Jack Shuler to present “Buckeyes & Dixie” at Shawnee State University - Jackson County Times-Journal
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Jack Shuler to present “Buckeyes & Dixie” at Shawnee State University
Jackson County Times-Journal
PORTSMOUTH— Shawnee State University is pleased to announce that Dr. Jack Shuler will be presenting “Buckeyes & Dixie” as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at 7 p.m. on Weds., January 18 in the Sodexo Ballroom of the Morris University Center.


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NCAA Basketball: Buckeyes get must-needed win, USC downs Colorado - FOXSports.com
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NCAA Basketball: Buckeyes get must-needed win, USC downs Colorado
FOXSports.com
This NCAA basketball weekend was completed with a big win from the Ohio State Buckeyes at home against Michigan State. In the Busting Brackets Daily Wrap-Up, we go through the major games of the day with a few short summaries and articles to keep ...


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Ohio State basketball: Can Buckeyes navigate road ahead to get back in Big Ten race? - cleveland.com
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Ohio State basketball: Can Buckeyes navigate road ahead to get back in Big Ten race?
cleveland.com
Ohio State basketball hadn't won a game since Dec. 22, a non-conference nail-biter against UNC Asheville. At the time, maybe that should've been more of an indicator of what was to come. The Buckeyes weren't playing their best ball, and that close one ...
MSU falls to Buckeyes in college hoops SundayWTVB
FINAL: OSU earns first Big Ten win as Spartans fall on the roadThe State News
Ohio State Tops Michigan State 72-67columbus wired (press release) (registration) (blog)
Detroit Free Press -Chicago Tribune
all 33 news articles »

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Can Ohio State basketball's Michigan State win change Buckeyes' season? - Landof10.com
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Can Ohio State basketball's Michigan State win change Buckeyes' season?
Landof10.com
Value City Arena, the Buckeyes' home venue, is almost universally regarded as a disappointment. It was built too big, and filling it to capacity has proved an elusive goal over the years. When the Buckeyes or their opponent aren't moving the interest ...

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Big Ten Whiteboard: Don’t miss Wisconsin-Minnesota at the Barn
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Three weeks into the Big Ten season, and 12 of the 14 conference members have at least two league losses. The only teams with just one Big Ten defeat: Maryland (4-1) and Wisconsin (3-1). BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart previews the fourth week of Big Ten play inside.

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Thump said:

Did you check to see if he is enrolled?

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Victimhood...so sad.

MSU falls to Buckeyes in college hoops Sunday - WTVB
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MSU falls to Buckeyes in college hoops Sunday
WTVB
COLUMBUS, OH (WTVB) - Michigan State started a two-game road stretch with a 72-67 loss at Ohio State. It was the first Big Ten win for the Buckeyes. Miles Bridges had 24 points to lead the Spartans, who fell to 12-and-7 overall and 4-and-2 in the ...
FINAL: OSU earns first Big Ten win as Spartans fall on the roadThe State News
Ohio State Tops Michigan State 72-67columbus wired (press release) (registration) (blog)
Avoiding 'dumb mistakes' a key for Spartans' Nick Ward in Ohio returnDetroit Free Press
Chicago Tribune
all 29 news articles »

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Buckeyes in the NFL: Divisional Round - CBS sports.com (blog)
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Buckeyes in the NFL: Divisional Round
CBS sports.com (blog)
Ohio State set a record this year, having 12 players selected in the first 4 rounds of the NFL Draft. Those 12 players, as well as a few others that got picked up as free agents, added to an already long list of former OSU stars playing at the ...
Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 16 Dontre Wilson247Sports
With 19 commitments and 10 players signed, what does the scholarship situation look like for Ohio State?Landof10.com
Ohio State's best hopes to replace its departing NFL talentLand-Grant Holy Land
OSU - The Lantern -Scarlet and Game -Eleven Warriors
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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 16 Dontre Wilson - 247Sports
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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 16 Dontre Wilson
247Sports
Wilson won't go down in the record books like some of his OSU teammates, but that doesn't mean he didn't have an impact. His contributions in 2016 were important for the Buckeyes as he took on a role that no one else did or could throughout the season.
Men's volleyball: Ohio State sweeps Stanford in weekend seriesOSU - The Lantern

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PREVIEW: Spartans travel to Columbus to take on winless Buckeyes - The State News
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PREVIEW: Spartans travel to Columbus to take on winless Buckeyes
The State News
24 Minnesota at the Breslin Center Wednesday, the Spartans (12-6, 4-1 Big Ten) travel out to Columbus, Ohio, Sunday for the first meeting against the Ohio State University Buckeyes (10-7 overall, 0-4 Big Ten) this season. Sunday will be MSU's first ...
Avoiding 'dumb mistakes' a key for Spartans' Nick Ward in Ohio returnDetroit Free Press
Men's basketball | Gahanna's Nick Ward to face Ohio State after ...Columbus Dispatch
Couch: Izzo's mass substitution costly at Ohio StateLansing State Journal

all 23 news articles »

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Ezekiel Elliott eliminated from the NFL playoffs, 3 former Ohio State stars advance
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The rookie phenom’s record-breaking season has come to an end.

The NFL Divisional Playoff round is in the bag, and despite a strong regular season, there are no more Ohio State rookies fighting for a Super Bowl ring. Star rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys fell just shy of making it the NFC Championship, despite a late-game comeback with just minutes to play.

With only one game left standing between teams and a trip to Super Bowl LI, there are three Buckeyes still in the hunt.

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

Falcons win, 36-20


Former Ohio State tight end and NFL rookie Nick Vannett was listed as inactive for his second playoff game in a row. Despite continually showing the Seahawks that he was worth the draft pick, the team had veteran Jimmy Graham healthy for the postseason run. Vannett finished the 2016 NFL season with 3 receptions on 4 targets for 32 total yards -- including one first down catch for 21 yards. With a solid offseason, Vannett could see a marked increase in his snap count this fall.

Houston Texans at New England Patriots

Patriots win, 34-16


The Texans would have had a much better shot at stopping Tom Brady had Buckeye John Simon been able to suit up. Following a long stretch of missed games due to a chest injury, Simon returned for just one game before being sidelined again with the nagging issue. Despite returning to practice ahead of the Divisional Playoff, the former Ohio State linebacker was inactive for the matchup — but on the bright side he now has all offseason to rehab and heal.

Patriots’ special teamer Nate Ebner was omitted from Pro Bowl ballots despite leading the league in ST tackles, but he continued to show why the snub was a big mistake. With the benefit of a first round bye, this was Ebner and the Patriots first go at the 2016 postseason. The Buckeye snagged two tackles — one solo — when the Texans came to town, adding to the 19 he recorded in the regular season. He’ll have his hands full next week in the AFC Championship against the Steelers returners.

Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys

Packers win, 34-31


Green Bay’s third year center Corey Linsley had an up and down game in the Divisional Playoff game Sunday, both blocking the way for a touchdown and snapping it short throughout the matchup. Linsley and the Packers’ offensive line have excelled at pass protection, giving their quarterback more time in the pocket than most other passers in the league. The Buckeye will no doubt work to correct his low and short snaps ahead of the NFC Championship.


The outcome for Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was much different than the last time he played a playoff game in AT&T Stadium, but despite the loss, he still had a solid finish to his rookie season. Following a season that included breaking numerous league and franchise records, Elliott has quickly become a fan favorite -- like one guy who had the running back’s face shaved into his hair. Elliott was in a fender bender just days before his first NFL postseason game, but said his car was worse off than he was and felt 100% heading into the weekend.

The rookie phenom may not have gotten into the endzone in his first NFL playoff game, but Elliott put up 125 yards on 22 carries. The entire Dallas offense got off to a slow start and showed about as much energy on the sideline as Jabrill Peppers did in the press box during this year’s rivalry game. They pulled it together close to halftime, and went on a run that tied up the score with just minutes left to play. After a three minute back and forth, the Packers came away with the win with a long field goal at the whistle.

One of the many things Buckeye fans are used to seeing from their alumni is the illustrious spin move. Exhibit A:


Fullback Rod Smith is in his second season out of Ohio State, but only saw a few snaps for the Cowboys through the first half of the regular season. With Darren McFadden being injured early on, Smith saw some playing time and recorded one reception for 4 yards against the Bengals in early October. His last appearance on the field with Oct. 30 against the Eagles.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs

Steelers win, 18-16


Despite the NFL trying to finish every big football weekend with a Dallas Cowboys game, they were forced to flex the Steelers-Chiefs matchup thanks to the weather.

Linebacker Ryan Shazier is one of the smallest in the league at his position, but he’s also one of the fastest. Last year the Buckeye gained credibility when he beat teammate and NFL best, wideout Antonio Brown, in a foot race. During the week’s practice heading into the divisional round, Shazier was asked if Chiefs’ return specialist Tyreek Hill was the fastest player he’d ever faced.

"It might be the first time playing somebody that fast on offense, but Tyreek Hill hasn’t played a linebacker as fast as me," Shazier quipped back.

Shazier had a great game Sunday, putting his money where his mouth was. He had a big first half with a defended pass and interception, in addition to two tackles -- he finished the day with five total. There was no questioning his speed as he rushed Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith and zipped from sideline-to-sideline, play-after-play.

The Buckeye claimed he wants to be the best linebacker to ever play the game, and with big plays when they need it most, is well on his way to fulfilling his goal — next stop, the AFC Championship.

Others notes

• Linebacker Curtis Grant was signed to a future/reserve contract with the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday.
• With news -- and a slew of internet memes mocking the new logo -- that the Chargers are officially moving to Los Angeles, Joey Bosa and Joshua Perry are packing up too. They only had a year in San Diego, but have already established some outreach opportunities in the community and will quickly have to adjust to yet another new city.

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Can we get Schiano, Stud and Urban on a flight to NJ real quick?

Ohio State in the mix for 2018 defensive back
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Another highly sought after prospect has the Buckeyes among his leaders.

Five-star U.S. Army All-American offensive guard Wyatt Davis might not be the only St. John Bosco (CA) prospect to head north for his college days.

On Sunday afternoon, four-star safety Jaiden Woodbey announced he too is considering packing up and moving out to the Midwest to suit up Urban Meyer and the new look Ohio State coaching staff. Down to four programs, the Buckeyes will have to keep Oklahoma, USC and Nebraska at bay to add the West Coast defensive back to the silver bullets secondary.


Earning nearly 20 full ride scholarships from programs across the country, Woodbey is considered one of the top junior recruits in the country. According to the 247Sports Composite, the 6-foot-2 205-pound junior is currently pegged as the third safety and 32nd overall prospect in the class of 2018.

Looking to add even more talent to the roster, Ohio State might have their work cut out for them when it comes to Jaiden. With family that played at USC, many believe Woodbey will stay closer to home when it’s all said and done. All though a lot can change in a short period of time, the Trojans seem to have the inside track in his recruitment.

Will Woodbey follow his friend and former high school teammate to Columbus? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Stick with Land-Grant Holy Land for the latest in the world of Ohio State recruiting.

Quick Hits

• To be the best you have to recruit the best. After landing Tate Martell, and Haskell Garrett in 2017, Ohio State is testing the waters on another Bishop Gorman (NV) standout. On Friday the Buckeyes offered class of 2018 tight end Brevin Jordan. A four-star recruit, Ohio State joins programs such as Michigan, Arizona State and UCLA in the pursuit of Jordan.
• Jordan wasn’t the only top prospect to receive a chance to play for the Buckeyes over the weekend. Keiondre Jones, a 2019 offensive guard, also earned an opportunity to continue his playing days in the Scarlet and Gray. Jones, who hails from Hogansville, Ga., adds Ohio State to already impressive offer list. Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Georgia are just a few of the schools after the four-star lineman at the moment.

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Men's basketball | Ohio State 72, Michigan State 67 as Buckeyes take control - Columbus Dispatch
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Men's basketball | Ohio State 72, Michigan State 67 as Buckeyes take control
Columbus Dispatch
Then on Sunday, in a must-win game against Michigan State, the Buckeyes finally played like it. JaQuan Lyle scored 22 points, Marc Loving added 12 and Ohio State (11-7, 1-4) snapped its worst start to Big Ten play in coach Thad Matta's 13 years with a ...
Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes searching for an edge to get out of Big Ten slumpcleveland.com
Michigan State Basketball: Scoring Runs Propel Buckeyes Over SpartansDetroit Jock CIty
Four-star Linebacker Antjuan Simmons, a Long-time Buckeye Pledge, Commits to Michigan StateEleven Warriors
The State News
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Ohio State wrestling | Buckeyes rally to beat Illini | Buckeye Xtra Sports - Columbus Dispatch
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Ohio State wrestling | Buckeyes rally to beat Illini | Buckeye Xtra Sports
Columbus Dispatch
Pins by Kollin Moore and Kyle Snyder in the final two matches helped fourth-ranked Ohio State to a 29-18 victory over No. 12 Illinois on Sunday at St. John ...
Wrestling Preview: No. 4 Buckeyes Host No. 14 Illinois | Eleven ...Eleven Warriors
No. 4 Ohio State notches three falls in 29-18 Win Over No. 12 Illinois ...OSU - The Lantern

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Lady Buckeyes rally past Purdue - The News Center
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Lady Buckeyes rally past Purdue
The News Center
The Buckeyes made just three of its first 18 shots and the Boilermakers led 22-6 early in the second quarter. Mitchell scored six during a 10-4 run that cut the deficit to seven points midway through the second and 10-2 spurt pulled the Buckeyes within ...


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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 17 Jalyn Holmes - CBS sports.com (blog)
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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 17 Jalyn Holmes
CBS sports.com (blog)
The college football season has come to a close. As part of our year-end review of Ohio State's 2016 season, we will be counting down the 20 most important contributors to the Buckeyes this year. We will release one per day until we reach the top spot.

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Women's basketball: Ohio State 61, Purdue 56 as Buckeyes turn deficit into a win - Columbus Dispatch
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Women's basketball: Ohio State 61, Purdue 56 as Buckeyes turn deficit into a win
Columbus Dispatch
Purdue's Dominique Oden cut that advantage to 57-56 with a pair of free throws with 40 seconds to play before a Stephanie Mavunga layup put the Buckeyes ahead 59-56. She hit another layup with less than 10 seconds to go to secure the 5-point win.
Ohio State Battles Back From a 16-Point Deficit to Down Purdue 61-56Eleven Warriors
Ohio State-Purdue final score: Women's basketball ekes out 61-56 win at PurdueLand-Grant Holy Land
Women's basketball | Ohio State not dwelling on defeat with Purdue loomingCanton Repository

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Ohio State-Purdue final score: Women’s basketball ekes out 61-56 win at Purdue
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes overcame a sluggish start to get back in the win column against the Boilermakers.

Four late points by Stephanie Mavunga helped the Ohio State women’s basketball team overcome a nightmare first quarter and scratch out an ugly 61-56 road win over Purdue in West Lafayette on Sunday afternoon.

It was the second straight game in which the Buckeyes just weren’t clicking. The usually prolific offense was largely bottled up, shooting just 32 percent from the floor and 23 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Kelsey Mitchell, the Big Ten’s leading scorer, struggled with her shot once again as well. The junior All-American made just three of 17 from the floor, and relied on seven free throws to score 14.

Mavunga had a double-double, scoring 11 and pulling down 12 rebounds. Freshman Tori McCoy was the only other player in double figures, scoring 12 points, as Ohio State improved to 5-1 in Big Ten play, 15-5 overall.

The Boilermakers had four players score in double figures, led by Ashley Morrissette’s 13, but shot an atrocious 25 percent as a team in the second half, allowing the win to slip away.

Continuing the cold shooting that was on display in last Tuesday’s loss to Michigan State, Ohio State came out icy in this one. The Buckeyes were just 3-for-15 from the floor in the first quarter, turning the ball over seven times, as Purdue jumped out to a 20-6 lead. The six points were the lowest output in any quarter for the scarlet and gray.

Mitchell was 0-for-5 in the period, going scoreless, while the Boilermakers shot over 53 percent from the field and had a 12-4 advantage in the paint. Morrissette scored nine to lead the way for the home team.

Two minutes into the second quarter, Mitchell finally connected on a three-pointer, the first points scored by an Ohio State starter in the game. Morrissette also collected her second foul and went to the bench for Purdue.

The Buckeyes made a 14-4 run in the frame’s first four minutes, cutting the deficit to six, thanks to aggressively getting to the free throw line. Mitchell hit three from the charity stripe and Sierra Calhoun added two, and layups from Alexa Hart and McCoy made the score 26-20.

Were it not for the free throws, Ohio State would have faced an even larger mountain to climb going into halftime. Going nearly four minutes without a field goal, the Buckeyes’ 12 makes at the line and the Boilermakers’ six turnovers helped trim the lead to 36-34 heading into the locker room.

Half of those free throws came from Mitchell, who led the squad with 11 first half points. McCoy and Hart combined for 10 points off the bench to help compensate for the starters’ struggles. Morrissette led Purdue with 11 points while Dominique Oden added nine of her own.

Ohio State claimed its first lead of the game with a 6-0 run to start the third quarter. Mitchell, McCoy, and Hart all had buckets as the Buckeyes went up 40-36.

A 10-3 run for the Boilermakers as Ohio State once again went cold from the field put Purdue back on top 46-43 at the media timeout.

It got ugly from there on both sides, as the teams combined to shoot 2-for-17 over the final five minutes. The Buckeyes trailed 48-47 when the quarter’s horn sounded.

An 0-for-6 stretch from Ohio State led to a scoring drought of nearly three minutes, and Purdue took advantage, building its lead back out to 54-50.

But the Boilermakers then went frigid, failing to score for almost five full minutes, and the Buckeyes scratched together a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead 57-54 despite going scoreless themselves for almost four minutes.

With Mavunga’s two late buckets, it was just enough for Ohio State to hold on and escape with a road win.

The Buckeyes will be back in action at home on Thursday night against Wisconsin. Tip-off at the Schottenstein Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on Big Ten Network.

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New Ohio State commit says Buckeyes will run 'Oklahoma' offense - Landof10.com
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New Ohio State commit says Buckeyes will run 'Oklahoma' offense
Landof10.com
KETTERING, Ohio — As Ohio State's offensive coaching staff underwent a makeover in the weeks leading into National Signing Day, Urban Meyer made sure to keep the Buckeyes' recruits abreast of the changes coming to the OSU offense. And according to ...
Men's basketball | Ohio State 72, Michigan State 67 as Buckeyes take controlColumbus Dispatch
Game thread: Michigan State falls to Ohio State, 72-67Detroit Free Press
Ohio State basketball snaps Big Ten skid with 72-67 win over Michigan Statecleveland.com
BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription) -Scout
all 109 news articles »

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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 17 Jalyn Holmes - 247Sports
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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 17 Jalyn Holmes
247Sports
Initially the rushmen package was used on third-and-long situations, but because Holmes, Hubbard and Bosa are more than just pass rushers, the Buckeyes began to use this formation with three defensive ends on the field more and more as the season ...

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BUCKYLE said:

Titis? Sounds like a Panamanian jungle fever.

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Actually the only people I have connections with on Kik are from Honduras, so probably there. Similar fever though.

But why would she expect me to speak English? Maybe she is just an American who is really bad at words.

JaQuan Lyle, Ohio State top Michigan State for first Big Ten win
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

JaQuan Lyle made 5 of 7 shots from the 3-point line and scored 22 points as Ohio State pulled away down the stretch and beat Michigan State 72-67 on Sunday for the Buckeyes' first Big Ten win this season.

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Ohio State vs. Michigan State 2017 final score: OSU knocks off Spartans, 72-67
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


JaQuan Lyle leads the Buckeyes to first conference win of the season.

Coming off of their worst streak to start a Big Ten slate under head coach Thad Matta, Ohio State (11-7, 1-4) got their first win of the Big Ten season on Sunday, knocking off Michigan State (12-7, 4-2) 72-67 at the Value City Arena. The victory put an end to a Spartan five-game winning-streak in the series. The Buckeyes’ four-straight conference losses equaled the worst streak under Matta, in both 2008 and 2014.

The Buckeyes used a balanced, energetic attack to keep the game close throughout the game, despite playing with a severely weakened bench, following the season-ending injury of forward Keita Bates-Diop. The Buckeye effort was led by JaQuan Lyle in the team’s best performance of the season.

Lyle finished the game with 22 points on 8-12 shooting (5-7 behind the arc), in addition to 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

In the game’s first five minutes, Tom Izzo’s Spratans used their depth and athletic advantages to push the pace as both teams raced up and down the court. MSU hit on its first six attempts from the field, including three from beyond the arc. In that same span, Ohio State shot only 3-10, but was buoyed by five offensive rebounds, including two from Trevor Thompson. At the first timeout, Michigan State led 15-10.

In addition to Thompson’s imposing presence down low, senior Marc Loving had an impact in the paint, fighting for rebounds and using a size-advantage to back smaller defenders down. While he didn’t shoot particularly well in the first half, Loving’s energy was important for OSU in the first 20 minutes.

From there, the Buckeyes used a 9-0 run over two and a half minutes to take their first lead of the game at 16-15. As it has been all season, OSU’s scoring was well distributed with six players contributing to their first 16 points. While their early shooting was less than desirable, the Buckeyes’ execution was much sharper in the first quarter of the game than it has been recently.

After the Spartans regained the lead, 20-16, Ohio State went on an 11-0 run, fueled in part by two three-pointers by Loving. While the Toledo-native has drawn the ire of many Buckeye fans over his four years in Columbus, Loving will need to perform down the stretch more like he did in the first half against Michigan State if Ohio State is to right the season.

An energetic and active force on both sides of the floor, Loving finished the first 20 minutes with 8 points, 6 rebounds, a block, and an assist. The only down-side to the senior’s first-half performance was being called for traveling three times in the first 17 minutes.

The second 10 minutes saw Ohio State take the lead, and improved the team’s shooting percentage considerably. The home team ended the half 13-30 (43.3%) from the floor, 6-13 for 3, and 4-4 from the free-throw line. Conversely, Michigan State was 12-25 (48%), 6-11 for 3, and 3-6 from the stripe.

A three-pointer with the shot-clocking winding down from JaQuan Lyle broke a more than three-minute scoring drought for both teams, and gave OSU a 36-30 lead with a minute to go in the half. MSU guard Joshua Langford returned the favor at the buzzer to bring the score to 36-33 in favor of the Buckeyes at halftime.

At the break, Spartan Freshman, Miles Bridges led all scorers with 12; seven other Spartans scored in the first half, including Gahanna-native Nick Ward. Lyle paced the Buckeyes with 11, followed by Loving’s 8. Kam Williams also chipped in for 7, and Jae’Sean Tate added 6.

The first 10 minutes of the second half was far more defensively-focused than the first 20. The two teams traded the lead multiple times, but it remained close throughout.

Despite picking up his third foul with 8 minutes remaining, Thompson remained in the game and converted two emphatic dunks to get the home crowd on their feet. However, the good and bad of his energetic play was seen on back-to-back defensive posessions; first rejecting a shot to force a shot-clock violation, and then fouling MSU guard Alvin Ellis III while shooting a three-pointer. Ellis hit two of three shots to break a 10-0 Buckeye run which saw them extend their lead to 66-60 with four minutes remaining. Despite not having a field goal during the last 5:33 of the game, Ohio State never gave up the lead.

The basketball Buckeyes return to the court on Wednesday against Nebraska at 9:00 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast from Lincoln on the Big Ten Network.

Here’s what we learned:


1) Marc Loving is the X-factor in Ohio State turning the season around. As mentioned above, Loving has never lived up to the expectations that his Mr. Ohio Basketball status brought with him to Columbus. However, as the going has gotten tough this season, the senior has brought more of a fire to the floor. In addition to Xx points and X boards, Loving forced two fast-break offensive-fouls from the Spartans.

Third in scoring and fourth in rebounds (including Bates-Diop) on the team, the energy that Loving showed against Michigan State, specifically on the glass and on defense, is going to be extremely important if the Buckeyes are going to find a way to move this season closer to respectability.

2) C.J. Jackson needs to be a bigger part of Matta’s rotation. With the loss of junior forward Keita Bates-Diop for the season, Thad Matta’s traditionally short bench for conference play has been shortened even more than normal, meaning that OSU newcomers freshman Micah Potter, who began the season in the starting lineup, and JuCo transfer C.J. Jackson will be asked to contribute more down the stretch.

Both Potter and Jackson have been averaging around 15 minutes on the season, but the minutes for Potter have been decreasing after being replaced as a starter by Trevor Thompson, while Jackson’s have been increasing.

He only saw 13 minutes in this game, but with 5 points on 2-3 shooting, Jackson provided a burst of energy off of the bench. As the season progresses, especially if the back-court ever gets into foul trouble, Jackson has proven that he deserves to be a bigger part of the rotation.

Freshman forward Andrew Wesson picked up two fouls in two minutes of first half action before getting back in the game with 10 minutes remaining in the second half. He finished with 7 minutes of playing time.

3) Thad Matta’s streak of 20-win seasons is in severe jeopardy. Despite the exciting victory over the Spartans, the Buckeyes still have work to do in the last six weeks of the regular season.

Ohio State has at least 15 games remaining this season; 13 conference games, at least one in the Big Ten Tournament, and one in a post-season tournament. For Matta to reach 20 wins, as he has done in every other season as a collegiate head coach, the Buckeyes will need to undergo a dramatic turnaround.

More than half of their remaining conference games are against teams in Ken Pomeroy’s Top-50 (Ohio State is currently ranked 57th). So for the Buckeyes to have a legitimate shot at 10 more victories, they must win every game against lower-ranked teams (seven), and pull some regular season upsets, or have multiple post-season victories. A tall task for a team that has dramatically underperformed thus far this season.

Also in jeopardy is Matta’s streak of double-digit Big Ten victories, which he has accomplished in every season in Columbus after his first in 2004-2005, for 11 in a row.

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