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Buckeye Blogger Network
Time for another wander around the BBN for a look back at the week in Ohio State Sports. Oh, and be sure to check out one of the newest places for news from Buckeye Athletics, Unscripted Ohio, from our friends Chris and Jeremy and the Buckeye Sports Bulletin/Yahoo!/Rivals family. It’s a great resource… and we hope to add them as the seventh seal on the BBN in the near future.
We’ll toot tBBC’s horn first this week, if only to give best wishes to our own Jim, who ties the knot to his beautiful fiance today. Mazel Tov, guys… Enjoy your amazing day and your time together on the honeymoon. Oh, and remember: come August his heart belongs to Urban.
James led off our double look at recruiting this week, covering the post- spring game options for football’s class of 2013-
Most people are projecting 21 as the upper limit of scholarships in 2013, so with Heuerman on board (speculation as I write this- ed. He verballed to Notre Dame… what can you do?), that leaves approximately seven spots to fill.
On Friday, Joe talked hoops, given that there are still some options for the Buckeye 2012 class now that transfers and the NBA have increased Ohio State’s numbers-
Now that it seems that the rest of Ohio State’s open scholarships will be turned down for other programs across the country (Amile Jefferson, Anthony Bennett), Thad Matta and company will be looking at the best transfer options and gauging interest in the upcoming month.
Yet, there is still one more interesting option that has evolved from the class of 2012…
The team from the Buckeye Blog evaluated last Saturday’s Spring Game, first with a take on the “Hoot And Holler” drill that kicked off the game-
This is exactly what the 2012 Ohio State team will be playing for – pride and respect. There is no Rose Bowl or Big Ten Championship to play for this year, and some (including myself) have worried about where the motivation will come from for the players. Worry no more. This new coaching staff has instilled a competitive spirit amongst the Scarlet and Gray ranks that was palpable throughout the stadium during this drill.
The review continued by evaluating not only the quarterback performances, but the way that their new coach is grooming them to be the tip of the spear for the new Buckeye offensive philosophy-
Although I’m still a fan of Big 10 style threeyardsandacloudof football, at some point even a successful Jim Bollman offense gets frustrating (not to mention the emotions associated with an unsuccessful Bollman offense). Meyer has said that this is still Ohio State and that we can expect to see a solid running game come fall. Unlike 2011 however, not only will there be the threat of a passing game (which was non-existent at times last year), we should actually have a solid passing game in place.
While there were a number of great articles at TSB this week, the one that made national news was Michael’s interview with Kyle Dodson, which addressed the “Bret Bielema” allegations of a “bumping” recruiting violation- Read More
This morning we bring you a new feature here at tBBC. Of course, we try and bring you the latest in recruiting on the basketball front from time to time. There is no doubt that it could be touched upon even more, especially in the off-season as we prepare for the 2012 season on the hardwood. As always, the future is bright for the Buckeyes, but everyone is wondering what is the next move on the recruiting front. With the recent addition of Amedeo Della Valle, three more open spots remain in the class of 2012. Will the Buckeyes look to fill them? We find out on today’s tBBC Recruiting Report.
Thanks to Grant Edgell of Buckeye House Call for creating the great header!
Now that it seems that the rest of Ohio State’s open scholarships will be turned down for other programs across the country (Amile Jefferson, Anthony Bennett), Thad Matta and company will be looking at the best transfer options and gauging interest in the upcoming month.
Yet, there is still one more interesting option that has evolved from the class of 2012.
Gone is the month of March and all the greatness on the hardwood we look forward to all year long. As basketball fans, we strive for one more shining moment. We wait anxiously as football takes center stage until old man winter strikes again. Here at tBBC, we are reliving March Madness this morning as we bring you the semi finals of the All-Time Tourney. Pitted against each other today are two of the best overall teams in Ohio State history. Today, we feature the only Ohio State championship squad against a 2011 squad that many believe had all the tools to win a second championship in school history.
When members of this 2011 squad met the 1960 team during their 50th Anniversary reunion in 2010, they took something from it. But what if they could learn first hand from one of the most impressive teams in college basketball history? How would the likes of Jared Sullinger, Jon Diebler and David Lighty stack up with Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek, and Mel Nowell? Today, we breakdown a dream match-up of two very good teams. With only one moving on to the Finals to take on the winner of the 1992/2007 semi-final winner. Here’s WVaBuckeye and my breakdown of tBBC Semi-final #1.
Make sure you vote for who you believe would win this match-up on the top left hand corner of the web page.
This article incorrectly referenced sources claiming Kendall Gill was Anthony Gill’s father. Anthony Gill Sr. is his father. We are sorry for any confusion.
With the recruiting season coming to a near close, coaches across the country are looking to already experienced NCAA talent to harbor their squads in the next upcoming seasons. With the Buckeyes still holding onto three scholarships for the 2012 class, it’s very likely that head coach Thad Matta is looking at a handful of transfer options for either this season or next year. We’ve already looked at some of those options in the past, including former Mississippi State guard Rodney Hood. Today, we start a series of profiling the possible fits for Buckeye Basketball.
Today, we take a look at former South Carolina forward Anthony Gill. After his visit to campus during the spring game, the buzz has been that he will make a decision between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
For a team that could need some help in the post, Anthony Gill would be a nice addition. Only recruited heavily out of high school by George Washington, Liberty, Richmond, and South Carolina — Gill had something to prove in his first year on the college hardwood.
And despite his desire to leave Columbia after one season, Gill is more than on his way to establishing himself as a marquee player in college basketball. With Frank Martin heading to the SEC after doing such a great job at Kansas State, you’d think a young talented forward would be excited to continue his tenure at the University that recruited him.
Despite playing in all 31 games and starting in 26, there is only one thing though that a young player has that can guarantee they will see the playing time they believe they deserve. The trust of the coach they are playing for.
What Gill brings to the table is still a question that is going to take more playing time to answer. At 6’8″ (on a good day), he really can rebound well and hold his own inside. The best part is that he has the agility to guard out on the perimeter if need be. That’s huge in the B1G and across the nation, because so many power forwards (see Deshaun Thomas) can shoot the basketball and create scoring opportunities by either dishing it off, settling for a jumper, or driving to the lane to get to the bucket.
After riding the momentum of Amedeo Della Valle over the weekend, it seems like the Buckeye coaching staff has their eye on a future forward. After taking in all the festivities that took place this weekend, you have to believe that the Buckeyes are right where they need to be when it comes to Anthony Gill.
The Buckeyes have finally added someone to the 2012 class, and boy is he a good one to add to the talent pool next year. If your a fan of European play, then you will be excited about the addition of Amedeo Della Valle. The 6’6″ Italian combo guard out of Nevada chose Ohio State today over Texas A&M and Arizona.
At one point, it looked like Michigan was going to be the favorite when rumors swirled that Trey Burke was headed to the NBA. After Burke decided to come back for another season and the commitment of fellow point guard Spike Albrecht, Della Valle made his interest known in Ohio State.
After a visit this Tuesday, it became clear that the Ohio State Buckeyes were the favorite. Arizona has a slew of guards within the 2012 class. Texas A&M is an upstart that could of used his services.
Like we mentioned on Friday’s recruiting update, what is so special about Della Valle is his ability already to play defense. Sure, he is no Aaron Craft, but he adds great depth at the guard position. He also adds range and a good ability to drive to the hoop.
This now means that the Buckeyes have three open scholarships remaining heading into the season.
We’ll keep you updated on the latest.
Here is a scouting video of Della Valle to enjoy.
It looks like another date has been set in the Tony Parker sweepstakes. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Michael Carvell, the Four time Georgia State Champion was set to make a decision sometime today. Miller Grove head coach Sharman White told the paper last Sunday that the top 25 ranked recruit is ready to make his decision and end the process.
Yet again though, we’ll have to wait even further than expected.
At this point, Parker and his family say that they will let the world know where to expect arguably the best 0ffensive big man in this class to land on Monday. Many speculate it’s because The Georgia product has soured on UCLA and is looking at Kansas and Duke more and more as his decision looms. High school head coach Sharman White shared this with folks on Wednesday through the Atlanta Journal constitution.
“Tony and his family just wanted a little more time. That way, they will get the weekend to hammer it out. No official time has been set but it will likely be around 3:30 or 4 p.m.”
Parker, who had planned to announce his school of choice at the start of the signing period, has narrowed it down to UCLA, Georgia, Duke, Kansas and Ohio State.
Thursday’s cup of Mulligatawny, carefully crafted for the best damn fans in the land… since you know how to ask. Fingers crossed for good weather on Saturday!
Mr. Romance, That's Me.
Buckeye 411
Thank you Sammy Prahalis for four wonderful years as the point guard for THE Ohio State women’s basketball team. You are going to be missed!!!
As Sammy starts her next phase of basketball in her life with the Phoenix Mercury, she’ll playing with arguably the best in the game in Diana Taurasi. We revisit my article from February 16th. Then a recap of her career and what she’ll mean to the Mercury. Thank you to Grant Edgell for the artwork.
Sammy Prahalis is taking her talents west as the 6th overall pick to the Phoenix Meecury
If all you ever knew about Ohio States starting point guard was that she was the only player in tOSU women’s basketball history to score 1,000 points and give out more than 700 assists? It would probably be more than enough. One things for sure, she has definitely given a great lesson in point guarding.
Sammy stepped in as a freshman and let people know she was serious. She went on to become the B1G freshman of the year and set a new freshman assists record with 203 that season. Prahalis also led all B1G freshmen in scoring at 10.2 points, assists at 5.8, and steals at 1.9 per game.
Her sophomore year would be even better as she became just the second player since the 1999-2000 season in D1 to average 16 ppg and 8 apg. During her run that season she set a school record with 48 straight made free throws and set a new tOSU single season assists record with 289. She was the B1G leader and second in the nation with her 8 assists per game average. Finally, she set a new tOSU NCAA tournament record with 13 assists against St.Francis and finished as a unanimous first team all-conference selection. Read More
