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Random thoughts from Junkie…….
Ohio State Men’s basketball…………..
The Buckeyes are coming off a loss on the road at Illinois and are looking to make a statement on Sunday against Michigan State (I pray the Schott is rocking for this one). Currently the Buckeyes sit at 13-4, 3-3 in the conference, currently good enough for third place in the conference. Michigan State is coming off a shocking loss at home against Northwestern and currently sit at 15-3, 5-1 in the conference, good enough for first place. This game is a chance for this young squad to solidify their NCAA chances along with getting back in the race for the conference championship. Playing the next four out of five at home against Michigan State, Michigan, at Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota will go a long way towards determining if the Buckeyes can challenge for the conference or will be in the middle of the Big Ten. Ohio State is 4-2 against ranked teams and a fifth win would be a huge lift to a team that is inconsistent from one game to the next. Ohio State currently is sitting just outside the top 25 and is ranked #22 in the RPI ranking.
On the injury front, David Lighty’s rehab is on schedule and if everything progresses as expected Lighty could be back in February. The Buckeyes miss Lighty’s leadership and experience but in recent games, including the win at Michigan have shown improvement. Also, Nikola Kecman was lost for the season with an ACL injury to his knee. Indications are Kecman will be able to redshirt if that is the direction the staff wants to go and he would have three years of eligibility remaining.
Due to David Lighty’s injury, William Buford has emerged as a consistent scoring threat and was recently named the Big Ten Player of the Week. The second Buckeye to achieve that honor this year (Evan Turner). Buford is currently averaging 10.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Evan Turner is currently 5th in the Big Ten in scoring at 15.2 ppg and 7th in the Big Ten in rebounding with 7.2 rpg. Another young player with high expectations, B.J. Mullens has shown consistent improvement over the last three games, contributing 14 points/7 rebounds at Illinois, 15 points/6 rebounds at Michigan, 14 points/8 rebounds vs Indiana.
Basketball recruiting………………..
With little to no depth at point guard due to the recent departure of Anthony Crater, Matta and staff are looking at all options to add much needed depth at this critical position including signing a JUCO player, recruiting a point guard in the 2009 class or adding a floor general to the 2010 class which is widely considered the #1 class in the nation at this stage. In recent weeks several names have popped up on the horizon…….2010 point guards Lavonte Dority (Chicago, IL) and Cory Joseph (Henderson, NV). The staff also has an offer out to PF Adreian Payne from (Dayton, OH). In the 2011 class……SF Markus Crider (Dayton, OH) is one to keep an eye on.
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2009 class with OL Marcus Hall, QB Tajh Boyd, WR Marlon Brown. Each prospect is a top 100 player nationally. Marcus Hall will be visiting Miami(FL) this upcoming weekend and indications are his decision will come down to Ohio State or Miami(FL). Tajh Boyd is currently weighing his options from Clemson, Ohio State and Oregon. Marlon Brown will be a signing day announcement and will choose from Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Currently, this Ohio State class is ranked as the #1 class by Scout.com and #2 by Rivals.com. During the last few weeks before signing day the staff will be on the road visiting committed prospects and making last impressions on undecided prospects.
As the 2009 class is being finalized, the 2010 class is taking shape. One prospect to keep an eye on is QB Devin Gardner from that state up north. Gardner is considered by most to be a top prospect nationally at the quarterback position. Ohio State has not offered but is interested in this talented signal caller. Stay tuned.
Final Thoughts…………………………
………As usual, with the passing of another football season, we look back and remember the good times and the bad times (last two minutes of the Fiesta Bowl), with that we say farewell to a big group of seniors who made an impact on the Ohio State football program and accounted for 43 wins, 4 Big Ten titles and most importantly, 4 wins over Michigan. Thanks for the memories!
………A hot topic among Ohio State football fans is the performance of the offense in 2008. Many are concerned over the lack of production against quality opponents and the perception that a change is needed. This past season was a season of change for the offense…….replacing a senior quarterback three games into the season……..the injury to Chris Wells, true freshman starting at QB, struggles on the offensive line, true freshman at center (Brewster), all of these issues combined led to an inconsistent offense. The offense in 2009 with no Chris Wells to carry the ball should feature a more wide open attack with Pryor running and throwing from 3-4 wide receiver sets……..the running back position will be talented with Boom Herron and Brandon Saine returning along with young pups Jamaal Berry, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall. The departure of Robiskie and Hartline at the wide receiver position will give Ray Small, Devier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher and Taurian Washington a chance to earn playing time. The position should be deep and talented with the addition of Duron Carter, Chris Fields and James Jackson. An added bonus will be opportunity for Jake Stoneburner to see the field at Tight End or the H Back position. The offensive line will get a boost from the addition of Justin Boren and the return of Mike Brewster, Bryant Browning, Jim Cordle, Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts and the addition of incoming players Sam Longo, Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort and hopefully Marcus Hall. Very exciting times!
……..When does spring practice start?
Ohio State Men’s basketball…………..
The Buckeyes are coming off a loss on the road at Illinois and are looking to make a statement on Sunday against Michigan State (I pray the Schott is rocking for this one). Currently the Buckeyes sit at 13-4, 3-3 in the conference, currently good enough for third place in the conference. Michigan State is coming off a shocking loss at home against Northwestern and currently sit at 15-3, 5-1 in the conference, good enough for first place. This game is a chance for this young squad to solidify their NCAA chances along with getting back in the race for the conference championship. Playing the next four out of five at home against Michigan State, Michigan, at Indiana, Purdue and Minnesota will go a long way towards determining if the Buckeyes can challenge for the conference or will be in the middle of the Big Ten. Ohio State is 4-2 against ranked teams and a fifth win would be a huge lift to a team that is inconsistent from one game to the next. Ohio State currently is sitting just outside the top 25 and is ranked #22 in the RPI ranking.
On the injury front, David Lighty’s rehab is on schedule and if everything progresses as expected Lighty could be back in February. The Buckeyes miss Lighty’s leadership and experience but in recent games, including the win at Michigan have shown improvement. Also, Nikola Kecman was lost for the season with an ACL injury to his knee. Indications are Kecman will be able to redshirt if that is the direction the staff wants to go and he would have three years of eligibility remaining.
Due to David Lighty’s injury, William Buford has emerged as a consistent scoring threat and was recently named the Big Ten Player of the Week. The second Buckeye to achieve that honor this year (Evan Turner). Buford is currently averaging 10.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg. Evan Turner is currently 5th in the Big Ten in scoring at 15.2 ppg and 7th in the Big Ten in rebounding with 7.2 rpg. Another young player with high expectations, B.J. Mullens has shown consistent improvement over the last three games, contributing 14 points/7 rebounds at Illinois, 15 points/6 rebounds at Michigan, 14 points/8 rebounds vs Indiana.
Basketball recruiting………………..
With little to no depth at point guard due to the recent departure of Anthony Crater, Matta and staff are looking at all options to add much needed depth at this critical position including signing a JUCO player, recruiting a point guard in the 2009 class or adding a floor general to the 2010 class which is widely considered the #1 class in the nation at this stage. In recent weeks several names have popped up on the horizon…….2010 point guards Lavonte Dority (Chicago, IL) and Cory Joseph (Henderson, NV). The staff also has an offer out to PF Adreian Payne from (Dayton, OH). In the 2011 class……SF Markus Crider (Dayton, OH) is one to keep an eye on.
Football Recruiting……………………
With National Signing Day near, Coach Tressel and staff are concentrating on completing the 2009 class with OL Marcus Hall, QB Tajh Boyd, WR Marlon Brown. Each prospect is a top 100 player nationally. Marcus Hall will be visiting Miami(FL) this upcoming weekend and indications are his decision will come down to Ohio State or Miami(FL). Tajh Boyd is currently weighing his options from Clemson, Ohio State and Oregon. Marlon Brown will be a signing day announcement and will choose from Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Currently, this Ohio State class is ranked as the #1 class by Scout.com and #2 by Rivals.com. During the last few weeks before signing day the staff will be on the road visiting committed prospects and making last impressions on undecided prospects.
As the 2009 class is being finalized, the 2010 class is taking shape. One prospect to keep an eye on is QB Devin Gardner from that state up north. Gardner is considered by most to be a top prospect nationally at the quarterback position. Ohio State has not offered but is interested in this talented signal caller. Stay tuned.
Final Thoughts…………………………
………As usual, with the passing of another football season, we look back and remember the good times and the bad times (last two minutes of the Fiesta Bowl), with that we say farewell to a big group of seniors who made an impact on the Ohio State football program and accounted for 43 wins, 4 Big Ten titles and most importantly, 4 wins over Michigan. Thanks for the memories!
………A hot topic among Ohio State football fans is the performance of the offense in 2008. Many are concerned over the lack of production against quality opponents and the perception that a change is needed. This past season was a season of change for the offense…….replacing a senior quarterback three games into the season……..the injury to Chris Wells, true freshman starting at QB, struggles on the offensive line, true freshman at center (Brewster), all of these issues combined led to an inconsistent offense. The offense in 2009 with no Chris Wells to carry the ball should feature a more wide open attack with Pryor running and throwing from 3-4 wide receiver sets……..the running back position will be talented with Boom Herron and Brandon Saine returning along with young pups Jamaal Berry, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall. The departure of Robiskie and Hartline at the wide receiver position will give Ray Small, Devier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher and Taurian Washington a chance to earn playing time. The position should be deep and talented with the addition of Duron Carter, Chris Fields and James Jackson. An added bonus will be opportunity for Jake Stoneburner to see the field at Tight End or the H Back position. The offensive line will get a boost from the addition of Justin Boren and the return of Mike Brewster, Bryant Browning, Jim Cordle, Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts and the addition of incoming players Sam Longo, Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort and hopefully Marcus Hall. Very exciting times!
……..When does spring practice start?
