BREAKING: Ohio State Lands the Country’s No. 1 Tight End
Billy George 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

Ohio State Buckeyes’ head coach Urban Meyer has always been excellent at recruiting. A preliminary glance at the amount of his former players are on NFL rosters is evidence of that in itself. Well, add another diamond to his treasure trove of talent, as Meyer and the Buckeyes landed the country’s No. 1 tight end, Jeremy Ruckert, Monday afternoon.

The 6-5.5-foot 238 lbs prospect out of Lindenhurst, NY was a star at ‘The Opening’, bolstering him from the country’s No. 52 ranked prospect to No. 11 in the 247sports composite rankings, and earning him a fifth star. Ruckert is the third five-star prospect to commit to Ohio State in the 2018 class, and he certainly won’t be the last.

He is a crucial pick up for the Buckeyes, as, although they have the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class at this particular moment, the one thing it lacks is people to throw the football to. In came Ruckert to help fill that void.

So, what exactly do we get in Ruckert? Well, you get a big-bodied tight end with the athleticism of a wide receiver, whose combination of route-running abilities, size, great hands, and his propensity to make secondaries look bad make him a five-star prospect.

“Updated rankings got me my 5th star.. #1 TE and #11 Overall player in the nation!! #blessed”, Ruckert said on a Twitter post last Monday.

Yes, indeed Ruckert is blessed. However, he’s not nearly as blessed as Ohio State is after receiving a commitment from him. If the rankings remain the same (or even close to the same) come national signing day, Ruckert will be the highest ranked tight end recruit Ohio State has landed in 247sports.com history.

He is a big reason why Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class will end Alabama’s six-year streak of having the No. 1 class in the country.

Until next time, God bless and GO BUCKS!




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OSU Commit Jeremy Rucker
Garth 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

By Trevor Arnold

Boooom! Ohio State lands a big time target out of New York. Jeremy Ruckert, a 5-star and number 1 tight end is exactly what Ohio State needed to continue this great 2018 class. Ruckert commits with a crazy go-kart video on his twitter @Jeremy_Ruckert1.

Ruckert is 6 ft-5.5, and has great size and strength. At 236 pounds, Ruckert is hard to tackle, but also has a great vertical. In his Junior and Senior years of high school, Ruckert had 118 catches for 1618 and 15 touchdowns.

Ohio State has had a hard time over the years with recruiting tight ends missing slightly on many. This is a big time commit for Urban and his staff. Kevin Wilson also loves using tight ends, so this recruit is only going to make his offense scarier. Ruckert is going to be a great addition to this stellar class. With many top recruits left, Ohio State is on pace to have the greatest recruiting class of all time.




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What does Jeremy Ruckert bring to Ohio State?
Patrick Mayhorn via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


After more than a year of recruitment, Jeremy Ruckert is officially a Buckeye.

If you’ve been following Ohio State recruiting for the last year and a half, Jeremy Ruckert’s name has popped up. The talented and freakishly athletic New York tight end has been Urban Meyer’s top target at the position since offering last May. Ten visits (either to Ohio State or from the coaching staff) later, and Ruckert is officially a Buckeye, as he announced his pledge on twitter, ending months of speculation about his final landing spot.

Ruckert had been thought of as a heavy Buckeye lean since his visit to Columbus in late November (the spot was good), and despite a strong push from Michigan and Notre Dame, Ohio State was ultimately able to hold on to the large lead they had built, due in large part to the hiring of Kevin Wilson. Wilson knows how to utilize and coach tight ends as well as anyone in the country, and the chance to play for him, and compete for national championships, was just too much for Ruckert to pass up on.

So what does the nation’s top tight end, and 11th best player (according to 247sports) bring to Ohio State? Well, he may change Ohio State’s whole reputation.

ON THE FIELD


As blue chip prospects go, Jeremy Ruckert had somewhat flown under the radar up until late-June in his recruitment. He holds 30 offers from some of the nation’s elite programs, but it wasn’t until Nike’s The Opening event two weeks ago that the recruiting world was truly introduced to Jeremy Ruckert. Ruckert put on a show, both in drills and in 7-on-7 for team Alpha Menace. He was named 1st team offense following the conclusion of The Opening, along with fellow Buckeye commit Jaelen Gill. Catches like this one are a big cause for Ruckert gaining his fifth star in the newest 247sports player rankings.

Ruckert’s newfound attention has been well-deserved for a while. He’s been the top tight end in the 2018 class for months now, and it’s great to see him finally getting recognized. He’s the complete package as a tight end, and plays a very similar game to former four-time NFL pro-bowler and all-pro Jeremy Shockey. He has the athleticism of a wide receiver, despite his larger frame (6’6, 240 lbs), and is a matchup nightmare for corners and linebackers alike. He plays almost exclusively as a wide receiver for his high school, and is the first tight end recruit we’ve seen under Urban Meyer that could truly play the “Jordan Reed position” we saw him deploy at Florida.

Because of his time spent at receiver in high school, his need for development in his blocking skills could keep him off the field as a freshman (similarly to what we saw with Binjimin Victor or Austin Mack last season), but his strength and athleticism will likely make for an easy transition at the next level, especially with Kevin Wilson leading his development. Ohio State hasn’t seen this athletically gifted of a tight end since Dr. John Frank, who was arguably the best tight end in Buckeye history.



IN THE CLASS


Ruckert is the commitment No. 15 in Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class, and the only tight end. A number of big targets for the future of the Buckeye passing game are still uncommitted (Kamryn Babb and L’Christian Smith being the main two), so getting quarterback Emory Jones his first true target is a big deal for Ohio State.

With this commitment, Ohio State has reclaimed the number one spot on 247sports from Miami, despite holding four less commitments that Mark Richt’s Hurricanes. As long as something catastrophic doesn’t happen, the Buckeyes will finish in the top five, and if everything goes according to plan, Urban Meyer could very possibly land the best class of all time, a record set by him back in 2010.

Ruckert will likely be the only tight end in the 2018 class for the Buckeyes. After not landing any last year, and bringing in three in 2016 (Luke Farrell, Jake Hausman, and Kierre Hawkins), Ohio State isn’t exactly in need of a bunch of tight ends, as they expect to lose only one, Marcus Baugh, following this season. 2019 could be another big class for tight ends, however, with Georgia product Ryland Goede and Oklahoma star Grayson Boomer both showing plenty of interest in Ohio State.

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4-star TE Jeremy Ruckert commits to Ohio State
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


BOOOOOOM!! The Buckeyes land another class of 2018 standout.

One of the most sought-after tight end prospects in the entire class of 2018 will play his college football in Columbus for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes.

Announcing his plans to suit up for Ohio State via his Twitter page, four-star playmaker Jeremy Ruckert spurned opportunities at programs such as Michigan, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin to continue his next step toward the National Football League with the Buckeyes.

Alongside current Buckeye tight ends like Jake Hausmann, Luke Farrell, A.J. Alexander, and Kierre Hawkins, Ruckert will add another soft handed, big-bodied target to the Ohio State roster once he reaches Columbus.

Showing he can help with not just blocking, but also the passing game, the 6’6 240-pound U.S. Army All-American has been a standout on the field for Lindenhurst High School (NY) over the last two seasons.

As a sophomore at Lindenhurst, Ruckert accounted for 811 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, while coming back and finishing his junior campaign with the Bulldogs with 807 yards and hauling in eight touchdowns through the air.

With Ruckert, the first rated tight end and 52nd overall prospect in the class of 2018 (according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings) now in the fold, the Buckeyes’ class of 2018 is once again the top overall class in the country. The class currently sits at 15 players.

Want to know more on Ruckert and his commitment to Ohio State? Land-Grant Holy Land will have much more on Jeremy’s pledge to the Buckeyes soon.

Highlights

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What Jeremy Ruckert's commitment means for the Buckeyes: Ohio State football recruiting - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What Jeremy Ruckert's commitment means for the Buckeyes: Ohio State football recruiting
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thoughts on Jeremy Ruckert's commitment to Ohio State, how he fits and what it means for the Buckeyes. * Ruckert is the first tight end commitment in Ohio State's 2018 class, and he could end up being the only one -- at least on paper.
Ohio State Recruiting Notebook: The latest in Buckeyes recruiting ...Landof10.com
Open thread: Ruckert - why and why not OSU and final thoughts247Sports
Jeremy Ruckert of Lindenhurst commits to Ohio State BuckeyesNewsday
Land-Grant Holy Land -Eleven Warriors -OSU - The Lantern
all 12 news articles »

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Ohio State University Alumnus Chris Spielman Could Cost Buckeyes Bucks through Lawsuit Concerning Athletes' Images - Promo Marketing (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State University Alumnus Chris Spielman Could Cost Buckeyes Bucks through Lawsuit Concerning Athletes' Images
Promo Marketing (blog)
During his 10 seasons in the National Football League, eight as a Detroit Lion and two as a Buffalo Bill, Chris Spielman stopped many frustrated foes in their tracks, tallying 1,181 tackles. The 51-year-old, who earned four Pro Bowl selections for his ...
BH: End in sight | Injured and gone for good?247Sports
Inside College Football: The 'big deal' Ohio State lawsuit, Alabama revelationsCBSSports.com
Ohio State basketball: Events conspired in landing St. Louis guardThe Columbus Dispatch
Eleven Warriors -Scout -House of Sparky
all 15 news articles »

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Deshaun Thomas signs with Maccabi Tel Aviv - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Deshaun Thomas signs with Maccabi Tel Aviv
247Sports
Thompson was an All-Big Ten and All-American player during his three seasons for the Buckeyes from 2010-2013. In his final year in Columbus, the forward led OSU in scoring (19.8 points per game), minutes (35.4 per game) and rebounds (5.9 per game).

and more »

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BH: End in sight | Injured and gone for good? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: End in sight | Injured and gone for good?
247Sports
That bombshell came out Friday afternoon when news broke that Chris Spielman, one of the most beloved Buckeyes, was suing his alma mater. Public sentiment seems to be running 80/20 in Spielman's favor. A source close to the situation indicates it will ...
Inside College Football: The 'big deal' Ohio State lawsuit, Alabama revelationsCBSSports.com
Ohio State basketball: Events conspired in landing St. Louis guardThe Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State Wide Receiver Parris Campbell Named To Paul Hornung Award Watch ListScout
MyDaytonDailyNews -TheSpread.com -Eleven Warriors
all 11 news articles »

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The Buckeyes' Difficult Task of Replacing Malik Hooker in 2017 - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The Buckeyes' Difficult Task of Replacing Malik Hooker in 2017
Eleven Warriors
In what must be considered one of the most impressive starting debuts from a Buckeye safety in 126 seasons of playing the game, Hooker picked off Bowling Green twice, including an acrobatic play on the ball in which he seemingly came from nowhere to ...


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Jerome Baker, Chris Worley named to Butkus Award watch list - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Jerome Baker, Chris Worley named to Butkus Award watch list
247Sports
Returning starters Jerome Baker and Chris Worley each made the cut when the watch list was announced on Monday. Baker began the 2016 season as a backup to outside linebacker Dante Booker. But when Booker was hurt in the Buckeyes' season opener ...
Ohio State Football: Jerome Baker, Chris Worley Named To Butkus Award Watch ListScout

all 48 news articles »

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Dienhart: Here are my top 25 Big Ten games of 2017
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

There is no shortage of great games that dot the Big Ten schedule in 2017. The best non-league game? Oklahoma at Ohio State. The best conference tilt? Penn State at Ohio State. Here is my ranking of the Top 25 games on the Big Ten schedule.

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Parris Campbell named to Hornung Award watch list - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Parris Campbell named to Hornung Award watch list
247Sports
After a redshirt season, he stepped on the field for the first time as a wide receiver and returned kick for the Buckeyes in 2016. Last season, Campbell caught 13 passes for 121 yards. He also had four rushing attempts for 54 yards and scored his first ...


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Ezekiel Elliott reportedly involved in a Dallas bar incident
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 former Buckeye running back can’t seem to stay out of the headlines.

Ever since he last suited up in the Scarlet and Gray, running back Ezekiel Elliott has made headlines for both his on and off field actions. Even though the NFL is in its offseason, that continued to be true this morning, with Mike Fisher reporting that Elliott was involved in an altercation at a bar in Dallas.

According to CBS Philly, Fisher reported Monday on 105.3 The Fan, the NFL will take a look at, “these are exact words from a source — ‘accumulative nature of Zeke’e behavior.'”

This latest scuffle will be another piece of evidence in the NFL investigation already taking place around the running back. Elliott’s been back in the news this week with reports that the NFL is mulling over a potential punishment — likely a one or two game suspension — for Elliott’s involvement in an alleged domestic violence altercation with a woman ahead of his rookie season.

While no charges were filed following the July 2016 incident, citing conflicting and inconsistent evidence, the prosecutor’s office wouldn’t go as far as saying Elliott committed no wrongdoing, only that there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue a conviction.

In November of last year, it was reported by Sports Illustrated that the same woman called police against Elliott in February 2016 during an argument in Florida. Elliott wasn’t arrested in that dispute either, for the same lack of evidence and witnesses.

Those weren’t the sole incidents that could worry the NFL, either. Elliott was also recorded pulling down a woman’s top during a St. Patrick’s Day parade in March 2017. The woman didn’t file any charges, but the behavior could be an issue for the NFL regardless of whether or not it was a consensual act.

The NFL will include this latest incident with a bouncer at a Dallas club in their thorough investigation, and will ultimately have to make a decision — sooner rather than later — about Elliott’s status at the beginning of the 2017 regular season.

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Can Penn State beat Ohio State? A 47 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Can Penn State beat Ohio State? A 47 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose
cleveland.com
Spoiler alert, this is best chance to beat Ohio State that we're giving one of the Buckeyes' opponents this year. Better than Oklahoma and better than Michigan (which you'll see later this week), we're viewing Penn State as the toughest game on Ohio ...
Summer study guide: 17 best Big Ten football games in 2017Landof10.com
Big Ten Football title odds makers like Ohio State for obvious reasonsThe Daily Gopher
Top 10 Players Attending Big Ten Media DaysEleven Warriors

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Ohio State Buckeyes fan's dislike for Michigan gives family hope for recovery - CBS News
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Ohio State Buckeyes fan's dislike for Michigan gives family hope for recovery
CBS News
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The family of an Ohio man who returned to the U.S. comatose in April after suffering a traumatic brain injury from a car accident in the Republic of Georgia was given little chance of recovering by doctors who said they should be ...
Comatose Ohio State fan still hates MichiganSporting News

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Fox's film room: Buckeyes keep churning out defensive backs. Denzel Ward is just latest - The Athletic
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Fox's film room: Buckeyes keep churning out defensive backs. Denzel Ward is just latest
The Athletic
Last year, Ohio State had three defensive backs selected in the round one, and I believe the Buckeyes have another great one waiting in the wings. His name is Denzel Ward. If you don't think Ward has a chance to be great then you don't know OSU ...


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Can Nebraska beat Ohio State? An 11 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Can Nebraska beat Ohio State? An 11 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose
cleveland.com
Week before the OSU game: Nebraska plays arguably its most important game of the season the week before hosting the Buckeyes. Wisconsin, the defending champ of the Big Ten West and the likely favorite this year, comes to Lincoln on Oct. 7. Nebraska ...


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Huge Ohio State target set to announce commitment
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Will the Buckeyes land another 2018 standout today?

After trying to land a commitment from four-star tight end Jeremy Ruckert for months, Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes coaching staff now only have a more few hours left to find out if the class of 2018 standout will suit up in the Scarlet and Gray on the next level or not.

Down to four programs, Ruckert, a U.S. Army All-American from Lindenwood, NY, will announce his college plans this afternoon between Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin.


One of the key recruits the Buckeyes have wanted in their 2018 class throughout the process, Ruckert would add another big time target to the Buckeyes roster.

A huge receiving threat at over 6-foot-5 and 230-pounds, he’s shown off his soft hands during his time at Lindenwood High, and during many elite camps, including The Opening, held on the grounds of the Nike Headquarters in Oregon.

After having a strong sophomore campaign, Ruckert proved it wasn’t a fluke by coming out as a junior and racking up over 800 yards through the air and eight touchdowns.

Will the Buckeyes hard work pay off once again or will Ruckert spurn Ohio State and take his talents elsewhere? We won’t have to wait much longer to find out. Stick with Land-Grant Holy Land for the latest.

2019 DB to attend Friday Night Lights


In just a few days the Ohio State coaching staff will be plenty busy, coaching up some of the top prospects in the country at their annual Friday Night Lights camp at Ohio Stadium.

One of those aforementioned recruits trying to catch the attention of the Buckeyes staff is MJ Griffin, a 2019 athlete from Saline High School in Michigan.

“I just want to go and compete and dominate. I'm trying to earn that offer. Coach Coombs is real cool and I think he likes me a lot. He said that he wants me there so I'm not trying to let him down,” Griffin, who reportedly holds offers from the likes of Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville, Ball State, Bowling Green, and others stated to Land-Grant Holy Land.

While he is in no rush to end his recruitment, an offer from the Buckeyes would definitely be something the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Griffin wouldn’t take lightly.

“A Buckeye offer would mean that I can play for one of my top teams. All their DBs go to the league and I can play for a team that competes for the Ship every year. OSU Football is Championship football. And when I talked to Coach Coombs he told me to make a 40 year decision not a four year decision.” He added.

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Ohio State recruiting: Final thoughts on Jeremy Ruckert's decision, Jayson Oweh continues to dazzle - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State recruiting: Final thoughts on Jeremy Ruckert's decision, Jayson Oweh continues to dazzle
Landof10.com
It's been a long road for the Buckeyes and Ruckert. Ohio State began recruiting him with Ed Warinner, but that has morphed into a combination of Urban Meyer and Kevin Wilson. Meyer rarely gets this involved with a prospect, which speaks volumes about ...
Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State's Top 2018 Tight End Target, Set to Announce on MondayEleven Warriors
4-star DE Jayson Oweh has Penn State "right with if not a little ahead" of Ohio State with decision loomingPennLive.com

all 3 news articles »

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Scarlet and Gray cruise into Round of 16 of TBT - 247Sports
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Scarlet and Gray cruise into Round of 16 of TBT
247Sports
It was a good weekend for the Scarlet and Gray, a Ohio State alumni team, in The Basketball Tournament. A group made up of mostly former Buckeye players earned a first-round 78-63 win on Saturday, then, the Midwest region's No. 2 seed cruised into the ...
Former Buckeyes thrive in opener of The Basketball TournamentABC6OnYourSide.com
Ohio State alumni team wins first game in $2 million basketball ...cleveland.com
How to watch the Ohio State alums in Round 2 of The Basketball ...Land-Grant Holy Land
Scout -Eleven Warriors
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Kyle Snyder, Logan Stieber win golds in Madrid - 247Sports
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Kyle Snyder, Logan Stieber win golds in Madrid
247Sports
Kyle Snyder is already the youngest United States Olympic gold medalist and World Champion in wrestling history and a two-time NCAA champion. His former Ohio State teammate, Logan Stieber, is also a world champion and four-team NCAA champion.


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The Ohio State alumni team advances to The Basketball Tournament Super 16
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Team Scarlet & Gray cruises to next round thanks to the return of Three-bler!

For the second day in a row, team Scarlet & Gray was victorious in the opening weekend of The Basketball Tournament. On Sunday, the team primarily consisting of for former Ohio State basketball players knocked off a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee team called the Banner Boys, 72-58. Check out the highlights below.

The tournament’s eventual champion will receive a prize of $2 million dollars to be awarded on August 3rd following the finals in Baltimore, MD.

Leading the way for the former Buckeyes was three-point specialist Jon Diebler. A member of Beşiktaş in the Turkish pro league, Diebler finished with a game-high 21 points, hitting five of his eight attempts from beyond the arc.

William Buford, currently a member of BCM Gravelines in the French Pro A league, turned in 14 points in just 16 minutes.

The Midwest’s second-seeded Scarlet & Gray team went on a 10-0 run in the early minutes, and after trailing 1-0, never relinquished the lead. Just over halfway through the first half, a driving Jared Sullinger found Evan Ravenel for a corner three to put the former Buckeyes up 24-12.


Ravenel, currently on the Japanese Akita Northern Happinets, finished with six points and three boards. Sullinger, who is currently without an NBA team after playing for Boston and Toronto last year, finished the game with four points and eight boards.

However, the No. 7 Banners Boys went on a 17-3 run in the half’s final eight minutes to pull within five with less than a minute to go before halftime, but S&G went into the locker room up 39-30.

Former UW-Milwaukee shooting guard Myles McKay led the Banner Boys with 14 points and three assists, with Kaylon Williams adding 13, and Jordan Aaron chipping in 10.

Former Buckeye point guard Aaron Craft finished the game with seven points, eight boards, and four assists, and was the obnoxious defender that OSU fans grew to love during his time in Columbus. Craft will play for AS Monaco Basket in the French Pro A league this season.


Also contributing for team Scarlet & Gray was former Northern Illinois power forward Leon Rodgers. He turned in nine points and six assists on the afternoon. The Scarlet & Gray team used their size and athleticism advantages to outscore the Banner Boys 20 to 4 on second chance points, and the bench of former Buckeye greats held a 28-15 edge over their Banner Boy counterparts.

As a team S&G shot 43.6% from the field, and, primarily thanks to Diebler, 40.9% from three-point land. Turnovers were still a concern for the former Buckeyes, as they committed 12 in their opening round game and 19 on Sunday. As their competition continues to improve, this will become an increasingly important factor for team Scarlet and Gray.

The squad will next play in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday, July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. EDT against the winner of Sunday’s game between the No. 6 Fort Wayne Champs and No. 3 Always a Brave, a team made up of Bradley University alums. The game will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

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