Jan. 23, 2018 BuyingBuying InIn Buckeyes Have Belief In Each Other, New Staff 2 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Cover Story

OSU's Success Under Holtmann Triggered By Trust By Ryan McGlade “No one has an ego on the team,” junior forward Keita Bates-Diop said after the When was announced Nebraska game. “We all know our roles, as the Ohio State men’s team’s we all accept our roles and we all trust head coach on June 9, he admitted he had each other in our roles. We just know all a steep hill to climb. He had just replaced of these things, and everyone does what Jan. 23, 2018 , who accrued a school-record they’re supposed to do.” 337 wins, nine NCAA Tournament appear- Senior forward Jae’Sean Tate, who also Publisher...... Frank Moskowitz ances, including two trips to the Final Four trudged through the trials and tribula- Asst. Publisher...... Becky Roberts (2007, 2012), five regular-season Big Ten tions of last season, echoed Bates-Diop’s Editor...... Tim Moody titles and four league tournament crowns assessment. during his 13-year run in Columbus. “In my opinion, I’ve never been on a In addition to being the man to succeed team where so many people buy in,” Tate Staff Writers Matta, Holtmann took over a program said. “There’s no hidden agendas in that Ryan McGlade that had seven players leave in the off- locker room – none. You don’t see that a Garrett Stepien season for various reasons. Nevertheless, lot. You don’t see that on many teams at Holtmann, who also had to fill out his staff, all. Everybody is buying in, playing with Intern accomplished both tasks, despite having heart, effort, and we’re not afraid to call only five months to do so before the sea- each other out on it. We haven’t even had Joe Dempsey son started. to call each other out because at the end Less than a month into the schedule, of the day we trust each other.” Design the first-year coach appeared to be pro- Tim Miles, who is in his sixth season Tim Moody phetic about acknowledging how arduous as Nebraska’s head coach, said he can the 2017-18 campaign was going to be see the new culture Holtmann has infused for his new team. The Buckeyes fell at into the program as well. Photographers home to Clemson, 79-65, on Nov. 29 after “The buy-in is there,” Miles said. “They Sonny Brockway leading by 11 points early in the second have bought in, and they believe in what Kevin Dye half. That defeat came three days after a they’re doing. They are going to run their Josh Winslow 67-66 overtime loss to Butler, the team stuff this way, they are going to cut hard, Holtmann had coached the previous three they are going to defend and out. seasons, in which Ohio State was ahead There is no individual agenda, and the Editorial Office by 15 with less than four minutes remain- body language is really good. I think Tate Columbus Sports Publications ing in regulation. did an interview after one of the games, 1350 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 30 Then the calendar turned to December, and the way he talked about the coaches and the Buckeyes – outside of a loss and where they’re going, you could see P.O. Box 12453 to defending national champion North how fired up they were. I think that is a Columbus, Ohio 43212 Carolina – have not looked back. They very good barometer for success.” (614) 486-2202 • (800) 760-2862 have won 13 of their last 14 games, includ- Five days prior to facing Nebraska, ing their first nine Big Ten contests, Ohio State gutted out a 71-65 win at On The Cover: and have risen up to No. 13 in the latest Northwestern. But as they are for every poll. Sprinkled in this contest, the players were forewarned on Junior Keita Bates-Diop (33) winning tear was an 80-64 home victory how the meeting with the Wildcats would has led Ohio State to an unde- over then-No. 1 Michigan State on Jan. 7 transpire. feated 9-0 start in the Big Ten. where OSU led by as many as 25. “Coach Holtmann, I don’t know if he can (Photo by Kevin Dye) Ohio State’s most recent conference see the future, but every game we go into game, a 64-59 triumph over Nebraska on he knows exactly how the game is going Jan. 22, was its closest margin of victory to go,” Tate said. “It’s crazy. He knew Check Out Our Premium Website this season. The result gave the Buckeyes Northwestern was going to be a grind-it- www.BuckeyeSports.com their 18th win of the season, one better out game, and he knew (Nebraska) was than last year’s win total, and pushed their going to be a crazy grind-it-out game. The next print edition of BSB league mark to 9-0. I think he just has done a great job of (Feb. 3 cover date) will be So given all of the turnover on both the preparing us of the mind-set we need to coaching staff and roster, what’s keyed have going into certain games, what we’re mailed Jan. 30. this rapid turnaround? going to face from opposing teams.” Cover Story Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 3

Holtmann, who began his college bas- when we had some rough patches they pened everywhere. My time at Butler, it ketball head coaching career in 2010 at might have questioned a little bit early happened pretty quickly. But I had been Gardner-Webb before going to Butler what we were doing, but they embraced there a year as an assistant so it was eas- three years later as an assistant, said he’s how we wanted to do things. It’s a credit ier. I did not expect this group to be as surprised that he and his staff have such to them.” connected to us so quickly.” a strong pulse of this Ohio State club after Along with the players buying into Holtmann is the first coach to start his being with it for only seven-plus months. what the coaches are implementing, Big Ten tenure with nine straight wins He gave all of the credit to the players for Holtmann noted that how everything since Sam Barry went 11-0 in 1923 at Iowa. accepting the new staff’s approach. unfolded last season, which ended with a And while Holtmann has constantly been “I do think there’s a connection loss to Rutgers in the first round of the Big preaching to his team the importance of between this group and our coaching Ten tournament, has fueled this squad in staying in the moment this winter, he real- staff that’s happened a whole lot quicker 2017-18. izes the rarity of being undefeated halfway than I expected,” Holtmann said. “All of “It’s hard to put your finger on the through the league schedule. that speaks to their ability to be open value in having a hungry group quanti- “I don’t want to take this for granted,” to what we’re trying to do. If J.T. (Tate) tatively, but I think we’ve got a hungry he said. “I’ve never been a part of anything was a knucklehead, we wouldn’t be the group,” Holtmann said. “I think some like this, and I don’t know if I ever will same. Not only is he a really good player, of what happened last year has allowed again. You don’t just start 9-0 in confer- he’s been so receptive – Keita as well. this group to be even hungrier, so we as ence play, and I don’t want to take that The winning has helped in terms of just a coaching staff have probably benefited for granted. It’s been an amazing run, and embracing, but I always felt like even from that to some degree. It’s not hap- hopefully we continue it.”

KEVIN DYE HISTORIC RUN – Chris Holtmann is the first coach to start 9-0 in his first Big Ten season since Iowa's Sam Berry in 1923. 4 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Insider

INSIDER

Bosa Excited For Future Of OSU D-Line In 2017, Ohio State tallied 45 sacks as JOSH WINSLOW a team. Out of those 45 sacks, 21½ were PASS RUSHER – (97) led Ohio State with 81/2 sacks as a sophomore in 2017 recorded by players who won’t be on the to go along with 16 tackles for loss. roster in 2018. Even with those departures in mind, boost from the return of defensive State football program, I want to con- rising junior defensive end Nick Bosa Dre’Mont Jones. Even though Jones had gratulate J.T. on this tremendous honor doesn’t expect a drop in production just one sack last year, he’s expecting to of being named the East-West Shrine from the Buckeyes. In fact, he thinks be a force as a pass rusher given more Game’s Pat Tillman Award winner.” the Rushmen could be even better next opportunity as a likely member of the new- The award adds to a laundry list of season. look Rushmen package for the Buckeyes. accomplishments for Barrett, who was the “I think we could be the best pass-rush- “I’m very excited about it,” Jones said. only three-time captain in program history. ing unit ever,” Bosa said Jan. 19. “I think “I would love to be out there on third “It is an honor to receive this award it could be a step up from last year just down.” that holds Pat Tillman’s name,” he said. because they really set the bar for us and “The people that he impacted during his we’re going to enhance it. There’s just so Barrett Picks Up Honor career and the sacrifice he made says a lot much talent on this D-line right now. Even At Shrine Game about the kind of man he was.” though we’re young, it’s some of the best Although J.T. Barrett’s Ohio State Along with Barrett, safety Damon talent that I’ve ever seen. So it’s going to career ended at the Cotton Bowl, he had Webb and Chris Worley took be really good once we get all the chemis- one more collegiate game to play before part in the Shrine Game as well. The Ohio try together.” joining the professional ranks. Barrett State trio played for the East team, which The line, of course, will be the focal opted to play in the East-West Shrine lost to the West, 14-10. Barrett was 5 of 13 point of the pass rush, and Bosa is the Game – a collegiate all-star game for pro- for 69 yards with a and lost a returning leader of that group. He led all spective draft prospects – on Jan. 20, and while carrying the ball three times Buckeyes with 8½ sacks and 16 tackles for he picked up yet another individual award for 17 yards. Worley got the start on the loss as a sophomore in 2017. In obvious in the week leading up to the exhibition. defense, but individual defensive statistics passing situations, Bosa was part of the On Jan. 19, Barrett was awarded the were not posted after the game. Rushmen package, along with defensive Pat Tillman Award, named in honor of the On the same day, Marcus ends Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes and former Arizona State and NFL player who Baugh and defensive tackle Michael Hill Tyquan Lewis – three players who won’t put his football career on hold to join the took part in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl be on the team next season. U.S. Army before his death in Afghanistan in Pasadena, Calif. The duo played for the Instead, Bosa will be joined by an in 2004. National team, which beat the American up-and-coming group of talented pass According to Ohio State’s press release, team, 23-0. Baugh had one catch for 15 rushers, including Chase Young, who the award “celebrates a student athlete’s yards while Hill recorded one tackle for tallied 3½ sacks and six tackles for loss achievements and conduct on and off the loss. as a true freshman last year. The next football field.” defensive end in the pecking order will “J.T. Barrett is one of the great young Vrabel Named Titans be junior Jonathon Cooper, who had two leaders I have ever been around,” Ohio Head Coach sacks a year ago. State head coach Urban Meyer said in Ohio State great has a The pass-rushing unit will also get a the release. “On behalf of the entire Ohio new job. Insider Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 5

The former Buckeye defensive line- and to lead, mentor and coach the terrific former Buckeye on their roster. man, who starred as a linebacker in the young men we have in this program.” Former Ohio State walk-on Nate Ebner NFL from 1997-2010, was named the head A few days before his promotion was plays for the Patriots, although he’ll miss coach of the Tennessee Titans on Jan. 20, announced, ESPN’s Adam Schefter report- the Super Bowl while on injured reserve. giving him his first head coaching position ed that Day was considering an opportuni- Ebner is in his sixth professional season, at any level. Vrabel was most recently the ty to become the Titans’ offensive coordi- and he recorded eight tackles in nine defensive coordinator for the Houston nator under Vrabel. His decision to spurn games before his injury. Texans. the NFL chance means he will see out his While New England’s former Buckeye “I am excited to have Mike Vrabel two-year contract in Columbus, with his won’t be on the field, one of the Eagles’ joining our organization as our new head future beyond 2018 undecided. top defensive players spent his college coach,” Titans controlling owner Amy “Ohio State is an outstanding place years at Ohio State. Malcolm Jenkins tal- Adams Strunk said. “In the interaction to be a coach, and Columbus is a great lied 76 tackles during the regular season between Mike and (GM Jon Robinson) city for a young family,” Day said. “I in his ninth year in the league (fourth with during the interview, you could see their really enjoyed my first season with this Philadelphia) after being drafted in the connection right away from the history program, and I’m looking forward to the first round by New Orleans in 2009. they have with one another – seeing the 2018 season and the opportunity to coach Jenkins starred as a cornerback at Ohio game in a similar way and talking the a very talented and hungry group of play- State from 2005-08. In his senior season, same language. Mike has a commanding ers.” the East Orange, N.J., native won the presence and a deep understanding for Day has been a coach for 16 years, Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defen- how he will attack this head coaching including two seasons in the NFL as the sive back after tallying 57 tackles and opportunity.” coach under Chip Kelly, three interceptions. Before moving to the NFL as Houston’s first with the in 2015 Former Ohio State punter Cameron coach in 2014, Vrabel served and then with the the Johnston is part of the Eagles’ franchise as Ohio State’s linebackers coach in 2011 following year. as well after being signed to the reserve/ and the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach futures list earlier this year. from 2012-13. Warinner Joins As a player in the NFL, Vrabel spent Michigan Staff Chun Hired As time with Pittsburgh (1997-2000), New Ed Warinner is moving from a state up WSU AD England (2001-08) and Kansas City (2009- north to that state up north. Former Ohio State athletics staffer and 10). He was an All-Pro and selec- The former Ohio State offensive coor- Ohio State alumnus Pat Chun was official- tion in 2007 and won the Super Bowl three dinator has accepted a position as an ly introduced as Washington State's new times with the Patriots. offensive analyst at Michigan, according athletic director on Jan. 22. He played for Ohio State from 1993-96 to multiple reports. Warinner spent the “This is a game-changing day for our and was named a first-team All-American 2017 season as the offensive line coach at athletics program,” WSU president Kirk as a senior in addition to being the Big Minnesota after leaving Columbus follow- Schulz said. “We were focused on finding Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in ing the 2016 season. a leader with the right blend of experience, 1995 and 1996. As an offensive analyst, Warinner would vision and passion to lead Cougar athletics not be one of the 10 full-time assistants, to the next level of success. In Pat, we're Day Promoted but multiple reports cited speculation that confident we found that person.” Amid NFL Links he could move into one of those roles if a Chun took over as the Florida Atlantic Ryan Day has been promoted to offen- spot opens up before the 2018 season. athletic director in 2012 after spending sive coordinator at Ohio State, the team While Michigan has yet to make an 15 years at Ohio State while serving in announced via press release Jan. 23. official announcement, Warinner’s various roles. He was promoted six times Day is entering his second season with profile reads “” and within the Ohio State Athletic Department the Buckeyes after serving as co-offensive cites his location as Ann Arbor, Mich. before leaving for FAU. coordinator and quarterbacks coach last Warinner first arrived at Ohio State as “Pat did a great job,” FAU head football year. He will continue to work with Ohio the co-offensive coordinator and offensive coach Lane Kiffin said. “Gave us great State’s signal callers while running the line coach, a position he held from 2012- support, allowing us to get some big- offense with coordinator Kevin Wilson. 14. In 2015 he was promoted to offensive name assistant coaches, and obviously The duo helped the Buckeyes lead the Big coordinator and offensive line coach, and that helps. Ten in rushing, passing, total offense and in 2016 he kept his coordinator duties “Pat has great vision for what he want- points per game last season. while coaching the tight ends. He has ed to do with this football program. That’s “Ryan is clearly a very talented coach also coached at Notre Dame, Kansas, what really impressed me in the interview who has been an outstanding addition to Illinois, Air Force, Army, Michigan State process. Pat really had a vision for how to our program,” Meyer said. “He has been and Akron. build a top-25, championship program.” approached by other schools numerous Kiffin’s hiring for the 2017 season times this offseason for coordinator and Pair Of Former Bucks was one of the highlights of Chun’s ten- head coach opportunities, and by the Heading To Super Bowl ure at the school. Kiffin previously had for a coordina- The Philadelphia Eagles and New head coaching experience at USC and tor opportunity. I am pleased that he has England Patriots will face off in the Super Tennessee in addition to a tenure with the elected to continue to work on this staff Bowl on Feb. 4, and both teams have a Oakland Raiders in the NFL. 2018 Ohio State Football Schedule Date Opponent Location Sept. 1 OREGON STATE Columbus, Ohio Sept. 8 RUTGERS Columbus, Ohio Sept. 15 vs. TCU Arlington, Texas Sept. 22 TULANE Columbus, Ohio Sept. 29 at Penn State State College, Pa. Oct. 6 INDIANA Columbus, Ohio Oct. 13 MINNESOTA Columbus, Ohio Oct. 20 at Purdue West Lafayette, Ind. Nov. 3 NEBRASKA Columbus, Ohio Nov. 10 at Michigan State East Lansing, Mich. Nov. 17 at College Park, Md. Nov. 24 MICHIGAN Columbus, Ohio Dec. 1 Big Ten Championship Game Indianapolis Dec. 31 CFP Semifinals Cotton/Orange Bowls

Ohio State Future Schedules 2019 FOOTBALL 2020 FOOTBALL Aug. 31 FLORIDA ATLANTIC Sept. 5 BOWLING GREEN Sept. 7 CINCINNATI Sept. 12 at Oregon Sept. 14 at Indiana 2021 FOOTBALL Sept. 21 MIAMI (OHIO) Sept. 11 OREGON Sept. 28 at Nebraska Sept. 18 TULSA Oct. 5 MICHIGAN STATE 2022 FOOTBALL Oct. 19 at Northwestern Sept. 3 NOTRE DAME Oct. 26 WISCONSIN Sept. 17 at Texas Nov. 9 MARYLAND 2023 FOOTBALL Nov. 16 at Rutgers Sept. 16 TEXAS Nov. 23 PENN STATE Sept. 23 at Notre Dame Nov. 30 at Michigan 2024 FOOTBALL Dec. 7 Big Ten Title Game Sept. 7 at Washington 90276 92281 91787 Magnetic Notepad $4.99 4 Pack Logo Tattoos $2.99 Meyer vs. College 81225 Football By: Ben Axelrod, Black 16 oz. Mug $11.99 240 pgs. $14.95

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Returning Players Give Buckeyes A Boost By Tim Moody

In recent years it has seemed that any Ohio State underclassman who is project- ed as an NFL draft selection has opted to leave eligibility on the table. In three cases, that was true again this year, but the Buckeyes got a boost as a few key players opted to prolong their collegiate careers before heading to the next level. Cornerback Denzel Ward, defensive end Sam Hubbard and linebacker Jerome Baker all chose to leave Ohio State for the NFL with a year of eligibility remain- ing, but six of their draft-eligible team- mates who many thought would leave opted to return. That list includes run- ning back Mike Weber, defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones and wide receivers Parris Campbell, Johnnie Dixon, K.J. Hill and Terry McLaurin. With those six players returning, Ohio State gets a somewhat unexpected boost from within its own ranks. All six play- JOSH WINSLOW ers have started at some point in their ONE MORE YEAR – Ohio State defensive tackle Dre'Mont Jones (86) opted to return careers, and all six are expected to play for his fourth season despite speculation that he could be an early-round draft pick. key roles in 2018. rush the passer on many occasions last can’t solely think about that,” he said. “I Those players met with the media on year, Jones felt that his ability to get to the think about that, but it’s not the main pur- Jan. 19 to explain what prompted them to is one of his strengths. He pose as to why I stayed. You have to think return to Columbus for one more run with opted to return to Ohio State for one more about the other guys that are here and the Scarlet and Gray. season at least partially to get the chance still play my part and play my role because to showcase that part of his game. that’s what I’m supposed to do. That’s Dre’Mont Jones “That’s a big factor for me staying, I what I want to accomplish being here. Jones, a Cleveland native, first took think it’s just to enhance myself,” Jones “I think the whole risk thing, it’s very over as a starter in week two of the 2016 said, noting that he’s excited for a chance overplayed. You can get hurt doing any- season as a redshirt freshman. He went on to be part of the Rushmen package next thing. I can get hurt walking outside and to record 52 tackles, including four tackles season. get hit by a car. Me coming back has noth- for loss, that year, cementing himself as a While most players claim throughout ing to do with injury reasons. Anything key player on Ohio State’s defense. the season that they don’t have the NFL can happen.” Jones had his starting spot locked in mind, Jones admitted that he put a lot down for 2017, and he earned a healthy of thought into his decision, and it always Mike Weber helping of praise from head coach Urban weighs on his mind. Weber, a Detroit Cass Tech product, Meyer before the season. Along with that, “I think about it every day,” he said. rushed for 1,096 yards in 2016 on his way Jones began popping up on many NFL “Ever since it was first brought up to me, to being named the Big Ten Freshman of draft projections as a possible early-round whether I say I don’t talk about it right the Year. After his big redshirt freshman selection. now, it’s still in my mind. It’s hard not to.” season, the running back had his mind The St. Ignatius High School product For Jones, the decision to come back to set on a big 2017 season before an early played a key role in the defensive line rota- Ohio State means putting off an NFL pay- departure for the NFL. tion – apart from a pair of games missed check for one more year (he noted that “Everyone hopes for that,” Weber said. via injury after scraping his leg in the 2018 will, most likely, be his last collegiate “You worked hard and you expect so locker room – and he totaled 20 tackles, season). It also means risking a potential many things and you never really think including five for a loss. But Jones tallied injury next year. about the bad things or stuff that could just one sack – the first of his career – as With that in mind, Jones noted that he’s go wrong. I can say yes I expected it to be he found himself on the sidelines for looking into personal insurance options, my last year but things happened and I’m most obvious passing situations while the but he’s not focused on the potential for a here for another year.” Buckeyes employed four defensive ends setback. He’s also comfortable with wait- Weber’s plans to leave for the NFL took a in the Rushmen package. ing on that NFL payday. hit even before his sophomore season began. Despite not having the opportunity to “It’s just a maturity level for me, you He suffered a serious hamstring injury in OSU Football Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 9

July that nearly required surgery. Instead, he rely more on the backs in the running I just feel like I have some personal goals went without the operation and missed the game with likely to that I haven’t met yet,” Campbell said. “I season opener before being limited through- take over at quarterback for J.T. Barrett, have a lot of potential that I haven’t even out the early portion of the season. who shouldered a heavy workload in the touched yet. I feel like Ohio State is the With Weber hobbled, freshman J.K. ground game while at Ohio State. best place for me to develop and continue Dobbins took a firm hold on the starting Last season, Barrett had 165 carries to push for that. I feel like once this sea- spot and never loosened that grip. Once – 64 more than Weber – while Dobbins son is over all those goals will be met.” Weber was back at full health, though, had 194. Regardless of who ends up start- While Campbell cited personal goals as he showcased improved speed on his ing at quarterback, the signal caller will a big reason to return, the group of receiv- way to 101 carries for 626 yards and 10 probably be less involved in the running ers admitted their decision had some . game, leaving the possibility open for both impact on each other. It’s one of the most Although his carries were limited, Dobbins and Weber to have productive close-knit groups on the team, and the Weber put enough on film that he would seasons. Dobbins even admitted that he friendship between Campbell, Dixon and have been a draftable prospect this spring. feels he and Weber could both rush for McLaurin – who all arrived at Ohio State He said he spoke with Meyer and running 1,000 yards or more next year. together in 2014 – runs deep. backs coach Tony Alford about what his “I feel like that played a role in it,” role might be next season before deciding The Receivers Dixon said when asked if Campbell’s to return. Ohio State’s wide receiver room will choice to come back impacted him, “with “Talking to the coaches and asking look the same as it did last year, but it Terry as well. Just knowing that we can about the things that I was concerned easily could have ended up being vastly come back and get better because there’s about and he told me everything I needed different. Hill, Campbell and McLaurin still a lot of things we left on the field last to hear and the best decision was to come were the top three pass catchers for the year. There’s some goals we still want to back,” Weber said. Buckeyes last year with 56, 40 and 29 reach this year, so having those two guys The running back noted that part of receptions, respectively. Dixon led the with me is definitely a big factor. that conversation centered around how team with eight touchdown catches. “It was kind of an individual thing, many touches he might get next year. All four players could have made the but we all talked about it together. The If healthy, Weber is likely in line for an jump to the NFL, but all four decided to biggest thing is we want to win a national increased workload, even with Dobbins return instead. title. We want to be a big part of that.” back as the starter. The Buckeyes could “It took a lot of thought and prayer, but Campbell, Dixon and McLaurin were all on the roster in 2014 when the Buckeyes were victorious in the first Playoff, but all three redshirted that year. Hill, who was a third- year sophomore in 2017, didn’t join the program until the following year. With the group returning, the Buckeyes also get back two team captains from last season in Campbell and McLaurin, help- ing to keep some of the old leadership group in place. “We kind of stepped in that role last year, but now being the oldest guys on the team, which is crazy to think about, we’ve got a younger team in a sense of leader- ship,” McLaurin said. “I think it starts with us three (Dixon included) offensively.” In total, Campbell, Dixon, Hill and McLaurin combined for 143 receptions for 1,991 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air. The remainder of Ohio State’s wide receiver room combined for 69 catches, 960 yards and 10 scores. With every wide receiver who played significant snaps returning, Hill noted that the competition will be fierce for playing time next year. “It gets you ready for the next level because it’s not easy up there,” Hill said. JOSH WINSLOW “In the NFL you’re going to have compe- IN THE ZONE – Wide receiver Johnnie Dixon (1) led all Ohio State players with eight tition in that room, too, so it’s just getting touchdown catches in 2017. you ready and prepared.” 10 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Football Recruiting

COURTESY OF TYLER FRIDAY/TWITTER ADD HIM TO THE LIST – Four-star defensive tackle Tyler Friday committed to Ohio State over Alabama and Michigan. 4-Star Friday 'Fell In Love' With Ohio State Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four-star Ohio State offered Friday (6-3, 263) in they would feel comfortable leaving me defensive tackle Tyler Friday committed to December 2015 before hosting him on an with someone there for the next four Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class on Jan. 19. unofficial visit in March of last year. It was years. That says a lot to me, and I really To make the pledge even sweeter for the his official visit to Columbus during the trust those guys and I really think we can weekend of Nov. 18 when OSU won him get something done.” over, though. Friday added that his relationships RECRUITING “I am choosing Ohio State, and the rea- with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, son for that is because I fell in love with who visited him the week of Jan. 8, and OUTLOOK everything they had to tell me,” Friday defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who Ryan McGlade told recruiting analyst Brian Dohn. “When visited him Jan. 17, were important in his I first got there, they mapped out a plan decision as well. for me from freshman year all the way to Recruiting analyst Bill Greene also Buckeyes, Friday, the No. 84 overall prospect senior year, or halfway through my junior pointed out that Johnson, 65, issuing a and fourth-best DT in the 247Sports compos- year if I’m lucky. statement in mid-December to silence any ite, went with them out of a final three that “I was just blown away. My family was rumors of him retiring soon was vital. also included Alabama and Michigan. with me, and my mom and my dad said “Once Larry Johnson cleared up that Football Recruiting Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 11 he’s not retiring, it seemed like the defen- OSU Signees & Verbal Commitments sive line recruiting really took off,” Greene Players in the class of 2018 who have signed letters of intent to play football told BSB. “That was hurting Ohio State, at Ohio State. (* – Has not signed LOI. # – Early enrollee. Stars reflect 247Sports that was definitely hurting them. But once composite rankings.) he made the statement that he’s definitely coming back, that has helped.” Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Stars Previous School St. Louis Christian Brothers College ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 189 6-1 WR Friday joins a 2018 OSU defensive line Kamryn Babb Austin (Texas) Lake Travis ٭ ٭ ٭ 195 6-3 QB haul that features four-star defensive tack- Matthew Baldwin# Orlando (Fla.) Jones ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 180 6-1 CB le Antwuan Jackson, four-star weakside Sevyn Banks# St. Louis Christian Brothers College ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 175 6-1 WR defensive end Tyreke Smith, four-star Cameron Brown Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 263 6-3 DT defensive tackle Tommy Togiai and five- Tyler Friday* Toledo St. John's Jesuit ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 225 6-3 LB star defensive tackle Taron Vincent. Dallas Gant# Westerville (Ohio) South ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 182 6-1 HB Alex Williams, who signed with Ohio Jaelen Gill State on Dec. 20, played defensive end Marcus Hooker S 6-0 185 New Castle (Pa.) SHS ٭ ٭ ٭ at Pickerington (Ohio) North but is now Antwuan Jackson DT 6-2 305 Brenham (Texas) Blinn College ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ listed as an athlete for the Buckeyes. He’ll Tyreke Johnson# CB 6-1 191 Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ .likely end up at defensive end as well Matthew Jones# OL 6-4 315 Brooklyn (N.Y.) Erasmus Hall ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ As for Friday, who spent a fair amount Teradja Mitchell LB 6-2 235 Virginia Beach (Va.) Bishop Sullivan ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ of time on the offensive line in high K'Vaughan Pope LB 6-2 210 Dinwiddie (Va.) County ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ -school, he told Dohn he will play defen Josh Proctor S 6-2 190 Owasso, Okla. ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ .sive end for the Buckeyes Jeremy Ruckert TE 6-6 240 Lindenhurst (N.Y.) SHS ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ I think I’m a great fit,” Friday said. “I“ Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 205 6-6 WR have guys to look up to like Chase Young L'Christian Smith Cleveland Heights ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 260 6-3 DE and (Nick) Bosa. I feel like I’ll be right Tyreke Smith* Seffner (Fla.) Armwood ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 200 5-11 RB under their wing playing defensive end. Brian Snead Murfreesboro (Tenn.) Blackman ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 210 5-11 RB It’s the same position as those two, and I Master Teague# Pocatello (Idaho) Highland ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 290 6-3 DT feel like I will be in great hands.” Tommy Togiai# Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 285 6-2 DT Ohio State was not the leader to land Taron Vincent Pickerington (Ohio) North ٭ ٭ ٭ 250 6-7 DE Friday’s verbal until the last month or so, Alex Williams .Franklin, Tenn ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 289 6-6 OT Greene noted. Michigan was considered Max Wray# the favorite for a long time. In addition to the Wolverines being the first of the three Player in the class of 2019 who has issued a verbal commitment to play football finalists to offer Friday (September 2015), at Ohio State. (Stars reflect 247Sports composite rankings.) they have had Chris Partridge as their linebackers and special teams coach the Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Stars High School Huntington (W.Va.) Spring Valley ٭ ٭ ٭ ٭ 295 6-51/2 OT past two seasons. Prior to going to Ann Doug Nester Arbor, Partridge was the head coach from 2010-14 at Paramus (N.J.) Catholic, which this process is coming to an end. It’s Baptiste said. “I saw just about everything. competes in the Big North Conference, something I want to take full advantage I saw the town, the campus, the facilities. the same league of which Don Bosco Prep of. Once I committed to Ohio State, I feel What stands out is the facilities are amaz- is a member. like I just have to finish the job and go and ing. The new business school building, I “They hired that coach from New perform.” like that. The players are a great bunch Jersey, Chris Partridge, and he really of guys. It was relaxing. They were all helped them recruit that league really Jean-Baptiste Takes welcoming.” well,” Greene said. “(Michigan) got a ton Official Visit To OSU Though Jean-Baptiste (6-5, 215) is clas- of kids out of that league but couldn’t get On the weekend of Jan. 20, the third-to- sified as the No. 316 overall prospect and this one. I don’t know why. It seemed like last weekend prior to the Feb. 7 National No. 21 outside linebacker in the 247Sports Michigan was going to be the choice for Signing Day, Ohio State welcomed Oradell composite, Greene said he would be used the longest time, but they couldn’t nail it (N.J.) Bergen Catholic outside linebacker as an at Ohio State, should down. I thought he was going to Michigan Javontae Jean-Baptiste to campus for an the recruit sign with the Scarlet and Gray. all along. Then I was told a couple weeks official visit. “He’s light, but he’s 6-5 so you’ve got ago that Michigan has been out of it for a Jean-Baptiste was offered by the to think that frame is going to fill out to while, which is why I switched my predic- Buckeyes on Jan. 9. Prior to making where he’ll be a D-end,” Greene said. tion to Ohio State.” the trip to Columbus, he had already Greene also said that had Blairstown Regardless of how things unfolded, taken officials to Boston College (Dec. (N.J.) Blair Academy four-star strong- Friday said he is relieved to close his 9), Virginia Tech (Dec. 16) and Nebraska side defensive end Jayson Oweh, who recruitment. (Jan. 13). signed with Penn State, committed or “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “It’s Upon returning from Lincoln, Jean- had Stockbridge, Ga., five-star strongside one of those things you dream of as a kid, Baptiste told Dohn he was excited about defensive end Brenton Cox not decommit- but you don’t really expect it to happen. the Cornhuskers. ted before ultimately signing with Georgia, Now, it’s really happening for me and “I could see myself going there,” Jean- then the Buckeyes would not be pursuing 12 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Football Recruiting

Jean-Baptiste right now. However, the Davon Hamilton, Brady Taylor, we’ve recruiting analyst did say Urban Meyer just seen this so many times. Kids get and his staff have a realistic chance of that late offer and they take it. (Ohio 247Sports garnering the No. 7 outside linebacker in State is) not going to bring a kid in the New Jersey. last week to kick the tires. It doesn’t Composite 2018 “Jean-Baptiste has probably been on make sense to send a kid home on their list the whole time, but he would Sunday and tell him, ‘We’ll get back Team Rankings have been on the second list,” Greene to you before you sign somewhere on said. “He would have been the seventh or Wednesday.’ That just doesn’t make Team Commits eighth defensive end that they were look- sense. If they’re bringing him in that ing at. But they usually don’t miss these weekend, it’s to convince him to come to 1. Georgia...... 22 types of kids who spend the 48 hours on Ohio State, and I think they will do that.” campus.” 2. Ohio State...... 23 Buckeyes Offer 2018 Cincy LB Oats To CB Virginia Commit 3. Texas...... 23 Officially Visit OSU Washington (D.C.) St. John’s College According to Greene, Cincinnati Winton three-star cornerback D.J. Brown has 4. Penn State...... 23 Woods four-star linebacker Christopher been committed to Virginia since early Oats will take an official visit to Ohio State July, but that did not stop Ohio State from 5. Alabama...... 18 the weekend of Feb. 3, the final weekend offering him a scholarship on Jan. 15. prior to National Signing Day. The 6-1, 185-pound Brown is consid- 6. Miami (Fla.)...... 21 Oats (6-4, 215), who has said in the past ered the No. 1,078 overall prospect and that OSU is his dream school, is also con- 93rd-best corner in 2018 but has received 7. Oklahoma...... 23 sidering Kentucky. Though Oats holds offers from such schools as Clemson and the Buckeyes in high regard, Greene said Nebraska since having a strong perfor- 8. Clemson...... 15 they have work to do to win his verbal mance at the 2018 Under Armour All- over the Wildcats. America Game on Jan. 4. He has also 9. Notre Dame...... 22 “I think Kentucky has a shot even fielded overtures from California, Duke, with Ohio State pushing because he has Northwestern and South Carolina. He 10. Auburn...... 22 a great relationship with Vince Marrow, is expected to take an official visit to the assistant coach at Kentucky, and Northwestern the weekend of Jan. 27 fol- 11. USC...... 14 that’s a long relationship,” Greene said. lowed by one to Ohio State the weekend “It’s been there for a while. The last time of Feb. 3. 12. LSU...... 22 I talked to Chris, he told me it’s almost The Buckeyes landed signatures like a father-son relationship. I wouldn’t from two cornerbacks on Dec. 20, the 13. Washington...... 19 say Kentucky doesn’t have a chance first day of the early signing period, in here, it’s just going to be hard when four-star Sevyn Banks out of Orlando 14. Michigan...... 20 he takes that final weekend and he’s at (Fla.) Jones and five-star Tyreke Johnson Ohio State and they’re going to present a from Jacksonville (Fla.) Trinity Christian 15. Oregon...... 20 pretty attractive package to him for what Academy. they can do for him out of football, the 16. Florida...... 15 opportunity for Ohio kids who have an Three In-State Products Ohio State degree and what their future Accept PWO Offers 17. Tennessee...... 18 is like in this state.” A trio of 2018 recruits from the Buckeye Oats is the No. 323 overall prospect State received and accepted preferred 18. South Carolina..... 22 and No. 22 outside linebacker in 2018. He walk-on offers from Ohio State in January. received an offer from Ohio State in June Dublin Jerome running back/defensive 2016 and one from Kentucky in March back Robert Cope got the ball rolling 19. Virginia Tech...... 24 2016. Dating back to November 2015, he on Jan. 16. Worthington Kilbourne long has visited OSU at least nine times while snapper Roen McCullough, the young- 20. TCU...... 20 seeing Kentucky’s campus at least five er brother of OSU long snapper Liam times, including an official visit the week- McCullough, kept the momentum going 21. Maryland...... 23 end of Dec. 16. on Jan. 18, and Bedford, Ohio, three-star When it comes down to it, Greene wide receiver Davion Johnson capped the 22. Florida State...... 12 said he believes Oats will declare to the stretch four days later. Buckeyes, as has been the case with a Cope (5-10, 195) and Roen McCullough 23. Baylor...... 23 number of in-state recruits in recent his- (6-2, 225) are not ranked in the 247Sports tory. composite, but Johnson (5-8, 160) is a 24. Nebraska...... 19 “They’ve done this every year,” three-star recruit and checks in as the No. Greene said of OSU. “It was Thayer 1,995 overall prospect and No. 296 wide 25. N.C. State...... 22 Munford last year, Malik Harrison, receiver.

14 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Men’s Basketball

Balanced Buckeyes Hold Off Northwestern By Ryan McGlade he’s had in terms of efficiency,” Holtmann Ohio State 71, Northwestern 65 said. “It’s unbelievable, and I hope we Jan. 17, 2018 • Allstate Arena; Rosemont, Ill. Ohio State led comfortably for much of have a full appreciation for how good he’s 1 2 F Ohio State (16-4, 7-0 B1G) 33 38 – 71 the second half against Northwestern on been in this stretch. And he’s going to Northwestern (11-9, 2-5 B1G) 25 40 – 65 Jan. 17 but had to stave off a late come- have a night or two where it doesn’t go his Ohio State Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts back attempt to win, 71-65. The Buckeyes way. But the fact that he stayed in there Tate 29 5-9 2-2 0-5 1 2 12 Bates-Diop 31 4-12 2-4 3-5 3 1 10 were up by 11 with less than four minutes and competed, I’m so proud of him.” K. Wesson 18 3-8 2-2 2-4 0 1 8 to play before the Wildcats went on a 10-2 With the Buckeyes trailing 15-11, Jackson 36 3-10 5-7 1-4 8 2 12 Williams 26 3-5 0-0 0-4 0 1 7 run to cut it to three, 68-65, on Scottie sophomore forward Andre Wesson Potter 16 5-5 2-2 1-2 1 3 13 Lindsey’s three-pointer with 43 seconds knocked down a three-pointer at the Jallow 3 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 1 0 remaining. 9:39 mark of the first half to begin a 17-2 Dakich 23 2-3 0-0 0-1 1 1 6 A. Wesson 18 1-3 0-0 1-2 3 1 3 Junior point guard C.J. Jackson, howev- run for Ohio State. Freshman forward Totals 200 26-55 13-17 10-28 17 13 71 er, made 3 of 4 free throws down , Andre’s young- Percentages: FG: 47.3%. FT: 76.5%. 3-point goals: 6-17 (Bates-Diop 0-3, K. Wesson 0-1, Jackson 1-6, Williams 1-1, the stretch as No. 22 Ohio State er brother, scored six points Potter 1-1, Dakich 2-3, A. Wesson 1-2). Team rebounds: 2. improved to 16-4 overall and 7-0 during the charge, which was Blocked shots: 3 (Tate, Bates-Diop, K. Wesson). Turnovers: 12 (Bates-Diop 2, Jackson 2, Jallow 2, Tate, K. Wesson, Potter, in Big Ten play and kept pace capped by Andrew Dakich’s Williams, A. Wesson, TEAM). Steals: 7 (Jackson 3, Dakich 2, with third-ranked Purdue at the three to stretch the OSU lead Tate, Bates-Diop). top of the conference standings. to 28-17 with 4:58 until half- Northwestern Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts OSU’s Chris Holtmann became time. Northwestern outscored Law 32 5-14 2-2 1-4 2 2 14 Skelly 28 5-8 0-2 0-2 3 4 11 the first coach in 95 years to win the Buckeyes, 8-5, to close out Pardon 37 3-4 1-2 2-8 4 2 7 his first seven Big Ten games, the half and trim the deficit to Lindsey 38 6-13 0-0 0-3 3 3 13 McIntosh 38 4-14 0-0 0-1 5 1 10 joining Wisconsin’s Walter 33-25. Gaines 20 3-5 2-4 0-0 1 1 10 Meanwell (1911-12) and Iowa’s Following the break, Ohio Ash 4 0-0 0-0 0-1 1 0 0 C.J. Jackson Benson 3 0-0 0-0 1-1 0 1 0 Sam Barry (1922-23). Holtmann State used another Dakich tri- Totals 200 26-58 5-10 5-20 19 14 65 replaced Thad Matta, who holds the ple and a Bates-Diop layup to take a 51-36 Percentages: FG: 44.8%. FT: 50.0%. 3-point goals: 8-27 school record for most wins with 337, in lead, its largest of the night, with 13 min- (Law 2-8, Skelly 1-3, Lindsey 1-5, McIntosh 2-7, Gaines 2-4). Team rebounds: 1. Blocked shots: 6 (Pardon 4, Skelly, June. utes left in the game. Lindsey). Turnovers: 10 (Law 2, Skelly 2, Lindsey 2, McIntosh “It really does not mean anything,” The Wildcats eventually cut the mar- 2, Ash, Benson). Steals: 5 (Gaines 3, Law, Skelly). Holtmann said of the feat. “I think that’s gin to 66-59 on a Vic Law layup with just Officials: Simpson, Driscoll, Eppley. A: 6,018. a reflection on the players as much as less than three minutes to go. After a anything. We’ve got a group that really layup by Tate, Law tossed in a three at range player. So if he got it in the middle likes each other. And it’s easy to like the 2:01 mark, and Lindsey hit from long of the floor, we just wanted him to have to each other when you’re on the streak that range at 1:18 to cut the margin to three. take tough shots. He’s having a fantastic we’re on right now, but I sensed that they Northwestern took only one more shot year, he’s a great player, but I thought we even liked each other when we had some after that, a three-point attempt by Law, did a pretty good job identifying where rough spots earlier in the year.” and it was blocked by Bates-Diop. he was in the zone and making him take The Buckeyes used a balanced attack OSU outrebounded the Wildcats, 38-25, tough shots. to hold off Northwestern (11-9, 2-5) as five Buckeyes had four or more boards. “For them, though, other guys stepped in front of 6,018 at Allstate Arena in Ohio State also had a 22-10 advantage up. That’s why they’re 7-0 in the league. Rosemont, Ill. Sophomore center Micah in bench points. In addition to Potter’s 13, They’re a really good team, they’re Potter came off the bench and did not Dakich had six and Andre Wesson had well-rounded and they were able to with- miss a shot to pace OSU with 13 points three. stand a night where he doesn’t go for 25. on 5-of-5 shooting. Jackson finished with While Bates-Diop (6-7, 235) made just The other guys were able to step up and 12 points and a game-high eight assists. 4 of 12 shots, Kaleb Wesson contributed make the plays necessary for them to Senior forward Jae’Sean Tate made 5 eight points and fifth-year senior guard win.” of 9 shots for 12 points, and fourth-year Kam Williams added seven to round out The triumph over Northwestern was junior forward Keita Bates-Diop added the scoring for Ohio State’s starting line- the smallest margin of the Buckeyes’ 16 10 points and pulled down a team-best up. victories, 14 of which were by double eight boards. “Against this team, we didn’t really digits. The Wildcats shot 51.6 percent Bates-Diop had been averaging 23.3 have great matchups if we tried to play from the floor (16 of 31) in the second points through the first six games of con- them man-to-man,” Northwestern head half to bring their final mark up to 44.8 ference play before facing the Wildcats. coach Chris Collins said. “Keita is such (26 of 58). Holtmann, though, knew it was unrealistic a unique player with his physical stature “We didn’t always play our best, but to expect the reigning two-time Big Ten and his skill set. We felt like the best way man, this is one we’ll feel good about,” Player of the Week to sustain that level of to play these guys was to zone them up Holtmann said. “You’re playing on a production. and try to keep them out of transition. The team’s home court, they’re probably going “No one in the country, that I’ve seen, main key in the zone was not to let him get to make shots, they’re probably going to has gone through the kind of stretch that to his sweet spots. He’s such a great mid- make a run.” Men’s Basketball Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 15 Buckeyes Beat Down Gophers At MSG By Ryan McGlade fourth-year junior forward Keita Bates- Ohio State 67, Minnesota 49 Diop made a pair of free throws with Jan. 20, 2018 • Madison Square Garden; New York It took until his fourth try, but Chris 5:55 left for a 62-41 cushion. 1 2 F Ohio State (17-4, 8-0 B1G) 38 29 – 67 Holtmann finally notched his first win After Mason’s layup at the 11:39 Minnesota (14-8, 3-6 B1G) 31 18 – 49 at Madison Square Garden as a college mark of the second half, Minnesota did Ohio State Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts basketball head coach when No. 22 Ohio not make a until Amir Coffey Tate 30 2-9 6-7 1-5 5 3 10 Bates-Diop 30 7-21 3-3 3-9 0 0 17 State erased a 10-point deficit with a tossed in a layup with 2:05 remaining, K. Wesson 24 7-9 0-0 3-5 1 3 15 pivotal run to beat Minnesota, 67-49, in making the score 62-46. The Gophers, Jackson 31 4-11 0-0 1-5 1 3 11 the Big Ten Super Saturday – College who arrived in New York early in the Williams 20 3-6 0-0 0-1 0 2 6 Potter 9 2-6 0-0 3-0 0 2 4 Hoops & Hockey Doubleheader on Jan. morning the day before the contest Jallow 13 0-0 0-0 0-2 2 1 0 20. after playing at Maryland the previous Dakich 17 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 0 A. Wesson 22 1-2 0-0 1-1 1 2 2 Holtmann, who is in his first year at night, made only 6 of 21 field-goal Young 4 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 2 OSU, went 0-3 at “The World’s Most attempts (28.6 percent) in the final 20 Totals 200 27-66 9-10 12-29 11 18 67 Percentages: FG: 40.9%. FT: 90.0%. 3-point goals: 4-20 Famous Arena” as Butler’s head coach minutes. (Tate 0-2, Bates-Diop 0-6, K. Wesson 1-1, Jackson 3-7, the last three seasons. “We were well aware that there was Williams 0-1, Potter 0-1, Dakich 0-1, A. Wesson 0-1). Team rebounds: 1. Blocked shots: 5 (Bates-Diop 2, Jallow 2, “We exorcised some demons for probably going to be some fatigue on Tate). Turnovers: 8 (Tate 2, Dakich 2, Bates-Diop, K. Wesson, sure,” Holtmann said. “Myself and our their part,” said Holtmann, who became Jackson, Potter). Steals: 10 (Tate 2, Jackson 2, Bates-Diop, K. coaches have never won here at MSG. the first coach to win his first eight Big Wesson, Williams, Dakich, A. Wesson, Young). And it did not start as well as it needed Ten games since Sam Barry went 11-0 in Minnesota Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts Murphy 33 5-11 3-4 1-4 2 1 13 to. We were down 10, and I had to have 1923 at Iowa. Konate 23 0-0 1-4 1-3 0 3 1 my trainer sew up my pants. So we had Bates-Diop, who led Ohio State with McBrayer 31 3-9 3-5 0-5 0 0 10 Mason 36 4-13 2-3 1-8 2 0 11 some issues there we had to deal with 17 points on 7-of-21 shooting (0 for 6 Coffey 35 5-9 1-4 0-3 2 0 11 early. All in all, we came out of it OK.” from deep), became the 55th player Harris 12 0-1 0-0 1-1 1 1 0 Minnesota (14-8, 3-6 Big Ten) used in Ohio State history to score 1,000 Washington 5 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 1 3 Fitzgerald 9 0-1 0-0 0-2 0 2 0 a 9-0 spurt to open up a 20-10 lead career points (1,013). He also grabbed Diedhiou 14 0-2 0-0 1-1 0 2 0 nine minutes into the game. Junior for- a game-high 12 rebounds for his eighth Hurt 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 Totals 200 18-47 10-20 6-28 8 11 49 ward Jordan Murphy made two foul double-double of the season. Wesson Percentages: FG: 38.3%. FT: 50.0%. 3-point goals: 3-14 shots, a layup and a jumper while senior added 15 points while going 7 of 9 from (Murphy 0-2, McBrayer 1-4, Mason 1-5, Coffey 0-1, Harris 0-1, Washington 1-1). Team rebounds: 2. Blocked shots: guard Nate Mason knocked down a the floor and collected eight boards. 2 (Murphy, Fitzgerald). Turnovers: 15 (Murphy 3, Coffey three-pointer. Jackson contributed 11 points and six 3, Konate 2, Mason 2, Washington 2, McBrayer, Harris, “I think we as a coaching staff did not rebounds while Tate had 10 points, six Fitzgerald). Steals: 3 (Murphy 2, Diedhiou). feel like we were defending well to start boards and a game-high five assists. Officials: Boroski, Szelc, Beaver. A: 4,136. the game at all,” Holtmann said. Murphy led Minnesota with 13 points From there, Ohio State (17-4, 8-0) while Coffey, a sophomore guard, OSU also scored 40 points in the paint flipped the switch. returned to the lineup after missing while Minnesota had just 20. The Buckeyes responded with a 24-2 the past five games with a shoulder Jersey City (N.J.) Hudson Catholic run to go on top, 34-22, with 4:07 left injury and finished with 11. The Golden four-star guard Luther Muhammad, who until halftime. Freshman forward Kaleb Gophers were without fifth-year senior signed his letter of intent to Ohio State’s Wesson scored nine points during that starting center Reggie Lynch, who was 2018 recruiting class back in November, stretch, which included a rare triple, his suspended after being found responsi- was on hand to watch the Buckeyes fourth of the season. Junior point guard ble for a sexual misconduct incident that win their 17th game of the campaign C.J. Jackson hit a trio of treys to also took place in the spring of 2016. and equal their win total from a season score nine points during the charge. The Buckeyes cashed in 22 points ago. OSU went 17-15 in 2016-17 and did “We all know that C.J. is one of the off Minnesota’s 15 turnovers while the not participate in any postseason event best shooters in the league,” senior Gophers converted eight OSU give- beyond the Big Ten tournament. forward Jae’Sean Tate said of his team- aways into just three points. As far as Tate is concerned, though, the mate. “When he got in a zone, I think “We did feel like if we could raise our Buckeyes aren’t even thinking about how Coach Holt did a great job of drawing activity we could maybe create some they’ll be back at MSG at the beginning of up plays to get him open and get those more turnovers,” Holtmann said. “I think March for this year’s conference tourney. looks. We’re going to continue to need we got our hands on a lot of balls after “I think our focus right now is to that from him throughout this season. the first eight minutes of the game, but prepare for the next game, which is He was hitting today, and I hope he con- it’s something we emphasize. I think our Nebraska at home (on Jan. 22),” he said. tinues to hit.” defensive numbers were really good, “We can’t look that far down. We’ve just The Golden Gophers finished the half particularly after the early stretch.” got to take on the task in front of us, and on a 9-4 run to close the gap to 38-31. Ohio State outrebounded Minnesota, that’s one thing we’ve been doing for Following the break, the Buckeyes 41-34, including a 12-6 margin on the the most part of the year. We’ve been only expanded their lead. The margin offensive glass that resulted in 15 sec- successful so we’re going to continue to swelled to as many as 21 points when ond-chance points to the Gophers’ three. do that.” 16 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Men’s Basketball

Ohio State Fights Off Nebraska In 64-59 Win By Ryan McGlade dunks and two free throws to put his Ohio State 64, Nebraska 59 team in front, 50-49, with 6:07 to go. Jan. 22, 2018 • Value City Arena; Columbus, Ohio In a game that featured 11 lead “They were doubling me pretty much 1 2 F Nebraska (14-8, 5-4 B1G) 22 37 – 59 changes, it was No. 13 Ohio State that everywhere, and every time I drove Ohio State (18-4, 9-0 B1G) 24 40 – 64 delivered the final blow in a bout with someone was coming,” said Bates-Diop, Nebraska Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts Nebraska in front of 10,918 at Value City who was 2 of 8 from the floor with Copeland 29 2-7 2-2 0-7 0 4 8 Roby 30 1-3 0-1 1-7 1 4 2 Arena on Jan. 22. six points before breaking through the Watson Jr. 29 1-9 0-0 3-1 2 3 2 Playing for the fourth time in eight Nebraska defense. “So I started slipping Gill 31 2-8 0-0 0-1 0 1 5 Palmer Jr. 39 11-18 7-8 0-3 2 1 34 days, with the first three contests screens and moving around a little bit Okeke 1 0-0 0-0 1-0 0 2 0 being on the road, the Buckeyes closed more off the ball, and all my teammates Taylor 19 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 1 4 Allen 9 0-1 0-0 0-1 0 0 0 the night on an 11-5 run to beat the found me. It was mostly just layups at Borchardt 4 0-1 0-0 1-0 0 0 0 Cornhuskers, 64-59, and improve to 18-4 the basket.” Tshimanga 9 2-2 0-0 1-3 0 4 4 overall and 9-0 in Big Ten play. The Cornhuskers regained a one- Totals 200 21-54 9-11 8-23 6 20 59 Percentages: FG: 38.9%. FT: 81.8%. 3-point goals: 8-29 Anton Gill knocked down a point lead on a layup by Evan Taylor at (Copeland 2-5, Roby 0-2, Watson Jr. 0-3, Gill 1-7, Palmer three-pointer to put Nebraska (14-8, the 5:32 mark. Andre Wesson answered Jr. 5-11, Allen 0-1). Team rebounds: 1. Blocked shots: 3 (Roby 2, Copeland). Turnovers: 10 (Palmer Jr. 3, Okeke 5-4) ahead, 54-53, with 4:36 remaining. with a corner three before Gill hit his 2, Copeland, Roby, Allen, Tshimanga, TEAM). Steals: 3 Fourth-year junior forward Keita Bates- trey to give Nebraska the 54-53 lead (Copeland, Watson Jr., Taylor). Diop then tossed in a layup on Ohio with 4:36 showing on the clock. OSU Ohio State Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts State’s ensuing possession to begin the then went on its decisive run to secure Tate 33 7-12 3-5 3-4 2 4 17 Bates-Diop 37 8-16 4-5 0-6 2 0 20 game-clinching run. Following two free the victory. K. Wesson 13 3-5 6-8 4-3 2 4 12 throws from Jae’Sean Tate, Tate stole “This might not have been always Jackson 37 4-10 3-3 1-3 4 0 12 Williams 20 0-3 0-0 0-2 0 0 0 the ball from Isaiah Roby to set up an enjoyable to watch, but this was a heck Potter 4 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 1 0 old-fashioned three-point play by junior of a game to coach in, and a heck of a Jallow 6 0-0 0-0 1-2 0 0 0 Dakich 21 0-1 0-2 0-4 2 1 0 point guard C.J. Jackson that put OSU game to play in,” Holtmann said. “Highly A. Wesson 23 1-2 0-0 0-1 1 3 3 on top, 60-54, with 2:26 to go. competitive, two good teams going at it. Young 6 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 2 0 Totals 200 23-52 16-23 9-27 14 15 64 Moments later, James Palmer Jr., We came into this game knowing it was Percentages: FG: 44.2%. FT: 69.6%. 3-point goals: 2-14 who scored a career-high 34 points, con- going to be a challenge. They answered (Tate 0-1, Bates-Diop 0-3, Jackson 1-5, Williams 0-1, Potter verted two foul shots to pull the Huskers every run we made. It was never beyond 0-1, Dakich 0-1, A. Wesson 1-2). Team rebounds: 2. Blocked shots: 2 (Bates-Diop 2). Turnovers: 6 (Tate, Bates- within four. They had a chance to make a one- or two-possession game.” DIop, K. Wesson, Jackson, Williams, Dakich). Steals: 4 it a one-possession game with less than Ohio State shot 44.2 percent from the (Dakich 2, Tate, Bates-Diop). two minutes remaining, but suffocating floor (23 of 52) against a Nebraska team Officials: Wymer, Kimble, Kueneman. A: 10,918. defense by sophomore forward Andre that had limited its last eight opponents Wesson caused the visitors to commit a to 38.8 percent. The Buckeyes, however, The Buckeyes dominated the lane as shot-clock violation. shot only 14.3 percent from the three- they ended the night with 38-20 advan- Tate made a layup at the other end, point line (2 of 14). Bates-Diop led the tage for points in the paint. and freshman forward Kaleb Wesson, team with 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. “Ohio State is really good inside,” Andre’s younger brother, sank two foul Tate, who left the game momentarily in Miles said. “You put Kaleb Wesson and shots prior to Palmer hitting his fifth the second half to get his ankle retaped Keita Bates-Diop with Jae’Sean Tate, three-pointer of the night with 12 sec- after tweaking it, finished with 17 while and they are going to cause a lot of onds remaining to bring the contest to making 7 of 12 shots. Jackson and Kaleb matchup problems.” its final tally. Wesson each added 12. Andre Wesson, The Huskers held OSU to 36.0 per- “At the end of the day, players win who had three points, was the only other cent shooting (9 of 25) in the first half games, and our older guys made plays player to score for OSU. but could not maintain it for all 40 min- down the stretch,” said OSU head coach Nebraska, meanwhile, shot just 38.9 utes as the Scarlet and Gray shot 51.9 Chris Holtmann. “I expected this to be a percent from the field (21 of 54) and 27.6 percent (14 of 27) in the second half. game that would go down to the last two percent from distance (8 of 29). Palmer Additionally, the Buckeyes committed minutes. It was a really gutsy effort.” was the lone Husker to reach double fig- six turnovers in the opening frame but Ohio State took its first lead of the ures, going 11 of 18 from the floor and 5 none after halftime. evening when Jackson lobbed a pass of 11 from three-point range while on his “As a team, we know that Nebraska is one to Bates-Diop for an alley-oop dunk to way to setting an arena record for points of the toughest teams in the Big Ten,” Tate make it 17-16 with 5:22 left in the first scored by an opposing player. said. “From the start we knew it was going half. The Buckeyes went into the inter- “We just got out of his way,” Nebraska to be a grind-it-out game. We just weren’t mission owning a 24-22 advantage. head coach Tim Miles said of Palmer. making the correct plays or correct reads Following the break, OSU held onto “I’m no rocket scientist but I’ll tell you because they have such a good defense. the lead until Nebraska tied it at 38 on what, when James is going like that we They really made us uncomfortable in the a layup by Palmer with 11:42 left. From just keep giving him the ball and get out first half. In the second half, they kind of did there, Bates-Diop scored the Buckeyes’ of his way because he can get you a lot the same thing, but we were able to slow it next 12 points via three layups, two of different ways.” down a little bit and get the win.” OHIO STATE FOOTBALL TICKETS! We have your seats to the season’s hottest action!

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all events H all cities H all the time H all events H all cities H all the time H all events H all cities H all the time H all events 18 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Women's Basketball OSU's 9-Game Win Streak Snapped By U-M By Garrett Stepien first half slowed her down. She played just 11 Michigan 84, Ohio State 75 minutes before the break. Jan. 16, 2018 • Value City Arena; Columbus, Ohio When the Ohio State women’s basketball From there, Michigan head coach Kim 1 2 3 4 F Michigan (16-4, 5-2) 21 15 26 22 84 team went cold, Kelsey Mitchell couldn’t bail Barnes Arico made sure Mitchell, who Ohio State (16-3, 5-1) 25 16 17 17 75 the Buckeyes out. had scored 27 points after halftime in the Michigan Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts After the senior guard saved the day Jan. win in Ann Arbor, didn’t single-handedly Dunston 35 0-2 0-0 1-9 2 4 0 Brown 19 1-1 0-0 0-2 1 1 3 7 when she willed OSU to a 78-71 overtime beat the Wolverines again, locking in on Thome 31 11-17 5-5 3-8 0 4 27 triumph at the in Ann Arbor, her with Jillian Dunston as the primary Flaherty 40 7-18 3-5 0-4 3 2 21 Munger 37 7-11 4-4 0-6 4 1 20 Mich., Mitchell was unable to duplicate her defender. Robbins 13 1-1 2-2 1-3 1 3 4 efforts Jan. 16 at Value City Arena in an “Kelsey’s the kind of kid that just wears Johnson 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Church 24 2-4 4-4 0-3 6 2 9 84-75 Big Ten loss to the Wolverines before you out and then takes over, and that kind Peace 0+ 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 4,774. of happened to us the first time and we Totals 200 29-54 18-20 7-37 17 17 84 Percentages: FG: 53.7%. FT: 90.0%. 3-point goals: 8-14 After holding a five-point halftime lead, didn’t really allow that to happen (this time),” (Brown 1-1, Flaherty 4-8, Munger 2-4, Church 1-1). Team Ohio State faltered in the second half. By Barnes Arico said. “Jilly locked in and was rebounds: 4. Blocked shots: 1 (Thome). Turnovers: 21 the time the final horn had sounded, the able to do it for the full 40 minutes. Kayla (Thome 4, Flaherty 4, Church 4, Brown 3, Munger 2, Robbins 2, Dunston, Johnson). Steals: 2 (Flaherty, Munger). Buckeyes had blown the chance to sweep Robbins came in off the bench and really their rival from the north. With the loss to tried to help her, and we just tried to double Ohio State Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts Mavunga 32 7-10 7-10 4-4 0 5 21 the No. 19 Wolverines (16-4, 5-2), No. 8 OSU (Mitchell) coming off those ball screens as K. Mitchell 31 5-14 6-6 0-1 2 3 20 (16-3, 5-1) had its nine-game winning streak much as possible. Calhoun 31 4-15 0-0 1-6 0 3 9 Harper 38 6-16 2-4 4-5 3 2 15 snapped. Ohio State suffered its first loss “But she is a kid that can score in bunch- Doss 40 3-12 2-2 1-0 4 3 8 since Nov. 30, when the Buckeyes fell 69-60 es, and she got a little loose down the stretch Hart 15 1-2 0-0 0-1 1 2 2 Waterman 13 0-3 0-0 2-0 0 1 0 at then-No. 14 Duke. It doubled as the first of our game at home, really took over that Totals 200 26-72 17-22 12-19 10 19 75 home defeat of the season for head coach game, and tonight, we just said, ‘Somebody Percentages: FG: 36.1%. FT: 77.3%. 3-point goals: 6-30 (Mavunga 0-1, K. Mitchell 4-11, Calhoun 1-7, Harper 1-5, Kevin McGuff’s squad. else has got to beat us, somebody else Doss 0-4, Hart 0-1, Waterman 0-1). Team rebounds: 2. Stephanie Mavunga, who paced OSU with has got to make plays against us down the Blocked shots: 5 (Mavunga 4, Calhoun). Turnovers: 8 (Mavunga 2, Calhoun 2, K. Mitchell, Harper, Doss, Waterman). a team-high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting stretch,’ and I thought our kids did a great Steals: 9 (Harper 4, Doss 3, Mavunga 2). and added eight rebounds with four blocks job of that.” Officials: Morris, Grinter, Daley. A: 4,774. before she fouled at 1:52 of the fourth quarter After the Buckeyes led by as many as 10 after 32 minutes of action, wouldn’t call the points twice in the second quarter, including after they got as close as a 64-62 deficit with collapse a wake-up call. The fifth-year senior as late as 3:08, 39-29, the Wolverines chipped 9:21 left in the game. forward did, however, vent her frustrations away. They cut the deficit to 41-36 at halftime The Wolverines never looked back, con- about the lack of effort Ohio State showed in after Deja Church’s trey with 14 seconds left. taining Mitchell, who was 1 of 5 in the final the second half. When action resumed in the third quarter, period including 1 of 4 from beyond the “Of course, it’s frustrating,” said Mavunga, OSU came out flat. Lacking the same spark arc, to tough shot selections as OSU didn’t who was the only player from the Buckeyes it had in the first half, Ohio State’s efforts have an answer elsewhere. The Buckeyes made available to the media after the game. were exposed in its shooting woes. After the were just 7 of 22 from the floor in the final “Like any competitor, no one wants to lose. Buckeyes shot 48.5 percent in the first 20 10 minutes, including a dismal 1 of 11 from We kind of just did that to ourselves, to be minutes, they posted an ice-cold percentage long range. Meanwhile, Michigan was 8 of honest. We dug ourselves in a hole, and ever of 25.6 (10 for 39) from the field in the second 12 from the field with Hallie Thome hitting all since then, it’s just kind of hard to pick back half. five of her shots to close out the win. out.” “We can’t just come out third quarter “I don’t think we had the focus we needed Initially, OSU brought the energy it need- thinking, ‘Oh, wow, things look sweet,’ ” tonight to win,” McGuff said. “Just way too ed for a season sweep of the Wolverines. Mavunga said. “We have to keep going, have many mental errors against a good Michigan After a fast start by Michigan, which drew to keep the intensity up – play hard, play team. I thought they played well. When we’d first blood when Hailey Brown drained a smart, play together, play that good team make mistakes, they’d make us pay.” three-pointer 41 seconds into the game, Ohio ball. We just kind of lacked that there in the The Wolverines were 53.7 percent (29 State fell behind early, 7-4. second half.” for 54) from the floor for the game and 57.1 The Buckeyes flipped the switch, though, Michigan, on the other hand, stayed hot. percent (8 for 14) from long range. Their with a 14-2 run capped by a layup from As OSU was off the mark, Michigan cashed big three of Thome (27), Katelynn Flaherty Mitchell and two free throws from Mavunga, in, opening up the third quarter with the first (21) and Nicole Munger (20) combined for jumping out to an 18-9 lead with 3:59 left in seven points to retake a 43-41 lead at the 7:13 68 points. the first quarter. Michigan responded with a mark. The Wolverines outscored Ohio State Ohio State, meanwhile, was 26 of 72 shoot- strong end to the period, keeping the contest by a 26-17 margin in the stanza and led 62-58 ing (31.8 percent) and fired up 30 three-point- within reach despite Ohio State holding a heading into the final period. ers but connected on just six of them (20.0 25-21 advantage. Michigan’s momentum continued in the percent). The Buckeyes were outrebounded, Mitchell posted 20 points on 5-of-14 shoot- fourth quarter. While the Buckeyes tried to 44-31. Linnae Harper joined Mavunga and ing with a 4-for-11 clip from three-point range, close the gap after they shot 3 for 17 in the Mitchell in double figures with 15 points and but foul trouble with three personals in the third quarter, they never regained the lead pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Women's Basketball Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 19 Bucks Lose 2nd Straight In Blowout At UMD By Garrett Stepien 2:41 left in the half, before it took a 50-35 Maryland 99, Ohio State 69 lead into halftime. Jan. 22, 2018 • XFINITY Center; College Park, Md. Through the sporadic struggles the “I thought in the beginning we let them 1 2 3 4 F Ohio State women’s basketball team get too many open shots,” McGuff said of Ohio State (16-4, 5-2) 19 16 19 15 69 Maryland (17-3, 6-1) 27 23 21 28 99 has come across, head coach Kevin the Terps, who shot a blistering 66.7 per- Ohio State Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts McGuff has been candid about where the cent on three-pointers when they made 8 Mavunga 32 5-10 0-0 4-4 1 3 10 Buckeyes need to improve if they want to of 12 shots from long range in the opening K. Mitchell 34 6-13 2-2 0-1 7 2 15 Calhoun 31 4-11 0-0 1-1 1 0 11 reach their ultimate goals by the end of half. “They got really comfortable and felt Harper 23 6-16 0-0 4-4 2 3 13 the campaign. good about themselves and continued to Doss 30 4-9 2-2 0-1 1 1 11 Hart 20 1-6 1-2 1-0 3 1 3 After OSU suffered a 99-69 shellack- play well from there. So I thought it was Waterman 21 2-8 0-0 3-3 1 2 4 ing by Maryland Jan. 22 before little bit more of our defense to Caretti 9 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 0 2 Totals 200 29-74 5-6 15-17 16 12 69 7,944 at the Xfinity Center in start.” Percentages: FG: 39.2%. FT: 83.3%. 3-point goals: 6-22 College Park, Md., McGuff was While the Buckeyes were (K. Mitchell 1-5, Calhoun 3-7, Harper 1-5, Doss 1-5). Team rebounds: 4. Blocked shots: 6 (Mavunga 4, Calhoun, Hart). brutally honest about his squad. more competitive in the third Turnovers: 9 (K. Mitchell 4, Mavunga, Calhoun, Harper, Hart, “We got out-coached, out- quarter, Maryland kept the Waterman). Steals: 4 (K. Mitchell 2, Mavunga, Doss). played, out-toughed, out-hus- edge by a 21-19 margin. The Maryland Min FG FT Reb. A PF Pts tled, out-everything – from start Terps turned things up a notch Christinaki 30 10-22 0-0 3-5 0 1 26 to finish,” he said. “Maryland in the fourth quarter, closing Jones 24 7-9 0-0 4-2 1 2 14 Lewis 37 0-4 0-0 1-4 10 2 0 did a great job and we were out the game with a 28-15 Charles 33 12-16 7-8 0-7 1 1 32 awful, and that’s a bad combi- advantage in the final period. Confroy 36 3-6 0-0 4-5 6 0 9 Ellison 2 1-1 0-0 2-0 0 0 2 nation on the road in the Big Ohio State trailed by as much Small 13 0-3 1-4 0-2 4 2 1 Ten.” as 32 points with less than a Myers 3 1-1 0-0 0-1 1 0 3 Kelsey Mitchell Fraser 22 5-9 2-3 3-3 1 2 12 McGuff’s words weren’t an minute left. Totals 200 39-71 10-15 17-30 24 10 99 exaggeration. Following the opening tip, “We have a veteran group that knows Percentages: FG: 54.9%. FT: 66.7%. 3-point goals: 11-18 (Christinaki 6-11, Lewis 0-1, Charles 1-1, Confroy 3-4, No. 12 Ohio State (16-4, 5-2 Big Ten) what it takes to come to a place like Myers 1-1). Team rebounds: 1. Blocked shots: 3 (Charles allowed the No. 14 Terrapins (17-3, 6-1) to Maryland and win,” McGuff said. “And we 3). Turnovers: 10 (Christinaki 2, Confroy 2, Jones, Lewis, Charles, Myers, Fraser, TEAM). Steals: 4 (Christinaki, Lewis, create early separation that the Buckeyes didn’t show up.” Confroy, Fraser). couldn’t come back from. Maryland OSU featured five players scoring in Officials: Napier, Mattingly, Dickerson. A: 7,944. scored the first points in the contest on double figures with fifth-year senior guard an Eleanna Christinaki jumper at the 9:03 Linnae Harper (13), senior guard Asia 19 Michigan with their first defeat by 30 mark before the lead ballooned to a 12-2 Doss (11), junior guard Sierra Calhoun points or more since Nov. 16, 2015 – a advantage at the 5:42 point of the first (11) and fifth-year senior forward 100-56 blowout at the hands of then-No. 1 quarter. The closest the Buckeyes would Stephanie Mavunga (10) complement- Connecticut. get in the quarter – or the game – after ing Mitchell’s 15. However, as Maryland With a trip to Iowa set for Jan. 25 next that was five points. keyed on Mitchell, Ohio State didn’t pro- on the slate, McGuff was blunt about what Senior guard Kelsey Mitchell, who had vide enough of an answer elsewhere to needs to change before OSU takes on the a team-best 15 points and seven assists, offset its woes on defense. Hawkeyes (15-5, 3-4). stated that the difference between the top- “It wasn’t the easiest,” said Mitchell, “We’re going to get punched in the face 15 programs was obvious. who had multiple Terps shade to her side Thursday night if we continue to play like “They came out like they wanted of the floor when she tried to create with this,” McGuff said. “When things didn’t go to win,” Mitchell said. “You could tell the ball in her hands. “But trying to make our way, we didn’t respond – at all. It’s not right from the tip. They were focused the extra pass, trying to make the extra going to be any different on Thursday if on personnel based on what was here play for someone else was my goal and that’s the same thing that we do.” on the court, they were tuned in to my mind-set.” Mitchell echoed those sentiments, call- what their coach was saying and they Along with a game-high 32 points by ing for the players to step up and respond responded.” Kaila Charles, Christinaki poured in 26 as the late-season stretch looms. Maryland kept its foot on the gas pedal points. The duo paced Maryland, which “Honestly, shut up and work,” she said. after the opening period ended with the shot 54.9 percent (39 for 71) from the “This is a turning point in our season. Terps in front by a 27-19 margin. The field and 61.1 percent (11 for 18) on We’re clearly in a drought. It’s not what Buckeyes lacked much of a punch in three-pointers in a game OSU never led. we wanted, but it’s what we have right the second quarter, allowing Maryland to Without a perimeter presence on offense, now and it’s on us to respond. open with a 15-4 run into the 6:26 mark of Ohio State shot 27.3 percent (6 for 22) “You can’t ask the coaches anything. the period capped by a Kristen Confroy beyond the three-point arc, highlighting You can’t ask anybody else to do anything. trey that put the Terps in command with its result of 39.2 percent (29 for 74) from It’s about the players. At the end of the a 42-23 advantage for their largest lead of the floor. day, we’re veterans. We’ve seen what it’s the first half. The Buckeyes dropped back-to-back like to be in a drought. We know what it’s Maryland pushed ahead for two more games for the first time in 2017-18, fol- like to lose – specifically, in a conference 19-point cushions, the latest at 47-28 with lowing up their 84-75 loss to then-No. like this. So it’s on us.” 20 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Wrestling Buckeyes Best Iowa In Top-5 Matchup By Garrett Stepien

Six hours before he led his Ohio State wrestling team out onto the mat at Value City Arena, head coach Tom Ryan arrived at the Schottenstein Center to take in his surroundings. With the stage set prior to the Buckeyes’ final home dual of the 2017-18 season, the buildup to the last home match on campus became real when No. 2 OSU went to bat- tle against No. 4 Iowa before a white-out crowd of 15,117. In the Jan. 21 matinee, Ohio State fed off the energy of its raucous fans in atten- dance – featuring a mat-side appearance from head football coach Urban Meyer – downing the Hawkeyes by a 22-12 margin. In the clash between two previous- ly unbeaten Big Ten powerhouses, the Buckeyes (10-0, 5-0 Big Ten) emerged on top. They dropped Iowa (9-1, 4-1) for its first loss. From the OSU perspective, the win doubled as the program’s first over Iowa since a 21-9 victory Jan. 20, 2012, ending a three-dual skid. “That was a lot of fun,” Ryan said. “For me, it’s 25 years of enjoying lots of things about the sport. There are just not that many opportunities – we’re hoping they’re more and more frequent here – to compete in an environment like that with COURTESY OF OSU ATHLETICS people like we have.” GOING OUT ON TOP – Ohio State wrestling star competed in his final Ohio State won six of the 10 bouts and home dual against Iowa and won his match via tech fall, 24-9. compiled a 4-0 advantage in bonus points to take the top-five matchup. The bonuses 125 pounds and ending with the final (9-1) began on the bottom and spent the came by way of major decisions from No. home match of an all-time grappler’s OSU next two minutes downing Tomasello, 11 junior 141-pounder Joey McKenna and career, below is a weight-by-weight recap ending the second period on top. No. 2 junior 184-pounder Myles Martin, of the dual. Tomasello (2-1, 2-1) answered at the while No. 1 senior heavyweight Kyle start of the third period with a takedown Snyder added a technical fall. 125 Pounds to gain a 2-1 lead, but Lee escaped for one No. 2 sophomore 133-pounder In his third bout back from injury, top- point to even the score. He added 1:53 of Luke Pletcher, No. 3 fifth-year senior ranked Nathan Tomasello faced his latest riding time for the next point, pushing 174-pounder Bo Jordan and No. 1 soph- test when the fifth-year senior opened ahead for the final result. omore 197-pounder Kollin Moore added up the dual for Ohio State at 125 pounds “It’s the difference between getting victories via decisions at their respective against Iowa’s No. 6 Spencer Lee. After your hand raised or not,” Ryan said of weights. The Buckeyes racked up 33 take- a gritty match between the two top-10 riding time. “You’ve got to finish the shot.” downs and added 10 back points, while grapplers, Lee emerged with the 3-2 edge the Hawkeyes managed only eight and over Tomasello, putting the Hawkeyes in 133 Pounds failed to record a single near-fall tally. front, 3-0. With the Buckeyes in need of an answer “The guys that didn’t get their hand “I learned that I can wrestle seven min- after Tomasello’s upset loss, Pletcher raised, the reason is because it was too utes and I need to score more points,” Lee picked up the slack. At 133 pounds, the easy for the opponent,” said Iowa head said. “You let a match be that close and second-ranked sophomore downed Paul coach Tom Brands. “And when it’s too in the end he can get a takedown. You Glynn in an 8-2 decision to even the team easy for the opponent – we’re either let- have to build your lead. I think it’s the score at 3-3. ting up or we’re not fighting – there is a first time I’ve ever won a match without a Pletcher (20-0, 5-0) wasted no time in belief issue there.” takedown.” his bout against Glynn, grabbing two take- Starting with a top-10 showdown at Following a scoreless first period, Lee downs in the first period for a 4-1 lead. Wrestling Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 21

Ohio State 22, Iowa 12 Despite 16 seconds of riding time in the In the first period, Martin proved to be Jan. 21, 2018 • Value City Arena; Columbus, Ohio middle frame for Hayes, Sorensen (15-0) too much to handle for Bowman (10-4), 125 – No. 6 Spencer Lee (Iowa) def. No. 1 Nathan closed out the third period strong for the building a 12-1 lead after two takedowns Tomasello (OSU). D, 3-2. 133 – No. 2 Luke Pletcher (OSU) def. Paul Glynn ultimate decision. and consecutive four-point near-falls. (Iowa). D, 8-2. Martin (20-0, 5-0) added another take- 141 – No. 11 Joey McKenna (OSU) def. Carter Happel (Iowa). MD, 13-2. 157 Pounds down and an escape in the second period, 149 – No. 2 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa) def. No. 6 The Hawkeyes kept control with their building his lead to 15-5. Ke-Shawn Hayes (OSU). D, 4-2. 157 – No. 2 Michael Kemerer (Iowa) def. No. 6 second straight win in the 157-pound He put the finishing touches on his Micah Jordan (OSU). D, 8-4. bout. No. 6 junior Micah Jordan fell to sixth major decision of the season in the 165 – No. 8 Alex Marinelli (Iowa) def. No. 13 No. 2 Michael Kemerer in an 8-4 decision, third period, springing Ohio State ahead Te'Shan Campbell (OSU). D, 4-1. 174 – No. 3 Bo Jordan (OSU) def. Kaleb Young resulting in Iowa retaking a 9-7 team lead before the final two bouts with a pair of (Iowa). D, 10-6. over the Buckeyes. top-ranked Buckeyes. 184 – No. 2 Myles Martin (OSU) def. No. 20 Mitch Bowman (Iowa). MD, 17-8. Through the first and second peri- 197 – No. 1 Kollin Moore (OSU) def. No. 5 Cash ods, the undefeated Kemerer held a 4:29 197 Pounds Wilcke (Iowa). D, 6-3. HWT – No. 1 Kyle Snyder (OSU) def. Steven riding-time advantage. Jordan (17-3, 4-1) In a pivotal top-five showdown at 197 Holloway (Iowa). TF, 24-9. never recovered from the four-point defi- pounds between No. 1 sophomore Moore cit, trading four points in the third period and No. 5 Cash Wilcke, OSU emerged Pletcher followed his strong start up in the before dropping his first Big Ten bout of with a win in its third straight bout, essen- second stanza with another takedown for the season. tially locking up the dual victory after a 6-3 a 6-2 advantage. In the third frame, he pol- decision by Moore put his team in front by ished off the 8-2 victory after an escape and 165 Pounds a 17-12 score. a riding-time point to put Glynn (6-6) away. Iowa continued its mid-match momen- After a takedown in the first period put tum with the third straight victory for the Moore (16-0, 5-0) ahead by a 2-0 edge, he 141 Pounds Hawkeyes, who took the 165-pound show- never looked back, following with another After the win by Pletcher swung the down when No. 8 Alex Marinelli defeated takedown in the second period before he momentum back to OSU, McKenna made No. 13 junior Te’Shan Campbell in a 4-1 sealed the triumph over Wilcke (13-2). sure to build on his teammate’s decision. decision that brought the team score to The sophomore 141-pounder picked up a 12-7. Heavyweight 13-2 major decision against Carter Happel, Marinelli (9-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead When the dual approached its final providing Ohio State with its first bonus after the first period, but Campbell (14-5, bout in the heavyweight matchup between points of the afternoon and taking the 1-3) ended the second period with a 1:30 No. 1 senior Snyder and Steven Holloway, team score to a 7-3 advantage for the riding-time advantage. However, Marinelli the Hawkeyes needed a pin for the team Buckeyes. held him off in the final stanza. win. One match removed from his first loss With its usual starting heavyweight, in an OSU singlet when he suffered an 174 Pounds No. 3 Sam Stoll, battling a knee injury, upset Jan. 12 against then-No. 11 Tommy When his team needed him to get OSU Iowa went with its backup grappler in Thorn of Minnesota, the 11th-ranked back on track, fifth-year senior Bo Jordan Holloway. Olympic gold medalist Snyder McKenna (7-1, 4-1) bounced back by stepped up. In his 174-pound matchup made easy work of Holloway, putting him dominating Happel (10-7) for the first of against Kaleb Young, the third-ranked away in a 24-9 technical fall to cap Ohio three Ohio State wins by major decision. Jordan recorded a 10-5 decision, closing State’s 22-12 team victory. McKenna strung together five take- Ohio State’s deficit to 12-10. “I didn’t care either way who I wres- downs, a two-point near-fall and the rid- Jordan (17-2, 5-0) jumped out of the tled,” Snyder said. “They made a deci- ing-time advantage, putting the Buckeyes gates with three takedowns in the first sion they thought was probably best for in front for the first time of the dual. period and a 1:48 riding-time advantage (Stoll).” for a 6-2 lead. He added a fourth takedown Snyder (6-0, 3-0) dominated Holloway 149 Pounds in the second period, racking up his riding (11-15) for seven takedowns in the first While McKenna got OSU back on time to 3:21 for an 8-2 cushion. period for a 14-6 advantage before he track, Ke-Shawn Hayes couldn’t keep it In the third period, Jordan finished poured it on in the second stanza, racking rolling. Up against a tall task in the 149- strong, handing Young (9-5) the loss and up 10 more points to put Holloway away. pound bout with No. 2 Brandon Sorensen, getting the Buckeyes back in the win Next for Snyder, he heads to the sixth-ranked sophomore dropped a 4-2 column. Krasnoyarsk, Russia, for the Ivan Yarygin decision, allowing Iowa to close the team Memorial International tournament Jan. score to one point with Ohio State holding 184 Pounds 26-28 to defend his 2017 title. He returns a 7-6 edge. OSU scored an emphatic victory at 184 to collegiate action with the Buckeyes Hayes (19-3, 3-2) emerged from a pounds by No. 2 Martin, who displayed afterward. scoreless first period with neither grap- his dominance in a 17-8 major decision In the meantime, OSU takes its unde- pler gaining the riding-time advantage. He over No. 20 Mitch Bowman. Ohio State feated record into that same weekend kept up the fight into the second stanza, regained the advantage in the team score with a pair of conference duals. Ohio State mustering a takedown before Sorensen for the first time since the end of the 149- is at Michigan State (5-6, 1-4) on Jan. 26 followed with a pair of escapes to even the pound bout, with the Buckeyes blowing before the Buckeyes host Purdue (5-5, score at 2-2. by Iowa for a 14-12 lead. 0-4) at St. Paris (Ohio) Graham on Jan. 28. 22 BSB Quickly Jan. 23, 2018 Briefs Men's Volleyball Splits West Coast Swing The No. 3 Ohio State men’s volleyball team traveled to Los Angeles on Jan. 18 for the first of two matches in the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge. The Buckeyes topped USC at Pauley Pavilion, 3-1, that day before falling to second-ranked UCLA, 3-2, at the same venue two days later. In the first match against the Trojans, Ohio State (3-1) took the first two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-20 before dropping the third, 25-20. The Buckeyes bounced back to close out the match with a 25-21 win in set No. 4. Ohio State was dominant from the service line against No. 13 USC (3-3), reg- istering 10 aces as a team, including three from Nicolas Szerszen. Ohio State closed out the match on back-to-back aces from Jake Hanes for the final two points in set No. 4. Szerszen finished the match with COURTESY OF OSU ATHLETICS 17 kills on 29 attempts while Martin CLOSING IT OUT – Ohio State's Jake Hanes had back-to-back aces to end the Lallemand had 11 kills. Sanil Thomas Buckeyes' 3-1 win over USC in Los Angeles. provided all 44 of the team’s assists while ries against Xavier and Cleveland State on on Jan. 28 in addition to a matchup with Aaron Samarin had seven digs and Blake Jan. 20 in Columbus. Toledo at 5 p.m. that day. Leeson tallied five blocks. The No. 2 Buckeyes (2-0) took on Against No. 2 UCLA (7-0), the Buckeyes Xavier (0-2) in the morning match and Women’s Tennis Competes fell behind early as the Bruins took the picked up victories in two doubles match- In Spring Invitational first set, 25-18. Ohio State bounced back es (the third was unfinished with Ohio Before the start of its dual slate, the quickly with a 25-22 win in set No. 2. State’s duo leading) to take an early lead. Ohio State women’s tennis team traveled From there, the match was a tight After that, the Buckeyes swept the sin- to Coral Gables, Fla., for the Miami Spring battle, with each of the final three sets gles slate as no Xavier player recorded Invite from Jan. 19-21. The event featured going to extra points. Ohio State had set more than two victories in any given set. No. 13 Ohio State, No. 19 Miami (Fla.), point in the third at 24-23, but the Bruins Between singles and doubles, Ohio State No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 21 Kentucky. scored four of the next five points, with totaled 89 games won compared to just 19 On the first day of the tournament, the last two coming on errors by Ohio for Xavier. Ohio State faced off with Miami on the sin- State’s Hanes and Reese Devilbiss for a The first match of the day marked gles courts and suffered an 0-8 finish. That final score of 27-25. The Buckeyes evened the team debuts for Joseph Thomas, included a loss by No. 80 Shiori Fukuda the match in the fourth with a 26-24 set John McNally and Tim Seibert. Thomas against Miami’s unranked Ana Madcur win that was capped off by a service ace finished with a win in doubles while (2-6, 6-2, 6-4). from Hanes. paired with Riley Reist and Seibert On Jan. 19, the Buckeyes also faced In the fifth and final set, the Buckeyes and McNally each won their singles Kentucky in doubles, coming away with battled back from a 13-11 deficit to get matches. one win in three matches. match point at 14-13, but UCLA answered After dominating the morning On day two, the Buckeyes bounced with three straight points to win it, 16-14. matchup, Ohio State didn’t miss a beat back to some extent in singles with three Szerszen again led the Buckeyes with against Cleveland State (0-1). First, the wins in eight matches against Kentucky. 21 kills while Hanes added 18 and Thomas Buckeyes again took two of three dou- Fukuda, Ohio State’s only ranked singles had 46 assists. bles matches for a 1-0 lead before win- player competing, picked up a victory Next up, Ohio State is set to return to ning the first three singles matches to against No. 29 Akvile Parazinskaite as her Columbus to host Saint Francis at 7 p.m. finish. The other three bouts remained opponent retired from the match. Anna on Jan. 25 and Penn State at 2 p.m. on unfinished, but the Buckeyes had the Sanford and Andrea Ballinger also had Jan. 28. advantage in all three. wins for the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s season is set to continue In doubles, the Buckeyes lost two Men’s Tennis Opens when Yale travels to Columbus to face the matches against Vanderbilt, but the With 2 Sweeps Buckeyes at 10 a.m. on Jan. 27 as part of unranked duo of Fukuda and Sanford The Ohio State men’s tennis team the ITA Kickoff Weekend. Ohio State will topped the No. 19 tandem of Emma Kurtz opened its 2018 slate with shutout victo- face either Tulsa or North Florida at home and Christina Rosca (7-6 (7-1)). Briefs Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 23

On the final day of the invitational, Yoder, Melton Shine Despite On the women’s end, Sade Olatoye Ohio State had two singles wins, including Gymnastics Team’s Loss tallied a personal-best weight throw of an upset by unranked Oliva Sneed against The No. 3 Ohio State men’s gymnastics 22.76 meters on her fifth attempt to claim No. 19 Rosca of Vanderbilt (6-3, 2-6, 6-3). team lost to top-ranked Nebraska, 411.750- the gold. The mark beat her previous The Buckeyes faced Miami in doubles 404.150, on Jan. 20 in Lincoln, Neb., but best, which was a school record, of 21.73. on the final day and picked up one win in two Buckeyes shone at the event. Olatoye also finished first in shot put with three matches. Sean Melton won the rings and high a throw of 15.73 meters. Ohio State’s dual schedule is set to bar competitions to give Ohio State a “Sade has really been working on refin- begin Jan. 26 against Kansas at 10 a.m. in boost, while Alec Yoder picked up an indi- ing her technique along with our throws Columbus during ITA Kickoff Weekend. vidual title on pommel horse. coach, Ashley Muffet,” said track and field The Buckeyes’ second-round match is set “Those two guys were definitely the and cross country director Karen Dennis. for Jan. 27 at either 4 or 7 p.m. bright spot for us tonight,” said Ohio State “Today, it all just clicked for her.” head coach Rustam Sharipov. “They pro- Ohio State’s women finished first as a OSU Women’s Hockey vide us with a reliable set of routines that team with a score of 150 points, beating Sweeps Minnesota we can always count on. As for the rest of No. 2 Arkansas (129 points) and No. 12 The seventh-ranked Ohio State wom- the team, we still have some work to do.” Michigan (122). The men’s team finished en’s hockey team made a statement from Melton’s 15.150 on his rings routine second with a score of 146.50, just a point Jan. 19-20 with a two-game sweep of No. marked the highest score in the nation so behind Michigan. 5/6 Minnesota in Columbus. far in 2018 while Yoder’s 15.500 on pom- On the men’s side, Coty Cobb set In the opener, Ohio State (16-5-4, mel horse was his career high and the a personal best while winning the pole 9-2-4 Western Collegiate Hockey best in the nation this year as well. vault competition with a clearance of 5.35 Association) fell behind 2-1 before a The Buckeyes have a lengthy break meters. The mark with the third best in power-play goal by Charly Dahlquist in after the loss to prepare for a trip to Ann program history. the third period evened the score. The Arbor, Mich., on Feb. 3 to take on the Buckeyes picked up the winner from Wolverines at 2 p.m. Swimming & Diving Earns Liz Schepers with 3:56 to play for a 3-2 3 Senior Day Wins victory over Minnesota (17-7-2, 10-5-2). Women’s Gymnastics In an event featuring five schools, the Emma Maltais had Ohio State’s goal in Loses To Iowa Ohio State swimming and diving program the opening period. The Ohio State women’s gymnastics came away with three wins as 22 seniors Nine different Buckeyes registered team traveled to Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. were recognized. The No. 11 women’s points in the win while Kassidy Sauve 19 and lost to the Hawkeyes by less than team topped No. 24 Virginia Tech (202- saved 31 shots. a point, 195.725-195.300. 98) and Rutgers (239-61). The Buckeyes’ “We talk about being relentless, and Ohio State, still searching for its first men’s team, ranked 17th, topped No. that’s exactly what we were tonight,” said dual victory of the season, opened the 19 Virginia Tech, 207-93. The Michigan head coach Nadine Muzerall. “They could night with a 48.825 on the uneven bars as men’s team beat Ohio State, 157-143, while have hung their heads when we went Jenna Swartzentruber finished third with the women’s team topped the Buckeyes, down, 2-1, but they showed their char- a career-best 9.825. On vault, Morgan 176-124, on Jan. 20. acter and made the plays we needed to Lowe posted a career best of 9.800, tying Ohio State’s Paul DeLakis and senior get this big win. The girls showed what her with teammate Olivia Aepli for second Liz Li each picked up two freestyle wins they can accomplish when they play as a place. during the five-team event. Li won the unified front, and tonight that effort was The Buckeyes picked up a win on 50 free with a time of 22.29 before win- rewarded with a win over an outstanding beam with a season-best score of 48.925. ning the 100 free in 49.09. DeLakis, a team.” Swartzentruber and Lowe each set new freshman, finished first in the 200 free Ohio State returned to the ice the career highs with scores of 9.850, which with a time of 1:36.16 and won the 100 next day and picked up a dominating tied for first in the event. free in 44.11. He also anchored the men’s 5-1 win against the Golden Gophers. Swartzentruber tied for first in the all- 400 freestyle relay team, which includ- The Buckeyes opened the game with around with a 39.100, giving her the first ed Andrew Loy, Nathan Christian and four straight goals from Tatum Skaggs, all-around title of her collegiate career. Matthew Abeysinghe. The group finished Schepers, Maddy Field and Rebecca Alexis Mattern finished third with a score first in a time of 2:56.55. Freiburger before Minnesota’s Sydney of 39.025. The Buckeyes also picked up wins Baldwin made it 4-1 in the third. Field Ohio State is scheduled to return to in the men’s and women’s 200 medley added her second to close out the emphat- Columbus on Jan. 27 to face Minnesota relays, the women’s 100 breaststroke and ic win for the Buckeyes. and Illinois State at 4 p.m. the men’s 100 backstroke. Field totaled three points (two goals, In diving, senior Stephen Romanik one ) while Lauren Spring had two Cobb, Olatoye Shine picked up a win in the one-meter competi- assists and Sauve made 23 saves. For Track & Field tion with a score of 361.13. Freshman Lara The Buckeyes are set to travel to The Ohio State track and field program Tarvit scored 256.73 to win the women’s Duluth, Minn., for a pair of matches traveled to the Michigan Invite in Ann platform competition. against Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 26 and Arbor, Mich., on Jan. 20, and athletes Ohio State’s season is set to continue at 27. Both games are set to begin at 4:07 from the men’s and women’s portions of the Shamrock Invitational in South Bend, p.m. the event shone for the Buckeyes. Ind., from Jan. 26-27. The Alumni Association GUIDE YOUR CAREER

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YOU’RE A BUCKEYE FOR LIFE Scoreboard Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 25

FOOTBALL April 7 NCAA REGIONALS, 6 p.m.; 20 NCAA Championship at Seattle; 24 at Notre Dame, Noon; 28 Sept. 1 OREGON STATE, TBA; 8 RUTGERS, TBA; 15 Championships at St. Louis, TBA. PENN STATE, 4 p.m. vs. TCU at Arlington, Texas, TBA; 22 TULANE, TBA; 29 at MEN’S ICE HOCKEY March 7 at Georgia, 2:30 p.m.; 13 at USC, 4 p.m.; Penn State, TBA. (15-5-4, 8-5-1-0 BIG TEN) 14 vs. Arizona State at Los Angeles, 8 p.m.; 23 at Oct. 6 INDIANA, TBA; 13 MINNESOTA, TBA; 20 at Sept. 30 RYERSON - Exhibition, L 7-4. Michigan State, 3 p.m.; 25 MICHIGAN, Noon; 30 at Purdue, TBA. Oct. 6-7 at (12) Wisconsin, W 3-2; L 3-2; 13-14 Minnesota, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 NEBRASKA, TBA; 10 at Michigan State, TBA; RENSSELAER, T 1-1 (OT); T 1-1 (OT); 20-21 at April 1 at Wisconsin, 1 p.m.; 4 at Kentucky, 1 p.m.; 6 17 at Maryland, TBA; 24 MICHIGAN, TBA. Massachusetts, W 3-1; W 3-0; 27 ROBERT MORRIS, W IOWA, 6 p.m.; 8 NEBRASKA, Noon; 13 ILLINOIS, 6 p.m.; MEN’S BASKETBALL 5-3; 28 at Robert Morris, W 3-1. 15 NORTHWESTERN, Noon; 20 at Indiana, 6 p.m.; 22 (18-4, 9-0 BIG TEN) Nov. 3-4 (10) NOTRE DAME, L 4-1; L 3-2; 10-11 at at Purdue, Noon; 26 Big Ten Tournament at Iowa City, Nov. 5 WOOSTER (Exhibition), W 88-63; 10 ROBERT Connecticut, W 5-4; T 1-1 (OT); 24-25 at (17) Michigan, Iowa, TBA. MORRIS, W 95-64; 12 RADFORD, W 82-72; 16 TEXAS W 3-2; W 5-1. WOMEN’S TENNIS SOUTHERN, W 82-64; 19 NORTHEASTERN, W 80-55; Dec. 1-2 PENN STATE, T 5-5 (OT/SL); L 4-0; 8-9 (7) Jan. 19-21 Miami Spring Invite with Vanderbilt, 23 PK80 Invitational at Portland, Ore., vs. (17) Gonzaga, MINNESOTA, W 2-1 (OT); W 4-1; 29-30 NIAGARA, W Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), NTS; 26 ITA KICKOFF WEEKEND L 86-59; 24 PK80 Invitational at Portland, Ore., vs. 3-2; W 4-1. vs. KANSAS, 10 a.m.; 27 ITA KICKOFF WEEKEND Stanford, W 79-71; 26 PK80 Invitational at Portland, Ore., Jan. 5-6 at Michigan State, W 4-1; W 5-3; 12-13 SECOND ROUND, 4 and 7 p.m.; 31 KENTUCKY, 5 p.m. vs. Butler, L 67-66 (OT); 29 BIG TEN/ACC CHALLENGE vs. at (13) Penn State, L 5-2; W 5-1; 26-27 MICHIGAN, 7 Feb. 4 NOTRE DAME, Noon; 9 ITA National Team CLEMSON, L 79-65. p.m.; 8 p.m. Indoor Championship at Madison, Wis., TBA; 22 at Penn Dec. 2 at Wisconsin, W 83-58; 4 MICHIGAN, W Feb. 2-3 MICHIGAN STATE, 7 p.m.; 7 p.m.; 9-10 at State, 5 p.m.; 25 ARIZONA STATE, Noon. 71-62; 9 WILLIAM & MARY, W 97-62; 16 APPALACHIAN Notre Dame, 7:35 p.m.; 7:05 p.m.; 16-17 at Minnesota, March 2 at Baylor, 5 p.m.; 4 at Texas, Noon; 7 STATE, W 80-67; 19 THE CITADEL, W 94-65; 23 9 p.m.; 5 p.m.; 23-24 WISCONSIN, 7 p.m.; 7 p.m. NEBRASKA, 1 p.m.; 13 DAYTON, Noon; BOWLING CBSSports Classic at New Orleans vs. (5) North Carolina, WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY GREEN, 5 p.m.; 25 at Iowa, 1 p.m.; 30 MICHIGAN, 5 L 86-72; 30 MIAMI (OHIO), W 72-59. (17-5-4, 10-2-4 WCHA) p.m. Jan. 4 at Iowa, W 92-81; 7 (1) MICHIGAN STATE, Sept. 26 SOUTH KOREAN OLYMPIC TEAM - April 1 MICHIGAN STATE, Noon; 6 at Minnesota, 5 W 80-64; 11 MARYLAND, W 91-69; 14 at Rutgers, Exhibition, W 8-0; 29-30 RPI, W 4-1; W 4-0. p.m.; 8 at Wisconsin, 1 p.m.; 13 at Indiana, 4 p.m.; 15 at W 68-46; 17 at Northwestern (Rosemont, Ill.), W Oct. 6-7 at (4) Minnesota, W 3-2; T 5-5; 13-14 (5) Purdue, Noon; 20 ILLINOIS, 4 p.m.; 22 NORTHWESTERN, 71-65; 20 Super Saturday - College Hoops & Hockey MINNESOTA DULUTH, W 2-0; W 4-3; 20-21 at St. Cloud Noon; 26 Big Ten Tournament at Minneapolis, TBA. Doubleheader at New York, N.Y., vs. Minnesota, W State, W 4-0; W 4-0. INDOOR TRACK & FIELD 67-49; 22 NEBRASKA, W 64-59; 25 PENN STATE, 8 p.m.; Nov. 4-5 at (1) Wisconsin, L 7-0; L 3-1; 10-11 Jan. 5 BUCKEYE CLASSIC, NTS; 12-13 Kentucky 30 INDIANA, 7 p.m. MINNESOTA STATE, W 2-1; W 5-3; 17-18 at Bemidji Invite, NTS; 20 Michigan Invite, Men: 2nd/4 (146.50); Feb. 4 ILLINOIS, Noon; 7 at Purdue, 8:30 p.m.; State, T 3-3 (SL); W 5-4; 24-25 at (9) Robert Morris, W Women: 1st/4 (150). 10 IOWA, 6/8 p.m.; 15 at Penn State, 8 p.m.; 18 at 7-3; L 3-2 (OT). Feb. 2-3 Armory Invite at New York; Notre Dame Michigan, 1 p.m.; 20 RUTGERS, 7 p.m.; 23 at Indiana, Dec. 1-2 ST. CLOUD STATE, T 2-2 (SW); T 0-0 (SW); Invite; 9-10 Iowa State Invite; Vanderbilt Invite; 16 8 p.m. 15-16 at Mercyhurst, W 2-1.; L 6-4. BUCKEYE TUNE UP; 23-24 Big Ten Championships at WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Jan. 5-6 PENN STATE, L 5-1; W 2-0; 12-13 (9) ROBERT Geneva, Ohio. (16-4, 5-2 BIG TEN) MORRIS, W 5-0; W 5-2; 19-20 (5/6) MINNESOTA, W 3-2; March 9-10 NCAA Championships at College Oct. 29 ASHLAND (Exhibition), W 110-80. W 5-1; 26-27 at Minnesota Duluth, 4:07 p.m.; 4:07 p.m. Station, Texas. Nov. 5 URBANA (Exhibition), W 135-54; 10 (10) Feb. 2-3 WISCONSIN, 6:07 p.m.; 3:07 p.m.; 9-10 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL STANFORD at St. John Arena, W 85-64; 12 Countdown to at Minnesota State, 7:07 p.m.; 3:07 p.m.; 16-17 (3-2) Columbus at Nationwide Arena vs. (9) Louisville, L 95-90 BEMIDJI STATE, 6:07 p.m.; 3:07 p.m.; 23-25 WCHA Jan. 6 NORTH GREENVILLE, W 3-0; 12 STANFORD, (OT); 15 IDAHO, W 99-56; 17 QUINNIPIAC, W 95-63; 19 First Round. W 3-1; 13 (6) BYU, L 3-2; 18 Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge WASHINGTON, W 85-76; 23 Play4Kay Shootout at Las March 3 WCHA Final Face-Off Semifinal at vs. (13) USC at Los Angeles, W 3-1; 20 Big Ten/Pac-12 Vegas vs. Memphis, W 100-69; 24 Play4Kay Shootout at Minneapolis; 4 WCHA FInal Face-Off Championship at Challenge vs. (2) UCLA at Los Angeles, L 3-2; 25 SAINT Las Vegas vs. FGCU, W 104-62; 25 Play4Kay Shootout at Minneapolis; 10 NCAA Quarterfinals; 16 NCAA Frozen FRANCIS (Pa.), 7 p.m.; 28 PENN STATE, 2 p.m. Las Vegas vs. (14) Stanford, W 94-82 (OT); 30 ACC/Big Ten Four Semifinal at Minneapolis; 18 NCAA Frozen Four Feb. 2 at Charleston (W.Va.), 7 p.m.; 3 at George Challenge at (14) Duke, L 69-60. Championship at Minneapolis. Mason, 7 p.m.; 8 BALL STATE, 7 p.m.; 10 FORT WAYNE, Dec. 3 MAINE, W 83-70; 6 at Florida, W 103-77; 15 SWIMMING & DIVING 7 p.m.; 15 LINDENWOOD, 7 p.m.; 18 QUINCY, 2 p.m.; DARTMOUTH, W 103-70; 17 at Cincinnati, W 87-76; 28 Oct. 27 KENYON, Men: W 189-69; Women: W 22 at Lewis, 8 p.m.; 24 at Loyola, 8 p.m. at Nebraska, W 73-61; 31 INDIANA, W 85-70. 185-73. March 2-3 at McKendree, 8 p.m.; 8 p.m.; 16 at Penn Jan. 4 MINNESOTA, W 91-75; 7 at (22) Michigan, W Nov. 3 DENISON, Men: W 200-90; Women: 201-92; State, 7 p.m.; 17 at Saint Francis (Pa.), 7 p.m.; 23 at 78-71 (OT); 13 at Indiana, W 77-62; 16 MICHIGAN, L AKRON (women only), W 184-109; 9-11 Minnesota Quincy, 8 p.m.; 25 at Lindenwood, 3 p.m.; 29 LOYOLA, 84-75; 22 at (14) Maryland, L 99-69; 25 at Iowa, 8 p.m.; Diving Invitational at Minneapolis, NTS; 17-19 OHIO 7 p.m.; 31 LEWIS, 7 p.m. 27 MICHIGAN STATE, Noon; 31 PENN STATE, 7 p.m. STATE INVITATIONAL, Men: 2nd/9 (734.50); Women: April 6 at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.; 7 at Ball State, 7:30 Feb. 3 at Wisconsin, 1 p.m.; 8 RUTGERS, 7 p.m.; 11 4th/12 (642); 29-Dec. 2 2017 AT&T WINTER NATIONALS, p.m.; 14 MIVA Quarterfinals, TBA; 18 MIVA Semifinals, at USF, 2 p.m.; 13 at Illinois, 8 p.m.; 18 PURDUE, 1 p.m.; NTS; 30-Dec. 2 Total Performance Invitational at Gambier, TBA; 21 MIVA Finals, TBA; 27 NCAA Play-In Match, TBA. 21 NORTHWESTERN, 7 p.m.; 25 at Penn State, Noon. Ohio, NTS. May 1 NCAA Play-In Match at Los Angeles, TBA; 3 MEN’S GYMNASTICS Jan. 5-6 at Kentucky, Men: W 210.50-178.50; NCAA Semifinals at Los Angeles, TBA; 5 NCAA Finals at Jan. 13 Rocky Mountain Open at Colorado Springs, Women: W 204-185; vs. Toledo (women only), W Los Angeles, TBA. Colo., NTS; 20 at (1) Nebraska, L 411.750-404.150. 331-54; 18 at Alabama, Men: W 168-132; Women: WRESTLING Feb. 3 at Michigan, 2 p.m.; 9 PENN STATE, 6 p.m.; W 180-118; 20 MICHIGAN, Men: L 157-143; Women: (10-0, 5-0 BIG TEN) 15/17 Winter Cup at Las Vegas, TBA. L 176-124; VIRGINIA TECH, Men: W 207-93; Women: Nov. 4 Princeton Open at Princeton, N.J., NTS; 11 March 3 Arnold Challenge at Ohio State Fair Ground, W 202-98; RURTGERS (women only), W 239-61; 26-27 Eastern Michigan Open at Ypsilanti, Mich., NTS; 12 1:30 p.m.; 10 at Stanford, 7 p.m.; 23 OKLAHOMA, 6 Shamrock Invitational at South Bend, Ind. ARIZONA STATE, W 31-12; 18 Findlay Open at Findlay, p.m. Feb. 10-11 OHIO STATE WINTER INVITATIONAL; Ohio, NTS; 21 THANKSGIVING THROWDOWN VS. April 6-7 Big Ten Championships at Ann Arbor, 14-17 BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS (Women); 21-24 Big CLEVELAND STATE, W 43-3; VS. KENT STATE, W 38-9. Mich., 7 p.m.; 7 p.m.; 20 NCAA Qualifier at Chicago; 21 Ten Championships at Minneapolis (Men); 25 LAST Dec. 1-2 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, 1st/46 NCAA Championships at Chicago, 7 p.m. CHANCE MEET (Women). (155.5); 10 vs. Indiana at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, W WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS March 4 LAST CHANCE MEET (Men); 8-10 NCAA 26-9; 15 vs. Princeton at Newark, Del., W 39-0; 17 vs. Jan. 6 at (6) UCLA, L 196.250-193.200; 13 at (5) ZONE DIVING; 14-17 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (Women); Chattanooga at Atlanta, W 39-3. Michigan, L 197.550-194.925; 19 at Iowa, L 195.725- 21-24 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS (Men). Jan. 5 at Maryland, W 45-3; 7 at Rutgers, W 29-11; 195.300; 27 MINNESOTA & ILLINOIS STATE, 4 p.m. MEN’S TENNIS 12 MINNESOTA, W 31-7; 21 (4) IOWA, W 22-12; 26 at Feb. 3 at Rutgers, 7 p.m.; 9 PENN STATE, 6 p.m.; (2-0) Michigan State, 7 p.m.; 28 vs. Purdue at St. Paris, Ohio, 17 WESTERN MICHIGAN, 4 p.m.; 25 at Bowling Green, Jan. 20 XAVIER, W 7-0; CLEVELAND STATE, W 4-0; 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 27 ITA KICKOFF WEEKEND vs. YALE, 10 a.m.; 28 ITA Feb. 3 Edinboro Open at Edinboro, Pa., 9 a.m.; at March 2 at Kentucky, 7 p.m.; 11 N.C. STATE & KICKOFF WEEKEND vs. TULSA/NORTH FLORIDA, TBA; Penn State, 6 or 8 p.m.; 11 at Michigan, 6 p.m.; 18 at CENTRAL MICHIGAN, 2 p.m.; 17 Big Five Meet at East TOLEDO, 5 p.m. N.C. State, 4:30 p.m. Lansing, Mich., TBA; 24 Big Ten Championships at Feb. 3 TEXAS, 1 p.m.; 9 TEXAS A&M, 6 p.m.; March 3-4 Big Ten Championships at East Lansing, Champaign, Ill., TBA. 11 FLORIDA, Noon; 16 ITA National Team Indoor Mich.; 15-17 NCAA Championships at Cleveland.

Opinion Jan. 23, 2018 BSB Quickly 27 Buckeyes Hoops Impressive Under Holtmann Good coaching. Solid veteran the Buckeyes’ 17th of the season, match- play. Emerging talent. ing the total for all of 2016-17, when OSU Basketball is fun to watch again at Ohio finished 17-15 State, and what a pleasant surprise that is. At 17-4, the Buckeyes’ have won 81 per- This is just what Buckeye fans needed to cent of their games, their top mark by provide a little winter cheer after a two- percentage since the 2010-11 team won 92 loss (gasp!) football season. percent of its games. That team finished Who couldn’t enjoy watching this bas- 34-3, finishing the regular season ranked ketball team? Not only are the Buckeyes No. 1 in the country before losing in a unbeaten in the Big Ten, they’ve never regional semifinal. really been close to losing. It’s too early to say just how OSU’s record will end up this year, with Purdue among others remaining on the regular-season schedule, plus the Big Ten EXNER POINT and NCAA tournaments ahead. But it Rich Exner is a fairly safe bet that this will be Ohio State’s best season in at least five years. The last four OSU teams finished 17-15, 21-14, 24-11 and 25-10. A 25-point win to get things start- ed at Wisconsin. A nine-point win Post Presence over Michigan. Then wins by 11 points, As much as there is to like about 16 points, 22 points, 22 points, six points the strong veteran play from Big Ten and 18 points over Iowa, Michigan Player of the Year candidate Bates-Diop, State, Maryland, Rutgers, Northwestern plus Tate, Jackson, Williams, Dakich and KEVIN DYE and Minnesota, respectively. FAST START – Chris Holtmann has the others, I’ve particularly enjoyed watch- It’s looking like Wednesday night, Feb. Buckeyes off to an undefeated start in ing the emergence of freshman Kaleb 7 is going to be something special. the Big Ten in his first season. Wesson. That’s when Ohio State will play It’s easy to see why he was Ohio’s Mr. the only other Big Ten unbeaten, Purdue. while these players are supremely talent- Basketball a year ago. He’s a wide-body Both teams might not be undefeated by ed, they are not necessarily seasoned, (270 pounds) tall guy (6-9) with finesse. then, but they certainly are premier con- leading to a sometimes sloppy brand of Wesson does not dominate the stat tenders for the regular-season title. basketball. line. His best game is nine, and Block out the time on your calen- What we are witnessing this year at he has topped 15 points just thrice. But he dar. Tipoff is 8:30 p.m. Find a place to Ohio State is the case of a veteran-driv- is a reliable inside force, always seeming watch the game. It is scheduled for the en team playing solid, winning basketball. to come through with the right play at the . Win or lose, that should Lately the starting lineup has been right time and rarely making mistakes. be a good one. composed of two seniors (Jae Sean Tate He is a great combination inside for the and Kam Williams), two juniors (Keita perimeter game of this Ohio State team. The Opposite Of Kentucky Bates-Diop and C.J. Jackson) and a tal- The biggest thing that has hurt col- ented freshman (Kaleb Wesson). And National Recognition lege basketball over the last dozen or so a 23-year-old transfer from Michigan, The national polls are meaning- years is the one-and-done. Kentucky is Andrew Dakich, has been playing an less beyond being a conversation piece, most famous for this, with top-level talent important role off the bench. but it’s nice to see Ohio State part of the exiting for the NBA after just one season They play crisp basketball. And they national basketball conversation again. nearly every year. don’t get rattled. On Jan. 15, the Buckeyes returned Ohio State has been victim to it in Case in point was the win over to the Associated Press top 25 for the first the past. Greg Oden, Mike Conley and Minnesota in Madison Square Garden on time since the 2014-15 season. At No. 22 Daequan Cook were first-round picks in Jan. 20. Ohio State trailed 20-10 mid- and rising, it marked a return to relevance 2007 after just one college season. way through the first half. Without any outside Columbus. The Buckeyes moved The problems with the one-and-done panic, and without being spectacular, the up to No. 13 in the most recent poll. (not the players cashing in as they are Buckeyes worked back into the game and The top 25 is familiar territory for first- entitled to do) are many: (a) college fans then blew Minnesota away. They took year Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann. All see the very best talent only briefly, (b) the lead within three minutes, outscored three of his Butler teams were ranked at there is little requirement that they are Minnesota 57-29 over the final 30 min- some point. They were as high as 11th in “student athletes” as they only have to utes and won 67-49. 2016-17, ninth in 2015-16 and 15th in 2014- pass one semester of classes in the fall What a difference a season makes. 15, finishing 24th, unranked and 21st in to remain eligible for the season, (c) and The win over Minnesota was those three seasons.