-
New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.
Favorite TV Theme Songs
- By ScriptOhio
- Open Discussion (Work-safe)
- 91 Replies
Upvote
0
Upvote
0
MotS&G Recruiting Targets: Hits & Misses
- News
- 0 Replies
Recruiting Targets: Hits & Misses
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
In our second installment of the hits & misses content, we will be looking into the class of 2018. Last weeks piece focused on the 2019 class and we will be working our way as far back as we can, but this week is 2018’s weeks to shine.
The recruiting game is great when the dominoes keep falling in place and the recruits commit and stick throughout. It is a terrible thing when coaches leave and there are questions that leave uncertainty, and they all of a sudden look around and ultimately leave for reasons.
The 2018 class was great and it was the last class prior to Coach Meyer’s retirement and this class finished second only to Georgia, but his class could’ve been better if it weren’t for departures from formerly committed players who found opportunities elsewhere.
Chris Olave visiting. Credit: Twitter.
Hit: Chris Olave, WR
When you think of Chris Olave, you think of all the impact plays he has made since he has step foot on campus. From slaying the Wolverines or just making a key play on a tremendous route or blocking a kick, he has made an impact in both years in Columbus. He is one of the biggest gets in recruiting and he was discovered accidentally while scouting JT Daniels in California. While catching passes from his quarterback, Olave was highly underrated and he was recruited lightly, but those who take the time to scout will often find a gem like Olave. That is exactly what the Buckeyes found and he is tearing it up.
Jeremy Ruckert at The Opening. Credit: 24/7 Sports.
Hit: Jeremy Ruckert, TE
Speaking of playmakers, Jeremy Ruckert showed his playmaking skills last week during the Big Ten Championship Game to bring the Buckeyes back from the dead, to secure their third consecutive conference crown after going down 21-7 at the half. On their first score during the second half, Ruckert made a one-handed snag that looked like a Jordan logo that brought the team back to life, that ultimately brought the juice back to the team and it started the run to the finish. This score gave the team the shot in the arm to go on a 28-0 run to close the game out, to win the conference championship for the third straight year.
Master Teague III. Credit: tennesean.com.
Hit: Master Teague III, RB
Who would’ve thought Master Teague would make an impact as a backup to JK Dobbins!? Although he didn’t get a snap in the Conference Championship game, he still has more yards that some starts at the position, as a backup. He has 128 carries and 780 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry, but imagine if he was the starter? I think he would easily have Dobbins-like numbers, but he has a beast in front of him. If there is a chance where Dobbins stays another year, similar to Chase Young, we will all be excited to see him try to overtake Archie Griffin in the record books, but it is more doubtful than Young’s situation.
Anyway, if he leaves Teague is the next man up with a stable of young, but capable backs in the Cadillac position. He runs with a purpose and he runs through would-be tacklers. He has that burst and the vision and the future is bright with Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers in the mix too. They have Miyan Williams, a former Iowa State recruit in the fold too and the future is bright with Teague being the leader of next years squad. There are other potential backs in the mix, but if they don’t grab another one, it should be fine. The 2021 class will likely grab two backs to make it up.
Jackson Carman. Credit: Hudl.com.
Miss: Jackson Carman, OT
Jackson Carman was once a heavy, heavy Buckeye lean and he grew up in their back yard in Fairfield, Ohio. He was heavily recruited by Meyer and his staff, but the questions about Coach Meyer’s future was the final nail in the coffin before he ultimately made the choice to spurn the Buckeyes for their CFB Playoff opponent, The Clemson Tigers. He has been inconsistent all year, but his team has dominated 90% of their games this season. If the Buckeyes hadn’t had questions about Coach Meyer’s future, which was the final nail that Dabo had used to steal him away, he would’ve been in the class instead of Nicholas Petit-Frere, but it is what it is.
Substitions: Nicholas Petit-Frere and Max Wray
Aside from losing the top prospect in the state of Ohio, they made waves after they snagged the best Offensive Tackle in Florida in Petit-Frere and they also kept Max Wray in the fold for some needed depth. Petit-Frere has been inconsistent and he was a starter at Right Tackle after Brandon Bowen went down with that gruesome leg injury. Fast forward into the 2019 season, he hasn’t played as much, but he is a solid depth piece and he saw some meaningful snap after Davis was injured and Bowen slid into the Right Guard spot and Petit-Frere played in Bowen’s spot. Petit-Frere will be looked at after Bowen departs this season and they just need more depth to add for the time being.
Micah Parsons. Credit: Inquirer.com.
Miss: Micah Parsons, WDE
In another bizarre situation, the Buckeyes lost out on another Weakside Defensive End/Hybrid Linebacker recruit due to unfortunate circumstances. Parsons was so close to being a Buckeye but an impromptu interaction with the College Gameday crew left many questions and the Buckeyes eventually cut ties with him afterwards to prevent the NCAA from taking action and leveling punishment against them for the interactions between Buckeye Alumni and a highly rated recruit. (Sigh). What could’ve been.
Parsons is a terror on the edge and he has helped Penn State’s defense with his skills and his leadership on the field. In two seasons, he has 177 tackles, 92 of which are solo tackles. He has 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, with one recovered. He has been on a tear and minus the fact that he is thriving, he has done well for himself and he could’ve been ours.
Substitutions: Tyreke Smith and Alex Williams
Although it was a miss, the Smith and Williams have flashed but not to the extent as Parsons, but they are on their way. Smith filled in admirably for the suspended Young and he flashed his potential during cleanup time when games are put away. Smith has 9 tackles and 3 sacks, while Williams has 8 tackles. They aren’t producing but they are going to be cog’s on the defense in the future. There were clips of Chase Young potentially coming back for a senior season, but we will see what the future holds. Regardless, if he does come back, that frees up a rusher opposite of Young. That would be cool, but we will see if he would turn down a Top 5 pick NFL salary. I am skeptical, but who wouldn’t want that to happen?
Continue reading...
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
In our second installment of the hits & misses content, we will be looking into the class of 2018. Last weeks piece focused on the 2019 class and we will be working our way as far back as we can, but this week is 2018’s weeks to shine.
The recruiting game is great when the dominoes keep falling in place and the recruits commit and stick throughout. It is a terrible thing when coaches leave and there are questions that leave uncertainty, and they all of a sudden look around and ultimately leave for reasons.
The 2018 class was great and it was the last class prior to Coach Meyer’s retirement and this class finished second only to Georgia, but his class could’ve been better if it weren’t for departures from formerly committed players who found opportunities elsewhere.
Chris Olave visiting. Credit: Twitter.
Hit: Chris Olave, WR
When you think of Chris Olave, you think of all the impact plays he has made since he has step foot on campus. From slaying the Wolverines or just making a key play on a tremendous route or blocking a kick, he has made an impact in both years in Columbus. He is one of the biggest gets in recruiting and he was discovered accidentally while scouting JT Daniels in California. While catching passes from his quarterback, Olave was highly underrated and he was recruited lightly, but those who take the time to scout will often find a gem like Olave. That is exactly what the Buckeyes found and he is tearing it up.
Jeremy Ruckert at The Opening. Credit: 24/7 Sports.
Hit: Jeremy Ruckert, TE
Speaking of playmakers, Jeremy Ruckert showed his playmaking skills last week during the Big Ten Championship Game to bring the Buckeyes back from the dead, to secure their third consecutive conference crown after going down 21-7 at the half. On their first score during the second half, Ruckert made a one-handed snag that looked like a Jordan logo that brought the team back to life, that ultimately brought the juice back to the team and it started the run to the finish. This score gave the team the shot in the arm to go on a 28-0 run to close the game out, to win the conference championship for the third straight year.
Master Teague III. Credit: tennesean.com.
Hit: Master Teague III, RB
Who would’ve thought Master Teague would make an impact as a backup to JK Dobbins!? Although he didn’t get a snap in the Conference Championship game, he still has more yards that some starts at the position, as a backup. He has 128 carries and 780 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is averaging 6.1 yards per carry, but imagine if he was the starter? I think he would easily have Dobbins-like numbers, but he has a beast in front of him. If there is a chance where Dobbins stays another year, similar to Chase Young, we will all be excited to see him try to overtake Archie Griffin in the record books, but it is more doubtful than Young’s situation.
Anyway, if he leaves Teague is the next man up with a stable of young, but capable backs in the Cadillac position. He runs with a purpose and he runs through would-be tacklers. He has that burst and the vision and the future is bright with Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers in the mix too. They have Miyan Williams, a former Iowa State recruit in the fold too and the future is bright with Teague being the leader of next years squad. There are other potential backs in the mix, but if they don’t grab another one, it should be fine. The 2021 class will likely grab two backs to make it up.
Jackson Carman. Credit: Hudl.com.
Miss: Jackson Carman, OT
Jackson Carman was once a heavy, heavy Buckeye lean and he grew up in their back yard in Fairfield, Ohio. He was heavily recruited by Meyer and his staff, but the questions about Coach Meyer’s future was the final nail in the coffin before he ultimately made the choice to spurn the Buckeyes for their CFB Playoff opponent, The Clemson Tigers. He has been inconsistent all year, but his team has dominated 90% of their games this season. If the Buckeyes hadn’t had questions about Coach Meyer’s future, which was the final nail that Dabo had used to steal him away, he would’ve been in the class instead of Nicholas Petit-Frere, but it is what it is.
Substitions: Nicholas Petit-Frere and Max Wray
Aside from losing the top prospect in the state of Ohio, they made waves after they snagged the best Offensive Tackle in Florida in Petit-Frere and they also kept Max Wray in the fold for some needed depth. Petit-Frere has been inconsistent and he was a starter at Right Tackle after Brandon Bowen went down with that gruesome leg injury. Fast forward into the 2019 season, he hasn’t played as much, but he is a solid depth piece and he saw some meaningful snap after Davis was injured and Bowen slid into the Right Guard spot and Petit-Frere played in Bowen’s spot. Petit-Frere will be looked at after Bowen departs this season and they just need more depth to add for the time being.
Micah Parsons. Credit: Inquirer.com.
Miss: Micah Parsons, WDE
In another bizarre situation, the Buckeyes lost out on another Weakside Defensive End/Hybrid Linebacker recruit due to unfortunate circumstances. Parsons was so close to being a Buckeye but an impromptu interaction with the College Gameday crew left many questions and the Buckeyes eventually cut ties with him afterwards to prevent the NCAA from taking action and leveling punishment against them for the interactions between Buckeye Alumni and a highly rated recruit. (Sigh). What could’ve been.
Parsons is a terror on the edge and he has helped Penn State’s defense with his skills and his leadership on the field. In two seasons, he has 177 tackles, 92 of which are solo tackles. He has 4.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, with one recovered. He has been on a tear and minus the fact that he is thriving, he has done well for himself and he could’ve been ours.
Substitutions: Tyreke Smith and Alex Williams
Although it was a miss, the Smith and Williams have flashed but not to the extent as Parsons, but they are on their way. Smith filled in admirably for the suspended Young and he flashed his potential during cleanup time when games are put away. Smith has 9 tackles and 3 sacks, while Williams has 8 tackles. They aren’t producing but they are going to be cog’s on the defense in the future. There were clips of Chase Young potentially coming back for a senior season, but we will see what the future holds. Regardless, if he does come back, that frees up a rusher opposite of Young. That would be cool, but we will see if he would turn down a Top 5 pick NFL salary. I am skeptical, but who wouldn’t want that to happen?
Continue reading...
MotS&G WBB: Buckeyes Head West, Take On #1 Stanford then High Flying Sacramento State
- News
- 0 Replies
WBB: Buckeyes Head West, Take On #1 Stanford then High Flying Sacramento State
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
After taking down #2 Louisville
The over-all youngest team(6-3) Coach McGuff has put on the floor since being in Columbus has been making some big waves in the NCAA already and at the same time cause some head scratching at other times.
It is what happens with youth and inexperience but this young team has shown flashes of being a team to beat on the national stage, in the future. They already have a hard fought loss to then #4 UCONN that garnered some respect and confidence that clearly carried over a bit against Louisville.
On the menu today is the Tara Vanderveer led #1 Stanford Cardinals(8-0). This is a very intriguing match-up just because of how similar the two teams are across the board. Neither has a true center so to speak but are guard heavy and rely on defense to set things up.
What will be crucial for the Buckeyes will be to slow down guard play and hopefully limit shot opportunities. The Buckeyes have been content with the smothering defense recently in the fact that teams have to make tough shots. Offensive rebounding and more steals than usual will have to be the flavor of the day, and of course make the best of their own opportunities.
Ohio State at #1 Stanford
Date:December 15, 2019
Time:8:30 p.m. ET
Venue:Maples Pavilion – Palo Alto, Calif.
Watch:Pac 12 Networks
Listen:TuneIn
Live Stats:Sidearm
Game Notes:Ohio State | Stanford | Big Ten
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/cali-road-trip-awaits-buckeyes-this-weekend/
The Buckeyes stay out west and take on Sacramento State Tuesday evening with a 10:05 tip!
SUN NOV 3
URBANA (EXH.) *
W 131-50Value City Arena Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 10
%20Crusaders.png)
VALPARAISO
W 89-38Springfield, Ohio Recap Final StatsWED NOV 13
CINCINNATI
W 78-73 (OT)Cincinnati, Ohio Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 17
OHIO
L 68-74Value City Arena Recap Final StatsTHU NOV 21
KENT STATE
W 75-65Kent, Ohio Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 24
UCONN
L 62-73Value City Arena Recap Final StatsFRI NOV 29
SOUTH DAKOTA
L 53-68Las Vegas, Nev. Recap Final StatsSAT NOV 30
NORTHERN IOWA
W 64-46Las Vegas, Nev. Recap Final StatsTHU DEC 5
LOUISVILLE
W 67-60Value City Arena Recap Final StatsSUN DEC 8
RADFORD
W 70-57
Continue reading...
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
After taking down #2 Louisville
The over-all youngest team(6-3) Coach McGuff has put on the floor since being in Columbus has been making some big waves in the NCAA already and at the same time cause some head scratching at other times.
It is what happens with youth and inexperience but this young team has shown flashes of being a team to beat on the national stage, in the future. They already have a hard fought loss to then #4 UCONN that garnered some respect and confidence that clearly carried over a bit against Louisville.
On the menu today is the Tara Vanderveer led #1 Stanford Cardinals(8-0). This is a very intriguing match-up just because of how similar the two teams are across the board. Neither has a true center so to speak but are guard heavy and rely on defense to set things up.
What will be crucial for the Buckeyes will be to slow down guard play and hopefully limit shot opportunities. The Buckeyes have been content with the smothering defense recently in the fact that teams have to make tough shots. Offensive rebounding and more steals than usual will have to be the flavor of the day, and of course make the best of their own opportunities.
Ohio State at #1 Stanford
Date:December 15, 2019
Time:8:30 p.m. ET
Venue:Maples Pavilion – Palo Alto, Calif.
Watch:Pac 12 Networks
Listen:TuneIn
Live Stats:Sidearm
Game Notes:Ohio State | Stanford | Big Ten
https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/cali-road-trip-awaits-buckeyes-this-weekend/
The Buckeyes stay out west and take on Sacramento State Tuesday evening with a 10:05 tip!
SUN NOV 3
URBANA (EXH.) *
W 131-50Value City Arena Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 10
VALPARAISO
W 89-38Springfield, Ohio Recap Final StatsWED NOV 13
CINCINNATI
W 78-73 (OT)Cincinnati, Ohio Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 17
OHIO
L 68-74Value City Arena Recap Final StatsTHU NOV 21
KENT STATE
W 75-65Kent, Ohio Recap Final StatsSUN NOV 24
UCONN
L 62-73Value City Arena Recap Final StatsFRI NOV 29
SOUTH DAKOTA
L 53-68Las Vegas, Nev. Recap Final StatsSAT NOV 30
NORTHERN IOWA
W 64-46Las Vegas, Nev. Recap Final StatsTHU DEC 5
LOUISVILLE
W 67-60Value City Arena Recap Final StatsSUN DEC 8
RADFORD
W 70-57
Continue reading...
MotS&G Parallels and Similarities: A Buckeyes Call To Arms
- News
- 0 Replies
Parallels and Similarities: A Buckeyes Call To Arms
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
#2 Ohio State vs #3 Clemson, CFB Playoffs 2019 semifinals at Glendale, Arizona on December 28, 2019. Credit: SI.com
When I sit back and try to enjoy sports shows, I can’t help but feel disrespected as a die-hard fan of the Buckeyes. Every show that I have put on, there are analysts spinning the story of the Buckeyes being just another unmatched team in the way of the reigning champs, Clemson Tigers. They are giving the Buckeyes a slim shot to defeat them and their reason? The 31-0 beatdown in Arizona, three years ago.
Clemson’s defensive front swarming JT Barrett in CFB Playoffs semis in 2017. Credit: Buckeyeswire.usatoday.com.
Yes, we all remember the last time these two teams played each other, the 31-0 blowout in the same field where they will meet on the 28th, and that was the last time they Buckeyes got invited to the big dance. It is also coincidentally where the “when was the last time the Big Ten scored” joke was born, with the conference no-showing 2 out of the last 3 years. In 2017 the Buckeyes fell to this years opponent at the same venue 31-0 and in 2016 the Spartans fell 38-0 against Alabama.
Derrick Henry rumbling through the Spartan defense in the 2016 CFB Playoffs semis. Credit: Sbnation.com
As irritating as the joke is, it is true and both Ohio State and Michigan State had lost for a combined score of 69-0 and an 0-2 record. This acts as a black eye to the conference and its fans. And changes need to happen and they have to right the ship against Clemson this year! The Big Ten has been waiting for this moment and the Buckeyes have been licking their chops to avenge their last loss and restore their image as a College Football blue-blood and one of the heavy hitters in the nation to go alongside the Clemson’s, the Alabama’s and the LSU’s of the world. As much as I need this, the Buckeyes need this as well. They have been disrespected so much and with them dropping to #2, it might add that extra edge to their argument.
The edge is already there, but the media has sharpened it just in time for the contest against Clemson. A lot of talk is made and I think this team will do the talking on the field, whether it’ll be in a blowout win or a close one, they will be ready. Think about it for a second. Ryan Day doesn’t show up to the ESPN College Football Playoffs special to recruit for the future. I think it actually is deeper than we think. I might be over-analyzing it, but what if he feels disrespected after saying “if there’s a better team than ours for #1” after that epic comeback win against Wisconsin? He might feel slighted and his team will reciprocate that feeling and are we gonna see a Buckeye buzzsaw as a result?
The Buckeyes felt disrespected after they were selected for the #4 seed in the inaugural CFB Playoffs, and even though they were down at the half, they came back against the Tide and won it all. I sense that kind of vibe from this years team. Dobbins will be Elliott, Olave is Thomas, Young is Bosa and Harrison is Lee. Think about the similarities and parallels of those two teams. Add in a healthy Justin Fields, with his ability to scramble around and the BIA squad with Okudah, Arnette, and Wade? This team has the weapons on both sides of the ball to win and compete and this might be the year.
Remember, the last time the Buckeyes scored in the playoffs was during the inaugural College Football Playoff run where they won it all. They came back and defeated a good Alabama squad 42-35 and they steamrolled a Mariota led Oregon squad 42-20 to win the first ever CFB Playoffs. 84 was the last points scored and they need to break the streak to gain the respect of the nation and these talking heads that spew nothing but hatred for the Buckeyes.
I might be paranoid, but I have high hopes for this team. I might be too positive, but I expect this team to shine when the light looks like it is fading. The Buckeyes will find a way to win and I will die an idiot or a scholar by the waning moments of the 28th, but for now, no predictions or previews. This is just a fun article for me about how I feel about this team. This team and the 2015 squad have similarities across the board, but for now let’s see how many of you think like me and us here at the Men of the Scarlet and Gray.
#GoBucks
#MotsagRising
Continue reading...
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
#2 Ohio State vs #3 Clemson, CFB Playoffs 2019 semifinals at Glendale, Arizona on December 28, 2019. Credit: SI.com
When I sit back and try to enjoy sports shows, I can’t help but feel disrespected as a die-hard fan of the Buckeyes. Every show that I have put on, there are analysts spinning the story of the Buckeyes being just another unmatched team in the way of the reigning champs, Clemson Tigers. They are giving the Buckeyes a slim shot to defeat them and their reason? The 31-0 beatdown in Arizona, three years ago.
Clemson’s defensive front swarming JT Barrett in CFB Playoffs semis in 2017. Credit: Buckeyeswire.usatoday.com.
Yes, we all remember the last time these two teams played each other, the 31-0 blowout in the same field where they will meet on the 28th, and that was the last time they Buckeyes got invited to the big dance. It is also coincidentally where the “when was the last time the Big Ten scored” joke was born, with the conference no-showing 2 out of the last 3 years. In 2017 the Buckeyes fell to this years opponent at the same venue 31-0 and in 2016 the Spartans fell 38-0 against Alabama.
Derrick Henry rumbling through the Spartan defense in the 2016 CFB Playoffs semis. Credit: Sbnation.com
As irritating as the joke is, it is true and both Ohio State and Michigan State had lost for a combined score of 69-0 and an 0-2 record. This acts as a black eye to the conference and its fans. And changes need to happen and they have to right the ship against Clemson this year! The Big Ten has been waiting for this moment and the Buckeyes have been licking their chops to avenge their last loss and restore their image as a College Football blue-blood and one of the heavy hitters in the nation to go alongside the Clemson’s, the Alabama’s and the LSU’s of the world. As much as I need this, the Buckeyes need this as well. They have been disrespected so much and with them dropping to #2, it might add that extra edge to their argument.
The edge is already there, but the media has sharpened it just in time for the contest against Clemson. A lot of talk is made and I think this team will do the talking on the field, whether it’ll be in a blowout win or a close one, they will be ready. Think about it for a second. Ryan Day doesn’t show up to the ESPN College Football Playoffs special to recruit for the future. I think it actually is deeper than we think. I might be over-analyzing it, but what if he feels disrespected after saying “if there’s a better team than ours for #1” after that epic comeback win against Wisconsin? He might feel slighted and his team will reciprocate that feeling and are we gonna see a Buckeye buzzsaw as a result?
The Buckeyes felt disrespected after they were selected for the #4 seed in the inaugural CFB Playoffs, and even though they were down at the half, they came back against the Tide and won it all. I sense that kind of vibe from this years team. Dobbins will be Elliott, Olave is Thomas, Young is Bosa and Harrison is Lee. Think about the similarities and parallels of those two teams. Add in a healthy Justin Fields, with his ability to scramble around and the BIA squad with Okudah, Arnette, and Wade? This team has the weapons on both sides of the ball to win and compete and this might be the year.
Remember, the last time the Buckeyes scored in the playoffs was during the inaugural College Football Playoff run where they won it all. They came back and defeated a good Alabama squad 42-35 and they steamrolled a Mariota led Oregon squad 42-20 to win the first ever CFB Playoffs. 84 was the last points scored and they need to break the streak to gain the respect of the nation and these talking heads that spew nothing but hatred for the Buckeyes.
I might be paranoid, but I have high hopes for this team. I might be too positive, but I expect this team to shine when the light looks like it is fading. The Buckeyes will find a way to win and I will die an idiot or a scholar by the waning moments of the 28th, but for now, no predictions or previews. This is just a fun article for me about how I feel about this team. This team and the 2015 squad have similarities across the board, but for now let’s see how many of you think like me and us here at the Men of the Scarlet and Gray.
#GoBucks
#MotsagRising
Continue reading...
MotS&G OSU WBB String Ting – Episode 2
- News
- 0 Replies
OSU WBB String Ting – Episode 2
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Charles, Scott and Chris celebrate the win over #2 Louisville and discuss the upcoming west coast affair with #1 Stanford.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...sisode-2-2019-20/id1489993592?i=1000459452071
Continue reading...
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Charles, Scott and Chris celebrate the win over #2 Louisville and discuss the upcoming west coast affair with #1 Stanford.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podca...sisode-2-2019-20/id1489993592?i=1000459452071
Continue reading...
MotS&G Recruiting Targets: Hits & Misses
- News
- 0 Replies
Recruiting Targets: Hits & Misses
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With the season winding down, we at Men of the Scarlet & Gray have been scrambling to find new and innovative ways to last through the College Football offseason. My colleagues have individually brainstormed and my site content will consist of something that has kept my interest, but it has been exhausting, yet exciting.
Once the season concludes or even sooner, I will be churning out weekly content every Tuesday called Tuesday Targets: Hits & Misses. This would cover recruiting battles that have captured the attention of the nation, that specifically affected Buckeye Nation. I have been paying attention to recruiting for a long time and if you haven’t followed it, you should.
The drama and the suspense can become taxing and it could be pure nirvana–you just don’t know until a decision is made. Doors close and some remain cracked. Some remain open and once the choice has been made, it could shock the nation and rattle some cages in the process. The cult-like feel to recruiting has been a staple and it is the lifeblood of all College Football Programs and we have seen how that could play out.
Let’s start with this years recruiting class and work our way back. The advances and the exposure of recruiting websites is key to a recruits success and with multiple showing at camps and all-star games, it makes the pageantry of college football great and it adds another layer to what catches our intrigue. Here is a small sample of what is on the horizon. Enjoy!
Garrett Wilson. Credit: Ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Hit: Garrett Wilson, WR
The most obvious hit for the 2019 class is already tearing it up this season. A highly touted recruit out of Texas, Wilson was highly sought after by all teams, especially the home state Texas team that was in need of a playmaker at that position. Wilson has been a stud so far this season, but he has made some mistakes that almost cost the Buckeyes against the Wolverines a week ago, but he was resilient. He finished the game with 3 catches for 118 yards and a highlight score during Justin Fields’ Heisman moment.
So far in 2019, Wilson has 24 catches for 368 yards and 5 TD’s and he is averaging 15.3 yards per catch. He is the playmaker and he has been as good as advertised. The special part about this is he broke out during The Game just like Chris Olave did and if the is any indication of his talent, he will be a beast next year alongside Olave. Factor that, along with the incoming freshmen in Scott, Jaxon-Njigba, Cooper, and Fleming, we can safely say that Coach Hartline’s players will try to outshine Olave and Wilson for next years contest.
Harry Miller with the family. Credit: Lettermen Row.
Hit: Harry Miller, T
Harry Miller is another key cog on the offensive line and he looks the part so far this season. Although Miller plays during mop-up duty, he makes the best of it and he earned the role of backup Center behind Josh Myers. He is a true freshmen with loads of potential and he is also a talented prospect that nearly backed off of his commitment to Ohio State when the news broke out where Coach Meyer would step away from the game upon completion of the 2018 season.
Georgia came calling and he did visit, but his commitment to the program won out in the end. He has played sparingly, but he has to wait it out. Waiting for your time has been a yearly tradition for the Slobs, but like a fine wine, it’ll take time to develop and it will be worth the wait.
Jordan Battle at St. Thomas Aquinas. Credit: Hudl
Miss: Jordan Battle, S
To begin, Jordan Battle was one of the biggest names in the nation and at one point, the Buckeyes had him in the bag. Following a drama-filled season where we saw Urban Meyer get suspended for three games after Brett McMurphy dropped a bombshell leveling allegations against a coach on his staff, Zach Smith. This caused friction between the head coach and his leadership, which ultimately resulted in a Buckeye legend him stepping away which directly affected his 2018 class.
A recruit from a well-known pipeline, St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was a should have been an addition to the 2019 class, but the news of Meyer Calling it quits caused him to look around. He was on flip watch from what I can recall and he eventually flipped and signed with Alabama. He is a small cog in the Tide defense and he has played in 11 games this season and he has logged 26 tackles (16 solo, 10 assisted) with one fumble recovery, one interception and a sack. He is young but a playmaker and that is what the Buckeyes saw and tried to keep, but it happens in recruiting.
Miss: Dax Hill, S
The recruitment of Dax Hill, an Oklahoma native at powerhouse Booker T. Washington High School. The Buckeyes lost the battle to their bitter rival, but besides losing out, they had starters with eligibility remaining in Jordan Fuller and Brendan White. This is not to discredit his skills and the need because it was evident that they needed to bolster the depth behind those two. Dax Hill was a heavy favorite to become a silver bullet, but it was not meant to be. The momentum swung in Michigan’s favor and with the uncertainty at head coach looming over the program, the best possible move was to sign with them in the end.
A playmaker in the back-end of a defense, he was and he would have been perfect in Hafley’s system. He is aggressive, but he is also young and the Buckeyes picked on him last week for a little bit of fun. Love it or hate it, he made the move for himself and we shouldn’t blame him or his family. It would’ve been amazing to have him, but it will also be fun seeing if he can develop into a stud and we will look forward to seeing him every year.
Positional Substitutions: Ronnie Hickman (S) and Bryson Shaw (S); Craig Young (Ath)
With Battle and Hill out of the 2019 Class, the Buckeyes scrounged what they could and they have some potential gems in the process. Hickman and Young are dynamic prospects. Shaw has hit a growth spurt and could blossom into a Pete Werner type of play with his frame. The class still has time to develop, but the future is still bright.
Doug Nester Army All-American Game. Credit: 24/7 Sports
Miss: Doug Nester, OT
Doug Nester, another longtime Buckeye commit was also in the bag and once Urban Meyer announced his retirement, a few commitments began to unravel and they found themselves looking around. Like Battle, ditto for Nester. Urban’s last class had potential and Nester was another staple to the future, but it was not meant to be and he ended up signing with Virginia Tech, which is close to home and not too far away.
Nester has not played this season and a redshirt may be in effect or it will be in his future. He was most likely behind the eight ball or he suffered an injury, but blessings to him and his future as a Hokie.
Positional Substitutions: Ryan Jacoby (T) and Dawand Jones (T); Enokk Vimahi (OG)
Both Jacoby and Jones have potential as big-bodied shields for the Buckeye signal-callers. After losing out on Nester, they stocked up on Slobs. Jacoby is 6-5, 270 and Jones is 6-8, 360. The Buckeyes came in late and snagged Vimahi to fill the class. Vimahi is 6-4.5, 263 and he could be a key cog in the offensive trenches in the future.
Continue reading...
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With the season winding down, we at Men of the Scarlet & Gray have been scrambling to find new and innovative ways to last through the College Football offseason. My colleagues have individually brainstormed and my site content will consist of something that has kept my interest, but it has been exhausting, yet exciting.
Once the season concludes or even sooner, I will be churning out weekly content every Tuesday called Tuesday Targets: Hits & Misses. This would cover recruiting battles that have captured the attention of the nation, that specifically affected Buckeye Nation. I have been paying attention to recruiting for a long time and if you haven’t followed it, you should.
The drama and the suspense can become taxing and it could be pure nirvana–you just don’t know until a decision is made. Doors close and some remain cracked. Some remain open and once the choice has been made, it could shock the nation and rattle some cages in the process. The cult-like feel to recruiting has been a staple and it is the lifeblood of all College Football Programs and we have seen how that could play out.
Let’s start with this years recruiting class and work our way back. The advances and the exposure of recruiting websites is key to a recruits success and with multiple showing at camps and all-star games, it makes the pageantry of college football great and it adds another layer to what catches our intrigue. Here is a small sample of what is on the horizon. Enjoy!
Garrett Wilson. Credit: Ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Hit: Garrett Wilson, WR
The most obvious hit for the 2019 class is already tearing it up this season. A highly touted recruit out of Texas, Wilson was highly sought after by all teams, especially the home state Texas team that was in need of a playmaker at that position. Wilson has been a stud so far this season, but he has made some mistakes that almost cost the Buckeyes against the Wolverines a week ago, but he was resilient. He finished the game with 3 catches for 118 yards and a highlight score during Justin Fields’ Heisman moment.
So far in 2019, Wilson has 24 catches for 368 yards and 5 TD’s and he is averaging 15.3 yards per catch. He is the playmaker and he has been as good as advertised. The special part about this is he broke out during The Game just like Chris Olave did and if the is any indication of his talent, he will be a beast next year alongside Olave. Factor that, along with the incoming freshmen in Scott, Jaxon-Njigba, Cooper, and Fleming, we can safely say that Coach Hartline’s players will try to outshine Olave and Wilson for next years contest.
Harry Miller with the family. Credit: Lettermen Row.
Hit: Harry Miller, T
Harry Miller is another key cog on the offensive line and he looks the part so far this season. Although Miller plays during mop-up duty, he makes the best of it and he earned the role of backup Center behind Josh Myers. He is a true freshmen with loads of potential and he is also a talented prospect that nearly backed off of his commitment to Ohio State when the news broke out where Coach Meyer would step away from the game upon completion of the 2018 season.
Georgia came calling and he did visit, but his commitment to the program won out in the end. He has played sparingly, but he has to wait it out. Waiting for your time has been a yearly tradition for the Slobs, but like a fine wine, it’ll take time to develop and it will be worth the wait.
Jordan Battle at St. Thomas Aquinas. Credit: Hudl
Miss: Jordan Battle, S
To begin, Jordan Battle was one of the biggest names in the nation and at one point, the Buckeyes had him in the bag. Following a drama-filled season where we saw Urban Meyer get suspended for three games after Brett McMurphy dropped a bombshell leveling allegations against a coach on his staff, Zach Smith. This caused friction between the head coach and his leadership, which ultimately resulted in a Buckeye legend him stepping away which directly affected his 2018 class.
A recruit from a well-known pipeline, St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was a should have been an addition to the 2019 class, but the news of Meyer Calling it quits caused him to look around. He was on flip watch from what I can recall and he eventually flipped and signed with Alabama. He is a small cog in the Tide defense and he has played in 11 games this season and he has logged 26 tackles (16 solo, 10 assisted) with one fumble recovery, one interception and a sack. He is young but a playmaker and that is what the Buckeyes saw and tried to keep, but it happens in recruiting.
Miss: Dax Hill, S
The recruitment of Dax Hill, an Oklahoma native at powerhouse Booker T. Washington High School. The Buckeyes lost the battle to their bitter rival, but besides losing out, they had starters with eligibility remaining in Jordan Fuller and Brendan White. This is not to discredit his skills and the need because it was evident that they needed to bolster the depth behind those two. Dax Hill was a heavy favorite to become a silver bullet, but it was not meant to be. The momentum swung in Michigan’s favor and with the uncertainty at head coach looming over the program, the best possible move was to sign with them in the end.
A playmaker in the back-end of a defense, he was and he would have been perfect in Hafley’s system. He is aggressive, but he is also young and the Buckeyes picked on him last week for a little bit of fun. Love it or hate it, he made the move for himself and we shouldn’t blame him or his family. It would’ve been amazing to have him, but it will also be fun seeing if he can develop into a stud and we will look forward to seeing him every year.
Positional Substitutions: Ronnie Hickman (S) and Bryson Shaw (S); Craig Young (Ath)
With Battle and Hill out of the 2019 Class, the Buckeyes scrounged what they could and they have some potential gems in the process. Hickman and Young are dynamic prospects. Shaw has hit a growth spurt and could blossom into a Pete Werner type of play with his frame. The class still has time to develop, but the future is still bright.
Doug Nester Army All-American Game. Credit: 24/7 Sports
Miss: Doug Nester, OT
Doug Nester, another longtime Buckeye commit was also in the bag and once Urban Meyer announced his retirement, a few commitments began to unravel and they found themselves looking around. Like Battle, ditto for Nester. Urban’s last class had potential and Nester was another staple to the future, but it was not meant to be and he ended up signing with Virginia Tech, which is close to home and not too far away.
Nester has not played this season and a redshirt may be in effect or it will be in his future. He was most likely behind the eight ball or he suffered an injury, but blessings to him and his future as a Hokie.
Positional Substitutions: Ryan Jacoby (T) and Dawand Jones (T); Enokk Vimahi (OG)
Both Jacoby and Jones have potential as big-bodied shields for the Buckeye signal-callers. After losing out on Nester, they stocked up on Slobs. Jacoby is 6-5, 270 and Jones is 6-8, 360. The Buckeyes came in late and snagged Vimahi to fill the class. Vimahi is 6-4.5, 263 and he could be a key cog in the offensive trenches in the future.
Continue reading...
LGHL Four-star defensive end sets up Ohio State visit
- News
- 0 Replies
Four-star defensive end sets up Ohio State visit
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Travion Ford | Twitter
The Buckeyes will once again host one of the top pass rushers in the Midwest
Did you miss out on some of the latest recruiting news surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes over the weekend? Don’t worry Land-Grant Holy Land is here to get you caught back with what you might’ve missed.
Saint Louis DE to return to Columbus
From Ezekiel Elliott to current Ohio State football players such as Cameron Brown, Jameson Williams, Kamryn Babb, and Mookie Cooper, the Buckeyes have made Saint Louis, MO a key spot to hit while out on the recruiting trail. From the looks of things, that is something Ryan Day and crew aren’t planning on cutting from their agenda anytime soon.
This makes four-star defensive end Travion Ford a key 2021 prospect. The Lutheran North soon-to-be-senior will soon make a trip from the Lou to Columbus to once again get a up close and personal view at what it would be like to a student athlete at Ohio State. Ford will return to the state’s capitol on March 6 to mix it up with the Buckeyes coaching staff.
I’ll be @OhioStateFB March 6th
Can’t wait @ryandaytime @R2X_Rushmen1 @ANU_NIKE22 #GoBucks #DevelopedHere #Buckeyes #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/ILO9UqRBMX
— Travion Ford ® (@Tre_Got_Skills) February 21, 2020
One of the top pass rushing threats in the class of 2021, Ford, the No. 6 weak-side defensive end and 123rd overall prospect in the country per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, might hold a chance to call Columbus his college home, but the Buckeyes aren’t the only ones trying to add the 6-foot-2, 222-pounder to the fold.
With around 30 college offers already on the table, Ford has opportunities to suit up in every major conference. From the Big Ten, SEC, to the Pac 12, Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona State, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas are just a few of the colleges who dealt out a scholarship to Ford throughout the process.
Very familiar with his play on the field, recruiting analyst Allen Trieu had the following to say about what Ford could potentially bring to a college program.
“Lean body type, but has some length to him. Productive high school player who knows how to get to the quarterback. Has quickness off the ball and shows the agility to win inside with counter moves. Plays with a nice motor and runs plays down. For now being a bigger end right now, he holds his own well against the run and has good functional strength already. Right now, he falls into a bit of a tweener spot. He could possibly play outside linebacker in a 3-4 and does have some experience playing from a two-point stance. Best chance at reaching his ceiling though may be to add weight and strength and be a weak-side end in a 4-3. Will be able to contribute early in his career on passing downs, and long-term projection will come down to how his body changes over the next few years, but his ability to rush the passer makes him a player we think will be productive at a Power 5 school and have a chance to play beyond college.”
One of the many reasons why Lutheran North won a state championship last season, check out some of Travion Ford’s junior year highlights:
Buckeyes host numerous prospects
Chris Holtmann and the Ohio State coaching staff had more than the Maryland Terrapins on campus yesterday. On hand to watch the Buckeyes knock off a top 10 program, numerous recruits had the chance to see what it would be like to wear the Scarlet and Gray on the next level.
You can find out below which recruits were reportedly on the sidelines on Sunday.
Four-star PF Kalen Etzler
Class: 2021
Town: Convoy, OH/Crestview
Size: 6-foot-8/195 pounds
Status: Verbally committed to Ohio State
Four-star G Meechie Johnson
Class: 2021
Town: Willoughby, OH/Andrews Osborne Academy
Size: 5-foot-11/160 pounds
Status: Verbally committed to Ohio State
Five-star SF Kendall Brown
Class: 2021
Town: Wichita, KS/Sunrise Christian
Size: 6-foot-7/205 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Ohio State, Arkansas, Kansas, Marquette, Minnesota, etc
Four-star SG Malakai Branham
Class: 2021
Town: Akron, OH/St. Vincent St. Mary
Size: 6-foot-4/175 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Louisville, Xavier, etc
Four-star PG Paul McMillan
Class: 2022
Town: Cincinnati, OH/Woodward Career Technical
Size: 6-foot-1/170 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Cincinnati, Dayton, Xavier, Ole Miss, etc
SG Isaac McKneely
Class: 2022
Town: Poca, WV/Poca
Size: 6-foot-3/160 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Xavier, Marshall, Davidson, Liberty, Stetson, etc
PG DJ Moore
Class: 2022
Town: Worthington, OH/Worthington Christian
Size: 6-foot-3/185 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Ohio State unofficial today
️. @Jdaws22 @WCSballers @NovaVillage1 @Plus2University #runinsuchaway
— DJ Moore (@dmo13_) February 23, 2020
Continue reading...
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes will once again host one of the top pass rushers in the Midwest
Did you miss out on some of the latest recruiting news surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes over the weekend? Don’t worry Land-Grant Holy Land is here to get you caught back with what you might’ve missed.
Saint Louis DE to return to Columbus
From Ezekiel Elliott to current Ohio State football players such as Cameron Brown, Jameson Williams, Kamryn Babb, and Mookie Cooper, the Buckeyes have made Saint Louis, MO a key spot to hit while out on the recruiting trail. From the looks of things, that is something Ryan Day and crew aren’t planning on cutting from their agenda anytime soon.
This makes four-star defensive end Travion Ford a key 2021 prospect. The Lutheran North soon-to-be-senior will soon make a trip from the Lou to Columbus to once again get a up close and personal view at what it would be like to a student athlete at Ohio State. Ford will return to the state’s capitol on March 6 to mix it up with the Buckeyes coaching staff.
I’ll be @OhioStateFB March 6th
Can’t wait @ryandaytime @R2X_Rushmen1 @ANU_NIKE22 #GoBucks #DevelopedHere #Buckeyes #BuckeyeNation pic.twitter.com/ILO9UqRBMX— Travion Ford ® (@Tre_Got_Skills) February 21, 2020
One of the top pass rushing threats in the class of 2021, Ford, the No. 6 weak-side defensive end and 123rd overall prospect in the country per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, might hold a chance to call Columbus his college home, but the Buckeyes aren’t the only ones trying to add the 6-foot-2, 222-pounder to the fold.
With around 30 college offers already on the table, Ford has opportunities to suit up in every major conference. From the Big Ten, SEC, to the Pac 12, Kentucky, Alabama, Arizona State, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas are just a few of the colleges who dealt out a scholarship to Ford throughout the process.
Very familiar with his play on the field, recruiting analyst Allen Trieu had the following to say about what Ford could potentially bring to a college program.
“Lean body type, but has some length to him. Productive high school player who knows how to get to the quarterback. Has quickness off the ball and shows the agility to win inside with counter moves. Plays with a nice motor and runs plays down. For now being a bigger end right now, he holds his own well against the run and has good functional strength already. Right now, he falls into a bit of a tweener spot. He could possibly play outside linebacker in a 3-4 and does have some experience playing from a two-point stance. Best chance at reaching his ceiling though may be to add weight and strength and be a weak-side end in a 4-3. Will be able to contribute early in his career on passing downs, and long-term projection will come down to how his body changes over the next few years, but his ability to rush the passer makes him a player we think will be productive at a Power 5 school and have a chance to play beyond college.”
One of the many reasons why Lutheran North won a state championship last season, check out some of Travion Ford’s junior year highlights:
Buckeyes host numerous prospects
Chris Holtmann and the Ohio State coaching staff had more than the Maryland Terrapins on campus yesterday. On hand to watch the Buckeyes knock off a top 10 program, numerous recruits had the chance to see what it would be like to wear the Scarlet and Gray on the next level.
You can find out below which recruits were reportedly on the sidelines on Sunday.
Four-star PF Kalen Etzler
Class: 2021
Town: Convoy, OH/Crestview
Size: 6-foot-8/195 pounds
Status: Verbally committed to Ohio State
Four-star G Meechie Johnson
Class: 2021
Town: Willoughby, OH/Andrews Osborne Academy
Size: 5-foot-11/160 pounds
Status: Verbally committed to Ohio State
Five-star SF Kendall Brown
Class: 2021
Town: Wichita, KS/Sunrise Christian
Size: 6-foot-7/205 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Ohio State, Arkansas, Kansas, Marquette, Minnesota, etc
Four-star SG Malakai Branham
Class: 2021
Town: Akron, OH/St. Vincent St. Mary
Size: 6-foot-4/175 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Louisville, Xavier, etc
Four-star PG Paul McMillan
Class: 2022
Town: Cincinnati, OH/Woodward Career Technical
Size: 6-foot-1/170 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Cincinnati, Dayton, Xavier, Ole Miss, etc
SG Isaac McKneely
Class: 2022
Town: Poca, WV/Poca
Size: 6-foot-3/160 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Offers: Xavier, Marshall, Davidson, Liberty, Stetson, etc
PG DJ Moore
Class: 2022
Town: Worthington, OH/Worthington Christian
Size: 6-foot-3/185 pounds
Status: Uncommitted
Ohio State unofficial today
️. @Jdaws22 @WCSballers @NovaVillage1 @Plus2University #runinsuchaway— DJ Moore (@dmo13_) February 23, 2020
Continue reading...
LGHL A Modest Proposal: Ohio State should stop playing basketball in January
- News
- 0 Replies
A Modest Proposal: Ohio State should stop playing basketball in January
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
With their 79-72 win over the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins, Ohio State is getting back to its early season form.
On Dec. 31, 2019, the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team was 11-2 and ranked fifth in the AP Poll.
One month later on Jan. 31, 2020, the exact same team was 13-7 and no longer ranked by the Associated Press.
With Sunday, Feb. 25’s 79-72 victory over the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins (12-4, 22-5), Chris Holtmann’s No. 25 Buckeyes are 18-9 (8-8 in the Big Ten) and have one final game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-13, 7-19) remaining on Thursday to close out the month.
So, that means that Ohio State is currently 16-4 on the 2019-20 season in months that don’t end with “anuary.” Therefore, I would like to submit for approval to the esteemed members of Buckeye Nation that the Ohio State University should henceforth refuse to play intercollegiate men’s basketball contests during the first month of any given year.
On the final Sunday in February, the Buckeyes played one of their best games of the season, and broke a three-game losing streak against the Turtles. In a sold-out Schottenstein Center, the home team saw five players hit double-digits, as sophomore Luther Muhammad led all scorers with 22, thanks in no small part to going 4-for-8 from behind the arc. Kaleb Wesson went for 15 points and nine rebounds, while Andre Wesson and Duane Washington Jr. had a dozen apiece, and C.J. Walker had 13 of his own.
For the game, the Buckeye shot 42.6 percent from the field, including 40 percent from downtown. Interestingly, the Terps actually out-shot the Buckeyes, hitting 45.1 percent of their shots from the floor. However, OSU’s defense kept Maryland’s top two scorers Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith to a combined 18 points. Cowan fouled out on a technical with just under four minutes remaining in the contest.
The result was in stark contract with the first matchup that the two teams played in (you guessed it) the month of January, in which Ohio State lost 67-55. For that game in College, Park, Md., the Buckeyes shot 31.3 percent from the field and paltry 18.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The difference in results is even more impressive when considering that OSU’s starting forward Kyle Young left the game after rolling his ankle late in the first half and did not return. He was seen on the bench in the second half in a walking boot.
But, the Buckeyes’ turnaround in the month of February didn’t just begin against the Terps. Coming into Sunday’s contest, the Buckeyes had improved their scoring margin by +5 points over January thanks to an increased energy and focus on both ends of the floor.
However, the January doldrums aren’t new for Holtmann’s teams, at Ohio State or elsewhere. Last season, OSU went 1-6 in the first month of 2019 en route to still achieving a 20-win season and a victory in the NCAA tournament. Imagine what could have been had they not been forced to play games in January.
Our old friend Patrick Mayhorn broke down Holtmann’s January struggles at both Ohio State and Butler over at the Buckeye Sports Bulletin. So, after looking at those numbers, it is reasonable to believe that January 2018 — when Keita Bates-Diop led the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record on the month — is the outlier, and difficult Januarys are more of the norm for Holtmann coached teams.
So, it just makes sense that Gene Smith and Ohio State should use all of their considerable athletic capital (literal and figurative) to get the Big Ten Conference to not schedule any league games for the Buckeyes in January.
In recent years, to accommodate the 20-game B1G schedule and the conference’s new television deal, there have been a pair of league games played in December. So, since I understand that it is not logistically feasible for a college basketball team to just take an entire month off, what I am proposing is that Ohio State play its games that would otherwise take place in January in December, and vice versa.
That way, Ohio State would get the generally more over-matched competition in January, when Holtmann teams don’t historically play as well and won’t need their best performances to win, and then the tougher B1G games will be in December, when the Buckeyes are an impressive 16-3 under Holtmann.
Forgive me for patting myself on the back, but this seems like a near-flawless idea. I know that the TV networks like the inherently more important conference games to take place in January, since they need to attract eyeballs to their networks once the football season is over, but think about it.
If the basketball team for Ohio State — one of the most sports-obsessed fanbases in the country — was able to reel off a bunch of B1G wins in December (which obviously they would, since its been statistically proven to be their best month under Holtmann), then an even more highly ranked, rarely defeated Ohio State team would certainly draw ample interest in terms of rankings.
So, again, it’s a win-win for everyone except for the other Big Ten teams, but we’re not here to come up with ideas to help them.
Editor’s Note: If you think that this is a legitimate idea, please look up the original “A Modest Proposal” for context.
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
With their 79-72 win over the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins, Ohio State is getting back to its early season form.
On Dec. 31, 2019, the Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team was 11-2 and ranked fifth in the AP Poll.
One month later on Jan. 31, 2020, the exact same team was 13-7 and no longer ranked by the Associated Press.
With Sunday, Feb. 25’s 79-72 victory over the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins (12-4, 22-5), Chris Holtmann’s No. 25 Buckeyes are 18-9 (8-8 in the Big Ten) and have one final game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-13, 7-19) remaining on Thursday to close out the month.
So, that means that Ohio State is currently 16-4 on the 2019-20 season in months that don’t end with “anuary.” Therefore, I would like to submit for approval to the esteemed members of Buckeye Nation that the Ohio State University should henceforth refuse to play intercollegiate men’s basketball contests during the first month of any given year.
On the final Sunday in February, the Buckeyes played one of their best games of the season, and broke a three-game losing streak against the Turtles. In a sold-out Schottenstein Center, the home team saw five players hit double-digits, as sophomore Luther Muhammad led all scorers with 22, thanks in no small part to going 4-for-8 from behind the arc. Kaleb Wesson went for 15 points and nine rebounds, while Andre Wesson and Duane Washington Jr. had a dozen apiece, and C.J. Walker had 13 of his own.
For the game, the Buckeye shot 42.6 percent from the field, including 40 percent from downtown. Interestingly, the Terps actually out-shot the Buckeyes, hitting 45.1 percent of their shots from the floor. However, OSU’s defense kept Maryland’s top two scorers Anthony Cowan and Jalen Smith to a combined 18 points. Cowan fouled out on a technical with just under four minutes remaining in the contest.
The result was in stark contract with the first matchup that the two teams played in (you guessed it) the month of January, in which Ohio State lost 67-55. For that game in College, Park, Md., the Buckeyes shot 31.3 percent from the field and paltry 18.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The difference in results is even more impressive when considering that OSU’s starting forward Kyle Young left the game after rolling his ankle late in the first half and did not return. He was seen on the bench in the second half in a walking boot.
But, the Buckeyes’ turnaround in the month of February didn’t just begin against the Terps. Coming into Sunday’s contest, the Buckeyes had improved their scoring margin by +5 points over January thanks to an increased energy and focus on both ends of the floor.
However, the January doldrums aren’t new for Holtmann’s teams, at Ohio State or elsewhere. Last season, OSU went 1-6 in the first month of 2019 en route to still achieving a 20-win season and a victory in the NCAA tournament. Imagine what could have been had they not been forced to play games in January.
Our old friend Patrick Mayhorn broke down Holtmann’s January struggles at both Ohio State and Butler over at the Buckeye Sports Bulletin. So, after looking at those numbers, it is reasonable to believe that January 2018 — when Keita Bates-Diop led the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record on the month — is the outlier, and difficult Januarys are more of the norm for Holtmann coached teams.
So, it just makes sense that Gene Smith and Ohio State should use all of their considerable athletic capital (literal and figurative) to get the Big Ten Conference to not schedule any league games for the Buckeyes in January.
In recent years, to accommodate the 20-game B1G schedule and the conference’s new television deal, there have been a pair of league games played in December. So, since I understand that it is not logistically feasible for a college basketball team to just take an entire month off, what I am proposing is that Ohio State play its games that would otherwise take place in January in December, and vice versa.
That way, Ohio State would get the generally more over-matched competition in January, when Holtmann teams don’t historically play as well and won’t need their best performances to win, and then the tougher B1G games will be in December, when the Buckeyes are an impressive 16-3 under Holtmann.
Forgive me for patting myself on the back, but this seems like a near-flawless idea. I know that the TV networks like the inherently more important conference games to take place in January, since they need to attract eyeballs to their networks once the football season is over, but think about it.
If the basketball team for Ohio State — one of the most sports-obsessed fanbases in the country — was able to reel off a bunch of B1G wins in December (which obviously they would, since its been statistically proven to be their best month under Holtmann), then an even more highly ranked, rarely defeated Ohio State team would certainly draw ample interest in terms of rankings.
So, again, it’s a win-win for everyone except for the other Big Ten teams, but we’re not here to come up with ideas to help them.
Editor’s Note: If you think that this is a legitimate idea, please look up the original “A Modest Proposal” for context.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Maryland: Game preview, prediction
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State men’s basketball vs. Maryland: Game preview, prediction
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 Rey Del Rio/Getty Images
The Buckeyes have one more chance for a marquee Big Ten win.
The No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team took a blow when the squad fell to the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes 85-76 in Iowa City Thursday night. However, Chris Holtmann’s team will have to have a short memory, as the Buckeyes have yet another tough test versus a ranked opponent in the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins this afternoon.
Seeking its 10th-straight wins, Maryland is currently eighth in the NET Rankings. Ohio State, meanwhile, is sitting at 21st. Last week, the Buckeyes found themselves ranked in the AP Poll for the first time in four weeks after winning five out of their last six games — including two on the road. However, that momentum was not enough to carry Ohio State through Iowa City. Regardless, the Buckeyes’ performance in February has been a vast improvement over their early-conference play, and those critical wins helped to secure the tenuous NCAA Tournament resume which had once been so strong following non-conference play.
Now, Ohio State looks to close out the month strong as the team returns home to face Maryland in Columbus at 4 p.m. EST in Value City Arena.
Preview
After a hardfought stretch, the Buckeyes found themselves sitting at 7-7 in conference play heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Hawkeyes. With a chance to move above .500 for the first time since Dec. 7, when the Buckeyes whollopped Penn State 106-74 in their Big Ten opener, Ohio State couldn’t quite overcome two factors that have plagued the conference all season: (1) Iowa’s big man, who has proven to be the conference’s collective boogeyman and (2) the road.
Those two components meant the Buckeyes’ loss to Iowa, while certainly a disappointment, was not entirely unexpected. After all, the Hawkeyes’ player of the year candidate, junior center Luka Garza, continued to do what he’s done all season as he bulldozed his way to the rim to get 24 total points for Iowa. No one’s been able to stop him so far this year, and the Buckeyes proved no exception. Iowa, meanwhile, maintained a 13-1 record at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
In Thursday’s matchup, freshman forward E.J. Liddell led the Buckeyes in scoring with a career-high 17 points off the bench on 5-of-11 shooting. Liddell added eight rebounds — also a team high. Guard Duane Washington Jr. poured in 15 on 5-of-8 shooting, also off the bench, with nine of the sophomore’s points coming from beyond the arc. Junior forward Kaleb Wesson added 10 points and seven rebounds, while junior point guard C.J. Walker put in 11 and senior forward Andre Wesson added nine. In all, while Ohio State shot an impressive 42% from the field, the Buckeyes ultimately couldn’t stop the Hawkeyes, who shot a collective 56%.
The physicality of Garza extended beyond his shooting to be troublesome for the Buckeyes in other ways. Kaleb Wesson had to sit for several of the crucial concluding minutes with four fouls, even as the Buckeyes were drawing closer. In the end, both Wesson brothers fouled out, with the Buckeyes committing 22 fouls to Iowa’s 16. Oddly, given this seeming imbalance down low, Ohio State still managed to out-rebound Iowa 38-29.
On a positive note for the Buckeyes, Liddell had a breakout game Thursday. The freshman’s 26 minutes against the Hawkeyes was the most he’s played all year, and he capitalized on that opportunity. Offensively, Liddell was the most productive player on the court for the Buckeyes. Defensively, the freshman had two of Ohio State’s three total blocks.
In other outstanding news for Ohio State, freshman point guard D.J. Carton, who had taken a leave of absence to work on his mental health, is returning to school for classes. However, there is currently no timetable for his return to the hardcourt. Carton had been averaging 10.4 points per game on nearly 48% shooting before his departure.
Despite the loss, it’s time for the Buckeyes to move on to their next opponent: Maryland. In the bigger picture, as the top-ranked team in the Big Ten, the collective hopes and dreams of the conference rest on the Terps as the team most likely able to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. However, feeding into that bigger picture doesn’t support Ohio State’s tournament resume, as the Buckeyes could definitely use a signature win to improve their seeding come Selection Sunday.
Maryland currently sits atop the Big Ten with a 12-3 in-conference record, and are riding some serious momentum, having won nine-straight. Currently two games ahead of Penn State (weird, right?) and with just five remaining games in the regular season (though that stretch includes three road games and home games versus Michigan State and Michigan), the Terps look poised to lock up the top seed in the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. In all, Maryland is 22-4 on the season, including an impressive 4-4 on the road (impressive because, as previously stated, no one has done well on the road in the Big Ten this year). Additionally, while not germane to this afternoon’s game, the Terps are 15-0 at home this season.
While the Terps have not won a conference title since joining the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland has still been a strong addition to the conference when it comes to the hardcourt. (While not relevant to this discussion, Rutgers, Maryland’s fellow newcomer to the Big Ten, also hasn’t been too bad this year, with the Scarlet Knights locking up their first winning season since 2006.) The Terps have made the NCAA Tournament in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, and, as previously alluded to, are an all-but lock for a favorable seed in this year’s tourney.
Those recent efforts have been led by Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, who has been at the helm in College Park since the Terps’ inaugural season in the Big Ten (2014-15). Turgeon has amassed an impressive 202-96 overall record, including 93-65 in-conference. Moreover, with the exception of an eighth-place finish in the 2017-18 season, Turgeon’s teams have not finished lower than fifth in the Big Ten regular season.
Ohio State is looking to avoid a sweep against the Terps. The Buckeyes lost their first outing of the year against the Terps Jan. 7. In that matchup, the then 11th-ranked Buckeyes fell to the No. 2 Terps 67-55 in College Park in what was, hitherto, Ohio State’s most anemic offensive performance of the season. Kaleb Wesson had 15 points and nine rebounds in the effort, while Andre Wesson and DJ Carton added 14 apiece. In all, Maryland held Ohio State to just 31% shooting from the field, while the Terps themselves shot nearly 46%. Maryland was also lights out from range, connecting on 44% from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, were etiolated from three-point range, making just 5-of-27 attempts.
Senior point guard Anthony Cowan Jr., who has been a terror for Ohio State in his four seasons in College Park, led the Terps in scoring in the pair’s last outing, pouring in 20 points on the day. Sophomore forward Jalen Smith and junior guard Darryl Morsell added 11 and 10, respectively.
A unanimous preseason All-Big Ten selection, Cowan has not disappointed in his final season of eligibility. The senior’s 16.7 points per game are good for fifth in the Big Ten. Cowan has also been prolific from range, connecting on 35% of his three-point attempts. Further, Cowan is averaging 4.5 assists to just 2.1 turnovers per game. And if his scoring prowess wasn’t enough, Cowan has been a veteran leader for Turgeon, having started 125-straight games for the Terps and averaging nearly 35 minutes of play per game this season.
In all, however, the Terps have not boasted a particularly fertile scoring offense, averaging 71.7 points per game on 41.7% shooting. However, what Maryland does have is a stout defense, allowing a mere 38.7% from the field.
After their most recent game, Maryland has had a bit longer than the Buckeyes to rest and recover, not having played since the Terps overcame Northwestern Tuesday in College Park. In that matchup, which Maryland took by a narrower-than-expected 76-67 score, Smith had 22 points, while Cowan added 19. The starters took care of business, with just seven points coming off the bench.
Prediction
Ohio State 64%
It’s certainly advantageous that the Buckeyes are at home this evening. It’s no secret that road teams in the Big Ten have struggled this season, and Ohio State has been no exception. However, the Buckeyes have also not been an exception to being a dominant team at home. Even with their slide to open January, Ohio State still boasts a 13-2 record at Value City Arena.
Despite the loss Thursday, the Buckeyes seemed to figure out how to get the ball to Liddell, giving the freshman a career high in scoring. Overall, Ohio State needs to continue spreading the ball around. Hitting three-pointers doesn’t hurt either — an area where both Wesson brothers and Washington can contribute.
The Buckeyes have five games remaining in the regular season. Ohio State already has three wins over top-10 teams under its belt, but none since December, and certainly none in conference play. This afternoon’s matchup could be the Buckeyes’ last chance for another top-tier win.
LGHL final score prediction: 73-65 Ohio State
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
The Buckeyes have one more chance for a marquee Big Ten win.
The No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team took a blow when the squad fell to the No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes 85-76 in Iowa City Thursday night. However, Chris Holtmann’s team will have to have a short memory, as the Buckeyes have yet another tough test versus a ranked opponent in the No. 7 Maryland Terrapins this afternoon.
Seeking its 10th-straight wins, Maryland is currently eighth in the NET Rankings. Ohio State, meanwhile, is sitting at 21st. Last week, the Buckeyes found themselves ranked in the AP Poll for the first time in four weeks after winning five out of their last six games — including two on the road. However, that momentum was not enough to carry Ohio State through Iowa City. Regardless, the Buckeyes’ performance in February has been a vast improvement over their early-conference play, and those critical wins helped to secure the tenuous NCAA Tournament resume which had once been so strong following non-conference play.
Now, Ohio State looks to close out the month strong as the team returns home to face Maryland in Columbus at 4 p.m. EST in Value City Arena.
Preview
After a hardfought stretch, the Buckeyes found themselves sitting at 7-7 in conference play heading into Thursday’s matchup against the Hawkeyes. With a chance to move above .500 for the first time since Dec. 7, when the Buckeyes whollopped Penn State 106-74 in their Big Ten opener, Ohio State couldn’t quite overcome two factors that have plagued the conference all season: (1) Iowa’s big man, who has proven to be the conference’s collective boogeyman and (2) the road.
Those two components meant the Buckeyes’ loss to Iowa, while certainly a disappointment, was not entirely unexpected. After all, the Hawkeyes’ player of the year candidate, junior center Luka Garza, continued to do what he’s done all season as he bulldozed his way to the rim to get 24 total points for Iowa. No one’s been able to stop him so far this year, and the Buckeyes proved no exception. Iowa, meanwhile, maintained a 13-1 record at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
In Thursday’s matchup, freshman forward E.J. Liddell led the Buckeyes in scoring with a career-high 17 points off the bench on 5-of-11 shooting. Liddell added eight rebounds — also a team high. Guard Duane Washington Jr. poured in 15 on 5-of-8 shooting, also off the bench, with nine of the sophomore’s points coming from beyond the arc. Junior forward Kaleb Wesson added 10 points and seven rebounds, while junior point guard C.J. Walker put in 11 and senior forward Andre Wesson added nine. In all, while Ohio State shot an impressive 42% from the field, the Buckeyes ultimately couldn’t stop the Hawkeyes, who shot a collective 56%.
The physicality of Garza extended beyond his shooting to be troublesome for the Buckeyes in other ways. Kaleb Wesson had to sit for several of the crucial concluding minutes with four fouls, even as the Buckeyes were drawing closer. In the end, both Wesson brothers fouled out, with the Buckeyes committing 22 fouls to Iowa’s 16. Oddly, given this seeming imbalance down low, Ohio State still managed to out-rebound Iowa 38-29.
On a positive note for the Buckeyes, Liddell had a breakout game Thursday. The freshman’s 26 minutes against the Hawkeyes was the most he’s played all year, and he capitalized on that opportunity. Offensively, Liddell was the most productive player on the court for the Buckeyes. Defensively, the freshman had two of Ohio State’s three total blocks.
In other outstanding news for Ohio State, freshman point guard D.J. Carton, who had taken a leave of absence to work on his mental health, is returning to school for classes. However, there is currently no timetable for his return to the hardcourt. Carton had been averaging 10.4 points per game on nearly 48% shooting before his departure.
Despite the loss, it’s time for the Buckeyes to move on to their next opponent: Maryland. In the bigger picture, as the top-ranked team in the Big Ten, the collective hopes and dreams of the conference rest on the Terps as the team most likely able to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. However, feeding into that bigger picture doesn’t support Ohio State’s tournament resume, as the Buckeyes could definitely use a signature win to improve their seeding come Selection Sunday.
Maryland currently sits atop the Big Ten with a 12-3 in-conference record, and are riding some serious momentum, having won nine-straight. Currently two games ahead of Penn State (weird, right?) and with just five remaining games in the regular season (though that stretch includes three road games and home games versus Michigan State and Michigan), the Terps look poised to lock up the top seed in the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. In all, Maryland is 22-4 on the season, including an impressive 4-4 on the road (impressive because, as previously stated, no one has done well on the road in the Big Ten this year). Additionally, while not germane to this afternoon’s game, the Terps are 15-0 at home this season.
While the Terps have not won a conference title since joining the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland has still been a strong addition to the conference when it comes to the hardcourt. (While not relevant to this discussion, Rutgers, Maryland’s fellow newcomer to the Big Ten, also hasn’t been too bad this year, with the Scarlet Knights locking up their first winning season since 2006.) The Terps have made the NCAA Tournament in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019, and, as previously alluded to, are an all-but lock for a favorable seed in this year’s tourney.
Those recent efforts have been led by Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, who has been at the helm in College Park since the Terps’ inaugural season in the Big Ten (2014-15). Turgeon has amassed an impressive 202-96 overall record, including 93-65 in-conference. Moreover, with the exception of an eighth-place finish in the 2017-18 season, Turgeon’s teams have not finished lower than fifth in the Big Ten regular season.
Ohio State is looking to avoid a sweep against the Terps. The Buckeyes lost their first outing of the year against the Terps Jan. 7. In that matchup, the then 11th-ranked Buckeyes fell to the No. 2 Terps 67-55 in College Park in what was, hitherto, Ohio State’s most anemic offensive performance of the season. Kaleb Wesson had 15 points and nine rebounds in the effort, while Andre Wesson and DJ Carton added 14 apiece. In all, Maryland held Ohio State to just 31% shooting from the field, while the Terps themselves shot nearly 46%. Maryland was also lights out from range, connecting on 44% from beyond the arc. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, were etiolated from three-point range, making just 5-of-27 attempts.
Senior point guard Anthony Cowan Jr., who has been a terror for Ohio State in his four seasons in College Park, led the Terps in scoring in the pair’s last outing, pouring in 20 points on the day. Sophomore forward Jalen Smith and junior guard Darryl Morsell added 11 and 10, respectively.
A unanimous preseason All-Big Ten selection, Cowan has not disappointed in his final season of eligibility. The senior’s 16.7 points per game are good for fifth in the Big Ten. Cowan has also been prolific from range, connecting on 35% of his three-point attempts. Further, Cowan is averaging 4.5 assists to just 2.1 turnovers per game. And if his scoring prowess wasn’t enough, Cowan has been a veteran leader for Turgeon, having started 125-straight games for the Terps and averaging nearly 35 minutes of play per game this season.
In all, however, the Terps have not boasted a particularly fertile scoring offense, averaging 71.7 points per game on 41.7% shooting. However, what Maryland does have is a stout defense, allowing a mere 38.7% from the field.
After their most recent game, Maryland has had a bit longer than the Buckeyes to rest and recover, not having played since the Terps overcame Northwestern Tuesday in College Park. In that matchup, which Maryland took by a narrower-than-expected 76-67 score, Smith had 22 points, while Cowan added 19. The starters took care of business, with just seven points coming off the bench.
Prediction
Ohio State 64%
It’s certainly advantageous that the Buckeyes are at home this evening. It’s no secret that road teams in the Big Ten have struggled this season, and Ohio State has been no exception. However, the Buckeyes have also not been an exception to being a dominant team at home. Even with their slide to open January, Ohio State still boasts a 13-2 record at Value City Arena.
Despite the loss Thursday, the Buckeyes seemed to figure out how to get the ball to Liddell, giving the freshman a career high in scoring. Overall, Ohio State needs to continue spreading the ball around. Hitting three-pointers doesn’t hurt either — an area where both Wesson brothers and Washington can contribute.
The Buckeyes have five games remaining in the regular season. Ohio State already has three wins over top-10 teams under its belt, but none since December, and certainly none in conference play. This afternoon’s matchup could be the Buckeyes’ last chance for another top-tier win.
LGHL final score prediction: 73-65 Ohio State
Continue reading...
LGHL The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer raises over $4 million for cancer research
- News
- 0 Replies
The Buckeye Cruise for Cancer raises over $4 million for cancer research
Tia Williams via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Andrew Weber/Getty Images
This year’s cruise crushed last year’s total of $3.25 million
Another amazing trip!! #GoBucks #BeatCancerhttps://t.co/fqePrQNmqA
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 21, 2020
The 13th annual Buckeye Cruise for Cancer raised over $4 million for cancer research, beating last year’s record breaking total of $3.25 million.
Those who attended the cruise got to meet and hear from many Buckeye greats, including Urban Meyer, J.T. Barrett, Kirk Herbstreit, Ezekial Elliott, Terry McLaurin, and Raekwon McMillan.
All proceeds from the cruise benefit the Urban & Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
The cruise’s anti-cancer efforts get bigger and better each year, considering the record-total in 2014 was just $1.5 million. It seems as though the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer’s future is bright.
“Marcus Hooker said he believes he has more quickness than his brother, and even though he doesn’t yet have a collegiate interception while his brother was one of the best ballhawking safeties in Ohio State history, he believes he has the upper hand in one key area of making plays on the ball.”
- Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
If you’re a college football safety, getting compared to Malik Hooker is a pretty high compliment, no? Well, Marcus Hooker, Malik’s younger brother and current Ohio State safety, would disagree.
That’s not to say he doesn’t respect his brother. He lets Malik guide him. He want’s the same success as his brother. But, as Marcus Hooker approaches what should be his breakout season now that Jordan Fuller is gone, he wants everyone to know he is not his brother.
“I kind of try not to steer myself into his world,” Marcus Hooker told Eleven Warriors. “We have two different paths. We did choose the same place and the same school, but we’re not the same.”
Their paths may be different, but they’re also similar in that both brothers—assuming Marcus starts at safety this season—didn’t really make a name for themselves until their third season as a Buckeye.
Last season, Marcus played in all 14 games on special teams and seven games on defense for a total of 82 defensive snaps. He finished with seven total tackles and one pass breakup. While we don’t know much yet, Hooker is expected to be the team’s top safety along with Josh Proctor this season.
Hooker said that Malik has inspired him throughout his life. Ever since he was young, his big brother taught him new things and new ways to approach things.
But when it comes to football, he’s established his own game.
Marcus Hooker said he believes he has more quickness than his brother, and even though he doesn’t yet have a collegiate interception while his brother was one of the best ballhawking safeties in Ohio State history, he believes he has the upper hand in one key area of making plays on the ball.
“I got better hands than him,” Marcus said. “I catch way better than him. He’s not much faster than me, but I’m more of a quicker version of him.”
It’s like the safety version of the Bosa brothers and, well, I’m here for it.
“With its toughest non-conference and conference games both coming on the road, the Buckeyes are more vulnerable to an in-season slip-up than a year ago. Yet the balance of the schedule provides enough quality opponents to potentially absorb one competitive loss.”
— Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com
It’s no secret that Ohio State’s upcoming schedule is a heck of a lot more challenging than last season’s. Despite everyone’s efforts to make Cincinnati, Nebraska, Indiana, etc., sound like doomsday, Ohio State’s opponents last season were lucky if they scored more than a field goal or two before the fourth quarter.
So, worry-warts (including myself), what games should we worry about this season? Baird from Cleveland.com says Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State should give Ohio State a run for their money—Penn State being the No. 1 most worrisome considering its at the dreaded Beaver Stadium.
Here’s why we should worry about all three:
Michigan— The only big question mark for the Wolverines is at quarterback, otherwise Michigan is returning quite a bit of talent and should put up points in Ohio Stadium, according to Baird. However, can their defense stop Ohio State from doing the same?
Oregon— Again, big question mark at quarterback with Justin Herbert gone. The Ducks, however, are also replacing four offensive linemen. Not ideal.
However, ESPN’s SP+ predicts Oregon to have the nation’s second-best defense in 2020. According to Baird, Kayvon Thibodeaux may be the best defensive end in college football, and four other starters passed up the NFL to stay in school.
The good news? The loser of this game should still be in the talk for the college football playoff.
Penn State— Well, their returning talent includes Micah Parsons, who was a consensus All-American linebacker, defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields and defensive end Shaka Toney who were All-Big Ten caliber players, five offensive linemen with starting experience, and Pat Freiermuth who might be CFB’s best tight end.
And Ohio State will face all of the above in the country’s loudest, most intense stadium.
Can we start panicking now or.....?
Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint were indicted on two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping by a grand jury on Friday and face up to 33 years in prison if convicted. https://t.co/xdm1ezTahS
— Eleven Warriors (@11w) February 21, 2020
STICK TO SPORTS
Continue reading...
Tia Williams via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
This year’s cruise crushed last year’s total of $3.25 million
Another amazing trip!! #GoBucks #BeatCancerhttps://t.co/fqePrQNmqA
— Mark Pantoni (@markpantoni) February 21, 2020
The 13th annual Buckeye Cruise for Cancer raised over $4 million for cancer research, beating last year’s record breaking total of $3.25 million.
Those who attended the cruise got to meet and hear from many Buckeye greats, including Urban Meyer, J.T. Barrett, Kirk Herbstreit, Ezekial Elliott, Terry McLaurin, and Raekwon McMillan.
All proceeds from the cruise benefit the Urban & Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
The cruise’s anti-cancer efforts get bigger and better each year, considering the record-total in 2014 was just $1.5 million. It seems as though the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer’s future is bright.
“Marcus Hooker said he believes he has more quickness than his brother, and even though he doesn’t yet have a collegiate interception while his brother was one of the best ballhawking safeties in Ohio State history, he believes he has the upper hand in one key area of making plays on the ball.”
- Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
If you’re a college football safety, getting compared to Malik Hooker is a pretty high compliment, no? Well, Marcus Hooker, Malik’s younger brother and current Ohio State safety, would disagree.
That’s not to say he doesn’t respect his brother. He lets Malik guide him. He want’s the same success as his brother. But, as Marcus Hooker approaches what should be his breakout season now that Jordan Fuller is gone, he wants everyone to know he is not his brother.
“I kind of try not to steer myself into his world,” Marcus Hooker told Eleven Warriors. “We have two different paths. We did choose the same place and the same school, but we’re not the same.”
Their paths may be different, but they’re also similar in that both brothers—assuming Marcus starts at safety this season—didn’t really make a name for themselves until their third season as a Buckeye.
Last season, Marcus played in all 14 games on special teams and seven games on defense for a total of 82 defensive snaps. He finished with seven total tackles and one pass breakup. While we don’t know much yet, Hooker is expected to be the team’s top safety along with Josh Proctor this season.
Hooker said that Malik has inspired him throughout his life. Ever since he was young, his big brother taught him new things and new ways to approach things.
But when it comes to football, he’s established his own game.
Marcus Hooker said he believes he has more quickness than his brother, and even though he doesn’t yet have a collegiate interception while his brother was one of the best ballhawking safeties in Ohio State history, he believes he has the upper hand in one key area of making plays on the ball.
“I got better hands than him,” Marcus said. “I catch way better than him. He’s not much faster than me, but I’m more of a quicker version of him.”
It’s like the safety version of the Bosa brothers and, well, I’m here for it.
“With its toughest non-conference and conference games both coming on the road, the Buckeyes are more vulnerable to an in-season slip-up than a year ago. Yet the balance of the schedule provides enough quality opponents to potentially absorb one competitive loss.”
— Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com
It’s no secret that Ohio State’s upcoming schedule is a heck of a lot more challenging than last season’s. Despite everyone’s efforts to make Cincinnati, Nebraska, Indiana, etc., sound like doomsday, Ohio State’s opponents last season were lucky if they scored more than a field goal or two before the fourth quarter.
So, worry-warts (including myself), what games should we worry about this season? Baird from Cleveland.com says Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State should give Ohio State a run for their money—Penn State being the No. 1 most worrisome considering its at the dreaded Beaver Stadium.
Here’s why we should worry about all three:
Michigan— The only big question mark for the Wolverines is at quarterback, otherwise Michigan is returning quite a bit of talent and should put up points in Ohio Stadium, according to Baird. However, can their defense stop Ohio State from doing the same?
Oregon— Again, big question mark at quarterback with Justin Herbert gone. The Ducks, however, are also replacing four offensive linemen. Not ideal.
However, ESPN’s SP+ predicts Oregon to have the nation’s second-best defense in 2020. According to Baird, Kayvon Thibodeaux may be the best defensive end in college football, and four other starters passed up the NFL to stay in school.
The good news? The loser of this game should still be in the talk for the college football playoff.
Penn State— Well, their returning talent includes Micah Parsons, who was a consensus All-American linebacker, defensive back Tariq Castro-Fields and defensive end Shaka Toney who were All-Big Ten caliber players, five offensive linemen with starting experience, and Pat Freiermuth who might be CFB’s best tight end.
And Ohio State will face all of the above in the country’s loudest, most intense stadium.
Can we start panicking now or.....?
Amir Riep and Jahsen Wint were indicted on two counts of rape and one count of kidnapping by a grand jury on Friday and face up to 33 years in prison if convicted. https://t.co/xdm1ezTahS
— Eleven Warriors (@11w) February 21, 2020
STICK TO SPORTS
- People around the world are showing their support for Australian bullying victim Quaden Bayles.
- Italy reported 16 new cases of Coronavirus in one day.
- The Phillie Phanatic is getting a makeover and will be unveiled on Sunday.
- A simple animation reveals that without leap years, December would eventually drift into summer
Continue reading...
LGHL Taking a look at potential Ohio State RBs in the 2021 class
- News
- 0 Replies
Taking a look at potential Ohio State RBs in the 2021 class
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeyes are in on some of the best players in the country
The Buckeyes have been on a hot streak to begin the 2021 class, currently owning the top class in the country for the next cycle, but the momentum they have built is something they want to keep going for the long haul. Ohio State has seen sustained success in the win column for years. As Ryan Day and the other staff members have mentioned numerous times before, recruiting is the lifeblood of the Buckeye program, and their commitment to bringing the best talent to Columbus is well underway yet again.
Whose on the radar?
The running back spot is arguably the most important position of need in this cycle, and while the Buckeyes may have “missed” on their top targets the last couple of years, this class cannot be a repeat of the past. The Buckeyes will likely not look to add just one elite prospect at the position. Fortunately, Ohio State is in on many of the nation’s best backs, and just need to close the deal effectively.
The first prospect on the list is Ohio’s top-ranked running back, Corey Kiner out of Roger Bacon in Cincinnati. Kiner has every intangible Tony Alford and the Buckeyes are looking for, and keeping him at home for college is a big priority for the staff. Kiner has been linked to both Michigan and Ohio State the most, but as of late many have given the Buckeyes the nod for who has the slight edge in his recruitment. With the 247Sports rankings update for the 2021 class, Kiner is now the No. 7 prospect in Ohio and the No. 10 RB in the country.
Interestingly enough, only one spot behind Kiner is Ohio’s eighth-best player, Jaylen Anderson of Perry High School. The No. 16 RB in the country, the Buckeyes have not offered Anderson at this point, but he could certainly be one to keep an eye on if OSU decides they need to look at other options.
Looking out of state, North Carolina’s Evan Pryor is certainly not a new name to Buckeye recruiting followers. Pryor checks in as the No. 5 RB in the nation and the No. 84 player in the entire country. Having been in constant communication with Ohio State the past several weeks, Pryor is easily a top priority in this cycle.
Having been visited by three different coaches in the past few months, with Kevin Wilson, Brian Hartline, and Tony Alford all making the trek to see the four-star back, Ohio State will likely be involved in Pryor’s recruitment until the very end. In regards to where the Buckeyes stand, the amount of contact between the two parties and Pryor’s feelings himself seem to show a good extent of mutual interest.
Heading north behind enemy lines, Michigan native Donovan Edwards is currently the No. 3 back in the country and Michigan’s top prospect in the 2021 class. Ohio State has been in this one for awhile already, but with Edwards being right in the back yard of the Wolverines, TTUN is certainly going to be a serious player in this recruitment, and possibly the team to beat. If it truly is a two-team race, that pair of teams appears to be those involved in the biggest rivalry in sports. This one will surely go down to the wire.
Finally, a running back that has really seen a boost in his stock thanks to the newly updated class rankings is TreVeyon Henderson, a Virginia native is now checking in as the No. 2 back in the country and a top-30 prospect overall. A true every down back, Henderson checks every box you’d want in terms of size, speed, strength, and overall talent.
A prospect with 40 scholarship offers from every top program in the country, this recruitment is not going to be an easy one for those looking to land his services. Fortunately, per 247Sports, Henderson plans to take an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the upcoming spring game. On top of that, Henderson mentioned to Wiltfong that the Buckeyes are one of two programs that are currently recruiting him the hardest — the other being Oklahoma.
At this time, the Buckeyes’ chances at landing not only one, but maybe two really solid guys at RB seem very good. Ohio State has not landed their top target at the position of need for multiple classes in a row, and they can’t allow that to happen again., Look for the full-court press to be on each of these recruits until Ryan Day and Tony Alford finally find their guy(s).
Quick Hits:
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
The Buckeyes are in on some of the best players in the country
The Buckeyes have been on a hot streak to begin the 2021 class, currently owning the top class in the country for the next cycle, but the momentum they have built is something they want to keep going for the long haul. Ohio State has seen sustained success in the win column for years. As Ryan Day and the other staff members have mentioned numerous times before, recruiting is the lifeblood of the Buckeye program, and their commitment to bringing the best talent to Columbus is well underway yet again.
Whose on the radar?
The running back spot is arguably the most important position of need in this cycle, and while the Buckeyes may have “missed” on their top targets the last couple of years, this class cannot be a repeat of the past. The Buckeyes will likely not look to add just one elite prospect at the position. Fortunately, Ohio State is in on many of the nation’s best backs, and just need to close the deal effectively.
The first prospect on the list is Ohio’s top-ranked running back, Corey Kiner out of Roger Bacon in Cincinnati. Kiner has every intangible Tony Alford and the Buckeyes are looking for, and keeping him at home for college is a big priority for the staff. Kiner has been linked to both Michigan and Ohio State the most, but as of late many have given the Buckeyes the nod for who has the slight edge in his recruitment. With the 247Sports rankings update for the 2021 class, Kiner is now the No. 7 prospect in Ohio and the No. 10 RB in the country.
Interestingly enough, only one spot behind Kiner is Ohio’s eighth-best player, Jaylen Anderson of Perry High School. The No. 16 RB in the country, the Buckeyes have not offered Anderson at this point, but he could certainly be one to keep an eye on if OSU decides they need to look at other options.
Looking out of state, North Carolina’s Evan Pryor is certainly not a new name to Buckeye recruiting followers. Pryor checks in as the No. 5 RB in the nation and the No. 84 player in the entire country. Having been in constant communication with Ohio State the past several weeks, Pryor is easily a top priority in this cycle.
Having been visited by three different coaches in the past few months, with Kevin Wilson, Brian Hartline, and Tony Alford all making the trek to see the four-star back, Ohio State will likely be involved in Pryor’s recruitment until the very end. In regards to where the Buckeyes stand, the amount of contact between the two parties and Pryor’s feelings himself seem to show a good extent of mutual interest.
Heading north behind enemy lines, Michigan native Donovan Edwards is currently the No. 3 back in the country and Michigan’s top prospect in the 2021 class. Ohio State has been in this one for awhile already, but with Edwards being right in the back yard of the Wolverines, TTUN is certainly going to be a serious player in this recruitment, and possibly the team to beat. If it truly is a two-team race, that pair of teams appears to be those involved in the biggest rivalry in sports. This one will surely go down to the wire.
Finally, a running back that has really seen a boost in his stock thanks to the newly updated class rankings is TreVeyon Henderson, a Virginia native is now checking in as the No. 2 back in the country and a top-30 prospect overall. A true every down back, Henderson checks every box you’d want in terms of size, speed, strength, and overall talent.
A prospect with 40 scholarship offers from every top program in the country, this recruitment is not going to be an easy one for those looking to land his services. Fortunately, per 247Sports, Henderson plans to take an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the upcoming spring game. On top of that, Henderson mentioned to Wiltfong that the Buckeyes are one of two programs that are currently recruiting him the hardest — the other being Oklahoma.
At this time, the Buckeyes’ chances at landing not only one, but maybe two really solid guys at RB seem very good. Ohio State has not landed their top target at the position of need for multiple classes in a row, and they can’t allow that to happen again., Look for the full-court press to be on each of these recruits until Ryan Day and Tony Alford finally find their guy(s).
Quick Hits:
- Per Bucknuts analyst Bill Kurelic, La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio) product Devonta Smith will be visiting Columbus shortly for a spring practice after being invited by Ohio State defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs. Smith, the No. 29 cornerback in the nation and No. 15 recruit in Ohio, will be making the trip with current teammate and Ohio State commit Jaylen Johnson.
Continue reading...
OK-Whose Fault Is It? (Basketball Version)
- Buckeye Basketball
- 48 Replies
I was wearing my Ohio State Metcon Reppers to work out on game days for the first several wins this season.
Stopped wearing them, and the losses piled up. I started wearing them again on game days recently, and did so for our last three wins. Forgot to wear them the day we played Iowa. Sorry all, my fault. Today's win over Maryland confirmed the correlation.
Stopped wearing them, and the losses piled up. I started wearing them again on game days recently, and did so for our last three wins. Forgot to wear them the day we played Iowa. Sorry all, my fault. Today's win over Maryland confirmed the correlation.
Upvote
0
