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LGHL Game Notes: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball soundly defeats Northwestern
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Game Notes: No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball soundly defeats Northwestern
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes won their final game before the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes come to town, here are notes on how Thursday’s win helps Monday’s game
The Ohio State women’s basketball team took home court again after 11 days away. Head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes got off to a hot start and never looked back, going start to finish in the lead for the second game in a row.
In this edition of Game Notes, how the substitutes play Thursday helps Monday, a key player getting back into top form and there are at least two players on the Scarlet & Gray who can dunk.
A key storyline of Thursday’s 84-54 Buckeyes win wasn’t a strong game by guard Taylor Mikesell or forward Rebeka Mikulasikova. Even though they both had them, more on them later. It was how coach McGuff wisely prepared for the upcoming stretch.
The Buckeyes welcome the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday, then travel to the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers three days later. It gets slightly easier from there, with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Columbus, but then a week later the Scarlet & Gray face the No. 11 Maryland Terrapins in Maryland.
Suffice it to say the schedule is hitting another level.
That means Thursday’s game had some strategy involved. It came in the form of a revolving door of substitutions throughout the game. McGuff used guards Hevynne Bristow, Emma Shumate, and forward Eboni Walker more than any other game this season.
Bristow played just under 27 minutes, with Shumate and Walker posting 16 and 13 minutes respectively. All three playing well over their season averages, especially when taking away games against smaller non-conference opponents.
“With injuries coming in, people are getting experience that we need,” said Bristow. “You never know what happens in the future that they have to be ready and this gets them prepared for that.”
It was especially nice for Walker who got to play in front of a large group of family who came into town for the upcoming home stretch. Walker, the transfer from Syracuse, scored a scoring high in a Buckeyes uniform with eight points and six rebounds. In those points were impressive moves inside the paint, and a smooth midrange completion.
That meant starters played fewer minutes than usual. Only guard Rikki Harris eclipsed the 30-minute mark. None of the other starters hit 30 minutes, with Mikesell playing five minutes under her season average of 34.9 minutes per game.
“It’ll pay dividends come Monday,” said McGuff.
In the early season, especially when guard Jacy Sheldon went down with an injury, it was the duo of Mikesell and Mikulášiková leading the offense. As the season’s progressed, Mikulášiková had a dip in production and players like forward Cotie McMahon and guard/forward Taylor Thierry saw increased production.
Thursday, the tag team of seniors was back in that form. For the second game in a row, Mikulášiková hit double-digit scoring and played a strong game on defense. Northwestern’s leading scorer, forward Caileigh Walsh, scored only three points and had three rebounds the entire game.
“She was really good tonight. We need her,” said McGuff. “She’s a really big part of what we do so we need her to be ready every night.”
In the seemingly always-ready category is Mikesell. The guard tied Mikulášiková for the leading point scorer with 18 points. The graduate senior also added three steals and two assists. Mikesell’s three was strong in the opening quarter, and helped push the lead for Ohio State before cooling down in the second half.
What Mikesell does for the Scarlet & Gray is often overlooked because it’s become commonplace. However, Mikesell’s leadership all season, really starting last season when she announced she was returning for her final season, made the absence of Sheldon not as noticeable. Which is no easy feat.
Even if Mikesell only played two seasons with Ohio State, regardless of the outcome of the season her name will be synonymous with Buckeyes basketball.
The first-quarter three-point shooting was on fire for the Buckeyes last night. Of Ohio State’s eight made shots from deep, five came in the first quarter. It wasn’t by design either.
Northwestern is known for its zone defense, but early on it was a lot softer than its nickname of “blizzard” suggests. The Buckeyes didn’t attack the paint much, opting for 11 of their 20 shots from beyond the arc.
“I thought we were getting open threes but we weren’t getting a lot of balance in our offense,” said McGuff. “We weren’t getting the ball around the basket, which didn’t allow us to get to the free throw line that much in the first half.”
Offensively, the Buckeyes did change their game plan in the second. McMahon was the catalyst, going hard into the basket, getting to the line 10 times, and scoring seven of her 11 points in the game from the charity stripe.
Ohio State played well defensively Thursday too. The Buckeyes held the visitors to 32.7% shooting, six percentage points less than their season average. For over 10 minutes, from 4:34 in the first quarter to 4:14 in the second quarter, the Buckeyes didn’t allow made baskets from the run of play. scoring six points from the free-throw line.
“I thought we executed defensively really well, kind of throughout,” said McGuff. “We were kind of in the right spot doing the right things in the first half but not with as much energy as we’d like.”
It’s no coincidence that the run of holding the Wildcats back started right after McGuff screamed “wake up!” to his side after Walsh had an easy layup in the paint.
Also, the press was back to normal. The Scarlet and Gray forced 19 turnovers and gave up only 11. Leading the way for Ohio State were Harris, Mikesell, and Bristow, who each had three. Of the 10 players who suited up, six grabbed at least one steal, and all five starters got in on the game.
Alongside the substitutions giving fresh legs, implementing a press against Northwestern gave Ohio State a more fluid transition to using it Monday against the Hawkeyes. No need to fire the defensive strategy back up when Thursday did the job for the Buckeyes.
Before this note goes into more detail, it should be known that Land-Grant Holy Land doesn’t need dunking to enjoy covering and watching the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Now that that’s out of the way, there are two Buckeyes on the roster who can most certainly slam dunk a basketball.
Guards Bristow and Bristow each have that ability. The two have great leaping skills and a long wingspan. On Thursday, two moments proved this theory, with one captured on video and shared on the Buckeyes’ social media page:
The official team social media agrees with Land-Grant Holy Land. They shared that video to the official team account with an additional caption saying “Just dunk it next time and give the people what they want!!!”
That’s what we’re saying!
This isn’t a note as much as it is a statement and it's for the Buckeyes. Mikulášiková with the Michael Jordan shrug. This was a highlight moment from media row, and the social team at the Ohio State University picked it up quickly.
Continue reading...
1ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes won their final game before the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes come to town, here are notes on how Thursday’s win helps Monday’s game
The Ohio State women’s basketball team took home court again after 11 days away. Head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes got off to a hot start and never looked back, going start to finish in the lead for the second game in a row.
In this edition of Game Notes, how the substitutes play Thursday helps Monday, a key player getting back into top form and there are at least two players on the Scarlet & Gray who can dunk.
Substitutes Strengthening Depth
A key storyline of Thursday’s 84-54 Buckeyes win wasn’t a strong game by guard Taylor Mikesell or forward Rebeka Mikulasikova. Even though they both had them, more on them later. It was how coach McGuff wisely prepared for the upcoming stretch.
The Buckeyes welcome the No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes on Monday, then travel to the No. 6 Indiana Hoosiers three days later. It gets slightly easier from there, with the Purdue Boilermakers coming to Columbus, but then a week later the Scarlet & Gray face the No. 11 Maryland Terrapins in Maryland.
Suffice it to say the schedule is hitting another level.
That means Thursday’s game had some strategy involved. It came in the form of a revolving door of substitutions throughout the game. McGuff used guards Hevynne Bristow, Emma Shumate, and forward Eboni Walker more than any other game this season.
Bristow played just under 27 minutes, with Shumate and Walker posting 16 and 13 minutes respectively. All three playing well over their season averages, especially when taking away games against smaller non-conference opponents.
“With injuries coming in, people are getting experience that we need,” said Bristow. “You never know what happens in the future that they have to be ready and this gets them prepared for that.”
It was especially nice for Walker who got to play in front of a large group of family who came into town for the upcoming home stretch. Walker, the transfer from Syracuse, scored a scoring high in a Buckeyes uniform with eight points and six rebounds. In those points were impressive moves inside the paint, and a smooth midrange completion.
That meant starters played fewer minutes than usual. Only guard Rikki Harris eclipsed the 30-minute mark. None of the other starters hit 30 minutes, with Mikesell playing five minutes under her season average of 34.9 minutes per game.
“It’ll pay dividends come Monday,” said McGuff.
They're On Fire
In the early season, especially when guard Jacy Sheldon went down with an injury, it was the duo of Mikesell and Mikulášiková leading the offense. As the season’s progressed, Mikulášiková had a dip in production and players like forward Cotie McMahon and guard/forward Taylor Thierry saw increased production.
Thursday, the tag team of seniors was back in that form. For the second game in a row, Mikulášiková hit double-digit scoring and played a strong game on defense. Northwestern’s leading scorer, forward Caileigh Walsh, scored only three points and had three rebounds the entire game.
“She was really good tonight. We need her,” said McGuff. “She’s a really big part of what we do so we need her to be ready every night.”
In the seemingly always-ready category is Mikesell. The guard tied Mikulášiková for the leading point scorer with 18 points. The graduate senior also added three steals and two assists. Mikesell’s three was strong in the opening quarter, and helped push the lead for Ohio State before cooling down in the second half.
(Yes, that’s 19 dub chains for those keeping count) pic.twitter.com/WYEOl4wrpt
— Ohio State WBB (@OhioStateWBB) January 20, 2023
What Mikesell does for the Scarlet & Gray is often overlooked because it’s become commonplace. However, Mikesell’s leadership all season, really starting last season when she announced she was returning for her final season, made the absence of Sheldon not as noticeable. Which is no easy feat.
Even if Mikesell only played two seasons with Ohio State, regardless of the outcome of the season her name will be synonymous with Buckeyes basketball.
From Downtown
The first-quarter three-point shooting was on fire for the Buckeyes last night. Of Ohio State’s eight made shots from deep, five came in the first quarter. It wasn’t by design either.
Northwestern is known for its zone defense, but early on it was a lot softer than its nickname of “blizzard” suggests. The Buckeyes didn’t attack the paint much, opting for 11 of their 20 shots from beyond the arc.
“I thought we were getting open threes but we weren’t getting a lot of balance in our offense,” said McGuff. “We weren’t getting the ball around the basket, which didn’t allow us to get to the free throw line that much in the first half.”
Offensively, the Buckeyes did change their game plan in the second. McMahon was the catalyst, going hard into the basket, getting to the line 10 times, and scoring seven of her 11 points in the game from the charity stripe.
Strong Defensive Showing
Ohio State played well defensively Thursday too. The Buckeyes held the visitors to 32.7% shooting, six percentage points less than their season average. For over 10 minutes, from 4:34 in the first quarter to 4:14 in the second quarter, the Buckeyes didn’t allow made baskets from the run of play. scoring six points from the free-throw line.
“I thought we executed defensively really well, kind of throughout,” said McGuff. “We were kind of in the right spot doing the right things in the first half but not with as much energy as we’d like.”
It’s no coincidence that the run of holding the Wildcats back started right after McGuff screamed “wake up!” to his side after Walsh had an easy layup in the paint.
Also, the press was back to normal. The Scarlet and Gray forced 19 turnovers and gave up only 11. Leading the way for Ohio State were Harris, Mikesell, and Bristow, who each had three. Of the 10 players who suited up, six grabbed at least one steal, and all five starters got in on the game.
Alongside the substitutions giving fresh legs, implementing a press against Northwestern gave Ohio State a more fluid transition to using it Monday against the Hawkeyes. No need to fire the defensive strategy back up when Thursday did the job for the Buckeyes.
Boom Shakalaka
Before this note goes into more detail, it should be known that Land-Grant Holy Land doesn’t need dunking to enjoy covering and watching the Ohio State women’s basketball team. Now that that’s out of the way, there are two Buckeyes on the roster who can most certainly slam dunk a basketball.
Guards Bristow and Bristow each have that ability. The two have great leaping skills and a long wingspan. On Thursday, two moments proved this theory, with one captured on video and shared on the Buckeyes’ social media page:
The official team social media agrees with Land-Grant Holy Land. They shared that video to the official team account with an additional caption saying “Just dunk it next time and give the people what they want!!!”
That’s what we’re saying!
She's Heating Up
This isn’t a note as much as it is a statement and it's for the Buckeyes. Mikulášiková with the Michael Jordan shrug. This was a highlight moment from media row, and the social team at the Ohio State University picked it up quickly.
Shruggin’ like Jordan pic.twitter.com/XxVDC0CpN7
— Ohio State WBB (@OhioStateWBB) January 20, 2023
Continue reading...
LGHL Looking at potential fits for C.J. Stroud on draft day
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- 0 Replies
Looking at potential fits for C.J. Stroud on draft day
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Now that Ohio State’s two-time Heisman finalist has officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he is a likely candidate to be chosen near the top.
Wounds are still fresh from Ohio State’s heartbreaking Peach Bowl loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, but many have already shifted their attention toward the 2023 NFL Draft — including myself. Because, like, what even is a Peach Bowl? Sounds made up.
Furthermore, I find it wildly unfair that only four teams are chosen to participate in the College Football Playoff. Feels like an arbitrary popularity contest. So in the interest of fairness, I just decided to block out any CFB games (OSU or otherwise) played after Thanksgiving. And let me tell ya: It feels great. Vibes are high over here.
As this year’s draft approaches, former Buckeye quarterback C.J. Stroud will likely be the topic of much conversation now that he has officially declared. The two-time Heisman did mull over his draft decision until the declaration deadline, indicating serious interest in returning to Columbus. But the NFL opportunity was ultimately too good to pass up, and Buckeye Nation should now be cheering for him to land in the best possible situation.
Stroud is almost assured to land somewhere in the top-10, while some media pundits and draft analysts even view him as a can’t-miss top-5 prospect. And per the usual, most teams picking near the top in 2023 do have a need at Stroud’s position. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at potential destinations and/or fits for the record-setting Ohio State signal caller.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24358044/usa_today_19677484.jpg)
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Will Justin Fields be replaced by his former teammate and understudy? Well no, not if the Bears play it smart.
Would the Bears draft Stroud and trade Justin Fields!? Talk about Buckeye on Buckeye crime... However, this seems highly, highly unlikely for a number of reasons.
Among them is the fact that Fields made significant progress during his second NFL season, and showed incredible promise for the future. A mobile QB who can make difficult throws is a treasured asset in the league, and Fields’ dual-threat ability was on clear display in 2022. He should be (or be-come) the guy in Chicago for a long time.
But even if the Bears were ready to abandon their Fields experiment, they might be inclined to select Alabama’s Bryce Young over his (Fields’) former teammate in Columbus. Young is currently the betting favorite to go No. 1 overall, and there is no denying his high-end potential. I personally have concerns regarding the 2021 Heisman winner’s size and durability, but my opinion does not matter a whole heck of a lot.
If Chicago’s front office does fall in love with the former Tide QB, they could send Fields packing and prevent Stroud from establishing residence in the Windy City.
Finally, there is a world in which the Bears trade the first pick. If they love Fields and believe they can get a future star later in the draft, why not auction this pick off to the highest bidder? This actually makes the most sense.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Chicago: Extremely low, if the Bears have any sense.
No thank you... Is what I would say if I were Stroud and found out that the Texans were interested in my services. Whoever gets drafted with the second overall pick is due to make a boatload of money, but Houston’s team is a flaming dumpster heading toward a gasoline plant. Stroud should want no part of their situation. I am rooting against this not only as a Buckeye fan, but also a fan of dumpster fires. Let the franchise pay for past mistakes.
Feelings toward football and pyromania aside, I must admit that the Texans could use a player – and more specifically a QB – with Stroud’s skillset. Davis Mills has not worked out in Houston, and the former Buckeye would be a massive upgrade in talent. There are virtually no weapons to choose from, but Dameon Piece showed promise, Laremy Tunsil is a franchise left tackle, and John Metchie is (thankfully!) recovering well from leukemia.
Stroud could get more out of this offense than Mills, even as a rookie. I just hope he is not forced to do so.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Houston: Low, but only because I want it to be.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24358048/usa_today_19749001.jpg)
Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Cheer up, Colts fans! Help could be on the way.
Now we’re talkin’. The Colts have tried the ol’ “sign or trade for a washed QB and hope for the best” approach ever since Andrew Luck retired. Surprisingly, it has not worked. Stroud would give them a young signal caller with star potential, and they wouldn’t have to trade draft capital to acquire him. They could, you know, just use the capital they have to invest in a prime asset, rather than a depreciating one. What a bright idea!
What makes this potential fit even better is that Indianapolis plays in a dome. Houston also plays in a dome. And Nashville and Jacksonville play in primarily warm weather. Those are your AFC South teams. While Stroud has performed admirably in less-than-perfect conditions, he is a California guy. He lights it up in perfect weather. So just let my man enjoy some sunshine and distribute the rock.
I like this idea a lot, and believe that No. 4 overall is the sweet spot for Stroud. The Colts are better than their 4-12-1 record, they just need a real coach and a QB who is not utterly incapable of moving in the pocket.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Indianapolis: Moderate to high — sign me up.
This is an interesting one. On one hand, the Seahawks got a career year out of Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith. On the other hand, Smith is 32 years old and hadn’t been a relevant QB since 2014. Kudos to him for a career resurgence, but does Seattle want to hitch their wagon to a guy who was a backup for the previous seven seasons?
They might, honestly. Because Smith clearly worked on his craft and made improvements, while at the same time avoiding typical wear and tear.
However, the 30-some QB coming out of nowhere – to then experience sustained success – is not some common occurrence. The Seahawks could instead add Stroud to a young offensive core of DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III, and two rookie tackles, creating a potential offensive juggernaut.
But current leadership in Seattle tends to focus on balance, and their defense is not very good. So I ultimately think Pete Carroll and company target that side of the ball.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Seattle: Moderate.
I’ll wrap this one up quickly. The Lions don’t need a QB. Jared Goff might not set the world on fire every single week, but he has been pretty damn good for Detroit. And he even did some things outside, in cold weather! He is 28 years old, proven, and on a reasonable contract.
This is a luxury pick for the Lions, and they should draft accordingly. Take best non-QB available.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Detroit: (should be) Very low.
I’ll be honest, taking a look at the entire top-10 – in January – seems ludicrous. So I am going to breeze through a few and get to my sleeper possibility.
The Raiders likely need a new QB. They benched Derek Carr, who then put out an emotional statement on Twitter, saying goodbye and thanking the team’s fans. Marriage over, right?
Jarrett Stidham started the last few games for Las Vegas, and looked great during one of them. In other news, Stidham was a fourth-round draft pick in 2019 and has looked pretty awful when not completely underestimated and ignored by the San Francisco 49ers.
If the Raiders want to move forward as a franchise, I believe they need to invest in a new QB. Stidham is fine, and the coach in Vegas knows him well, but a 27-year old journeyman rarely breaks out and finds sustained success.
Also, Stroud would look filthy in silver and black.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Las Vegas: Moderate to high, but I’m not sure he falls.
I don’t love Desmond Ridder as a QB prospect, but the Falcons just burned a third-round pick on him. And their defense is awful. They should give Ridder a chance and take the best defensive player available.
Side note: Stroud would also look filthy in a Falcons uni.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Atlanta: Very low, other needs.
The Panthers will avoid drafting a QB early. Sam Darnold will start the season, only to be benched after a few games. He will then re-enter the lineup and look good in spurts. Or Cam Newton will be brought back.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Carolina: Moderate, but who would be excited?
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24358064/usa_today_19753829.jpg)
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pictured (but not really): Mike Vrabel’s reaction to his Titans snagging a Buckeye QB
For the record, I do not think there is any way Stroud makes it out of the top-10... But... If he does... Then Mike Vrabel come get our boy! This is my deep, deep sleeper pick for a Stroud destination, even though I know it is a pipedream. It would also mean that Stroud fell significantly in the draft, which nobody is rooting for.
The Titans currently have Ryan Tannehill on their roster, and he is a fine QB. He’s fine. But at this point in his career, he is not special. Nor is he healthy. Tannehill ended the season on IR due to an ankle injury, although he would presumably be ready to go for next season — if Tennessee chooses to keep him around.
However, Vrabel’s team could get out from under Tannehill’s rather large contract (this offseason), if they were willing to absorb a one-time dead cap hit. NFL teams do this all the time, and Tennessee could then lean into a soft rebuild by letting go of Tannehill and others. They would free up all sorts of cash to start bringing in younger players, like a C.J. Stroud.
The Titans are also in need of a new GM and a new offensive coordinator. Whoever is brought in or promoted may have no ties to Tannehill or Malik Willis. The latter was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, presumably to be the team’s heir apparent. Slight problem with that: Willis was awful as a rookie.
To be fair, he was incredibly raw coming out of college, and his transition to the pros was not aided by the roster and/or playcalling. He should have sat and watched for entire season. But when I say he was awful, I don’t even mean Zach Wilson-level awful. Willis was worse. And the team clearly did not trust him to throw the ball.
That would (or should) not be an issue if the Titans were to land Stroud. He would give them a young QB to build around — as opposed to Tannehill, who is more of a game manager or caretaker. Make it happen, Vrabel.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Tennessee: Silly low, but a guy can dream.
The NFL is a wild, wild scene, so anything is bound to happen in the lead-up to April’s draft. Stroud could perform well, while (Bryce) Young measures in at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. Some team could fall in love with the outgoing Buckeye QB and trade the farm to move up. You never know.
What I do know, is that whoever does draft C.J. Stroud will be getting a supreme talent. I believe this guy is the real deal, and Buckeye Nation will root for him wherever he lands.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Now that Ohio State’s two-time Heisman finalist has officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he is a likely candidate to be chosen near the top.
Wounds are still fresh from Ohio State’s heartbreaking Peach Bowl loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, but many have already shifted their attention toward the 2023 NFL Draft — including myself. Because, like, what even is a Peach Bowl? Sounds made up.
Furthermore, I find it wildly unfair that only four teams are chosen to participate in the College Football Playoff. Feels like an arbitrary popularity contest. So in the interest of fairness, I just decided to block out any CFB games (OSU or otherwise) played after Thanksgiving. And let me tell ya: It feels great. Vibes are high over here.
As this year’s draft approaches, former Buckeye quarterback C.J. Stroud will likely be the topic of much conversation now that he has officially declared. The two-time Heisman did mull over his draft decision until the declaration deadline, indicating serious interest in returning to Columbus. But the NFL opportunity was ultimately too good to pass up, and Buckeye Nation should now be cheering for him to land in the best possible situation.
Stroud is almost assured to land somewhere in the top-10, while some media pundits and draft analysts even view him as a can’t-miss top-5 prospect. And per the usual, most teams picking near the top in 2023 do have a need at Stroud’s position. With that in mind, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at potential destinations and/or fits for the record-setting Ohio State signal caller.
Chicago Bears, 1st overall:
Will Justin Fields be replaced by his former teammate and understudy? Well no, not if the Bears play it smart.
Would the Bears draft Stroud and trade Justin Fields!? Talk about Buckeye on Buckeye crime... However, this seems highly, highly unlikely for a number of reasons.
Among them is the fact that Fields made significant progress during his second NFL season, and showed incredible promise for the future. A mobile QB who can make difficult throws is a treasured asset in the league, and Fields’ dual-threat ability was on clear display in 2022. He should be (or be-come) the guy in Chicago for a long time.
But even if the Bears were ready to abandon their Fields experiment, they might be inclined to select Alabama’s Bryce Young over his (Fields’) former teammate in Columbus. Young is currently the betting favorite to go No. 1 overall, and there is no denying his high-end potential. I personally have concerns regarding the 2021 Heisman winner’s size and durability, but my opinion does not matter a whole heck of a lot.
If Chicago’s front office does fall in love with the former Tide QB, they could send Fields packing and prevent Stroud from establishing residence in the Windy City.
Finally, there is a world in which the Bears trade the first pick. If they love Fields and believe they can get a future star later in the draft, why not auction this pick off to the highest bidder? This actually makes the most sense.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Chicago: Extremely low, if the Bears have any sense.
Houston Texans, 2nd overall:
No thank you... Is what I would say if I were Stroud and found out that the Texans were interested in my services. Whoever gets drafted with the second overall pick is due to make a boatload of money, but Houston’s team is a flaming dumpster heading toward a gasoline plant. Stroud should want no part of their situation. I am rooting against this not only as a Buckeye fan, but also a fan of dumpster fires. Let the franchise pay for past mistakes.
Feelings toward football and pyromania aside, I must admit that the Texans could use a player – and more specifically a QB – with Stroud’s skillset. Davis Mills has not worked out in Houston, and the former Buckeye would be a massive upgrade in talent. There are virtually no weapons to choose from, but Dameon Piece showed promise, Laremy Tunsil is a franchise left tackle, and John Metchie is (thankfully!) recovering well from leukemia.
Stroud could get more out of this offense than Mills, even as a rookie. I just hope he is not forced to do so.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Houston: Low, but only because I want it to be.
Indianapolis Colts, 4th overall:
Cheer up, Colts fans! Help could be on the way.
Now we’re talkin’. The Colts have tried the ol’ “sign or trade for a washed QB and hope for the best” approach ever since Andrew Luck retired. Surprisingly, it has not worked. Stroud would give them a young signal caller with star potential, and they wouldn’t have to trade draft capital to acquire him. They could, you know, just use the capital they have to invest in a prime asset, rather than a depreciating one. What a bright idea!
What makes this potential fit even better is that Indianapolis plays in a dome. Houston also plays in a dome. And Nashville and Jacksonville play in primarily warm weather. Those are your AFC South teams. While Stroud has performed admirably in less-than-perfect conditions, he is a California guy. He lights it up in perfect weather. So just let my man enjoy some sunshine and distribute the rock.
I like this idea a lot, and believe that No. 4 overall is the sweet spot for Stroud. The Colts are better than their 4-12-1 record, they just need a real coach and a QB who is not utterly incapable of moving in the pocket.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Indianapolis: Moderate to high — sign me up.
Seattle Seahawks, 5th overall:
This is an interesting one. On one hand, the Seahawks got a career year out of Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith. On the other hand, Smith is 32 years old and hadn’t been a relevant QB since 2014. Kudos to him for a career resurgence, but does Seattle want to hitch their wagon to a guy who was a backup for the previous seven seasons?
They might, honestly. Because Smith clearly worked on his craft and made improvements, while at the same time avoiding typical wear and tear.
However, the 30-some QB coming out of nowhere – to then experience sustained success – is not some common occurrence. The Seahawks could instead add Stroud to a young offensive core of DK Metcalf, Kenneth Walker III, and two rookie tackles, creating a potential offensive juggernaut.
But current leadership in Seattle tends to focus on balance, and their defense is not very good. So I ultimately think Pete Carroll and company target that side of the ball.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Seattle: Moderate.
Detroit Lions, 6th overall:
I’ll wrap this one up quickly. The Lions don’t need a QB. Jared Goff might not set the world on fire every single week, but he has been pretty damn good for Detroit. And he even did some things outside, in cold weather! He is 28 years old, proven, and on a reasonable contract.
This is a luxury pick for the Lions, and they should draft accordingly. Take best non-QB available.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Detroit: (should be) Very low.
Las Vegas Raiders, 7th overall:
I’ll be honest, taking a look at the entire top-10 – in January – seems ludicrous. So I am going to breeze through a few and get to my sleeper possibility.
The Raiders likely need a new QB. They benched Derek Carr, who then put out an emotional statement on Twitter, saying goodbye and thanking the team’s fans. Marriage over, right?
Jarrett Stidham started the last few games for Las Vegas, and looked great during one of them. In other news, Stidham was a fourth-round draft pick in 2019 and has looked pretty awful when not completely underestimated and ignored by the San Francisco 49ers.
If the Raiders want to move forward as a franchise, I believe they need to invest in a new QB. Stidham is fine, and the coach in Vegas knows him well, but a 27-year old journeyman rarely breaks out and finds sustained success.
Also, Stroud would look filthy in silver and black.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Las Vegas: Moderate to high, but I’m not sure he falls.
Atlanta Falcons, 8th overall:
I don’t love Desmond Ridder as a QB prospect, but the Falcons just burned a third-round pick on him. And their defense is awful. They should give Ridder a chance and take the best defensive player available.
Side note: Stroud would also look filthy in a Falcons uni.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Atlanta: Very low, other needs.
Carolina Panthers, 9th overall:
The Panthers will avoid drafting a QB early. Sam Darnold will start the season, only to be benched after a few games. He will then re-enter the lineup and look good in spurts. Or Cam Newton will be brought back.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Carolina: Moderate, but who would be excited?
Tennessee Titans, 11th overall:
Pictured (but not really): Mike Vrabel’s reaction to his Titans snagging a Buckeye QB
For the record, I do not think there is any way Stroud makes it out of the top-10... But... If he does... Then Mike Vrabel come get our boy! This is my deep, deep sleeper pick for a Stroud destination, even though I know it is a pipedream. It would also mean that Stroud fell significantly in the draft, which nobody is rooting for.
The Titans currently have Ryan Tannehill on their roster, and he is a fine QB. He’s fine. But at this point in his career, he is not special. Nor is he healthy. Tannehill ended the season on IR due to an ankle injury, although he would presumably be ready to go for next season — if Tennessee chooses to keep him around.
However, Vrabel’s team could get out from under Tannehill’s rather large contract (this offseason), if they were willing to absorb a one-time dead cap hit. NFL teams do this all the time, and Tennessee could then lean into a soft rebuild by letting go of Tannehill and others. They would free up all sorts of cash to start bringing in younger players, like a C.J. Stroud.
The Titans are also in need of a new GM and a new offensive coordinator. Whoever is brought in or promoted may have no ties to Tannehill or Malik Willis. The latter was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, presumably to be the team’s heir apparent. Slight problem with that: Willis was awful as a rookie.
To be fair, he was incredibly raw coming out of college, and his transition to the pros was not aided by the roster and/or playcalling. He should have sat and watched for entire season. But when I say he was awful, I don’t even mean Zach Wilson-level awful. Willis was worse. And the team clearly did not trust him to throw the ball.
That would (or should) not be an issue if the Titans were to land Stroud. He would give them a young QB to build around — as opposed to Tannehill, who is more of a game manager or caretaker. Make it happen, Vrabel.
Likelihood of Stroud ending up in Tennessee: Silly low, but a guy can dream.
The NFL is a wild, wild scene, so anything is bound to happen in the lead-up to April’s draft. Stroud could perform well, while (Bryce) Young measures in at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds. Some team could fall in love with the outgoing Buckeye QB and trade the farm to move up. You never know.
What I do know, is that whoever does draft C.J. Stroud will be getting a supreme talent. I believe this guy is the real deal, and Buckeye Nation will root for him wherever he lands.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: What lineup change should Ohio State make before the Iowa game?
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You’re Nuts: What lineup change should Ohio State make before the Iowa game?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
After five losses in a row, we better not see the exact same starting lineup Saturday afternoon.
This time last week, we said the sky was falling after Ohio State lost three-straight games. Fast forward a week, and that losing streak is now five. The Buckeyes (10-8, 2-5) are in the midst of their first five-game losing streak in four years, and it’s looking a lot like that scene from Chicken Little right now.
We will get to the shit show in a moment, but first: A recap.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which former Ohio State player that declared early for the NBA Draft should have stuck around for one more year. Justin chose Daequan Cook, who was chosen with the 21st overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft. Connor went with LaQuinton Ross, who went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft.
65% of the people agreed with Justin, while the remaining 35% sided with Connor.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24373022/Screenshot__150_.png)
Here’s the count:
Justin- 37
This week, we’re making a change to the starting lineup, since Chris Holtmann has yet to do so. One could reasonably argue that of the five current starters (Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Brice Sensabaugh, Justice Sueing and Zed Key), Key is the only one that you really need to leave in there.
The other four — for one reason or another — could be moved to a role off the bench. And after five consecutive losses, both Connor and Justin are hoping to see something different on Saturday when lineups are announced.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24373155/usa_today_19777652.jpg "Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch")
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Listen, Justice Sueing is going through it right now. And as much as you would like to allow your captain to play through the struggles and right the ship, Ohio State is sitting at 2-5 in conference play and simply does not have that luxury anymore. Sueing isn’t just struggling to maintain what you’d expect of him, he’s struggling to help this team in any way, at all.
It’s a tough spot to be in as a head coach, but Sueing probably needs to hit the pine for a few games — it doesn’t matter how experienced he is.
Over the first 16 games of the season, Sueing averaged 14.1 points per game. Before his recent brutal stretch, he had scored in double digits in seven consecutive games — the most productive and consistent stretch of his Ohio State career. But over the last three games, Sueing is averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 26.7% over the last three games, including going 0-6 from beyond the arc. He’s also averaging three turnovers per game.
Aside from the paltry stats, Sueing has the yips. He’s missing layups and dunks. He’s missing free throws. He’s throwing chest passes at his teammates’ shins. He’s committing silly fouls on made baskets. It doesn’t strike me as a Marc Loving-esque “I just don’t care” struggle. More so, the struggles look like they’ve consumed him to the point where he can’t focus, and is therefore making a bunch of silly mistakes. For him and for his team, he might need to come off the bench for a few games.
In his place, I’d slide Tanner Holden into the starting lineup. Holden is averaging 4.8 points over 16 minutes per game, but he’s logged 20+ minutes in each of the last two games. He’s shooting 50% overall and 50% from three-point range, but has not attempted more than six shots in any game this season.
During a nasty stretch where this team looks disinterested so often, Holden has never looked lost, bored, or defeated. He always brings high effort on the defensive end, and has been very efficient shooting the basketball when given the chance. Simply for his hustle alone, he has earned some more run.
Starting Holden doesn’t mean he needs to play 30 minutes, and benching Sueing doesn’t mean he won’t still log 20-25 minutes off the bench. But the status quo isn’t working right now, and the Buckeyes have no choice but to mix it up starting on this weekend against the Hawkeyes.
When you are on a five-game losing streak, it is time to start really shifting some things around. Chris Holtmann has tried some different rotations and starting lineups, but I think it is time that we start to see more of the lefty from Wright State, Tanner Holden.
I agree with Connor that it might be time for Justice Sueing to come off the bench. I wouldn’t cut into his minutes too much, because he is still a solid player that just needs to get his confidence back, but coming off the bench might be helpful for him and take some of the pressure off.
I have been on the record saying that I don’t think the starting lineup is that important. This season, Holtmann has been making his first subs just three to four minutes into the game, so everyone that needs to get some run is getting in the game either right at the start or very early on.
In that regard, I am not necessarily saying that Holden needs to be inserted into the starting lineup. I am not opposed to him joining the starting five, but I don’t really care either way.
What I do want is for Holden to play more in general. Holden is currently averaging just over 16 minutes per game, and in those 16 minutes he is averaging 4.8 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game. However, he has been very efficient, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line and 50 percent from the field.
Even though he is playing over 16 minutes per game, he needs to play more and also needs to be more of a focal point in the offense when he does play. Holden was an elite scorer at Wright State, averaging over 20 points per game and scoring 37 points in Wright State’s tournament game.
He also did this in December, and is the reason Ohio State is not 1-6 in conference play.
So in conclusion, I don't care if he starts, but Tanner Holden needs to play more and take a lead role in the offense.
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports
After five losses in a row, we better not see the exact same starting lineup Saturday afternoon.
This time last week, we said the sky was falling after Ohio State lost three-straight games. Fast forward a week, and that losing streak is now five. The Buckeyes (10-8, 2-5) are in the midst of their first five-game losing streak in four years, and it’s looking a lot like that scene from Chicken Little right now.
We will get to the shit show in a moment, but first: A recap.
Last week, Connor and Justin debated which former Ohio State player that declared early for the NBA Draft should have stuck around for one more year. Justin chose Daequan Cook, who was chosen with the 21st overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft. Connor went with LaQuinton Ross, who went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft.
65% of the people agreed with Justin, while the remaining 35% sided with Connor.
Here’s the count:
After 84 weeks:
Justin- 37
Connor- 34
Other- 9
(There have been four ties)
This week, we’re making a change to the starting lineup, since Chris Holtmann has yet to do so. One could reasonably argue that of the five current starters (Bruce Thornton, Sean McNeil, Brice Sensabaugh, Justice Sueing and Zed Key), Key is the only one that you really need to leave in there.
The other four — for one reason or another — could be moved to a role off the bench. And after five consecutive losses, both Connor and Justin are hoping to see something different on Saturday when lineups are announced.
Today’s question: What lineup change should Ohio State make before the Iowa game?
Connor: Tanner Holden in for Justice Sueing
Listen, Justice Sueing is going through it right now. And as much as you would like to allow your captain to play through the struggles and right the ship, Ohio State is sitting at 2-5 in conference play and simply does not have that luxury anymore. Sueing isn’t just struggling to maintain what you’d expect of him, he’s struggling to help this team in any way, at all.
It’s a tough spot to be in as a head coach, but Sueing probably needs to hit the pine for a few games — it doesn’t matter how experienced he is.
Over the first 16 games of the season, Sueing averaged 14.1 points per game. Before his recent brutal stretch, he had scored in double digits in seven consecutive games — the most productive and consistent stretch of his Ohio State career. But over the last three games, Sueing is averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 26.7% over the last three games, including going 0-6 from beyond the arc. He’s also averaging three turnovers per game.
Aside from the paltry stats, Sueing has the yips. He’s missing layups and dunks. He’s missing free throws. He’s throwing chest passes at his teammates’ shins. He’s committing silly fouls on made baskets. It doesn’t strike me as a Marc Loving-esque “I just don’t care” struggle. More so, the struggles look like they’ve consumed him to the point where he can’t focus, and is therefore making a bunch of silly mistakes. For him and for his team, he might need to come off the bench for a few games.
In his place, I’d slide Tanner Holden into the starting lineup. Holden is averaging 4.8 points over 16 minutes per game, but he’s logged 20+ minutes in each of the last two games. He’s shooting 50% overall and 50% from three-point range, but has not attempted more than six shots in any game this season.
During a nasty stretch where this team looks disinterested so often, Holden has never looked lost, bored, or defeated. He always brings high effort on the defensive end, and has been very efficient shooting the basketball when given the chance. Simply for his hustle alone, he has earned some more run.
Starting Holden doesn’t mean he needs to play 30 minutes, and benching Sueing doesn’t mean he won’t still log 20-25 minutes off the bench. But the status quo isn’t working right now, and the Buckeyes have no choice but to mix it up starting on this weekend against the Hawkeyes.
Justin: Tanner Holden just needs to play more
When you are on a five-game losing streak, it is time to start really shifting some things around. Chris Holtmann has tried some different rotations and starting lineups, but I think it is time that we start to see more of the lefty from Wright State, Tanner Holden.
I agree with Connor that it might be time for Justice Sueing to come off the bench. I wouldn’t cut into his minutes too much, because he is still a solid player that just needs to get his confidence back, but coming off the bench might be helpful for him and take some of the pressure off.
I have been on the record saying that I don’t think the starting lineup is that important. This season, Holtmann has been making his first subs just three to four minutes into the game, so everyone that needs to get some run is getting in the game either right at the start or very early on.
In that regard, I am not necessarily saying that Holden needs to be inserted into the starting lineup. I am not opposed to him joining the starting five, but I don’t really care either way.
What I do want is for Holden to play more in general. Holden is currently averaging just over 16 minutes per game, and in those 16 minutes he is averaging 4.8 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game. However, he has been very efficient, shooting 50 percent from the three-point line and 50 percent from the field.
Even though he is playing over 16 minutes per game, he needs to play more and also needs to be more of a focal point in the offense when he does play. Holden was an elite scorer at Wright State, averaging over 20 points per game and scoring 37 points in Wright State’s tournament game.
He also did this in December, and is the reason Ohio State is not 1-6 in conference play.
So in conclusion, I don't care if he starts, but Tanner Holden needs to play more and take a lead role in the offense.
Continue reading...
2024 WI OL Nathan Roy (Minnesota Verbal)
- By MD Buckeye
- Football Recruiting
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Mukwonago (WI)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 265 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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Mukwonago (WI)
Ht: 6'5"
Wt: 265 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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LB Payton Pierce (National Champion)
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Lovejoy (Lucas, TX)
Ht: 6'1"
Wt: 225 lbs
Class: 2024 (High School)
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Lovejoy (Lucas, TX)
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Class: 2024 (High School)
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LGHL Thoughts on three returning players for Ohio State football in 2023
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Thoughts on three returning players for Ohio State football in 2023
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes will benefit from their veteran presence.
The Buckeyes are rapidly preparing for the 2023 season. The Ohio State Spring Game date has been announced, and the coaching staff has been on the road, already visiting prospective 2024 recruits and beyond.
It is against this backdrop that Ohio State can breathe a sigh of relief that some of their talented leaders made the decision to return for another season on the gridiron at the collegiate level. The Buckeyes have a tremendously talented roster, but it is always comforting to know that experienced players will be helping the team towards their goals of winning The Big Ten and getting back to The College Football Playoff.
Below are three players who look to play vital roles, once again, for Ohio State when the 2023 season kicks off at Indiana...
With the departures of Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones, and Luke Wypler, the return of Matthew Jones looks to be extremely important. While Matthew Jones played guard, he also has the ability to play center — a position that took on significance when Luke Wypler declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Louisiana-Monroe offensive lineman Victor Cutler will be joining Ohio State as a transfer, and is likely slotted for the center position, lessening the need for Jones to make the move. With Cutler at center, the return of Donovan Jackson at left guard, and the return of Matthew Jones at right guard, Ohio State should have a formidable presence in the interior of the offensive line for the 2023 season.
2. Tommy Eichenberg, LB
Eichenberg’s performance in 2022 speaks for itself, as he led the team in tackles with 120 and emerged as the leader of the Ohio State defense. He is the first Buckeye linebacker to crack the century mark in tackles in a season since Raekwon McMillan in 2016. Along with Steele Chambers, Eichenberg will be looked upon to solidify an Ohio State defense that will be revamping both its defensive line and secondary.
3. Miyan Williams, RB
Ohio State truly felt the impact of Miyan Williams’ absence during the last portion of the 2022 season, when an ankle injury negated his effectiveness. A healthy Williams, combined with a healthy TreVeyon Henderson, should give Ohio State a balanced offensive attack with the running game. Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback in 2023, and a consistently strong running game — maybe aided by the promotion of Justin Frye to run game coordinator — would help in the maturation process of the new quarterback.
Continue reading...
CMinnich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes will benefit from their veteran presence.
The Buckeyes are rapidly preparing for the 2023 season. The Ohio State Spring Game date has been announced, and the coaching staff has been on the road, already visiting prospective 2024 recruits and beyond.
It is against this backdrop that Ohio State can breathe a sigh of relief that some of their talented leaders made the decision to return for another season on the gridiron at the collegiate level. The Buckeyes have a tremendously talented roster, but it is always comforting to know that experienced players will be helping the team towards their goals of winning The Big Ten and getting back to The College Football Playoff.
Below are three players who look to play vital roles, once again, for Ohio State when the 2023 season kicks off at Indiana...
- Matthew Jones, OL
With the departures of Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones, and Luke Wypler, the return of Matthew Jones looks to be extremely important. While Matthew Jones played guard, he also has the ability to play center — a position that took on significance when Luke Wypler declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Louisiana-Monroe offensive lineman Victor Cutler will be joining Ohio State as a transfer, and is likely slotted for the center position, lessening the need for Jones to make the move. With Cutler at center, the return of Donovan Jackson at left guard, and the return of Matthew Jones at right guard, Ohio State should have a formidable presence in the interior of the offensive line for the 2023 season.
2. Tommy Eichenberg, LB
Eichenberg’s performance in 2022 speaks for itself, as he led the team in tackles with 120 and emerged as the leader of the Ohio State defense. He is the first Buckeye linebacker to crack the century mark in tackles in a season since Raekwon McMillan in 2016. Along with Steele Chambers, Eichenberg will be looked upon to solidify an Ohio State defense that will be revamping both its defensive line and secondary.
3. Miyan Williams, RB
Ohio State truly felt the impact of Miyan Williams’ absence during the last portion of the 2022 season, when an ankle injury negated his effectiveness. A healthy Williams, combined with a healthy TreVeyon Henderson, should give Ohio State a balanced offensive attack with the running game. Ohio State will be breaking in a new quarterback in 2023, and a consistently strong running game — maybe aided by the promotion of Justin Frye to run game coordinator — would help in the maturation process of the new quarterback.
Continue reading...
WR Quincy Porter (Official Thread)
- By MD Buckeye
- Buckeye Football
- 83 Replies
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Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 190 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ)
Ht: 6'3"
Wt: 190 lbs
Class: 2025 (High School)
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