of fact! So although he did not get the big bump to OC, I could actually see Frye being handed complete control of the Buckeyes’ running game. I mean, it is sort of implied in the title, right? And with that control, he could help reinvigorate a facet of Ohio State’s offense which was lacking in big games.
Frye could essentially take half “ownership” of the OSU offense, with Day and Hartline combining to take over the rest. I know it sounds odd, given his (Frye) lesser title, but go with me here... HC and OC – Day and Hartline – would own the passing game and situational play calling, leaving Frye to his own devices with the ground attack... Sort of like “Hey, we are going to call a lot of your plays, make sure they look good and/or gain yards when we do.”
Because Frye does not need to be babysat. He knows a thing or two about orchestrating a potent rushing attack. In 2019, during his first season as OC at UCLA, the Bruins improved their rushing average by 40 yards per game. In both 2020 and 2021, the team finished inside the top-14 nationally (same statistic).
And as if Frye’s recent success were not impressive enough, Day also watched him work wonders as a RGC in the past. Both were on the Boston College staff in 2013, when Frye designed a run game which allowed Andre Williams to go for 2,000 yards and take home the Doak Walker award — the first and only time it has ever been awarded to an ACC running back.
I think – and hope – that Hartline will eventually become a great OC. He has succeeded in football at every level, and this promotion seems like the next step in his coaching evolution. But it is something he has never done before. Whereas Frye is sliding back into a familiar role. A role in which he has previously prospered. And the Buckeyes need him to do so again, if they want to use their stable of RB in the best way possible.
So I like both of these coaching moves, but I predict that one will yield immediate results over the other.
Gene’s Take
Like Josh, I think the promotion of Frye to run game coordinator is very significant. Ryan Day is a genius when it comes to quarterback play and passing the football, but he is lacking when it comes to designing a diverse and effective run game. Some of those flaws have been hidden by the talent at running back that Ohio State has had during Day’s tenure, but lately those shortcomings are becoming more and more apparent, specifically in short-yardage situations against the best teams on the schedule.
As a former Chip Kelly disciple, working with the offensive mastermind at UCLA from 2018 until his hiring at Ohio State in 2022, Frye can bring more in-depth and nuanced conceptions to the Buckeyes’ rushing attack. He has experience working with both gap and zone blocking, and understands the importance of creating numbers advantages for the running backs.
Whether he is able to do that with basically a brand new offensive line in 2023 remains to be seen, but anything more than just inside zone and stretch runs will be a huge upgrade — especially given all that returns to the RB room in Columbus next year.
Simply for argument’s sake, I will take the stance that because of the lack of experience up front on Ohio State’s offensive line, which will lose three of its five starters, Frye might not be able to do everything he wants from a blocking standpoint in his first year in charge of the rushing attack.
Brian Hartline, on the other hand, returns all of his top weapons from the 2022 season, including a guy who should already be playing on Sundays in Marvin Harrison Jr. and a strong supporting cast among the likes of Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson. For that reason, I think Hartline’s promotion will be more impactful in 2023.
For starters, nobody understands the strengths of each specific wide receiver more than Brian Hartline. Ohio State has done a much better job recently of playing into those strengths, as I’m still getting flashbacks of them trying to turn 6-foot-4 Binjimen Victor into a bubble screen guy, but they can hone those skillsets even more with Hartline getting more of a say in the play calls.
Ohio State lost a lot of what made their passing attack so lethal this past season when they went away from attacking the middle of the field. Gone were the slants and mesh concepts that helped them to drop 60+ points on some good Michigan teams. The passing attack was still really good, don’t get me wrong, but it felt like they were unnecessarily hamstringing themself at times by not taking some of the easy yardage they could get over the middle and instead opting to throw behind the line or take deep shots that left them behind schedule.
Like Josh said, I doubt Hartline will get to take over full play-calling duties right away in 2023, but I do think his input will be significant. Using guys like Harrison Jr. and Egbuka in specific ways keyed to their strengths will make two stellar wide receivers look even better, and maybe they will find more ways to use a guy like Johnson who excelled for the Buckeyes this year every time his name was called despite getting very limited touches.
Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new offensive line, so getting that passing game going early will be of massive importance. We know it is the defense that needs to take a significant step next season in order for the Buckeyes to really maximize their potential, but the brain trust of Day and Hartline have the possibility to put together a truly lethal offense that could maybe make up for some of the shortcomings on the other side of the football.
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LGHL Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
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Column: After four-game losing streak, Ohio State men’s basketball is looking for its identity
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes are on an 0-4 skid, and the past four performances leave little reason for hope.
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball has struggled of late, with four-straight losses, the latest of which coming Sunday on the road against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in overtime. These recent games have been close, and in a vacuum the results in themselves aren’t cause for concern as college basketball is crazy. But with the four losses happening in a row, with similar issues arising in all four, the questions around the basketball program are becoming louder.
Over the years, Holtmann has garnered a lot of unwarranted negative attention while keeping the program afloat. The Buckeyes have made the tournament every year under Holtmann, and would have qualified in 2020 if the tournament was not cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s an incredible floor for a program to be at, but with zero trips to the second weekend of the tourney, stretches like this will not keep critics quiet. Losing streaks happen in college basketball, but the last four games raise concerns for how this season will go for the Buckeyes.
None of the last four games would have been bad in themselves, but the consecutive nature of them really magnifies the current issues for the Buckeyes. When they play defense, their offense struggles. When they have lineups more proficient at scoring, they give just as many buckets back. That is a not a recipe for success, and creates issues in regards to identity. For Holtmann, the offensive efficiency and timely defense has been the way, but as of late both those areas have failed.
That’s why these last four games represent a watershed for the program as this season continues. Losing a consistent player in Zed Key against Purdue is enough to find the 2-point loss respectable, but the way the game ended with a blown lead loses the luster of a strong performance. Following that up with a flat performance on the road against Maryland where the offense went through long stretches of stagnation, and the defensive lapses by young players started to show cracks.
These losses were only made greater with an incredibly disappointing performance at home against Minnesota — a team 0-4 in conference play at tipoff. Losing that game was inexcusable, and that leads us to Sunday against Rutgers. With the three consecutive losses, Ohio State struggled offensively, shooting 34.3 percent from the floor and once again collapsed late to give a game away.
The root of the problem for the Buckeyes starts with an inconsistent level of play from the more experienced players on the roster. With Zed Key playing limited minutes, Justice Sueing needs to find more ways to score efficiently. Combine that with Isaac Likekele scoring four points in four games and Sean McNeil having hot-and-cold stretches, this is putting an uncomfortable onus on the young players to create offense.
Bruce Thornton has been a solid guard in his first season, expecting him to add anything out of the ordinary to the points category on the box score is not fair. Brice Sensabaugh has shown to be a defensive liability to the point of getting benched in favor of a more defensive lineup against Rutgers. Sensabaugh was also the main reason the Buckeyes were in the game in the end with his offensive capabilities, scoring 17 second half points.
That still was not enough. In Ohio State’s best defensive game of the year, they were outscored 68-64, and the decision to choose defense backfired for Holtmann in the long run.
This just emphasizes the issues of this team. There is a definitive lack of identity in the program at this point, and if that doesn’t change, this season could be another year wasted.
Starting with program expectations, end of season results under Holtmann have not varied. The team has won 20 or 21 games in the last four seasons. As of now the Buckeyes are looking like a team that would be falling short of that of that mark. If Holtmann goes another year with a lottery pick and no success in March, the fans who aren’t already restless will likely be joining the fray.
The expectations of tournament success are sometimes a little overbearing. If the Buckeyes make a run in March, no one will remember this stretch in January, but that’s a question that will be answered down the road. The current results still matter, and if the Buckeyes don’t improve quickly, this can be the start of a downward trajectory.
This season, the Buckeyes were never conference title favorites. Ohio State was projected to finish fifth place in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes right now rank 12th out of 14 teams. There is a long way to go, and there is precedent for improvement with Ohio State having a rough January — in 2019 Ohio State was 2-6 with an eerily similar four game stretch, then turned it around to get back into conference and tournament contention, closing the year on an 8-3 run. Unfortunately, that season was deterred by a global pandemic, and the Buckeyes did not get to see the final results through.
For the identity of this team, the offensive efficiency is still there. Ohio State is fourth in Ken Pomeroy’s Adjusted Offensive efficiency metric, and 104th in Adjusted defensive efficiency. Holtmann’s teams have never been elite on the defensive side of the ball, but that stat is problematic when the offense goes cold. Outside of Sensabaugh, there hasn’t been a player who has found any consistency on the offensive end — and Sensabaugh has been far from an efficient scorer.
Going back to the drawing board, the Buckeyes need to get back to the strengths of this team. Crisp offensive sets, team rebounding, and strong communication on the defensive end. Getting burned on switches and not fighting through ball screens can not be the norm moving forward if the Buckeyes want to right the ship.
Hopefully this game turns into a foundational building block on the defensive end, because they did limit the Scarlet Knights to the second lowest shooting percentage in conference play. If they can finally match the effort on both sides of the ball there is reason to believe the Buckeyes can turn this thing around.
Going from there and looking ahead for the Buckeyes, they return to the floor against Nebraska in Lincoln for what is now a huge road game. If they drop a fifth straight, the defcon level raises inside the program, and the voices wanting change will have another bullet point to their arguments. With a stretch following that includes Illinois, Iowa, a struggling Indiana, a ranked Wisconsin, and a Michigan team who is also looking to right the ship. There is not an easy win in the Big Ten, and that is why the 0-4 stretch is that much more amplified.
For the Buckeyes, the margin of error is gone, and the pressure cooker is ready to pop. Going 0-4 in a stretch where 2-2 probably would have been acceptable goes to show just how fast the fall can occur. Nebraska is 9-9 and 2-5 in conference play, and this is as close to a get-right game as you can get. The Basketball Buckeyes have few opportunities left to get this back on track, if not there will be a lot of questions. And if that stretch turns from 0-4 to 0-5, there is not much anyone can say to change the minds of public opinion.
Finding what this team wants to be will be crucial. Diving in with the young guys can at least raise the excitement levels. Playing a defensive brand is not Holtmann’s identity, but without consistent offense it might need to be the case. Either way, picking one is a start, and building from there is needed.
The talent is there for the Buckeyes, and bringing in the amount of new faces mean there were going to be some growing pains. Unfortunately, the time for growing is done, and results need to matter. For Holtmann and the Buckeyes, it is time to find an identity for the 2022-2023 team.
Ohio State men’s basketball is better than what they have shown, and now it is time for them to show they are still a team to believe in.
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
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes are on an 0-4 skid, and the past four performances leave little reason for hope.
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball has struggled of late, with four-straight losses, the latest of which coming Sunday on the road against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in overtime. These recent games have been close, and in a vacuum the results in themselves aren’t cause for concern as college basketball is crazy. But with the four losses happening in a row, with similar issues arising in all four, the questions around the basketball program are becoming louder.
Over the years, Holtmann has garnered a lot of unwarranted negative attention while keeping the program afloat. The Buckeyes have made the tournament every year under Holtmann, and would have qualified in 2020 if the tournament was not cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s an incredible floor for a program to be at, but with zero trips to the second weekend of the tourney, stretches like this will not keep critics quiet. Losing streaks happen in college basketball, but the last four games raise concerns for how this season will go for the Buckeyes.
None of the last four games would have been bad in themselves, but the consecutive nature of them really magnifies the current issues for the Buckeyes. When they play defense, their offense struggles. When they have lineups more proficient at scoring, they give just as many buckets back. That is a not a recipe for success, and creates issues in regards to identity. For Holtmann, the offensive efficiency and timely defense has been the way, but as of late both those areas have failed.
That’s why these last four games represent a watershed for the program as this season continues. Losing a consistent player in Zed Key against Purdue is enough to find the 2-point loss respectable, but the way the game ended with a blown lead loses the luster of a strong performance. Following that up with a flat performance on the road against Maryland where the offense went through long stretches of stagnation, and the defensive lapses by young players started to show cracks.
These losses were only made greater with an incredibly disappointing performance at home against Minnesota — a team 0-4 in conference play at tipoff. Losing that game was inexcusable, and that leads us to Sunday against Rutgers. With the three consecutive losses, Ohio State struggled offensively, shooting 34.3 percent from the floor and once again collapsed late to give a game away.
The root of the problem for the Buckeyes starts with an inconsistent level of play from the more experienced players on the roster. With Zed Key playing limited minutes, Justice Sueing needs to find more ways to score efficiently. Combine that with Isaac Likekele scoring four points in four games and Sean McNeil having hot-and-cold stretches, this is putting an uncomfortable onus on the young players to create offense.
Bruce Thornton has been a solid guard in his first season, expecting him to add anything out of the ordinary to the points category on the box score is not fair. Brice Sensabaugh has shown to be a defensive liability to the point of getting benched in favor of a more defensive lineup against Rutgers. Sensabaugh was also the main reason the Buckeyes were in the game in the end with his offensive capabilities, scoring 17 second half points.
That still was not enough. In Ohio State’s best defensive game of the year, they were outscored 68-64, and the decision to choose defense backfired for Holtmann in the long run.
This just emphasizes the issues of this team. There is a definitive lack of identity in the program at this point, and if that doesn’t change, this season could be another year wasted.
Starting with program expectations, end of season results under Holtmann have not varied. The team has won 20 or 21 games in the last four seasons. As of now the Buckeyes are looking like a team that would be falling short of that of that mark. If Holtmann goes another year with a lottery pick and no success in March, the fans who aren’t already restless will likely be joining the fray.
The expectations of tournament success are sometimes a little overbearing. If the Buckeyes make a run in March, no one will remember this stretch in January, but that’s a question that will be answered down the road. The current results still matter, and if the Buckeyes don’t improve quickly, this can be the start of a downward trajectory.
This season, the Buckeyes were never conference title favorites. Ohio State was projected to finish fifth place in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes right now rank 12th out of 14 teams. There is a long way to go, and there is precedent for improvement with Ohio State having a rough January — in 2019 Ohio State was 2-6 with an eerily similar four game stretch, then turned it around to get back into conference and tournament contention, closing the year on an 8-3 run. Unfortunately, that season was deterred by a global pandemic, and the Buckeyes did not get to see the final results through.
For the identity of this team, the offensive efficiency is still there. Ohio State is fourth in Ken Pomeroy’s Adjusted Offensive efficiency metric, and 104th in Adjusted defensive efficiency. Holtmann’s teams have never been elite on the defensive side of the ball, but that stat is problematic when the offense goes cold. Outside of Sensabaugh, there hasn’t been a player who has found any consistency on the offensive end — and Sensabaugh has been far from an efficient scorer.
Going back to the drawing board, the Buckeyes need to get back to the strengths of this team. Crisp offensive sets, team rebounding, and strong communication on the defensive end. Getting burned on switches and not fighting through ball screens can not be the norm moving forward if the Buckeyes want to right the ship.
Hopefully this game turns into a foundational building block on the defensive end, because they did limit the Scarlet Knights to the second lowest shooting percentage in conference play. If they can finally match the effort on both sides of the ball there is reason to believe the Buckeyes can turn this thing around.
Going from there and looking ahead for the Buckeyes, they return to the floor against Nebraska in Lincoln for what is now a huge road game. If they drop a fifth straight, the defcon level raises inside the program, and the voices wanting change will have another bullet point to their arguments. With a stretch following that includes Illinois, Iowa, a struggling Indiana, a ranked Wisconsin, and a Michigan team who is also looking to right the ship. There is not an easy win in the Big Ten, and that is why the 0-4 stretch is that much more amplified.
For the Buckeyes, the margin of error is gone, and the pressure cooker is ready to pop. Going 0-4 in a stretch where 2-2 probably would have been acceptable goes to show just how fast the fall can occur. Nebraska is 9-9 and 2-5 in conference play, and this is as close to a get-right game as you can get. The Basketball Buckeyes have few opportunities left to get this back on track, if not there will be a lot of questions. And if that stretch turns from 0-4 to 0-5, there is not much anyone can say to change the minds of public opinion.
Finding what this team wants to be will be crucial. Diving in with the young guys can at least raise the excitement levels. Playing a defensive brand is not Holtmann’s identity, but without consistent offense it might need to be the case. Either way, picking one is a start, and building from there is needed.
The talent is there for the Buckeyes, and bringing in the amount of new faces mean there were going to be some growing pains. Unfortunately, the time for growing is done, and results need to matter. For Holtmann and the Buckeyes, it is time to find an identity for the 2022-2023 team.
Ohio State men’s basketball is better than what they have shown, and now it is time for them to show they are still a team to believe in.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
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Ohio State women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in latest AP Poll
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes match their program high ranking with Stanford loss
Monday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team reached another milestone. After already eclipsing their best start in history, they’ve now met their all-time high in the AP Poll, earning the No. 2 ranking in the country.
That new ranking comes a day after previous No. 2 Stanford University lost to unranked University of Southern California. The Trojans beat Stanford 55-46, for their first win over a team ranked No. 2 or higher since 2008.
It was Stanford’s second loss this season after falling to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks in overtime on Nov. 20, 2022. The first loss was understandable, considering the power of the Gamecocks, but the Sunday loss gave the Buckeyes an opening.
Stanford isn’t the only reason for the ranking. The Scarlet & Gray had their part to play in too.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s side is one of three remaining undefeated teams in the country, alongside South Carolina and the LSU Tigers. Ohio State’s done it with four ranked wins and a fifth win that was close to a ranked victory.
The Buckeyes began the year beating then the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers and followed it up with convincing wins against the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, No. 16 Oregon Ducks, No. 14 Michigan Wolverines and a record 17-point second half comeback against the Illinois Fighting Illini a day before they entered the rankings.
Since beating the Illini, the Buckeyes had a bye week but came back to conference play beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Nebraska. While Nebraska isn’t ranked, they began the year No. 22, beat a ranked Maryland Terrapins to start Big Ten play and feature a team that could go to their second-straight NCAA Tournament.
Monday’s No. 2 ranking matches the highest spot for the Buckeyes women’s basketball team in their program. On March 13, 2006, Ohio State ended the season in that spot following the NCAA Tournament where the Buckeyes entered as a No. 1 regional seed but lost in the second round to No. 8 Boston College.
This season, the Buckeyes are breaking team records with a blistering full court press and a diverse group of scorers on the offensive side of the ball. The Scarlet & Gray is also doing it without their two starting point guards, making the accomplishment even more special.
Guards Jacy Sheldon (who tied the program record for steals in a game with 11 this season) and Madison Greene each missed substantial time and missed games against ranked opponents.
Sheldon’s foot injury has her week-to-week but Greene’s knee injury has her out for the rest of the season. That means Ohio State’s found ways to win with depth and a veteran team, led by guards Taylor Mikesell, Rikki Harris and forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. Sprinkled into the mix are dynamic underclassmen like forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon.
Ohio State’a new ranking puts a larger target on their backs at a turning point in the conference season. After Thursday’s home game against Northwestern, they welcome a ranked Iowa Hawkeyes and travel to a top-10 Indiana Hoosiers team three days later.
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
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes match their program high ranking with Stanford loss
Monday, the Ohio State women’s basketball team reached another milestone. After already eclipsing their best start in history, they’ve now met their all-time high in the AP Poll, earning the No. 2 ranking in the country.
That new ranking comes a day after previous No. 2 Stanford University lost to unranked University of Southern California. The Trojans beat Stanford 55-46, for their first win over a team ranked No. 2 or higher since 2008.
It was Stanford’s second loss this season after falling to the No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks in overtime on Nov. 20, 2022. The first loss was understandable, considering the power of the Gamecocks, but the Sunday loss gave the Buckeyes an opening.
Stanford isn’t the only reason for the ranking. The Scarlet & Gray had their part to play in too.
Head coach Kevin McGuff’s side is one of three remaining undefeated teams in the country, alongside South Carolina and the LSU Tigers. Ohio State’s done it with four ranked wins and a fifth win that was close to a ranked victory.
The Buckeyes began the year beating then the No. 5 Tennessee Volunteers and followed it up with convincing wins against the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals, No. 16 Oregon Ducks, No. 14 Michigan Wolverines and a record 17-point second half comeback against the Illinois Fighting Illini a day before they entered the rankings.
Since beating the Illini, the Buckeyes had a bye week but came back to conference play beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Nebraska. While Nebraska isn’t ranked, they began the year No. 22, beat a ranked Maryland Terrapins to start Big Ten play and feature a team that could go to their second-straight NCAA Tournament.
Monday’s No. 2 ranking matches the highest spot for the Buckeyes women’s basketball team in their program. On March 13, 2006, Ohio State ended the season in that spot following the NCAA Tournament where the Buckeyes entered as a No. 1 regional seed but lost in the second round to No. 8 Boston College.
This season, the Buckeyes are breaking team records with a blistering full court press and a diverse group of scorers on the offensive side of the ball. The Scarlet & Gray is also doing it without their two starting point guards, making the accomplishment even more special.
Guards Jacy Sheldon (who tied the program record for steals in a game with 11 this season) and Madison Greene each missed substantial time and missed games against ranked opponents.
Sheldon’s foot injury has her week-to-week but Greene’s knee injury has her out for the rest of the season. That means Ohio State’s found ways to win with depth and a veteran team, led by guards Taylor Mikesell, Rikki Harris and forward Rebeka Mikulášiková. Sprinkled into the mix are dynamic underclassmen like forwards Taylor Thierry and Cotie McMahon.
Ohio State’a new ranking puts a larger target on their backs at a turning point in the conference season. After Thursday’s home game against Northwestern, they welcome a ranked Iowa Hawkeyes and travel to a top-10 Indiana Hoosiers team three days later.
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LGHL Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
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Savor the rarity of Ohio State’s incredible run of receiver play
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This isn’t normal. We only think it is. | Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
Ohio State’s receivers room cup runneth over in recent years. Don’t take it for granted.
It’s difficult for a lot of us to live in the moment and appreciate the good things in life when what triggers us most are the things we don’t have. The pursuit of the better job, the bigger house, and the nicer car is something that can get in the way of the enjoyment of the ones we have.
It doesn’t just happen with our personal lives, though. We also bring that to our methods of escapism, especially when it comes to watching sports.
I grew up in an era when Ohio State typically won nine football games and lost three in any given season. Back then, the gold standard in the Big Ten was reaching (and winning) the Rose Bowl. It wasn’t an easy task, and I’ve seen OSU coaches survive worse seasons than 9-3 and get rewarded for doing better. Times have changed.
The Buckeyes are coming off a season in which they went 11-2 and came within a missed field goal of playing in the national championship game. That’s the kind of season that used to lead to contract extensions and significant raises in Columbus. Now, it makes a portion of the fan base scream on social media for coaches to be fired and players to get benched.
That’s fine, because high expectations mean that the program is operating at a level of high success, and fans’ minimum demands (the ‘floor’) have risen. But it also might mean people aren’t allowing themselves to be happy.
I didn’t set out to write about the team’s record, however. I came to point out that some things have to be enjoyed while they’re present because history shows that nothing lasts forever. This includes the ridiculous golden age we are currently living in when it comes to the success of Ohio State wide receivers.
It’s not difficult to point to the cornerbacks or the linebackers to see that a position group goes through good and not-so-good periods in terms of performance. Both of those position groups have been the strengths of the program for many years, but haven’t been at quite that level recently — although it was a nice upswing for the linebackers this year.
The wide receivers room is riding the crest of the wave right now, but a trough at some point is as inevitable as the tide itself.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Ebuka both eclipsed 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Those two both cracked the top five in OSU history in receptions in a season, slotting into the fourth and (tied for) fifth spots all-time and that’s also where they rank all-time for receiving yards in a season after 2022.
The only player in the top five in receptions who played prior to 2018 — just four short years ago! — is David Boston, who caught 85 passes in 1998. Boston and Terry Glenn (1,411 in 1995) are the only receivers in the top five in single-season yards prior to 2021.
There’s more passing in today’s game, certainly, but to have so many of the school’s historic leaders in such a short period of time is nothing short of amazing. These guys are doing things that simply haven’t been done.
Last year was perhaps even more ludicrous. Jaxon Smith-Njigba set the school’s all-time records for catches (95) and yards (1,606) in a season. In more than 100 years of Buckeye football, no receiver has done better than JSN did in 2021. But teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave also had seasons that year that would have been elite prior to just a few years ago.
Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and Olave hauled in 65 for 936 yards. At the time, both Wilson and Olave were in the top 15 in single-season receiving yards in Ohio State history. Smith-Njigba’s total for 2021 alone placed him 23rd on the OSU career receiving yards list.
JSN was supposed to be the Buckeyes’ primary weapon in the receiving corps in 2022, but injuries prevented that. It hardly slowed Ohio State’s passing attack down not to have him, and that’s despite the loss of both Olave and Wilson to the NFL — where they became the first collegiate teammates to both eclipse 1,000 yards as a rookie. Wilson caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards for the New York Jets, while Chris Olave snagged 72 balls in New Orleans for 1,042 yards.
Taking Olave, Wilson, Harrison, and Egbuka into account, that’s 306 combined catches for this year’s and last year’s Ohio State starting wide receivers, for a total of 4,559 yards in a single football season. If that’s not something that should be savored, I don’t know what is.
Harrison’s 14 receiving touchdowns also tied Boston’s 1997 output as the second-most in one college football year by a Buckeye. Glenn had 17 in 1995, making him the only player with more touchdown receptions in a season. It was a quarter of a century between Boston’s 14 touchdowns and Harrison’s. Most of the student body had never seen anyone catch 14 tuddies (shout out to my returning students!).
It boggles the mind to think that four of the best receiving seasons happened in the last two seasons by four different players. And now two of them are doing the same kinds of things in the professional ranks.
Ohio State will most likely have a potent passing attack next year and the year after that. The program has become a favorite landing spot for the country’s best prep receivers and quarterbacks under Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartline.
But fans should savor the school’s passing pipeline while it exists. It will take a downturn at some point because what goes up, must come down. What we’ve been seeing isn’t normal, so let’s appreciate it — even if we greedily demand more at the same time.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This isn’t normal. We only think it is. | Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
Ohio State’s receivers room cup runneth over in recent years. Don’t take it for granted.
It’s difficult for a lot of us to live in the moment and appreciate the good things in life when what triggers us most are the things we don’t have. The pursuit of the better job, the bigger house, and the nicer car is something that can get in the way of the enjoyment of the ones we have.
It doesn’t just happen with our personal lives, though. We also bring that to our methods of escapism, especially when it comes to watching sports.
I grew up in an era when Ohio State typically won nine football games and lost three in any given season. Back then, the gold standard in the Big Ten was reaching (and winning) the Rose Bowl. It wasn’t an easy task, and I’ve seen OSU coaches survive worse seasons than 9-3 and get rewarded for doing better. Times have changed.
The Buckeyes are coming off a season in which they went 11-2 and came within a missed field goal of playing in the national championship game. That’s the kind of season that used to lead to contract extensions and significant raises in Columbus. Now, it makes a portion of the fan base scream on social media for coaches to be fired and players to get benched.
That’s fine, because high expectations mean that the program is operating at a level of high success, and fans’ minimum demands (the ‘floor’) have risen. But it also might mean people aren’t allowing themselves to be happy.
I didn’t set out to write about the team’s record, however. I came to point out that some things have to be enjoyed while they’re present because history shows that nothing lasts forever. This includes the ridiculous golden age we are currently living in when it comes to the success of Ohio State wide receivers.
It’s not difficult to point to the cornerbacks or the linebackers to see that a position group goes through good and not-so-good periods in terms of performance. Both of those position groups have been the strengths of the program for many years, but haven’t been at quite that level recently — although it was a nice upswing for the linebackers this year.
The wide receivers room is riding the crest of the wave right now, but a trough at some point is as inevitable as the tide itself.
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Ebuka both eclipsed 70 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. Those two both cracked the top five in OSU history in receptions in a season, slotting into the fourth and (tied for) fifth spots all-time and that’s also where they rank all-time for receiving yards in a season after 2022.
The only player in the top five in receptions who played prior to 2018 — just four short years ago! — is David Boston, who caught 85 passes in 1998. Boston and Terry Glenn (1,411 in 1995) are the only receivers in the top five in single-season yards prior to 2021.
There’s more passing in today’s game, certainly, but to have so many of the school’s historic leaders in such a short period of time is nothing short of amazing. These guys are doing things that simply haven’t been done.
Last year was perhaps even more ludicrous. Jaxon Smith-Njigba set the school’s all-time records for catches (95) and yards (1,606) in a season. In more than 100 years of Buckeye football, no receiver has done better than JSN did in 2021. But teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave also had seasons that year that would have been elite prior to just a few years ago.
Wilson caught 70 passes for 1,058 yards and Olave hauled in 65 for 936 yards. At the time, both Wilson and Olave were in the top 15 in single-season receiving yards in Ohio State history. Smith-Njigba’s total for 2021 alone placed him 23rd on the OSU career receiving yards list.
JSN was supposed to be the Buckeyes’ primary weapon in the receiving corps in 2022, but injuries prevented that. It hardly slowed Ohio State’s passing attack down not to have him, and that’s despite the loss of both Olave and Wilson to the NFL — where they became the first collegiate teammates to both eclipse 1,000 yards as a rookie. Wilson caught 83 passes for 1,103 yards for the New York Jets, while Chris Olave snagged 72 balls in New Orleans for 1,042 yards.
Taking Olave, Wilson, Harrison, and Egbuka into account, that’s 306 combined catches for this year’s and last year’s Ohio State starting wide receivers, for a total of 4,559 yards in a single football season. If that’s not something that should be savored, I don’t know what is.
Harrison’s 14 receiving touchdowns also tied Boston’s 1997 output as the second-most in one college football year by a Buckeye. Glenn had 17 in 1995, making him the only player with more touchdown receptions in a season. It was a quarter of a century between Boston’s 14 touchdowns and Harrison’s. Most of the student body had never seen anyone catch 14 tuddies (shout out to my returning students!).
It boggles the mind to think that four of the best receiving seasons happened in the last two seasons by four different players. And now two of them are doing the same kinds of things in the professional ranks.
Ohio State will most likely have a potent passing attack next year and the year after that. The program has become a favorite landing spot for the country’s best prep receivers and quarterbacks under Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartline.
But fans should savor the school’s passing pipeline while it exists. It will take a downturn at some point because what goes up, must come down. What we’ve been seeing isn’t normal, so let’s appreciate it — even if we greedily demand more at the same time.
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