With the graduation of Shannon Scott, and D’Angelo’ Russell’s expected leap to the NBA, Ohio State might find itself lacking in guard depth next season. That help could have been in the form of Cleveland State guard Trey Lewis. The sought-after graduate transfer had narrowed down his college options to Ohio State and Louisville before reportedly choosing the Cardinals Monday night, per Doug Lesmerises:
Cleveland State transfer Trey Lewis headed to Louisville, according to source.
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) April 6, 2015
Lewis, who is out of Garfield Heights, OH, played a year at Penn State before transferring to CSU. He stands 6’2 and weighs 190 pounds. Last season he put up 16.3/4.4/2.9, albeit often against less than stellar competition. Still, Lewis scored 24 against Louisville, 18 against Virginia, and 15 against VCU.
Lewis might not have been a game changer, but he certainly could have provided much-needed depth and experience to what will be a young roster.
Congrats @Kelz_Hoop pic.twitter.com/EpTXNBvsBx
— OSU W Basketball (@OhioState_WBB) April 5, 2015
The U.S. Basketball Writers Association named Ohio State guard Kelsey Mitchell its 2015 National Freshman of the year. The accolade is one of many for Mitchell who was the first freshman in history to lead the nation in scoring (24.9 ppg). She also drained an NCAA-record 127 three-pointers (at a 41% clip) while accounting for an astounding 42.6 of Ohio State’s offense.
#OhioState says it led country in fewest missed tackles last year. Here's their secret. And, the new way is safer. http://t.co/p8hrWkX4Q3
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) April 5, 2015
When tasked with improving a defense that was indisputably one of the worst in recent Ohio State history, Chris Ash set out to completely overhaul one of the most fundamental parts of the game; tackling. After reviewing an instructional video from Pete Carol that emphasized rugby tackling (that opts for attacking the legs and avoids using the head), Ash was intrigued. Rabinowitz writes:
Ash was so intrigued that he got to his office at 5:30 the next morning and began researching the rugby style. The more he did what he described as exhaustive research, the more convinced he was that the Buckeyes should implement it. Ohio State did, and coaches believe that was a huge factor in their national championship.
"We went from one of the worst tackling teams in America to the best," Meyer said. "We had the fewest missed tackles in the country."
It’s easy to underrate the role of coaching in fundamentals like tackling, but if this article proves anything it’s that approach and focus in practice can result in direct improvement on the field even in the most basic aspects of the game.
Congratulations to @Buckeye158, your 2015 @InterMat Coach of the Year. #GoBucks #WT3 http://t.co/HuZRKPV15P pic.twitter.com/WIIPrZp0sD
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) April 6, 2015
Ohio State wrestling coach Tom Ryan was already having one hell of a year. Not only did he guide the program to its first national title in its 94-year history and first Big Ten title since 1951, he was also named Big Ten and NCAA coach of the year. Now, there is one more trophy for Coach Ryan to add to his mantle; the InterMat Wrestling Coach of the Year Award.
The award is handed out each year to the "best college coach in all divisions." It is based solely on the balloting of writers and executives at InterMat. Ryan received seven of ten first place votes and 76 total. This marks the third time Ryan has won this award (2008, 2009).
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