Land-Grant Holy Land - All Postshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46551/lghl-fave.png2024-03-18T13:31:00-04:00http://www.landgrantholyland.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T13:31:00-04:002024-03-18T13:31:00-04:00You’re Nuts: Who should Ohio State target for its open running backs coaching position?
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<figcaption>Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Buckeyes are in a need of a new RB coach. </p> <p id="C1yQ0w">Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts. </p>
<p id="rYSA8U">In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.</p>
<h3 id="hrXs9j"><strong>This week’s topic: Who should Ohio State target for its open running backs coaching position?</strong></h3>
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<h3 id="kHsYon"><strong>Josh’s Take</strong></h3>
<p id="WY27yd">Last week, in a stunning turn of events, it was announced that longtime and now-former <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> running backs <s>Benedict</s> Tony Alford had chosen to leave Columbus – after the start of spring practice (!) – for a similar position in Ann Arbor... Michigan. Wow. Of all places.</p>
<p id="Aj6Xao">It has been rumored that Alford switched allegiances for a few years of guaranteed employment and a small raise, despite already being one of the highest paid RB coaches in college football. And while guaranteed money sounds like something everyone should or would jump at, we’re talking about a man who has/had received overtures from other programs basically every offseason since he joined the Buckeyes’ staff under Urban Meyer. Football wasn’t kicking him to the curb anytime soon.</p>
<p id="hoBdF4">Even if Alford had performed poorly at OSU this year and was subsequently fired by Ryan Day, he would have been inundated with new offers. Probably from several programs with stable coaching situations and less... uhh... “sanctiony stuff” going on. Then again, I’m sure all will be fine up north. It’s not like two alums just left Wolverines’ football program for dead and/or ran their basketball program into the ground. Good luck, Mr. Alford.</p>
<p id="0tzd1w">But seriously, what the hell, man!? I get that Alford may have been on the chopping block in Columbus, but this coulda, woulda, shoulda been his redemption season! He was gifted TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and Dallan Hayden — all of whom could have chosen to play elsewhere in 2024. Even<em> I</em> could get production out of that trio. Which means that Alford probably could have helped coach them to a 3,000-yard (combined) season.</p>
<p id="KoZ6MG">I just don’t get it. I really don’t. Which is fine, because Alford’s decision wasn’t mine to make. As a person, I hope that he finds happiness and/or whatever it is he might be looking for. But <em>strictly</em> as a football coach and a rival, I hope that he gets his teeth kicked in regularly.</p>
<p id="a54bPn">With that out of my system, it is time to look toward the future. Ohio State is now in semi-desperate need of a RB coach. I say “semi-desperate” because of Alford’s poor timing... Which seemed intentional if I’m being honest. Ryan Day, Chip Kelly, and others can help fill the void for a few practices or a few weeks, but doing so in March is less than ideal. And while finding a proven position coach would not typically be an issue for OSU, the timing makes this particular search a little more complicated.</p>
<p id="JSIYIv">To aid in said search, Gene and I decided to share our ideal candidates. We are convinced that Ryan Day and Ross Bjork will listen, and frankly, we think we have some great ideas. So without further ado...</p>
<p id="Dg0315">My top choice for the job is yet another Ohio native and former OSU position coach. He is also a current head coach, which would just be sort of weird at this point, right? Nothing but former Buckeyes and poached HCs? But hear me out. The coach I am referring to is none other than Stan Drayton.</p>
<p id="3Ui1Lt">Currently the HC at Temple, Drayton probably wouldn’t mind a change of scenery. Temple just isn’t a great program, and things aren’t likely to improve anytime soon. Not because of Drayton but rather because of NIL, super conferences, and the whole deal. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Owls don’t even have an FBS football program in 5-10 years. So the timing might be right.</p>
<p id="32Pjrk">But make no mistake, Drayton knows ball. And he can both coach the heck out of the RB position <em>and</em> recruit. Just look at his three roles prior to landing at Temple: He helped recruit and develop Ezekiel Elliott at Ohio State, winning a national championship in the process. He coached Jordan Howard as a rookie with the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>, when the latter rushed for 1,300 yards... You (reading) don’t even remember Jordan Howard! And finally, while at Texas, Drayton stole Bijan Robinson <em>from OSU</em> and helped him become a unanimous All-American and Doak Walker Award winner.</p>
<p id="1yxZrf">Drayton has everything you’re looking for in a RB coach and a recruiter, <em><strong>and</strong></em> he understands The Rivalry. He also came up under Urban Meyer. So there is an indirect link to Ryan Day, potentially making this an even better/easier hire.</p>
<p id="NeVfyD">Eddie George ain’t walking through the doors of The Woody, folks. At least not anytime soon. Drayton is both qualified and attainable, and he’s got some Scarlet and Gray blood already in him. Just make the call, Coach Day. Make Ohio State RB recruiting great again!</p>
<h3 id="y40HWc"><strong>Gene’s Take</strong></h3>
<p id="GsCTy0">I’m going to cheat a little bit and pick two candidates for my portion — one of which I think is pretty unlikely, and another that is probably more doable. </p>
<p id="nXvU2L">In my opinion, the top overall candidate on the board should be Alabama’s Robert Gillespie. A running backs coach in the Power 5 since 2006, Gillespie made stops at South Carolina, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina before landing at Alabama under Nick Saban. With Kalen DeBoer now at the helm, the former Washington head coach made a strong move to try and keep Gillespie in town by adding ‘assistant head coach’ to his job title, which makes him a bit tougher to pry out of Tuscaloosa.</p>
<p id="cLVxq2">While it may be a tough ask to lure him away from the Crimson Tide, it is certainly worth a try. In three recruiting cycles with Alabama, Gillespie has landed five composite five-star prospects, four of which he served as the primary recruiter — including 2023 five-star running back Justice Haynes, whom he directly beat out Ohio State for. While the tailback is obviously his bread and butter, his recruiting chops aren’t limited to just his position group, as he was also listed as the primary recruiter for 2023 five-star edge rusher Keon Keeley. </p>
<p id="vTssBf">Gillespie doesn’t have any real ties to Ohio State, but he also doesn’t have any allegiance to DeBoer just yet either. Either way, in Gillespie you know you are getting a guy who would be a force on the recruiting trail in addition to understanding the pressures of working in a job that demands near-perfection year in and year out. It’s likely a long shot, but Ryan Day should at least make the call to Gillespie to gauge his interest. </p>
<p id="3OuQRD">My second candidate, and likely a more attainable one, is <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a>’s Deland McCullough. If that last name sounds familiar to you, it’s because Ohio State once held a commitment from his son, Dasan McCullough, before he ultimately flipped to play for his father at Indiana. </p>
<p id="ZKatbd">The elder McCullough has been coaching running backs at both the Power 5 and NFL level since 2011, beginning his tenure at the position with Indiana for five years before a one-year stint at USC and a three-year gig with the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com">Kansas City Chiefs</a>. McCullough returned to college football with the Hoosiers again in 2021, and has spent the last two seasons at Notre Dame, </p>
<p id="sVFvcm">McCullough checks a lot of boxes, having strong Midwest ties having been born in Pittsburgh, playing his college football at Miami (Ohio), and spending his lone NFL season with the <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, in addition to his work at Indiana, Notre Dame and in the NFL. He also likely has a prior relationship with Day and other members of the Ohio State staff from their time recruiting his son. </p>
<p id="NHoOUb">As a recruiter, McCullough helped land a top-100 player in RB Jeremiyah Love in 2023 as well as the No. 4 RB in the country in 2024 in Kedren Young out of Texas. On the field, the Fighting Irish ranked No. 13 in the country in yards per attempt rushing the football this past season, and running back Audric Estime is now viewed as one of the top players at the position in the 2024 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>. </p>
<p id="nCPlu9">There are a number of ways Ohio State can go to fill its void at running backs coach. At the end of the day, the Buckeyes and Ross Bjork have not been scared to throw some money around to improve the program, as evidenced by their hiring of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator. Day should have virtually his pick of the litter, and I don't think there is any reason for concern that the next hire won’t be up to the standard. </p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/18/24104679/youre-nuts-who-should-ohio-state-target-for-its-open-running-backs-coaching-positionJosh DooleyGene Ross2024-03-18T12:01:00-04:002024-03-18T12:01:00-04:00Diebler will lead the men to the NIT and beyond; women to host Maine in NCAA tourney
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<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.</p> <p id="eFfR3d">Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for. </p>
<p id="bZFSyN">Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis. </p>
<p id="UdEnnH">You’re welcome!</p>
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<h2 id="H7LMxd"><strong>On the Gridiron</strong></h2>
<p id="R1nu3D"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-football-buckeyes-spring-practice-headlines-running-backs-coach/"><strong>Setting the table for second week of Buckeyes spring practice</strong></a> (paywall)<br><em><strong>Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row</strong></em></p>
<p id="nDIvFD"><a href="https://ohiostate.rivals.com/news/four-buckeyes-flashing-on-defense-during-start-of-spring-camp"><strong>Four Buckeyes flashing on defense during start of spring camp</strong></a><strong> </strong>(paywall)<br><em><strong>Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes</strong></em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/justnfields?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@justnfields</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@steelers</a> <a href="https://t.co/z64SY6MwG6">pic.twitter.com/z64SY6MwG6</a></p>— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateFB/status/1769392101731574012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="WQnb9S"><a href="https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-acquire-fields-in-trade-with-bears"><strong>Steelers acquire Fields in trade with Bears</strong></a><br><em><strong>Teresa Varley, Steelers.com</strong></em></p>
<p id="2IjUnu"><a href="https://www.on3.com/teams/ohio-state-buckeyes/news/ohio-state-football-buckeyes-nfl-rosters-free-agency-tracker-contracts/"><strong>Tracking former Buckeyes in NFL free agency</strong></a><br><em><strong>Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row</strong></em></p>
<p id="OAHX8V"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24097846/youre-nuts-ohio-state-buckeyes-sports-athletic-department-the-oscars-academy-awards-best-of"><strong>You’re Nuts: Who in Ohio State sports are you giving an Oscar to?</strong></a><br><em><strong>Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
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<h2 id="orIXTt"><strong>On the Hardwood</strong></h2>
<p id="5lRWpb"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24104144/ohio-state-womens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-first-round-home-game-opponent"><strong>No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball to host No. 15 Maine Black Bears in NCAA Tournament</strong></a><br><em><strong>Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> We're Dancing!<br><br>We take on #15 seed Maine in Round 1 of <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarchMadnessWBB</a> ‼️ <a href="https://t.co/b1ZdyD0Ab3">pic.twitter.com/b1ZdyD0Ab3</a></p>— Ohio State Women’s Basketball (@OhioStateWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateWBB/status/1769523117590778265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="Rd4qpx"><a href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2024/03/18/ohio-state-womens-basketball-tickets-ncaa-tournament-2024-prices-march-madness-osu-buckeye/72934389007/"><strong>How to buy OSU women’s basketball tickets in 2024 NCAA Tournament</strong></a><br><em><strong>Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch</strong></em></p>
<p id="xWLzX5"><a href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2024/03/18/ohio-state-vs-maine-prediction-march-madness-ncaa-womens-pick-2024/72958047007/"><strong>A closer look at Ohio State women’s NCAA Tournament opener vs Maine</strong></a><br><em><strong>Brianna Mac Kay, The Columbus Dispatch</strong></em></p>
<p id="j2HrFc"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24103893/ohio-state-mens-basketball-to-host-cornell-in-opening-round-of-nit"><strong>Ohio State men’s basketball to host Cornell in opening round of NIT</strong></a><br><em><strong>Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
<p id="sBtI2w"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24103616/ohio-state-mens-basketball-immediate-implications-of-jake-diebler-becoming-head-coach-recruiting"><strong>What are the immediate implications of Jake Diebler becoming Ohio State’s head coach</strong></a><br><em><strong>Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment we made it official with Head Coach <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeDiebler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeDiebler</a> ️<br><br>Hear <a href="https://twitter.com/RossBjorkAD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RossBjorkAD</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeDiebler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeDiebler</a> address the team this afternoon to announce the news.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/9J7iraFEWQ">pic.twitter.com/9J7iraFEWQ</a></p>— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateHoops/status/1769464892786872669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="kmUgEq"><a href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2024/03/17/john-juni-mobley-reaffirms-commitment-to-ohio-state-jake-diebler/73011300007/"><strong>John ‘Juni’ Mobley reaffirms commitment to Ohio State, Jake Diebler</strong></a><br><em><strong>Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch</strong></em></p>
<p id="DDUZlu"><a href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/basketball/2024/03/17/colin-white-sticking-with-commitment-to-play-for-ohio-state-jake-diebler/73010116007/"><strong>Colin White sticking with commitment to play for Ohio State, Jake Diebler</strong></a><br><em><strong>Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch</strong></em></p>
<p id="ZNaJXi"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24103063/ohio-state-fans-support-jake-diebler-new-mens-basketball-head-coach-will-howard-quarterback"><strong>Majority of Ohio State fans support Diebler as the new men’s basketball head coach</strong></a><br><em><strong>Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
<p id="A2xnLr"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/16/24102605/ohio-state-mens-basketball-take-a-bow-jake-diebler-interim-head-coach-dusty-may-chris-holtmann"><strong>Column: Take a bow, Jake Diebler</strong></a><br><em><strong>Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land</strong></em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Born a Buckeye, Stays a Buckeye<br><br>Senior Advisor for Intercollegiate Athletics Ross Bjork today announced the hiring of <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeDiebler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeDiebler</a> as head coach of the Ohio State men’s basketball program.<br><br> : <a href="https://t.co/WyxLiaVGvm">https://t.co/WyxLiaVGvm</a> <a href="https://t.co/qIeX5P3h5P">pic.twitter.com/qIeX5P3h5P</a></p>— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateHoops/status/1769411877476442376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="fChOx0">
<strong>Outside the Shoe and Schott</strong> </h2>
<p id="bqSoBA"><a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/3/16/womens-ice-hockey-buckeyes-earn-9-0-shutout-of-bulldogs-advance-to-2024-frozen-four"><strong>Buckeyes Earn 9-0 Shutout of Bulldogs, Advance to 2024 Frozen Four</strong></a><br><em><strong>Ohio State Athletics</strong></em></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ticket = punched ️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/GkcK27htfo">pic.twitter.com/GkcK27htfo</a></p>— Ohio State Women's Hockey (@OhioStateWHKY) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateWHKY/status/1769140877375451499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<p id="3UCrZE"><a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/3/17/mens-tennis-buckeyes-continue-dominance-of-michigan-with-4-0-victory"><strong>Men’s Tennis: Buckeyes Continue Dominance of Michigan with 4-0 Victory</strong></a><br><em><strong>Ohio State Athletics</strong></em></p>
<p id="tX93hA"><a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/3/17/softball-ohio-state-uses-home-runs-to-down-no-23-kentucky-12-6"><strong>Softball: Ohio State Uses Home Runs to Down No. 23 Kentucky, 12-6</strong></a><br><em><strong>Ohio State Athletics</strong></em></p>
<p id="3ahVDo"><a href="https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/3/17/baseball-ohio-state-dominates-west-virginia-26-11-in-series-finale"><strong>Baseball: Ohio State Dominates West Virginia, 26-11, in Series Finale</strong></a><br><em><strong>Ohio State Athletics</strong></em></p>
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<h2 id="haosvi"><strong>And now for something completely different...</strong></h2>
<p id="l4CVR0"><strong>Look, I don’t have time to keep up with what craziness is going on in the U.K., can someone just explain it to me like I haven’t watched “The Crown” since Season 1?</strong></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Big news!!!<br>Video circulating online that the flag is at half mast in Buckingham Palace has been debunked with the circulated video from September 2022. The Royal family is not mourning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BuckinghamPalace?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BuckinghamPalace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KingCharles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KingCharles</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KateGate?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KateGate</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoyalAnnouncement?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoyalAnnouncement</a> <a href="https://t.co/g22VO8SiMn">pic.twitter.com/g22VO8SiMn</a></p>— (@CapXSid) <a href="https://twitter.com/CapXSid/status/1769736413728395482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/18/24104796/jake-diebler-ohio-state-mens-basketball-head-coach-nit-women-basketball-host-maine-ncaa-tournamentMatt Tamanini2024-03-18T10:01:00-04:002024-03-18T10:01:00-04:00Ohio State women’s basketball “whole again,” entering March Madness
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<img alt="Rutgers v Ohio State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nScdk3q9yoCls2BRo3CL7siSwBQ=/1x0:4618x3078/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215066/1935939700.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How the return of a Buckeyes favorite gives Ohio State an advantage missed in the last three games of Big Ten play</p> <p id="xdSdqh">On Sunday, March 25, <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> women’s basketball defeated the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a>. That victory clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title. When the Buckeyes clinched the trophy outright three days later, against the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com">Michigan Wolverines</a>, there was a notable absence in team celebrations. Now, after being away for the team for three games, forward Eboni Walker is back with the Scarlet and Gray.</p>
<p id="HJUAtM">Walker’s absence began in that victory over the Terrapins. Playing only two minutes in the contest, Walker entered the game with her usual energy and intensity. However, on a fast break, Walker attempted a no-look pass to a teammate, sending the ball out of bounds instead in a close game against the Terps. The move drew the ire of head coach Kevin McGuff, visibly upset at the lost possession. </p>
<p id="t3SwN3">The forward wasn’t seen on the bench for the closing parts of the game. Against Michigan, Walker was listed “out” on the Buckeyes’ availability report and didn’t celebrate on the court with her teammates. </p>
<p id="GRnIiz">This season’s been difficult, on the court, for Walker. After transferring to Ohio State at the start of the 2022-23 season, Walker worked on conditioning and learning a new system following almost a year away from playing Division I basketball. In February, when forward Rebeka Mikulášiková went down with an ankle injury, Walker lid into the starting five-position and kept it through the end of the Buckeyes’ Elite Eight run.</p>
<p id="OsSHjJ">Entering the 2023-24 season, a competition between Mikulášiková and Walker felt inevitable. Plus the addition of graduate senior transfer Taiyier Parks from the <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State Spartans</a> adding another element of intrigue in the post position. </p>
<p id="Ffeoew">Mikulášiková won the role she’s held since the start of her junior year, starting all but one game this season, due to illness. For Walker, who averaged 22 minutes per game after winning the starting role last season, minutes dropped substantially. This season, the graduate senior averages 10.9 minutes per game, appearing only 22 times out of 27 games. </p>
<p id="DvdKZB">The reason for leaving the program is unknown, with head coach Kevin McGuff saying she was not with the team, keeping the situation within the team. </p>
<p id="Y3gV7E">Sunday night, when the Scarlet and Gray awaited their NCAA Tournament fate, Walker was part of the celebration. Coach McGuff confirmed her return to the team. It’s a moment that means a lot for Walker’s Ohio State teammates.</p>
<p id="I0oNgH">“I feel like, you know, we’re whole again,” said forward Cotie McMahon.</p>
<p id="lUgb9M">For the sports statisticians, Walker’s numbers aren’t at the top of the conference near Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, but what’s seen in a 40-minute game is a small part of what makes a team. </p>
<p id="hyoXBt">Watch Walker on the sidelines and interacting with her teammates in games, and you see someone who has strong chemistry with everybody. The Las Vegas, Nevada product is joking with teammates, has a smile on her face and seems to uplift everyone she spends time around. Something you can see a little bit of in a profile done on Walker this summer, after a skydiving adventure. </p>
<p id="37pmoj">On the court, Walker’s contributed in vital ways over the past two seasons. Look at the NCAA Tournament Second Round game against the <a href="https://www.tarheelblog.com">North Carolina Tar Heels</a>. While guard Jacy Sheldon received praise for her game-winning shot, it was the focus and work of Walker that made the play possible.</p>
<p id="9o6e9N">Coach McGuff designed a play that was broken from the start. After inbounding to Walker, the forward didn’t panic or try to do too much. Waiting patiently, Walker found Sheldon who made the final move before hitting a midrange jumper. </p>
<p id="fMlraI">Walker provides something the Buckeyes desperately need: rebounding. She does it through being quick on the court, and putting herself into the paint aggressively to grab missed shots. Against the Terrapins in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, the Buckeyes were out rebounded by 24. That doesn’t mean that Walker’s inclusion would erase that deficit, but when asked about the defeat, guard Celeste Taylor said Ohio State lost because it lacked heart. Something Walker has in abundance.</p>
<p id="VLRp0k">“Eboni shines in a lot of ways,” said McMahon. “Her impact on and off the court is huge. I mean, whether we’re in practice, whether we’re in a game, or literally in recovery, like her personality. Just her being there really has an impact on this team.” </p>
<p id="aLZDrq">The forward is a fan favorite too. When folks were celebrating the title victory with confetti and streamers, Ohio State supporters online wanted to know the whereabouts of Walker. She plays a style of game that fans appreciate and has a personality that’s hard to miss when you’re in the arena. </p>
<p id="Rsex20">Whether Walker sees the court for ample minutes in March Madness, starting Friday against the Maine Black Bears, it’s a return that could lead to better performances from the Buckeyes.</p>
<p id="ZP9CMp">“And you know, we miss her a lot,” said McMahon. “But she’s back.”</p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/18/24104709/ohio-state-womens-basketball-whole-again-entering-march-madness-buckeyes-hoops-2024-postseasonThomasCostello2024-03-18T07:01:00-04:002024-03-18T07:01:00-04:00Join the Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Tournament Challenge
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<img alt="NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament - Seattle Regional" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TU3Nec4r5nwZiE_rVIaJH7WWNqI=/0x0:6000x4000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214679/1249438664.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Buckeyes are in the NCAA Tournament, so its time to compete alongside the Scarlet and Gray, kinda</p> <p id="catIzS">It’s the best time of the year: March Madness!</p>
<p id="p49kbg">To add to the madness, Land-Grant Holy Land invites you to join its annual bracket challenge on the women’s basketball side of things. </p>
<p id="ru5yTj"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> women’s basketball is in the field of 68 teams looking to win the coveted NCAA National Championship. For the Buckeyes, it hasn’t reached the pinnacle of college basketball since 1993, when it lost to basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes and <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>. </p>
<p id="m0dpMP">Last season, the Scarlet and Gray were close, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight. It included a comeback in the First Round, a game-winning shot by guard Jacy Sheldon in the Second Round, and a win on national television over the <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies. </p>
<p id="qTsjo8">This time around, Ohio State welcomes the Maine Black Bears to Columbus, along with a potential second-round matchup against either the <a href="https://www.dukebasketballreport.com">Duke Blue Devils</a> or Richmond Spiders. </p>
<p id="L1N8Al">It’s not only the Buckeyes who are competing because YOU can as well! Follow the steps below to join the LGHL women’s bracket challenge. You’ll get to win all the bragging rights, the fresh dopamine hit in the form of internet praise, and the feeling of a job well done. </p>
<p id="IIrpZU">It’s absolutely free to play. Follow the rules below to join the best women’s basketball tournament challenge on not only Land-Grant Holy Land but maybe all of SBNation.</p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="aaxeU1">
<h3 id="1MhQzg"><strong>Bracket Steps</strong></h3>
<ol>
<li id="MLbOeO">Join the <a href="https://fantasy.espn.com/tc/sharer?challengeId=241&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=759dec3f-8a4a-43eb-a705-479a71e71737"><em><strong>Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Land Bracket Challenge</strong></em></a>.</li>
<li id="6Hb6Oa">Make your selections before the <strong>March 22, 2023, at 11:30 AM</strong> cutoff date and time.</li>
<li id="mC18el">Select one of your entries to join the group, no multiple entries, please.</li>
<li id="OVxTDJ">If we find out you used multiple accounts to have multiple entries, first: Why? Second, you won’t win the grand prize.</li>
<li id="H7xwqd">
<a href="https://fantasy.espn.com/games/tournament-challenge-bracket-women-2024/howtoplay#CompleteRules"><strong>Read up on the rules over at </strong><em><strong>ESPN</strong></em></a>, because this challenge will adhere to all of them.</li>
</ol>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="zcAL7B">
<h3 id="wZunNR"><strong>Share, Share, Share</strong></h3>
<p id="vx3fYu">Make sure to tell all your family, friends, and frienemies to sign up for the Land-Grant Women’s Basketball Land Tournament Challenge. It costs nothing to you. Challenge someone who doesn’t watch women’s basketball. Take that same friend out to a sports bar and demand they put all the games from the ESPN family of networks on their televisions. Flip a table if you need to (figuratively. I’m not paying bond).</p>
<p id="Zw9GWI">Good luck to all who enter!</p>
<p id="ymkrSt"></p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/18/24104648/join-the-land-grant-womens-basketball-land-tournament-challenge-march-madness-ohio-state-buckeyesThomasCostello2024-03-18T05:01:00-04:002024-03-18T05:01:00-04:00Ohio State’s 2024 hoops commits remain firm with now full-time head coach Jake Diebler
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Ohio State at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/42yJMqvbZoBSqF6DxUJv3eIRLQ8=/0x0:3966x2644/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214547/usa_today_22746094.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Buckeyes’ 2024 commits are buying in to their new future leader. </p> <p id="KMoDqk"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> men’s basketball found its new head coach over the weekend, and it didn’t have to look very far to find him. The Buckeyes’ new athletic director Ross Bjork made the decision on Sunday to remove the interim tag from Jake Diebler, naming the former assistant the program’s next full-time head coach after an impressive 6-2 run to close out what looked like a lost season and create some optimism for the future.</p>
<p id="PCMEMC">Needless to say, the current players on the roster were very excited about the news...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The moment we made it official with Head Coach <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeDiebler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeDiebler</a> ️<br><br>Hear <a href="https://twitter.com/RossBjorkAD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RossBjorkAD</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JakeDiebler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JakeDiebler</a> address the team this afternoon to announce the news.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBucks</a> <a href="https://t.co/9J7iraFEWQ">pic.twitter.com/9J7iraFEWQ</a></p>— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/OhioStateHoops/status/1769464892786872669?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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<p id="X9v87f">However, while the opinions of those already in the building are certainly of the utmost importance, so too are those of Ohio State’s commitments in the current recruiting cycle. The Buckeyes lay claim to two signees in the 2024 class in guard <strong>Juni Mobley</strong> and forward <strong>Colin White</strong>, and obviously their decisions whether or not to stay the course and eventually play their college ball in Columbus would be weighed heavily on who their head coach will be. </p>
<p id="n4370A">Luckily for Ohio State, both Mobley and White have confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/AdamJardy/status/1769495166568567240?s=20">Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch</a> that the duo will be sticking with their commitments to the program and playing for coach Diebler next season. </p>
<p id="E9rW8p">According to Jardy, Mobley and his family met with Diebler at Ohio State on Sunday and reaffirmed the commitment to play for the Buckeyes in 2024. The higher-rated player of the two, the 6-foot Columbus native, who now plays his high school hoops at Mt. Pleasant (Utah) Wasatch Academy, comes in as the No. 6 point guard and No. 41 player nationally in the cycle. Mobley was originally recruited by Chris Holtmann as well as Diebler, and remained steady in his pledge even after Holtmann’s firing in February. </p>
<p id="RvE6ka">White made it a perfect two-for-two when he also reaffirmed his commitment on Sunday. The 6-foot-5 Ottawa, Ohio native ranks as the No. 25 small forward and No. 124 player overall in the 2024 class. Coach Diebler made it a point to reach out to White and confirm his vision for him with the program, and that seems to have made a really positive impact on White in his decision to become a Buckeye. </p>
<p id="5btXMT">“I’m super happy for coach Diebler,” White <a href="https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/college-basketball-colin-white-jake-diebler-ohio-state-228865311/">told 247Sports</a>. “He really deserves this. He’s a big time coach and I’m going to ride with him. He’s a great guy, great dude and a great coach. He’s building something really special at Ohio State.”</p>
<p id="XQkfcl">As did anyone else that has watched the post-Holtmann Buckeyes, White saw an impressive change at Ohio State, and is excited to join a newly invigorated group with a head coach that seems to have a sincere connection with his players.</p>
<p id="6fniA5">“What he did was big time,” White said. “He really lit a fire under those guys. Coach Holtmann was a great coach and I don’t know how much they changed or how different the game planned but the players really loved to play for coach Diebler and he banded them together. Since he came in they started to play really well and it spoke volumes.”</p>
<p id="cLw8ky">Ohio State is unlikely to add another member to its 2024 class before signing day in April. The Buckeyes will be losing Jamison Battle and Dale Bonner to graduation at the end of the season, and add the two incoming freshmen, barring any transfers out of the program.</p>
<h3 id="63zPSN"><strong>Quick Hits</strong></h3>
<ul><li id="H4v4pE">Ohio State will be receiving a visit from three-star offensive tackle <strong>Parker Harden</strong> on March 30. The No. 70 OT in the 2025 class and a top-50 player in Ohio for the cycle, Harden stands at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds and hails out of Pickerington Central. He does not yet hold an offer from the Buckeyes.</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Spring Visit Schedule! <a href="https://twitter.com/bondedits15?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bondedits15</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DaleRodick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DaleRodick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/thelinemanlab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheLinemanLab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/football_t3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@football_t3</a><a href="https://twitter.com/Rivals_Jeff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rivals_Jeff</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/On3Recruits?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@On3Recruits</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MickWalker247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MickWalker247</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AllenTrieu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@allentrieu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachJFrye?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachjfrye</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_BMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_bmiller</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Manalac?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach_Manalac</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachDarveau?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coachdarveau</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Applebaum?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@coach_applebaum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FBCoachM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBCoachM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffNorrid1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffNorrid1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PCtigerfootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PCtigerfootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCoachHolman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheCoachHolman</a> <a href="https://t.co/hgFnB4E1yI">pic.twitter.com/hgFnB4E1yI</a></p>— Parker Harden (@harden_parker) <a href="https://twitter.com/harden_parker/status/1768640469347540993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="fObEeQ">2026 wide receiver <strong>Kayden Dixon-Wyatt</strong> will also be at Ohio State on March 30. Listed at 6-foot-2, the California native plays his high school football at Mater Dei, the same program as current 2026 Ohio State commit <strong>Chris Henry Jr.</strong> as well as 2025 running back target <strong>Jordon Davison</strong>. Dixon-Wyatt is not yet rated on 247Sports, but has over two dozen offers including the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas as well as a four-star rating (No. 76 overall) on Rivals. The Buckeyes have not yet offered.</li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I will be at THEE Ohio State University on March 30th! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBucks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBucks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/brianhartline?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@brianhartline</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ryandaytime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ryandaytime</a> <a href="https://t.co/et7ZMiciYO">pic.twitter.com/et7ZMiciYO</a></p>— Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (@kayyydeenn) <a href="https://twitter.com/kayyydeenn/status/1768820915545227597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2024</a>
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<ul><li id="VmDgoe">Another 2026 prospect with plans to visit Columbus this spring, offensive tackle <strong>Adam Guthrie</strong> will be making the trip to Ohio State on Thursday. A 6-foot-7 in-state talent, Guthrie holds over 20 offers early in the process, including Kentucky, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. The Nittany Lions are currently the favorite for the not-yet-rated offensive lineman, per the On3 prediction machine, but the Buckeyes could change that calculus once an official offer comes. </li></ul>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">2026 Miami Trace OL Adam Guthrie (<a href="https://twitter.com/AdamGuthrie21?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdamGuthrie21</a>) will be visiting Ohio State on Thursday, The Silver Bulletin was told.<br><br>The 6’7 Guthrie holds 23 D-1 offers and is one of Ohio’s top 2026 prospects. <a href="https://t.co/NIEIuk7FM5">pic.twitter.com/NIEIuk7FM5</a></p>— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) <a href="https://twitter.com/tSilverBulletin/status/1769475660643205271?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/18/24104505/ohio-state-2024-hoops-commits-remain-firm-with-now-full-time-head-coach-jake-diebler-buckeyesGene Ross2024-03-17T21:40:26-04:002024-03-17T21:40:26-04:00Ohio State men’s basketball to host Cornell in opening round of NIT
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<img alt="Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yGjGu22gQl3NvBmClr53oGbA3X0=/0x0:4402x2935/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214254/usa_today_22156411.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Clare Grant/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>The Buckeyes will get a taste of post-season basketball for the first time under head coach Jake Diebler. </p> <p id="wKo2a3">Although they fell just short of making the NCAA Tournament, the <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> men’s basketball team (20-13, 9-11) will still get to participate in post-season play. On Sunday night, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament">NIT</a> selection committee announced that the Buckeyes — who finished the season 6-2 in their last eight but fell to Illinois in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> quarterfinal — would be a 2 seed in the NIT, and will face Cornell at the Schottenstein Center Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Higher-seeded teams host the NIT, so Ohio State will get the opportunity to host their NIT games until they run into a team seeded higher than them. </p>
<p id="JHR8yJ">If Ohio State defeats Cornell in the first round, they would advance to play the winner of No. 3 Seed <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com/">Virginia Tech</a> and Richmond either Saturday or Sunday, also at home. </p>
<p id="jMpmCo">Neither the NCAA Tournament nor the NIT seemed possible in mid-February when Ohio State fired former head coach Chris Holtmann, but after Jake Diebler brought the Buckeyes to the brink of the big dance, the NIT suddenly seemed like a no-brainer. After the loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, Diebler was asked about the possibility of playing in the NIT and said, “These guys are a joy to coach, and I think if we do play, there’s a championship to be won, and I know the competitive spirit of this group. So I would anticipate if that’s the case that we’ll be ready to go.” </p>
<p id="Xwzg10">There were questions about whether or not the transfer portal opening up on Monday would impact Ohio State playing in the NIT, as well as if the ongoing coaching situation would make players hesitant to play. However, with Diebler being officially announced as Ohio State’s head coach on Sunday, both of those concerns appear to be resolved. </p>
<p id="WC7o6J">Now that Diebler has had the interim tag removed, the expectation is that most of the roster will stay put, and that the Buckeyes will be ready to play in the NIT. If there’s a trophy to be won, Ohio State wants to win it. </p>
<p id="X9wW1Y">Cornell went 22-7 overall this season and finished in second place in the Ivy League with an 11-3 record. Head coach Brian Earl is in his seventh season at Cornell, amassing a 96-101 record overall. This was the first 20-win season for the Big Red under Earl, as well as their first NIT appearance. Cornell’s best wins on its schedule were wins over Colgate and Princeton at home. </p>
<p id="DwRjIb">The Big Red is No. 95 in the NET rankings and No. 103 in KenPom. They lost to eventual league champion Yale 69-57 in the Ivy League Tournament Semifinal. </p>
<p id="p2vOS5">Ohio State’s opening-round matchup with Cornell will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2. Tickets go on sale Monday at noon and can be purchased at <a href="http://OhioStateBuckeyes.com">OhioStateBuckeyes.com</a>. </p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24103893/ohio-state-mens-basketball-to-host-cornell-in-opening-round-of-nitConnor Lemons2024-03-17T20:27:46-04:002024-03-17T20:27:46-04:00No. 2 Ohio State women’s basketball to host No. 15 Maine Black Bears in NCAA Tournament
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<img alt="Ohio State v Maryland" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/P6NHrfl0DluIM0jGLYAIyM40LAE=/0x770:2666x2547/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214135/2061694468.0.jpg" />
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<p>March Madness begins with Columbus hosting the first two rounds of tournament play.</p> <p id="ociNLb">It’s been 10 days since <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> women’s basketball lost to the <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com">Maryland Terrapins</a> in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>. Now, after a long wait, the No. 2 seeded Buckeyes know who it’ll face in its next game, welcoming the No. 15 Maine Black Bears to the Schottenstein Center. It’s the first of potentially two home games to start the annual tournament. </p>
<p id="CX2nJn">Ohio State and Maine play at noon p.m. ET on Friday, March 22. Then, at 2:30 p.m. ET, the other Columbus First Round game tips off between the Duke Blue Devils and Richmond Spiders.</p>
<p id="DeBfzH">Unlike the men’s tournament, the women’s edition of March Madness features all 16 top-four seeds hosting the first two rounds of games. The 2024 edition is the second season in a row where the Buckeyes host games.</p>
<p id="pK55T7">Last season, Ohio State defeated the James Madison University Dukes and <a href="https://www.tarheelblog.com">North Carolina Tar Heels</a>, before traveling to Seattle, Washington. In the Sweet Sixteen, head coach Kevin McGuff’s side defeated the <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> Huskies. Then, in the Elite Eight, the Buckeyes fell short of its first Final Four appearance in 30 years, falling to the <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com">Virginia Tech Hokies</a>. </p>
<p id="hdnjoH">The Buckeyes enter the tournament on a two-game losing streak. Falling to the Terps 82-61 was the first time an Ohio State team coached by McGuff entered the conference tournament in the quarterfinals and lost. </p>
<p id="rSsLpD">In Iowa City, Iowa, six days earlier, superstar guard Caitlin Clark and the <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> frustrated every attempted Buckeyes comeback. Clark ended her Iowa regular season career with a 10-point win over Ohio State.</p>
<p id="xgnpgV">Now, the Scarlet and Gray have ample motivation going into the tournament, as if playing for a National Championship wasn’t enough. Although the road won’t be too easy.</p>
<p id="ZLjzmc">After sitting in the NCAA Tournament committee’s final top-four release on Feb. 26, the two defeats dropped the Buckeyes down to a No. 2 seed in March Madness. Should seeding hold true, and Ohio State makes it to the Elite Eight, it’ll have a matchup against the USC Trojans.</p>
<p id="SmuHG0">However, there’s a lot that has to happen before the Scarlet and Gray can worry about an Elite Eight matchup. Should the Buckeyes win its First Round game, it plays the winner of the Duke Blue Devils vs. the Richmond Spiders, playing in the other First Round game held in Columbus. Setting up a potential game for Celeste Taylor against her former ACC team. A side she led to the NCAA Tournament in 2023.</p>
<p id="HLHqy0">A win in both games for the Buckeyes gives Ohio State a trip to either Portland, Oregon. Win in the Elite Eight, and it’s a home venue for the Scarlet and Gray, kind of. This year’s edition of the Final Four takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. </p>
<p id="1BLrPX">Last season, three conference teams made it to the Elite Eight, the Buckeyes, Hawkeyes, and Terrapins. The Hawkeyes advanced all the way to the National Championship game, losing to the <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU Tigers</a>. </p>
https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24104144/ohio-state-womens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-first-round-home-game-opponentThomasCostello2024-03-17T12:01:00-04:002024-03-17T12:01:00-04:00You’re Nuts: Who in Ohio State sports are you giving an Oscar to?
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<figcaption>Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.</p> <p id=":o2">On Sunday night, the 96th Academy Awards, or The Oscars as it is commonly referred to, were held in Los Angeles. With the award show being the most talked about pop culture event over the past week, we figured it would be fun to apply some of the awards to <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> sports over the last year. While it might be easy to try and use movies to describe some of what we saw from Buckeye sports, that’s not quite what we are going for. We know that losing to Michigan, followed by the performance of the football team in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/cotton-bowl">Cotton Bowl</a> against Missouri made it feel like the world might be ending, much like Oppenheimer made things seem.</p>
<p id="5RX8i8">Instead, we are talking about the actual award. Best Picture could refer to a favorite game you watched from any of Ohio State’s teams over the last year. Best Actor or Actress translates to an outstanding Buckeye athlete, or Best Supporting Actor or Actress would give proper due to an unsung player or assistant coach. You could even have a little fun with the awards. Best Animated Feature could refer to an Ohio State player or coach losing their cool, or maybe there was a Buckeye uniform that should be given Best Costume Design.</p>
<h3 id="0B7Rcl"><strong>Today’s question: Who in Ohio State sports are you giving an Oscar to?</strong></h3>
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<strong>We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at </strong><a href="https://twitter.com/Landgrant33"><strong>@Landgrant33</strong></a><strong> or leave your choice in the comments.</strong>
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<h3 id="yJ6FKo"><strong>Brett’s answer: Best Production Design | Ryan Day</strong></h3>
<p id="BUKJj1">After clamoring for Ryan Day to give up play calling for a couple of years, it looks like the head coach of Ohio State football finally realized it was necessary to let somebody else handle the sticks on offense. It sounded like this might be happening last offseason when there was talk Brian Hartline would be calling plays for the Buckeyes, but it was obvious Day wasn’t ready to give up his control of the offense. Instead, we saw way too many bubble screens and terrible decisions in short-yardage situations from Ohio State in 2023.</p>
<p id="SrRJC7">Remember after the 2013 season when Urban Meyer made some changes on the defensive side of the football following losses to <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a> and Clemson to end the season? This has some of that feel, except on offense. Day brought in former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator in January. There was no way Ohio State was going to bring in O’Brien if Day wasn’t going to let him put his stamp on the Buckeye offense. Oddly enough, we never got to see the actual product on the field since O’Brien would take the Boston College head coaching job after former Ohio State assistant Jeff Hafley left for an assistant coaching position with the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. Makes you wonder if Day made a call to Hafley since he knew how the dominoes would fall if Hafley left Boston College!</p>
<p id="veJXqn">After O’Brien was named the new Boston College head coach, Day moved quickly to fill the offensive coordinator position. No offense to O’Brien, but Day actually upgraded at the position, not only bringing in his mentor, but a sitting head coach at a Power 5 school, Chip Kelly. The former head coach wasn’t interested in continuing as the “CEO” of a college football program, while it was necessary that Day moved more into that role. Obviously, there is going to be a lot of comfort with Kelly calling the play for the Buckeyes this fall.</p>
<p id="WRUViW">As if bringing in Kelly wasn’t a big enough home run, before the former UCLA coach was in the fold Day already was very active in the transfer portal, with the biggest acquisition on offense is running back Quinshon Judkins from <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a>. Judkins will team with the returning TreVeyon Henderson to form the most dynamic running back combo in the country, which will play right into the hands of Kelly. Handing the ball off to those two running backs will be <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> transfer quarterback Will Howard, who is an upgrade over Kyle McCord.</p>
<p id="nZwX6j">While I know I might be crowning the 2024 Ohio State before they even take the field, there’s no questioning that Day has made the right moves, especially on offense, that should have the Big Ten and the rest of the college football world on edge.</p>
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<h3 id="3b6cDg"><strong>Matt’s answer: Best Film Editing | Jake Diebler</strong></h3>
<p id="OmZUDZ">The job of a film editor is to take the raw footage that a director has shot, cut it up, reassemble it into its best version, and deliver a final product that is better than the individual parts. That is exactly what Jake Diebler did over the final month of the Ohio State men’s basketball team’s season. </p>
<p id="g5JuGR">While his predecessor Chris Holtmann had put together some interesting pieces, what we witnessed before the Valentine’s Day coaching change was less than spectacular. However, with Diebler at the helm, he was able to take what was already there, move some pieces around, and turn it into something compelling. The interim coach — <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24103616/ohio-state-mens-basketball-immediate-implications-of-jake-diebler-becoming-head-coach-recruiting">for now</a> — turned up the intensity on defense, inserted more structure and movement on offense, incorporated more young players into the rotation, and seemed to get a better handle on the in-game coaching that often flummoxed Holtmann. </p>
<p id="JGwtUG">While the team ultimately is unlikely to get the equivalent of a Best Picture nomination — a berth into the NCAA Tournament — it is clear that Diebler has done remarkable work in taking the incomplete pieces turned over to him by Holtmann and putting together a far more compelling and entertaining product. </p>
<p id="zgk3HY">Now, with Diebler likely to be in completely in charge moving forward, we just have to hope that he will be able to create a masterpiece from start to finish in 2024-25. </p>
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https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/3/17/24097846/youre-nuts-ohio-state-buckeyes-sports-athletic-department-the-oscars-academy-awards-best-ofBrett LudwiczakMatt Tamanini