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Google Stud offensive tackle has Ohio State as a 'definite' on list - 247Sports

Stud offensive tackle has Ohio State as a 'definite' on list - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Stud offensive tackle has Ohio State as a 'definite' on list
247Sports
What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! Along with Meyer's message was a link to a Washington Post piece saying Columbus is now the country's 15th largest city ...


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Google Matta says two OSU players dealing with family emergencies - 247Sports

Matta says two OSU players dealing with family emergencies - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Matta says two OSU players dealing with family emergencies
247Sports
Without Lyle, the Buckeyes will be down to one point guard in C.J. Jackson. Jackson has started the last two games since Lyle's ankle injury, logging 28 minutes in each game. (Stay tuned for our preview of OSU-Maryland.) "Not having JaQuan will make it ...
JaQuan Lyle to miss Ohio State basketball game vs. Maryland due to family emergencycleveland.com
'It's Been A Rough 24 Hours For Our Program': Two Ohio State Players Dealing With Family Emergencies As Team ...Eleven Warriors

all 8 news articles »


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Google BH: Winter winners | Deep (coverage) thoughts - 247Sports

BH: Winter winners | Deep (coverage) thoughts - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: Winter winners | Deep (coverage) thoughts
247Sports
Urban Meyer is 61-6 over five years as head coach, meaning the Buckeyes do not lose often. As Martell walks into the program of his dreams, he also walks into a crowded quarterback room. J.T. Barrett, the reigning Silver Football holder and a two-time ...
Minnesota Hockey: Gophers Look for Revenge Against BuckeyesThe Daily Gopher
Buckeyes are back to work, Ohio State spring game tickets on sale and moreLandof10.com
Ohio State football releases time, ticket info for Buckeyes' 2017 spring gamecleveland.com
Scarlet and Game -Norwalk Reflector
all 105 news articles »


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Google Wrestling Preview: No. 4 Buckeyes Travel to Nebraska to Face No. 5 Huskers - Eleven Warriors

Wrestling Preview: No. 4 Buckeyes Travel to Nebraska to Face No. 5 Huskers - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Wrestling Preview: No. 4 Buckeyes Travel to Nebraska to Face No. 5 Huskers
Eleven Warriors
No. 4 Ohio State will wrap up the end of their regular season dual meet schedule this weekend, beginning with a trip to Lincoln to take on No. 5 Nebraska. The dual will feature six bouts between ranked wrestlers in each of the first three and the last ...

and more »


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LGHL Ohio State and Alabama lead the way as 2017 playoff contenders

Ohio State and Alabama lead the way as 2017 playoff contenders
Chad Peltier
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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The math has some nice things to say about Ohio State football.

Bill C.’s recently released 2017 S&P+ projections have Ohio State second behind Alabama, and in front of Florida State and Michigan.

After getting shut out in the first round of the playoff, replacing two co-offensive coordinators, and again turning around 3⁄4 of the secondary, a second-ranked projection might feel a little high for some Buckeye fans — but there are good reasons for such a lofty preseason rank.

How the Projected S&P+ works


This is from Bill’s 2017 Projections piece:


Recruiting is easy. I simply create a projected rating based on these two-year recruiting rankings. The recruiting-based projection makes up 25 percent of the overall S&P+ projection.

For returning production, I apply projected changes (based on each team’s returning offensive and defensive production, which are on different scales) to last year’s S&P+ averages. The projection based on returning production accounts for 56 percent.

For recent history, I’ve gotten a little weird. I found that the previous year’s S&P+ ratings were carrying a little too much weight in the projections, so what you see below is a projection based solely off of seasons two to five years ago. Recent history now carries less weight in the overall formulas, only 19 percent. It basically acts as a slight supplement to the two factors above.

So, essentially, it’s 25% 2-year recruiting rankings, 56% returning production (which is based on both experience returning and last year’s S&P+ performances on both sides of the ball), and 19% S&P+ performance from the last 2-5 years.

Let’s dive in to each of those.

Recruiting rankings and Ohio State


The only team to recruit better than Ohio State in the 2017 class, over the last two classes, and over the last five classes, has been Alabama.

Over the last five years, I’d argue that Ohio State has closed the gap with Alabama recruiting-wise, and the group of truly-elite recruiters has closed to about six or seven teams. These six teams have a 5-year recruiting percentage over 96.4%: Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, USC, Florida State, and Georgia. Michigan is charging fast into that category, with the fourth-best 2-year recruiting ranking, but the 19th-ranked 5-year recruiting ranking.

Traditionally, as Bud Elliott writes every season, it’s almost impossible for a team that doesn’t have a blue chip percentage over 50% to win the national title. Last year 13 teams fit that bill.

We don’t have the blue chip percentage numbers for 2017 yet, but to get a rough approximation of national title contenders from a talent perspective I looked at the top-15 2-year recruiters. They include: Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan, LSU, Georgia, USC, Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Clemson, Tennessee, UCLA, and Stanford. That’s a pretty solid list to me.

Returning production


In terms of overall returning experience, the 2016 Buckeyes were dead-last in Power-5 teams. This season things are a little better, with the Buckeyes ranking 72nd overall in team returning production. That’s 50th in offensive returning production and 92nd in defensive returning production.

As Bill explains, the correlations between returning production and future S&P+ are much better on the defensive side of the ball, particularly with overall passes defended. That’s what really hurts the Buckeyes, as one of the best 2016 secondaries in the country was gutted by players leaving for the NFL. It’s the same story on the other side of the ball, where returning receiving yards seems to have the greatest impact on offensive S&P+. Noah Brown and Curtis Samuel’s production will definitely be missed here.

Ohio State is just 72nd in returning production, but nevertheless rank 3rd in returning production as it relates to 2017 projected S&P+. That’s because the projected S&P+ rankings take returning production as it relates to last year’s offensive and defensive S&P+ rankings. So, since Ohio State finished 23rd and 5th in offensive and defensive S&P+ last year, they still do very well in the returning production part of the projected 2017 rankings.

Recent History


This one is easy -- it’s really just Alabama and then everyone else. While Ohio State ranks second, the difference between the two in 5-year average S&P+ is the same distance between Ohio State and USC at 8th. That’s a wide gap.

What does it all mean?


If you’re betting on next season, the pool of teams you should be choosing from is pretty small. There are only four teams that rank in the top ten in all three of Bill’s projected S&P+ factors — Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, and LSU.

Next we’ll take a look at the Big Ten and playoff races according to these projections.

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BTN How many Big Ten men’s basketball teams make Saturday’s Top 16 reveal?

How many Big Ten men’s basketball teams make Saturday’s Top 16 reveal?
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

For the first time ever, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Selection Committee will reveal the nation’s top 16 seeds. How many Big Ten teams will be on it? Let the debate begin! The show airs at 12:30 PM, ET on CBS.
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Google BM5: Bosa to move into starting role? Burrow or Haskins? - 247Sports

BM5: Bosa to move into starting role? Burrow or Haskins? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: Bosa to move into starting role? Burrow or Haskins?
247Sports
If so, who moves to the bench? Ohio State has both starting defensive ends returning with Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Tyquan Lewis, plus Sam Hubbard. Also, if J.T. Barrett goes down with an injury, who would become the Buckeyes' starting ...
Buckeyes are back to work, Ohio State spring game tickets on sale and moreLandof10.com
Ohio State football releases time, ticket info for Buckeyes' 2017 spring gamecleveland.com
Buckeyes Survive Sloppy Affair, Beat Rutgers 70-64Scarlet and Game
Ironton Tribune -Eleven Warriors
all 95 news articles »


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Google Way too early 2018 mock draft has two Buckeyes in first round - 247Sports

Way too early 2018 mock draft has two Buckeyes in first round - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Way too early 2018 mock draft has two Buckeyes in first round
247Sports
In the mock draft done by Charlie Campbell for 2018, there are two Ohio State Buckeyes currently featured in the first round. What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now!


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Google Minnesota Hockey: Gophers Look for Revenge Against Buckeyes - The Daily Gopher

Minnesota Hockey: Gophers Look for Revenge Against Buckeyes - The Daily Gopher
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Minnesota Hockey: Gophers Look for Revenge Against Buckeyes
The Daily Gopher
The Gophers will look to earn some form of revenge against Ohio State for the 8-3 loss the Buckeyes pinned on the Gophers in December. However, that loss has brought the team together as they are 10-2 since that night with the only losses to Wisconsin ...


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2017 Ohio State Baseball Season Outlook

Like the article says, the pitching staff will be the strength of the team. Hopefully they will keep the team in games until the offense gels or the new guys come out of the gate swinging (pun intended).

Next freaking weekend! Can you believe it?

GO BUCKS


im pumped thats for sure. gonna be interesting with all the newbies
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Google Ohio State basketball: Why the Buckeyes are now entering the most important stretch of the...

Ohio State basketball: Why the Buckeyes are now entering the most important stretch of the season - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State basketball: Why the Buckeyes are now entering the most important stretch of the season
cleveland.com
For the Buckeyes (15-10, 5-7 Big Ten) to get on the bubble, they need more big wins. Beating Maryland would be the kind of win that would help, so would one on Tuesday night at Michigan State. A win in either of those games, and Ohio State would be in ...


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Google Important Buckeye recruiting weekend includes Carman - 247Sports

Important Buckeye recruiting weekend includes Carman - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Important Buckeye recruiting weekend includes Carman
247Sports
If the Buckeyes were to offer Abraham, the comparisons to Samuel would be through the roof. Abraham already hears it a bit, and takes it as a true honor. "It's great to be compared to such an athlete like him," he stated. "The things you see him do at ...


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Google Buckeyes are back to work, Ohio State spring game tickets on sale and more - Landof10.com

Buckeyes are back to work, Ohio State spring game tickets on sale and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes are back to work, Ohio State spring game tickets on sale and more
Landof10.com
The Buckeyes begin spring football practices on March 7 and will entertain the masses with a spring football game on April 15. If you want to attend the spring game, like 100,189 people – a national record – did last year, you will be able to buy ...
Back-to-back wins give Buckeyes glimmer of hope for NCAA berth247Sports
Ohio State basketball: Why the Buckeyes are now entering the most important stretch of the seasoncleveland.com
Buckeyes Survive Sloppy Affair, Beat Rutgers 70-64Scarlet and Game
Ironton Tribune -Eleven Warriors -Land-Grant Holy Land
all 86 news articles »


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LGHL Ohio State 2018 TE target now ranked No. 1 at position

Ohio State 2018 TE target now ranked No. 1 at position
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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On top of that, Ruckert is now ranked No. 1 in his home state of New York.

With Ohio State in the heat of their winter workouts, the players are currently under the watchful eye of strength coach Mickey Marotti. With mat drills underway and a NCAA quiet period in effect until Apr. 15, one would think Ohio State's recruiting situation would be somewhat quiet. Well, maybe for some schools, but like Urban Meyer has stated time and time again: recruiting is a business that never stops. The Buckeyes ended 2017 with a huge bang and have hit the ground running in 2018 keeping the same pace.

Buckeye TE target skyrockets


Ohio State didn't need to sign a tight end prospect in their 2017 class with their terrific haul of in-state Ohio products Luke Farrell and Jake Hausman in the 2016 class. However, with a gap year without a tight end signee, the Buckeyes are determined to bring in a tight end that can present terrific run blocking skills and possess the abilities to be a legitimate threat in the passing game.

Ohio State found their guy in Jeremy Ruckert (Lindenhurst, NY / Lindenhurst Senior) and they've made it no secret. Easily the top target Urban Meyer and staff are recruiting for the position, the Buckeyes and Ruckert are certainly not strangers. In fact, the staff has made their presence at Lindenhurst Senior High School known as of late. Ruckert was also recently in town for Ohio State's junior day. It looks as if the Buckeyes are in excellent condition, as of right now, for Ruckert—and Ruckert himself continues to make the case for why.

Yesterday, via his Twitter account, Jeremy made it public that he was now the top ranked tight end in the country as well as the top overall prospect in all of New York. Obviously, with those rankings, it's easy to see why the Buckeyes are so high on Ruckert and are actively pursuing him daily.


I am honored to be named the Nation's #1 Tight End and New York's #1 overall player in 2018!!! #Blessed. pic.twitter.com/i7fs0vzRhP

— Jeremy Ruckert (@Jeremy_Ruckert1) February 9, 2017

Could Ohio State once again land their top target at a position of need? The 247sports crystal ball predictions certainly like their chances, as all five predictions have Ruckert going to the Buckeyes.

OSU commit gets his 5th star


Earlier this week the Buckeyes gained another 2018 pledge when California stud safety Jaiden Woodbey (Upland, CA / St. John Bosco) gave Ohio State his verbal commitment. At the time, Woodbey was "only" a four-star safety prospect. While that's certainly nothing to hang your head about, with the way Ohio State fared in 2017 with their defensive back pledges, a four-star would've been on the outside looking in—considering the amount of five-star pledges that the Buckeyes signed. Well, fast forward just two days and with the newest rankings update from 247sports, Woodbey is now a five-star.


CA➡️OH move is going to be real in 2018

— I AM JAIDEN WOODBEY™ (@JaidenWoodbey6) February 8, 2017

With the ratings boost, Woodbey is now the third best safety in the 2018 class and the fourth best prospect in the entire state of California at any position. Grading out as the 26th prospect in the nation, Jaiden clearly earned his five-star status. It may be early on for Woodbey and the Buckeyes with his pledge coming just this past week, but he has already starting recruiting in favor of his future school. As Urban Meyer said on signing day, sometimes the best recruiters for your specific school are the players themselves. Woodbey looks to be well on his way.

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Google If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen - Norwalk Reflector

If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen - Norwalk Reflector
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen
Norwalk Reflector
Freshman Shaun Wade is another five-star corner the Buckeyes told to be ready, but he's nearly 15 pounds lighter than Okudah and at first glance doesn't look as physically ready. Junior college transfer Kendall Sheffield will also arrive expecting to ...


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Google Back-to-back wins give Buckeyes glimmer of hope for NCAA berth - 247Sports

Back-to-back wins give Buckeyes glimmer of hope for NCAA berth - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Back-to-back wins give Buckeyes glimmer of hope for NCAA berth
247Sports
The urgency is real for an Ohio State program that saw its seven-year run of NCAA appearances snapped last season, when the Buckeyes were relegated to the NIT. OSU has not missed the NCAA as an eligible team in consecutive seasons since the final ...
Ohio State basketball: Why the Buckeyes are now entering the most important stretch of the seasoncleveland.com
Buckeyes Survive Sloppy Affair, Beat Rutgers 70-64Scarlet and Game
Buckeyes hold off RutgersIronton Tribune
Eleven Warriors -Land-Grant Holy Land -Landof10.com
all 82 news articles »


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Google Palaie Gaoteote getting familiar with Billy Davis, Fairfield stars visiting Ohio State, top...

Palaie Gaoteote getting familiar with Billy Davis, Fairfield stars visiting Ohio State, top RB target off the board? - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Palaie Gaoteote getting familiar with Billy Davis, Fairfield stars visiting Ohio State, top RB target off the board?
Landof10.com
That's especially important for a coach in his first month on the job as new Buckeyes defensive assistant Billy Davis is. And he's been talking regularly to one of Ohio State's top overall targets for 2018, Las Vegas (Bishop Gorman) Palaie Gaoteote ...


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Google If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen - Norwalk Reflector

If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen - Norwalk Reflector
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


If Buckeyes want to win it all, stay away from starting true freshmen
Norwalk Reflector
Freshman Shaun Wade is another five-star corner the Buckeyes told to be ready, but he's nearly 15 pounds lighter than Okudah and at first glance doesn't look as physically ready. Junior college transfer Kendall Sheffield will also arrive expecting to ...


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Google Ohio State 5-star RB target Lorenzo Lingard commits to Miami - 247Sports

Ohio State 5-star RB target Lorenzo Lingard commits to Miami - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State 5-star RB target Lorenzo Lingard commits to Miami
247Sports
Lingard's list of scholarship offers included Ohio State, Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Miami, Clemson, Auburn and Ole Miss. What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now!

and more »


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LGHL Urban Meyer looks to revamp Ohio State’s passing game after 2016 struggles

Urban Meyer looks to revamp Ohio State’s passing game after 2016 struggles
Brett Ludwiczak
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_9786345.0.jpg

The head coach also is looking for improved play from the offensive line, who allowed 25 sacks last year.

“The season was unfortunate to end like that because that’s not -- I believe we were a year ahead of schedule. I did not envision that at the beginning of the season.”

- Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer via Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


The last time Ohio State lost to Clemson it forced Urban Meyer to take a hard look at his team and make some changes. Those changes worked out pretty well as the Buckeyes went on to win the first-ever College Football Playoff the next season. Meyer is hoping that the embarrassing loss to the Tigers in the Fiesta Bowl might wind up having the same effect in 2017. Following the loss to Clemson in the 2014 Orange Bowl, Meyer shook up the defense. After this year’s loss, Meyer is looking to change how the offense operates.

Gone after Tim Beck and Ed Warinner and coming in are former Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and NFL quarterbacks coach Ryan Day to try and get the Buckeye offense rolling again. Not like it is all bad on the offensive side of the football though, as Ohio State has ran for the most yards in the country over the past five years. Where the Buckeyes need to get better is in the passing game. Having quarterback J.T. Barrett returning for his senior season, along with a more experienced wide receiving corps, Ohio State certainly has the tools to rebound quickly.

“They said they wanted me to come in mentally ready to play as a freshman. And they’ll get me physically ready.”

- Ohio State defensive back Jeffrey Okudah via Doug Lesmerises, Northeast Ohio Media Group


It’s not all that often that a true freshman sees significant playing time in his first year at Ohio State, and it’s even more rare to see one start. While players like Ezekiel Elliott, Vonn Bell, and Raekwon McMillan did see a good amount of playing time in their first season in Columbus, they weren’t really called on to start during their freshman campaigns. Offensive lineman Michael Jordan was called on to start last year, but that was more of a necessity because of the depth issues on Ohio State’s offensive line. The 2017 season could see a true freshman start in the defensive backfield. Some of that is because of the exodus of talented defensive backs to the NFL over the past two years, but most of it is because he is extremely talented.

Jeffrey Okudah is Urban Meyer’s second-highest ranked recruit while he has been in Columbus, falling just behind defensive end Noah Spence. Okudah possesses the size that is similar to Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, both of whom are headed to the NFL. While Okudah just recently arrived in Columbus for winter workouts, he is already in the mindset of being on the field for Ohio State when the Buckeyes open the season on August 31st against Indiana. Even though he knows that he still has work to do to catch up with some of his more seasoned teammates, Okudah believes he’ll be expected to shutdown the opponent’s top receiver. If he continues to progress and not only physically, but mentally, the cornerback from Texas will be making plays early and often in his freshman year.

“There’s a plan here that you just have to follow. I knew I could go to the league here, and [cornerbacks coach Kerry] Coombs is going to work my tail off and push me to be the best person I can before I get to the league.”

- Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade via Austin Ward, ESPN


Jeffrey Okudah isn’t the only incoming freshman who has the talent to make some waves in the Ohio State defensive backfield this season. Cornerback Shaun Wade is coming to Columbus as a five-star recruit, and was ESPN’s top-ranked cornerback in this recruiting class. Wade committed to the Buckeyes two years ago after Ohio State took home the national title, and even though there was interest from all the big programs around the country, Wade never wavered on becoming a Buckeye.

Wade enrolled at Ohio State early, which will allow him to participate in spring practices. The competition for the cornerback spots is expected to be heated with not only Denzel Ward coming back, but also signees Kendall Sheffield, Amir Reip, and Marcus Williamson in the mix. The cornerback from Florida has dreams of moving on to the NFL, and with players like Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, and Marcus Lattimore either already in the league or on their way to the lead, there is no reason to think the same isn’t in the cards for Wade. Much like Okudah, expect to be hearing Wade’s name a lot for at least the next three years for the Buckeyes.

“I think when Trevor is engaged, I think he’s as good as anybody. There’s moments where he can get out of sync, and as long as we can get him back in and he lets us coach him and get him back into the fold of what we’re trying to do, he’s very effective.”

- Ohio State men’s basketball coach Thad Matta on Trevor Thompson via Nicholas McWilliams, The Lantern


So far this season there hasn’t been a lot about Ohio State’s men’s basketball team to get excited about. In a year that has been filled with injuries and inconsistent play, the lone bright spot has been the play of Trevor Thompson. The Virginia Tech transfer is averaging nearly a double-double in his second season in Columbus. After averaging 6.6 points per game last year for the Buckeyes, this year Thompson is averaging 10.6 points per game, and is also averaging a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game.

Last night against Rutgers, Thompson recorded his second straight double-double by scoring 15 points and pulling down 13 rebounds in the 70-64 win over the Scarlet Knights. The double-double was the ninth of the season for the junior. Thompson’s growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by opposing players and coaches either, with Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino going so far to say that Thompson is the most improved player in the Big Ten this year. While there are still occasional mistakes on the court from Thompson, there is no question that he has been Ohio State’s best player so far this season.

STICK TO SPORTS


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Google Ohio State football releases time, ticket info for Buckeyes 2017 spring game - cleveland.com

Ohio State football releases time, ticket info for Buckeyes 2017 spring game - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football releases time, ticket info for Buckeyes 2017 spring game
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State announced on Thursday the time, and ticket info for its 2017 spring game at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes will conclude spring practice with a scrimmage in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, April 15. The game will kickoff at 12:30 p.m ...


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tBBC Rumour: Senators to Ask Phaneuf to Waive NMC

Rumour: Senators to Ask Phaneuf to Waive NMC
T6S
via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


640383998.jpg

OTTAWA, CANADA – JANUARY 26: Dion Phaneuf #2 of the Ottawa Senators skates with the puck against Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Canadian Tire Centre on January 26, 2017 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Francois Laplante/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Normally I don’t read Don Brennan articles, but when I do, there’s usually a good reason for it.

Maybe it’s nothing or it could be something, but in buried in the depths of an article in yesterday’s Ottawa Sun, Brennan wrote, “it’s widely believed the Senators will protect Cody Ceci and Marc Methot along with Erik Karlsson, and ask Dion Phaneuf to waive his no-move with the thinking Las Vegas won’t touch the latter’s hefty contract.”

Ignoring the assertion that the Senators would shittily neglect to protect Chris Wideman – who they could obviously guard by exposing a more expensive veteran like Marc Methot or through trading an overvalued commodity like Cody Ceci – the idea that the Senators likely will ask Dion Phaneuf to waive his no-movement clause (NMC) makes a lot of sense (and really, it makes sense for tons of clubs around the NHL who are in a similar spot).

As unpalatable as Phaneuf’s contract is for Vegas, the Senators can use it to their advantage to protect a Ceci or a Methot, or an effective and inexpensive player like Wideman, who likely would fall victim to an expansion draft claim.

For the Senators, it should be a relatively easy sell.

For Pierre Dorion, it’d probably go something like this:


Dion, we love your character and willingness to do whatever it takes to help us improve our club. The thing is Las Vegas probably isn’t going to want to touch your contract. Unlike us, they don’t value your character and leadership like we do. I mean, you can’t put a price tag on what you bring to our dressing room. Okay granted, they also don’t have a bunch of bad short-term contracts that they have to move out because their owner refused to buy them out because of principle or the optics involved. Not only do they not have to worry about getting out from under short-term mistakes, they didn’t spend the previous few years thumping their chests or bragging about how competitive their team is thanks to their smart spending. They have a blank canvas to work with. We don’t have that luxury and because of it, they don’t have to rely on consolidating their debt by moving short-term problems for a long-term one under the guise that it is a hockey decision that improves our hockey club.

You’re getting older, Dion and I know that you want to play for a winner. Rather than lose an inexpensive and quality asset for nothing, we want you to be part of the solution and give us the flexibility to protect an asset that Las Vegas would consider taking. It will maintain our competitiveness and prevent us from having to enter the market and risk overpaying for an asset that may not be anywhere near as good or effective as the player we lost.

But hey, even in the unlikely event that Las Vegas does select you, at least you’re back out west and your wife will be closer to work in Los Angeles. Everyone wins!”

For all the parties involved, waiving the NMC makes sense.

Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, but it can be mutually beneficial and I can’t think of any reason(s) as to why Phaneuf wouldn’t be amenable to the idea, unless waiving the NMC in this instance means that the Senators will no longer be bound by it moving forward. In other words, if Phaneuf waives his NMC, could the Senators trade him at a later date because he waived his NMC for the purpose of the expansion draft?


@6thSens they talked about this on Jeff Blair show this morning. Renee Lavoie said the NMC would be back on right after the expansion draft

— RAGNAR LODBROK (@Dacoast31) February 9, 2017


Maybe it doesn’t even matter. The the likelihood of a team wanting to absorb the remaining four seasons and $25.5-million in real dollars (carrying a $7.0-million cap hit) on Phaneuf’s contract is small.

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LGHL Ohio State basketball is improving, but even the NIT is far from a lock at this point

Ohio State basketball is improving, but even the NIT is far from a lock at this point
Matt Brown
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_9866373.0.jpg

It’s good to win some games, but the Buckeyes better win some more if they want to make the postseason.

For the first time in nearly a month, Ohio State basketball is on a winning streak.

It wasn’t easy, but the Buckeyes held off Rutgers last night, 70-64, to extend a winning streak to a whopping two games, thanks to their earlier road win over the hated Michigan Wolverines. Ohio State hasn’t won three games in a row since they beat Marshall, back in November.

With the win, Ohio State has improved to 15-10 on the year, and gave themselves a little bit of space from the basement in the Big Ten. Given how mushy the middle of the conference is right now, with a strong finish, Ohio State could easily finish 7th, or close, in the conference.

Of course, if your aspirations are to finish in the middle of the conference, an NCAA Tournament bid is a longshot. Even with back-to-back wins, Ohio State’s profile would need major, extensive renovations if they hope to make the Big Dance. The Buckeyes would probably need to win five of their next six, plus make some noise in the Big Ten Tournament, just to get back in the conversation for an at-large bid. After an embarrassing 0-4 start to Big Ten play, that ship pretty much sailed a long time ago.

But that doesn’t mean Ohio State’s hopes for the postseason are shot. There is, after all, still the NIT.

Of course, even that isn’t a guarantee at this point. The Buckeyes made last year’s NIT as a #3 seed with 20 wins, and no major conference team grabbed an at-large spot with fewer than 18. The Buckeyes might only be favored in two remaining regular season games this season (at home against Nebraska, on the road at Penn State), and if their play this season has proven anything, absolutely nothing should be taken for granted. After all, Ohio State hasn’t won a game by double-digits since Youngstown State. That was in December.

So 18 is probably the magic number for Ohio State, and given that their best win of the season is probably against Michigan State, getting to 19 would probably be a good idea. Their chances of extending Thad Matta’s 20 game win streak don’t look very good at this point.

Does it even matter? NIT bid or not, Ohio State doesn’t look like a team that’s ready to make a deep run in March, no matter what tournament they’re playing in. The Buckeyes have already been shorthanded thanks to Keita Bates-Diop being lost for the season, and with JaQuan Lyle looking a little beat up, the Buckeyes may not have the horses to bring home any trophies this season.

But, even if it doesn’t end in another banner, and even if it doesn’t capture the imagination of Buckeye fans, extra basketball games are still better for the team. If an NIT bid gives players like Andre Wesson and Micah Potter a chance to appreciate what postseason basketball is like, and ideally a few more minutes of shine, it might help give momentum into what will be a critical offseason for the program. The next time Ohio State basketball is truly good, they’ll need the youngest players in the program now to really step up; so the extra time to shine may be good for them.

There’s not a ton of NIT Bracketology out right now, but NYC Buckets, one of the few sites that does the prognostications, had Ohio State as a #3 seed back on January 30th, facing Utah in a region that also included Memphis, Alabama and Rhode Island. But since conference regular season champions are guaranteed spots in the NIT, a run of upsets in one-bid conferences wreck havoc to other mock NIT brackets.

Ohio State probably isn’t going to be in the running for a top seed, so if you’re looking for the Buckeyes to get an invite, root for chalk in conference tournaments, and hope that the Buckeyes are able to find at least two, and ideally three, more wins down the stretch. Anything is possible, but even an early exit in the postseason is better than not getting a bid at all. And after an up-and-down season, Ohio State basketball could use any bit of positive momentum that they can get.

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Google Buckeyes completely dominate CB for two 'priority' targets - 247Sports

Buckeyes completely dominate CB for two 'priority' targets - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes completely dominate CB for two 'priority' targets
247Sports
Urban Meyer has told them they are “priority” recruits for the Buckeyes' 2018 recruiting class – running back Jaelen Gill and offensive lineman Jackson Carman. With a recent Ohio State prediction coming in for Gill, the Crystal Ball now has 15 ...


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LGHL Ohio State football spring game tickets go on sale on Friday

Ohio State football spring game tickets go on sale on Friday
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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With major contributors heading to the NFL, the spring game will be provide a glimpse of OSU’s future.

On Thursday, The Ohio State University athletic department announced that tickets for the 2017 football spring game would go on sale at 10:00 a.m. EST on Friday, February 10th. The game is scheduled for Saturday, April 15th at 12:30 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium. Parking for the game is free, and general admission tickets are just $5. Additionally, there are a limited number of $15 reserved club seats available as well. Children under six-years-old and current Ohio State students get in free.

Tickets can be purchased here or by calling 1-800-GOBUCKS and selecting option 3.

The 2016 spring game boasted an NCAA record 100,189 fans in attendance, an improvement from the previous national record of 99,722, which was set at OSU’s 2015 spring game.

Coming off of a second College Football Playoff appearance in three years, and a second straight NFL Draft likely to feature a whole host of Buckeyes, this year’s spring game will give Urban Meyer the chance to see which of his recent big-time recruits are ready to compete for playing time come fall.

Ohio State will kick off the 2017 season on August 31st in Bloomington, IN against the Indiana Hoosiers.

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