Ohio State's had ridiculous success at defensive end, and the future could be even brighter
Austin Kemp via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Big-time defensive end Xavier Thomas visited Columbus Tuesday. Do the Buckeyes have a shot?

With all news Ohio State being centered around the basketball team the last couple of days, the Buckeye football coaching staff is keeping the status quo on the recruiting trail, continuing to build on its elite 2017 class and also dipping their toes into 2018. With spring break in the rearview mirror, the coaching staff is now balancing practice and recruiting each week until the Spring Game on April 16.

Class of 2018 defensive end Xavier Thomas was in Columbus yesterday and appeared to be having a good time. Thomas, from South Carolina, checks in at a mammoth 6'3, 255 pounds. If needed to, he could make the transition to playing inside at the next level. That remains to be seen as it stands now, though, and most schools are going after him to play on the edge. He hasn't blown up quite yet on all of the recruiting sites, but 247Sports ranks him as the number two defensive end in the country and a top five player overall. The Buckeyes left an impression on him over the last couple days, but it will definitely be tough to pull him from the two in-state schools -- Clemson and South Carolina. This recruiting battle has a couple years to work itself out and all Urban Meyer needs is to stay in the game in this one. Thomas is no doubt a freak athlete who also carries the ball for his high school. Colleges will be all over Thomas in a recruiting process that could go all the way to signing day in 2018.



Lindsey trimming list to 10


As you've heard, Centennial-Corona (Bishop Gorman transfer) star wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey was in Columbus over last weekend and it went about as well as it could. He tweeted on Tuesday that he will be trimming his list to a top ten. It's a list that Ohio State is sure to make and while it's not the most earth-shattering news, there is definitely a positive energy around Lindsey and the Buckeyes that only seems to be getting stronger with time. The five-star prospect could be Ohio State's to lose at this point.


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Ohio State notebook | Bosiokovic blasts Buckeyes past Bobcats in baseball - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State notebook | Bosiokovic blasts Buckeyes past Bobcats in baseball
Columbus Dispatch
The Buckeyes rolled up more than 500 yards in total offense against Western Michigan, but Urban Meyer still sees room for improvement. Tim May and Bill Rabinowitz talk about that game and Ohio State's upcoming Big Ten opener against Indiana.
Buckeyes hold off Bobcats' rallyAthens Messenger (registration)
@Ohio_Baseball's Rally Falls Short Against Ohio StateOhio University Athletics

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Buckeyes hold off Bobcats' rally - Athens Messenger (registration)
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Buckeyes hold off Bobcats' rally
Athens Messenger (registration)
next. Ohio State picked up four early runs and made the lead stand up on Tuesday. The Buckeyes picked up a non-league win, 6-3, over Ohio University in front of 2,348 at Bob Wren Stadium. The Bobcats gave up two runs in each the first and second innings.
@Ohio_Baseball's Rally Falls Short Against Ohio StateOhio University Athletics

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Ohio State Buckeyes spring practice: March 29 - Dayton Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes spring practice: March 29
Dayton Daily News
Ohio State Buckeyes spring practice: March 29. Buy this photo. David Jablonski/Staff. Ohio State's Urban Meyer watches spring football practice on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus. David Jablonski/Staff. Start ...

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Ohio State goes on the road and beats OU in Athens
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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The Buckeyes used freshman Ryan Feltner's best career start and some early offense to top the Bobcats, 6-3.

Ohio State didn't have to travel far for Tuesday night's road game, making the 80-mile trek down US-33 to Athens for a matchup with Ohio University. The Buckeyes used early scoring to top the Bobcats, 6-3, and improve to 15-7-1 in 2016.

Redshirt junior Jacob Bosiokovic continued his success at the plate to lead the Ohio State offensive charge. The right fielder went 2-for-4, scoring two runs and hitting a two-run home run, his team-leading seventh of the season.

Freshman Ryan Feltner notched the first win of his young career, allowing just one run on five hits in 5.2 innings of work, in what has easily been his best start of the season. The bullpen work of Seth Kinker, Daulton Mosbarger, Michael Horejsei, and Yianni Pavlopoulos was able to preserve the lead.

The Buckeyes got on the board right off the rip, putting up two runs in the top of the first inning off Ohio's Logan Jacik. Troy Montgomery led off with a walk and Bosiokovic singled. After a Ronnie Dawson strikeout, Nick Sergakis walked as well to load the bases. A throwing error by Bobcat third baseman John Adryan on a ball off the bat of Troy Kuhn allowed Montgomery to score, and a sacrifice fly by Jalen Washington brought Bosiokovic plateward.

Bosiokovic struck in the top of the second with two outs. Craig Nennig, who singled to lead the inning off, was on base when the ball flew over the left field fence.

Jacik made it through just two innings, giving up the four runs, three earned. Reliever Michael Klein entered the game after that and silenced the Buckeye bats for the next four innings.

The lone blemish for Feltner was a two-out sacrifice fly by OU's Tony Giannini in the bottom of the sixth. Kinker relieved and finished out the inning without any more damage.

The Bobcats got two more in the seventh. After Mosbarger allowed two runners on base, a Horejsei wild pitch on a strikeout allowed Manny DeJesus to score. An error on second baseman L. Grant Davis brought Mitch Longo home and trimmed the lead to 4-3.

Ohio State put up a pair of insurance runs in the top of the ninth off Jake Roehn to put things away. Washington led off with a single and scored on a double by Brady Cherry. Cherry crossed the plate two batters later when Ryan Leffel sent a sacrifice fly to center.

In welcome news, Pavlopoulos tossed a scoreless ninth, striking out the side, for his sixth save of the season. Pavlopoulos was struck by a liner in the leg over the weekend against the first Northwestern batter he faced and has been dealing with bruising and soreness. There were questions as to how long the righty would be held out as a precautionary measure.

The Buckeyes return to Columbus on Wednesday night to host Toledo at Bill Davis Stadium. The two sides met twice the first weekend of the season at the Historic Dodgertown Classic in Florida, with Ohio State winning the first and the second ending in a tie. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET, and the game will air on BTN Plus.

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BN $ - Meyer lets Illinois star know he thinks he could be a Buckeye

Houston visited tOSU today & got to take in this mornings spring practice. Liked the way the players compete & how Coach Coombs gets after his guys. He was impressed by the facilities & being able to meet with coaches Meyer, Schiano & Coombs.

Son of former Illinois/NFL player & current BTN analyst Howard Griffith. Currently holds 11 offers including ND, Sparty, Illinois, Maryland & Kentucky.

Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones to get private workout with Bills - Buffalo News
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Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones to get private workout with Bills
Buffalo News
Tyrod Taylor will start under center for the Buffalo Bills in 2016. Behind him? Nothing is guaranteed. All signs point to the Bills drafting someone, at some point, next month in the NFL Draft. On Monday, Ohio State's Cardale Jones told Sirius XM Radio ...


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What’s up with the OSU women basketball?
Scott via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


I needed some time to wrap my head around this.

After another early exit in the NCAA Tournament by the Ohio State women’s basketball team, I’ve spent several days trying to figure out what happened. The third-seeded Lady Buckeyes were soundly beaten by Tennessee in the Sweet 16. This was a Buckeye team ranked in the top 10 all season. But all it could muster this season is two wins in the NCAA, adding to a string of disappointing exits dating back to 1993, when OSU was national runner-up.

Yup. You saw that correctly. OSU hasn’t been out of the Sweet 16 since 1993.

But, Kevin McGuff was supposed to change that. Ohio State fired Jim Foster in 2013 despite a .700 winning percentage, in part because he couldn’t get far in the NCAA Tournament. He failed to win 20 games just once — the year he was fired — and other than that year had teams that finished no worse than fourth in the B1G.

Enter McGuff, former assistant to Muffet McGraw at Notre Dame and the mastermind of all the success Xavier had in Cincinnati. He at least got Xavier to an Elite 8.

But so far at OSU, it’s been Foster 2K. In three years OSU has been stuck in neutral as far as the post-season. Not much of an upgrade if you ask me. Maybe 3 years isn’t enough. Maybe I’m being too harsh.

Horse pucky.

I failed to mention that before coming to OSU, McGuff’s Washington teams were seventh and fifth in the Pac 10 — not exactly a conference replete with title contenders on a regular basis.

Coaching changes are supposed to be for the better. Upgrades, if you will. I may, and hope someday I will, eat my words, but Ohio State made a lateral move by bringing in McGuff.

Nothing against him personally. I’m sure he’s a hell of a nice guy. But we don’t want nice. We want post-season success. Ohio State didn’t get it with Foster, despite being a regular-season juggernaut, and it’s not getting it with McGuff either.

Next up, please.





The post What’s up with the OSU women basketball? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State point guard A.J. Harris will transfer
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Another talented Ohio State player is headed for the exits.

It wasn't that long ago that Ohio State's 2015 basketball recruiting class, a five man group that was the highest ranked in the Big Ten, was thought to be the engine that would drive the Buckeyes back to the top of the conference. Now, that class is in shambles, and the Buckeyes will need to rebuild in a hurry, as yet another talented member of the group will transfer.

According to Ohio State coach Thad Matta, Buckeye point guard A.J. Harris will transfer from the program. He'll be the fourth member of the group to transfer, as four-star shooting guard Austin Grandstaff (now at Oklahoma) left early in the season, and news broke that four-star center Daniel Giddens would also depart the program on Monday night. It was announced earlier Tuesday that Mickey Mitchell would also leave. JaQuan Lyle has announced, via Twitter, and since reiterated that he would stay.

Harris, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, averaged 2.8 points and 1.7 assists per game, over 13.7 minutes. The diminutive guard saw his minutes go up and down during the season, as Ohio State's coaching staff tried to find the best ways to deploy him and JaQuan Lyle, but given his speed, his potential, and the fact that the Buckeyes are very light on point guards, Harris figured to play an expanded role for Ohio State next season.

Ohio State now has four open scholarships to use for 2016 or 2017, and with much of the 2016 already accounted for, the likelihood that the Buckeyes pursue a graduate transfer, especially at guard, probably increases. The Buckeyes will need to plug the rapidly growing holes on their roster quickly though, if they want to take a crack at Big Ten contention next season.

Best of luck to Harris in his future endeavors.

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Ohio State Buckeyes nearing halfway point of spring practices - MyDaytonDailyNews
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Ohio State Buckeyes nearing halfway point of spring practices
MyDaytonDailyNews
Snarling wolves glare down at the team from a TV screen as it practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, reminding the Buckeyes how they will have to fight to survive in the fall without so many of the stars who led the program to 50 wins in the ...
Ohio State Freshman Austin Mack Can Be the Buckeyes' Next Great ReceiverBleacher Report
Meyer says Buckeyes have “potential” but that's not always a complimentNBC4i.com
Ohio State football | Guard spot causing Urban Meyer to fretColumbus Dispatch
Scout -247Sports
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I have been waiting for this thread but didn't want to be the one to start it.

Love Thad Matta. Always will.

So let's look at the program, without talking about the coach.

Win-Loss record for the past six season:
34-3
31-8
29-8
25-10
24-11
21-14

Conference finish:
first
first
second
fifth
sixth (with a senior-laden team and a lottery pick)
seventh

Pretty simple trend line.

And very slim prospects that this will change next season.

Add a quote from a lottery pick stating that his teammates at OSU aren't putting in the work.

Two straight years watching a team that, IMO, clearly has an attitude problem.

A string of highly rated recruits who have not developed to their potential.

A string of Ohio kids who have left the state and been successful.

And now FOUR players who have at least stated an interest in leaving the program in the past four months, with a fifth if the Harris rumors prove true.

If someone has comparable statements that they feel would describe a healthy program I am anxious to read your post.

Ohio State basketball has survived losing transfers before
Ian Cuevas via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The latest rounds of transfers from the Buckeyes aren't the first players to do so in the Thad Matta era.

"While potential replacements exist for those scholarships -- both in the high school ranks in the form of Markell Johnson and at the collegiate level in New Mexico graduate transfer Cullen Neal -- it's worth noting that while this level of attrition in one season is unprecedented, Thad Matta has seen players leave via transfer before."

- Blake Williams, BuckeyeSports.com


With the recent departures of Ohio State's Daniel Giddens and Mickey Mitchell, there are plenty of questions about what exactly is happening in Columbus and with Thad Matta's team. Of course, players transferring isn't something new to Ohio State and Matta, as there have been several notable players that have finished out their careers elsewhere on the collegiate level. In 2008, Eric Wallace played in 15 games as a freshman before eventually transferring to DePaul and later Seattle. Anthony "Noopy" Crater in 2009 transferred from the program to South Florida and in 2010, Walter Offutt exited Columbus and headed to Athens to play for the Ohio Bobcats (helping them to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2012).

Perhaps the player that had the most success after transferring was Jordan Sibert in 2012 who, despite playing in 49 games in his first two seasons with the Buckeyes, opted to head to Dayton. Sibert would go on to lead a Flyers team that would make an Elite Eight appearance while also knocking Ohio State out in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2014. J.D. Weatherspoon also transferred in 2012, ending upOhio State basketball has survived losing transfers before at Toledo. Weatherspoon finished with a solid two seasons with the Rockets. Austin Grandstaff was the most recent transfer before Giddens and Mitchell. Grandstaff landed in Oklahoma this season despite playing in the first 10 games for Ohio State.

"If Barrett picks up where he left off against Michigan and Notre Dame at the end of last season, his production is going to be impossible to ignore. And if takes that next step with his arm, bringing along a talented but inexperienced group of receivers to expand the passing attack, Ohio State's offense as a whole will be hard to stop when it can balance out its powerful rushing game."

- Austin Ward, ESPN


ESPN's Austin Ward and Josh Moyer looked at who might be the best offensive player in the Big Ten conference for the upcoming 2016 season. Ward's nomination was Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, who after splitting time with Cardale Jones for much of the 2015 season, is the lone starter at quarterback heading into the new year. Barrett was also coming off an injury that sidelined him for the final three games of Ohio State's national championship run, but is now healthy and ready to lead the Buckeyes. Barrett's dual-threat capabilities and awareness in-game is what separates him from a lot of other quarterbacks and if he has a good season, he could very well end up with a handful of awards at the end of the season. With all of the starter reps, his health, and confidence, there's no telling what Barrett might accomplish with a full season.

Though he struggled some outside of the red zone last season, Barrett's play wasn't to blame alone. And he's proved many times that he has legitimate star power, stepping in to replace an injured Braxton Miller and finishing in the top five of the Heisman Trophy voting as a freshman. Josh Moyer of ESPN elected to nominate Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, and while giving a nod to Barrett's excellence, made it clear that Barkley has an impressive resume of his own. Barkley broke the Penn State single-season record for freshman rushing yards in a season with an offensive line that rated among the bottom in the nation.

"This season, as it turned out, had to be about getting sophomores like Keita Bates-Diop, Jea'Sean Tate and Kam Williams to prepare to be great. Ohio State's top six next season, the five returning starters in Tate, Bates-Diop, Marc Loving, Trevor Thompson and freshman point guard JaQuan Lyle and sixth-man Williams, isn't changing."

- Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com


Transferring news is all the rage right now, but it comes at the expense of Thad Matta's team as Ohio State has lost three of its players that were a part of a recruiting class that was at one time ranked in the top five nationally. Austin Grandstaff, Daniel Giddens, and Mickey Mitchell have all opted to head elsewhere for their playing days. Grandstaff's departure came a while back, and he ended up in Oklahoma, citing a lack of playing time with Ohio State. But with Giddens and Mitchell headed out the door, the Buckeyes may look to lean heavily on its remaining core. That includes the players mentioned above with Keita Bates-Diop, Jae'Sean Tate, and Kam Williams. The Buckeyes also return Marc Loving, JaQuan Lyle and could return Trevor Thompson (despite testing the waters of the NBA draft).

While Matta has hammered home the aspect of the future of the team being dependent on developing the players in the offseason, a good chunk of that future has now decided to leave the program. Of course, Matta also has new players coming in and could even try going for some transfers of his own to bring some more talent to Columbus. Whatever the plan is for Matta, the remaining core of players will be crucial to next season's success.

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See reactions from former Buckeyes to slew of Ohio State basketball transfers - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


See reactions from former Buckeyes to slew of Ohio State basketball transfers
cleveland.com
It's led to public discussion about the Buckeyes basketball program, and the direction in which it's heading. That includes comments from former Ohio State players on Twitter. See below for reaction from former players. Scoonie Penn, who himself ...
Ohio State's JaQuan Lyle Sends Apparent Message To Buckeyes' Transfers On TwitterCollege Spun
Ohio State Basketball: With Giddens Out A Look At Buckeyes To Transfer Under Thad MattaScout
Ohio State men's basketball | Daniel Giddens to transfer; AJ Harris could be nextColumbus Dispatch
247Sports -ABC6OnYourSide.com -OSU - The Lantern
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BN $ - Country's No. 4 guard leaves Ohio State impressed

Visited tOSU for the 4th time this past weekend along with his father & '18 Cathedral HS teammate Markese Stepp. Emil was impressed by the intensity of the spring scrimmage & how the coaches push the players to excel. Spoke with coaches Meyer & Studrawa and came away with a great impression of them.

Have to think an offer is imminent at this point.

Ohio Stadium Upgrades Announced
Shannon via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



The House that Harley built will be turning 94 years young this year. Built in 1922 the Horseshoe was widely criticized for having 66,000 seats (thought it would never be filled up). Thankfully for Buckeye Nation the leaders went ahead with the $1.3 million project. The most unique and recognized facility in all of sports will be undergoing another upgrade.

Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith announced a $42 million project improving C and B-Decks. The C-deck needs the concrete restored and re-coated. The B-deck will have improved lighting, larger televisions and an improved sound system with better scoreboards, this will improve the experience of fans that have any obstructed views. The power distribution system will also be upgraded. Last but not least there will be added lodges and suites wich will remove 2,600 seats.

This upgrading project is proposed to run from 2017-2020. The proposed plan is subject to approval by the university Board of Trustees.

“We are committed to providing our fans, players and coaches with one of the best facilities in the nation,” said Smith. “We knew we had to get some of this done in order to avoid future degradation of the cement on C-deck. At the same time, we have fans requesting upgraded seating options. We see this as a great opportunity to accomplish both projects. It’s an important investment in the stadium that is beloved by so many.”
​

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Ohio Stadium will have a new capacity, is the Buckeyes' football home the right size? - cleveland.com
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Ohio Stadium will have a new capacity, is the Buckeyes' football home the right size?
cleveland.com
So the Buckeyes for four seasons - 2014 through 2017 - upped the capacity to 104,944, making Ohio Stadium the third-largest college football venua in the nation behind only Michigan Stadium (107,601) and Penn State's Beaver Stadium (106,572).
Ohio Stadium renovations: Project at home of Ohio State Buckeyes planned for 2017-20FOXSports.com
$42 million in upgrades planned for Ohio StadiumColumbus Dispatch
Ohio State Announces Four-Year Renovation Plan For Ohio StadiumChat Sports

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OSUMBB: To Everything Turn, Turn Turn…
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
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Apologies to the Byrds, but I was going to do a retrospective article on the Ohio State men’s basketball 2015-2016 season. I may yet do that, but there appears to be some roster shuffling on Thad’s team. You might say it’s a “thinning of the herd”. No, not this potential winnowing..

According to a couple of reliable sources, Daniel Giddens has asked for his scholarship release and supposedly, A.J. Harris will, too. Mickey Mitchell is transferring, too. This caps the season, so far, that had Austin Grandstaff quit the team to move closer to home (Texas).

Here’s what I think of the roster moves:

Austin Grandstaff: Touted (maybe correctly, maybe not) as the Second Coming of John Diebler, this grades out to an Incomplete. His game was a “fire & forget” from long range; 36 of his 41 FG attempts were 3-pointers. Subsequently, he didn’t rebound well and he was a poor defender. Pretty much what you’d expect from a big, freshman shooting guard. He does have a nice shooting stroke, so with some maturing, he could be a secondary scorer for the Sooners.

Daniel Giddens: Supposedly transferring for “family matters”. Who knows? The lad is from Georgia, so maybe he does want to be closer to home. His beef can’t be for lack of playing time. He did start seven games and averaged 18 minutes per game, about the same as his doppelganger at Center, Trevor Thompson. You could see him going through freshman growing pains. His assist/turnover (.28:1) ratio wasn’t good, his free throw shooting (which I’ll never understand) of .44 was terrible and he committed a foul for every 6 minutes of playing time.

Having said that, I appreciated his energy and hustle. These errors were “errors of commission” to me. I will miss young Mr. Giddens and wish him the best, wherever he lands.

Trevor Thompson: I have Trevor here only because he is taking advantage of a new provision that allows NCAA players to “explore” their NBA possibilities, and yet, under conditions, return to their college teams. Look, there is no way in hell that Trevor is going to the NBA anytime soon.

Trevor will return and he will see his minutes increase from last season’s 18 per game. We all hope that his production does, too.

A.J. Harris: I only have Harris here because he fell into the Columbus Dispatch’s “A.J. Harris could be next” meme as it related to Giddens’ release.

Frankly, I don’t understand the “could be next” thing, I guess we’ll have to wait to see. I think he provided a nice “quick” guard option for Thad and set the rotation for OSU to go “small” by allowing JaQuan Lyle to move over to the #2 spot. He averaged just shy of 14 minutes, and his offensive statistics weren’t that good, understandable for a freshman guard, so I don’t know what he was expecting. We’ll have to see what happens.

Mickey Mitchell: Well, the ‘hits keep coming’. I stepped away from the keyboard for a few minutes, and find out that young Mr. Mitchell intends to transfer out of the program. Frankly, I’m disappointed to see Mitchell go; I thought he had the raw skills and “ball sense” to develop into something. His offense was pretty iffy, he was foul prone, but was he ever a rebounder. He was the Buckeyes’ leading rebounder in the ‘post-Jae’Sean Tate stretch.

Although I’m disappointed, this transfer surprises me the least, because, per cleveland.com’s Bill Landis:


I am actually more surprised with the fact that he committed to Ohio State than the fact he is transferring.



Wrap up

OK, so Ohio State experienced two three , maybe three four players leaving the program during/after this season. That’s too bad, because I think these players have good potential and seem to be good kids. But, let’s keep this in perspective. Per Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch:


Neither the Michigan State nor Purdue basketball programs are falling off the map. Neither is Ohio State’s.







The post OSUMBB: To Everything Turn, Turn Turn… appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio Stadium renovations: Project at home of Ohio State Buckeyes planned for 2017-20 - FOXSports.com
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Ohio Stadium renovations: Project at home of Ohio State Buckeyes planned for 2017-20
FOXSports.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- In a continuation of a longer-term plan developed more than three years ago, the Ohio State University Department of Athletics today announced a proposed four-year renovation project for Ohio Stadium that will preserve and upgrade ...
Ohio State Announces Four-Year Renovation Plan For Ohio StadiumChat Sports

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Ohio State's JaQuan Lyle Sends Apparent Message To Buckeyes' Transfers On Twitter - College Spun
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Ohio State's JaQuan Lyle Sends Apparent Message To Buckeyes' Transfers On Twitter
College Spun
The Buckeyes have lost two players to transfer over the last 24 hours: freshman big man Daniel Giddens and freshman forward Mickey Mitchell. In December, freshman guard Austin Grandstaff announced he was transferring. JaQuan Lyle, who was part of ...
Ohio State Basketball: With Giddens Out A Look At Buckeyes To Transfer Under Thad MattaScout
Ohio State men's basketball | Daniel Giddens to transfer; AJ Harris could be nextColumbus Dispatch
Country's No. 4 guard leaves Ohio State impressed247Sports
cleveland.com -ABC6OnYourSide.com -OSU - The Lantern
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If a mod feels like this should be in this seasons thread then it can be moved, however im asking it to stay its own thread just for the point of a seperate discussion as i will be talking about the past 8 years and not this past season alone.

With that being said, I think the program is in turmoil and its in danger of becoming a low tier B1G program again if coaching changes aren't made if we have another bad year in both recruiting and in terms of record and yes we have to make the big dance

from 08/09 to 12/13 Just in Big 10 play alone we lost just 26 total conference games, pretty good to average going 13-5 in Big 10 play, its something we had even grown to expect with the talent we were bringing in and Matta's at the time coaching ability

however the 3 seasons since then including this past year we have lost a total of 22 in conference play and with the way our recruiting has gone and the lack of players we will probably have next year we are on pace to lose 40 in conference games (would have to go just 9-9 the next 2 years) in a 5 year span after that very good 5 year run of losing just 26 in conference games

now lets talk about the tournament, Sure we are a football school to make the S16 is great as there aren't many schools who do very well in both year after year. In that first 5 year span, not only did we make the big dance but we saw the S16 4 times, Elite 8 twice and a final four apperance that was a lost to the eventual national champs i believe. highly impressive. and lets not forget we just played for the NC the year or 2 before that as well.

The next 3 years have resulted in ONE tournament win. Just ONE, including missing the big dance together and who knows, if D'Angelo Russell hadn't had one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball in the last decade or 2 we might have been looking at back to back years with sitting out the big dance, but even with D'Angelo Russell we still got knocked out in the first round by Dayton (who ended up making a good run)

So im not making this post on recruiting, players leaving and D'Angelo Russell and Scoonie Penns opinions, but in terms of actual results theres no denying we have dropped off a cliff for 3 years running and with what next years roster looks like its probably going to be 4 and back to back years without making the big dance

however, since i brought up recruiting ill end my post on this thought, even though recruiting is still a crapshoot especially in college basketball.


3 years ago we brought in just a 2 player class, ranked 36th but hey its only 2 guys so no big deal right? the next year we bring in a top 6 class, although that ranking is mostly because of D'Angelo Russell and having 4 players in it (a big class in basketball for that year) but what if we just had the 3 after Russell? the highest ranked recruit would have been 29th and the only top 50 ranked recruit. We probably shouldn't have been ranked in the top 20 (i mean we would complain if scUM had a top 20 class without a single top 25 player) the most recent signed class was another top 10 class, however we struggled for one kid to even be eligable, one kid left near the start of the season, and now it looks like the other 3 have a foot out the door or are already filling paper work on transfers, plus we got a transfer from Va Tech who technically counts as part of the class and he's testing the NBA waters

So we could end up losing our whole 2015 class after just 1 season of basketball, and not to the NBA but to other schools



If what we have seen over the last 3 years doesn't put a scare into you of what direction the basketball program is turning into then i have to question if you are even that much of a fan of the basketball team as its gotten very ugly in terms of results and both recruiting.

Ohio State announces $42 million Ohio Stadium proposal that includes cutting seats
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


If approved, Ohio Stadium will lose a few thousand seats, but mostly obstructed view ones.

It takes money to make money.

Ohio State unveiled Tuesday a massive $42 million renovation plan for Ohio Stadium that is expected to include the addition of 12 luxury suites and 35 loge boxes.

The four-year renovation project also restores and re-coats the 94-year old concrete on the C-deck, upgrades power distribution systems for the east, west, and south stands, improve and upgrades B-deck lighting, televisions, and speakers.

After the renovations, projected to be completed in 2012, gameday seating capacity would be reduced to 102,854.

"We are committed to providing our fans, players and coaches with one of the best facilities in the nation," Gene Smith said in a release. "We knew we had to get some of this done in order to avoid future degradation of the cement on C-Deck. At the same time, we have fans requesting upgraded seating options. We see this as a great opportunity to accomplish both projects. It's an important investment in the stadium that is beloved by so many."

With the renovation taking place in stages from 2016 until 2020, it'll be curious to see if OSU will pursue spring games on the road, perhaps in Canton, Cleveland, or again in Cincinnati, in some of those years.

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Ohio State forward Mickey Mitchell to transfer, per reports
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Another Buckeye opts to leave Columbus.

Following Daniel Giddens' reported departure Monday evening, Mickey Mitchell is the latest from Ohio State basketball's seemingly strong 2015 recruiting class to leave the program. Evan Daniels of Scout was first with the news, with additional confirmations shortly there after.

Mitchell did not see much time this season until the end, when the Buckeyes had Jae'Sean Tate sitting nursing an injured shoulder, and Keita Bates-Diop with an illness in the Buckeyes final two games of the season. Mitchell was sidelined in the early portion of OSU's season due to NCAA eligibility issues.

Mitchell had previously decommitted from Ohio State as a recruit after his brother, former OSU linebacker Mike, announced he was leaving the football team. He later recommitted citing having done his due diligence and his desire to play with his friend, now former Buckeye basketball player Austin Grandstaff.

The Plano, TX native averaged 12.8 minutes for the Buckeyes in 23 games played this season. He averaged just two points and 2.8 rebounds in the short amount of time that he saw the floor this year. While other players who came off the bench had their flashes of greatness on the floor, we never really saw it out of Mitchell. Coming into Columbus, he was rated as a four-star by 247Sports, committing to the Buckeyes in September of 2014.

Mitchell is now the third player from the 2015 class to leave the Buckeyes. Austin Grandstaff was the first to go early on in the year, and the aforementioned Giddens was reported to have requested his release Monday evening. Already deemed important, the 2016 and 2017 recruiting classes are looking even more crucial than ever for the future of the program.

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Ohio State Freshman Austin Mack Can Be the Buckeyes' Next Great Receiver - Bleacher Report
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Freshman Austin Mack Can Be the Buckeyes' Next Great Receiver
Bleacher Report
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Upon arriving on Ohio State's campus in January, Austin Mack made a proclamation to J.T. Barrett. Wiser now than he was three years ago when he himself was an early enrollee, the Buckeyes' quarterback received Mack's message with ...
Country's No. 4 guard leaves Ohio State impressed247Sports
Ohio State hosting No. 4 prospect of 2018, a monster at defensive endLand-Grant Holy Land

all 3 news articles »

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Vote in team showdowns for Browns, Buckeyes, Indians, Cavs in Cleveland Sports March Matchups - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Vote in team showdowns for Browns, Buckeyes, Indians, Cavs in Cleveland Sports March Matchups
cleveland.com
It's on to the voting in the Elite Eight, which means the regional finals for the Browns, Buckeyes, Indians and Cavs in what started out as our 64-player bracket event. Now we find out which one player from each of the four teams will advance to the ...


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JT Barrett and the Buckeyes' quarterbacks throwing during practice - CBSSports.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


JT Barrett and the Buckeyes' quarterbacks throwing during practice
CBSSports.com
J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes' quarterbacks throwing during practice. J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes' quarterbacks throwing during practice. Loading. Take a look at J.T. Barrett and the Buckeyes??? quarterbacks, plus OSU???s running backs at work during ...


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