Land-Grant Podcast Network: An Ohio State University podcast

Ohio State is looking to bounce back, and the Buckeyes have the right opponent to do it against. Episode 35 of Off-Script Ohio gets you ready for Ohio State's home matchup with Kent State, as Cole breaks down what to watch for as the Buckeyes try to move past a gut-punch loss in Austin. Ohio State enters at 1-1 and No. 6 in the country after blowing a 23-3 fourth-quarter lead to Texas, a game that saw the Longhorns become the first team since 1988 to overcome a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit against an AP No. 1 team. Kent State, meanwhile, is also 1-1, having followed a 57-0 loss to South Carolina with a 36-15 win over Wofford. Ohio State has won all three previous meetings between the programs, and enters as roughly a 52.5-point favorite. The biggest question isn't whether Ohio State wins, it's how the Buckeyes respond. Does this team come out with something to prove, or does the Texas loss linger into the first quarter? Kent State isn't devoid of talent, either. Quarterback Dru DeShields is a legitimate dual-threat coming off an 18-touchdown, three-interception season, and playmakers like Wayne Harris and Da'Realyst Clark give the Golden Flashes real juice in the passing game and on special teams. On offense, Cole wants to see how aggressive Arthur Smith gets with his play-calling in a lower-stakes environment, and whether a receiver beyond Jeremiah Smith. Brock Boyd, Chris Henry Jr., Brandon Inniss or Devin McCuin — can finally have a breakout day. Smith torched Texas for 164 yards, but the rest of the receiver room was quiet, and that's a problem Ohio State needs to start solving before Big Ten play ramps up. Defensively, the story is about finishing. Ohio State held Texas to three points through three quarters before completely unraveling in the fourth, and Cole wants to see early signs that the issue was a one-game blip rather than something structural. Cole also runs through the names he wants to see more of as the game (hopefully) opens up, including Isaiah West, Tavien St. Clair and a deeper look at the young defensive backs who flashed against Texas. This one's about answers, not suspense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 33 of Off-Script Ohio is all about the Buckeyes’ trip to Austin and the aftermath of a brutal loss to Texas. Cole and Joey break down what went right for Ohio State, which players stood out and how the Buckeyes managed to let a game slip away after controlling so much of it. The second-half collapse is a major focus, including the miscues that allowed Texas to completely flip the game and turn what looked like a comfortable Ohio State victory into a disaster. The guys also look beyond Jeremiah Smith and discuss whether Ohio State’s other wide receivers did enough to establish themselves as reliable options in the passing game. On the other side of the ball, Cole and Joey break down the defense and what the performance means for a unit that entered the season with plenty of questions after losing significant production from last year’s team. From there, the conversation gets bigger. Should Ohio State fans reevaluate Ryan Day? What did the game tell us about Arthur Smith’s offense? And how should we view Matt Patricia and the direction of the defense moving forward? Finally, Cole and Joey look ahead to where the Buckeyes go from here and whether the Texas loss changes their expectations for the rest of the 2026 season. After entering the year with national championship expectations, Ohio State now has to figure out what went wrong in Austin, and whether they can fix it before the season gets away from them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 216 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back with another guest, and this week it is the host of the “BlueBlooded Podcast”, Ryan Hammer. Hammer is a college basketball content creator and podcaster with 15,000 YouTube subscribers. We talked with Hammer about the national perception of the Buckeyes, what Jake Diebler has to do this season, and why Amare Bynum and John Mobley aren’t getting enough credit. We also talk about the changing media landscape, the way he makes his videos, and his recent A10 video tour. Also, Ohio State adds Jared Sullinger to the staff, joining Will Buford. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Ryan:Twitter: @ryanhammer09 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football is already on to one of its biggest games of the season. Episode 34 of Off-Script Ohio gets you ready for the Buckeyes’ road trip to Austin to take on No. 5 Texas, as Cole and Joey break down the biggest storylines heading into Saturday night’s matchup. Both teams enter the game coming off dominant season-opening victories. Ohio State rolled past Ball State 56-3, while Texas handled Texas State 59-7. Now, the two top-five programs meet in a rematch of last season’s 14-7 Buckeye victory, with Texas opening as a 1.5-point favorite. The biggest question on offense is whether Julian Sayin is ready to take the training wheels off. Last year's matchup with Texas was Sayin's first career start and came in Columbus. This time, he has to lead Ohio State into Austin against a Texas team that knows exactly what it is getting. Jeremiah Smith will also be a major focus. Texas has successfully limited Smith in the last two meetings, so who becomes Ohio State's version of Carnell Tate if the Longhorns once again dedicate significant resources to stopping No. 4? On the other side of the ball, Ohio State's secondary faces a completely different challenge from Ball State. Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in Texas' opener, while Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman combined for 190 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeye defensive backs will have to prove they can handle an NFL-caliber receiving corps without giving up explosive plays. The running game is another storyline for both teams. Texas struggled to consistently create on the ground against Texas State outside of a 45-yard Hollywood Smothers run, while Ohio State will need to be more efficient if it wants to keep the Longhorn defense honest. Cole and Joey also discuss which young Buckeyes they want to see more of, including Khary Wilder, Riley Pettijohn, T.J. Alford, Nate Roberts, Chris Henry Jr. and Jay Timmons. Finally, the guys look at the biggest questions surrounding the matchup. Julian Sayin or Arch Manning in the Heisman race, whether Devin McCuin can establish himself as Ohio State's WR2, which defensive lineman steps up and whether the Buckeyes' revamped secondary can hold up against Texas' elite receivers. This is the first real measuring stick of the 2026 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football is officially back, and if Saturday was any indication, the Buckeyes haven't lost much of their swagger. No. 1 Ohio State opened the 2026 season with a 56-3 demolition of Ball State, piling up 671 total yards while holding the Cardinals to just 165. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on eight of their next 11 possessions after going three-and-out on their opening drive, turning what was supposed to be a tune-up game into exactly that. But as much as there was to like about Saturday, the real test is already here. Ohio State travels to Austin next Saturday to take on No. 5 Texas in a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC. Let's start with the obvious one. Jeremiah Smith was ridiculous. The junior receiver finished with eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, with both scores coming in the first half. His first was a 48-yard one-handed touchdown grab, while his second came on a toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone with just 10 seconds remaining before halftime. Eight catches, 151 yards and two touchdowns before halftime. That's about as strong of a Heisman opening statement as you could make. Smith was the biggest star of the afternoon, but what stood out almost as much was how many different players Ohio State was able to get involved. Fourteen different Buckeyes caught a pass, while Bo Jackson and Ja'Kobi Jackson each finished with 83 rushing yards and a touchdown. This offense has plenty of weapons. Arthur Smith's first real game as Ohio State's offensive coordinator showed that pretty clearly. The biggest question surrounding Ohio State entering the season was obvious, what would Julian Sayin look like as the full-time starting quarterback? The answer, at least against Ball State, was pretty encouraging. Sayin completed 27 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns while also adding a rushing touchdown. He looked comfortable operating the offense, made several impressive throws downfield and showed some mobility that should make him even more difficult to defend as the season progresses. Obviously, Ball State isn't Texas. But Sayin didn't need to do anything spectacular. He just needed to look like a quarterback who belonged in the driver's seat of a team with national championship expectations, and he did. There was always going to be some uncertainty surrounding Ohio State's defense after losing so much production from last year's historic unit. Saturday offered a pretty encouraging first glimpse. The Buckeyes held Ball State to just 165 total yards and three points. The Cardinals never found the end zone, while Ohio State's defense consistently made life difficult for the Ball State offense. The most important thing wasn't necessarily the final numbers. It was seeing some of the younger players and new pieces actually get on the field and begin establishing themselves. This group doesn't need to be last year's defense. It just needs to become its own version of a great Ohio State defense. And Saturday was a pretty good first step. This was probably my favorite part of the game. Ohio State didn't just blow out Ball State. It got young players meaningful reps. Legend Bey scored his first career touchdown on a 25-yard catch-and-run, while Chris Henry Jr. scored on the first catch of his Ohio State career. Jay Timmons also saw significant action at nickel, while Khary Wilder moved around the defensive front and made an impact in pass-rushing situations. For a team trying to reload rather than rebuild, that's exactly what you want to see. The talent is there. Now it's about figuring out which young players can turn those flashes into consistent roles. And this is where the conversation changes. Ohio State did exactly what it was supposed to do Saturday. It dominated a lesser opponent, got its starters meaningful work, gave younger players opportunities and escaped without any major drama. But nobody is going to remember a 56-3 win in November if the Buckeyes aren't ready for what comes next. Texas looked just as dominant in its opener, crushing Texas State 59-7 behind a four-touchdown performance from Arch Manning. Now Ohio State heads to Austin for one of the biggest games of the young season. Saturday was about getting comfortable. Next Saturday is about finding out what this team actually is. And that's where Episode 35 of Off-Script Ohio gets really interesting. Jeremiah Smith looked every bit like a Heisman favoriteJulian Sayin looked comfortable in his first full gameThe defense picked up where it left offThe freshmen are already making their caseThe Ball State game was fun. Texas is the real test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 215 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back, and we are joined by the head man himself, Jake Diebler. Diebler joined the program for the third time, and we talked about a plethora of topics. We discuss the transfer portal with Diebler, life without Bruce Thornton, how the team is adapting with new personnel, and how he walks the scheduling tightrope. We also talked with Diebler about how he spent his summer, what he has seen from the new transfers, and what he is expecting from John Mobley and Amare Bynum as leaders. Plus, some fun questions to end the interview. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Jake:Twitter: @JakeDiebler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football is finally back. Episode 33 of Off-Script Ohio gets you ready for the Buckeyes’ season opener against Ball State, as Cole breaks down what he wants to see from Ohio State in the first game of the 2026 season. We start with the big-picture questions surrounding a game Ohio State is heavily favored to win. What will Arthur Smith’s offense actually look like in its first game? How will the running back, wide receiver and tight end rotations shake out? And will the Buckeyes stick with their projected starting offensive line or begin rotating players early? The defense provides just as many questions. With only three starters returning from last year’s historic unit, who will make the biggest impression up front? Can Kenyatta Jackson Jr. establish himself as Ohio State’s top pass rusher? What will the defensive line rotation look like? And will Matt Patricia show much of the three-linebacker package that has been discussed throughout the offseason? The secondary is another position to watch, particularly with Jay Timmons potentially seeing his first significant action at nickel. Cole also discusses Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry Jr. and Bo Jackson before wrapping things up his bold prediction for the opener. After a long offseason, it’s finally time for some football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from ⁠⁠Ohio State⁠⁠ press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions. On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from the Tuesday, Sept. 1 Ball State Week press conference from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day wrapped up loose strings from the past month of preseason camp, while providing some insight into the team as it prepares to open its regular season on Saturday. The coach discussed the progress of Heisman Trophy finalist Julian Sayin as he enters his second season as a starter, as well as how things stand on both the offensive and defensive lines. Day also revealed a little bit about plans for some of the dynamic true freshmen on offense, including Legend Bey, Chris Henry Jr., and Brock Boyd. The coach also talked about Ohio Stadium's new turf, the impact of Jim Tressel and Maurice Clarett, and much more. Contact Matt Tamanini Online Portfolio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://authory.com/MattTamanini⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music by: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.bensound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The college football season is finally here, and with Ohio State’s opener against Ball State just around the corner, it is time to put some names next to the Buckeyes’ positions. Episode 33 of Off-Script Ohio starts with a full Ohio State depth chart discussion, from Julian Sayin and Bo Jackson to Jeremiah Smith, Ian Moore, Austin Siereveld and the new-look defensive line. The guys break down some of the more obvious starters while also debating some of the more interesting battles and potential surprises. Could Legend Bey carve out a bigger role at running back? How will Ohio State distribute its talented receiver room? And can the Buckeyes’ new defensive line pieces immediately replace some of the production lost from last season? The offensive line also gets plenty of attention, particularly with Ian Moore now appearing to have taken control of the left tackle job and Siereveld moving back inside to right guard. The projected lineup gives Ohio State five players who have either started or played meaningful snaps in the program, potentially giving the Buckeyes one of the deepest offensive lines in the country. From there, Cole and Joey turn their attention to Week 0. Bill Belichick and North Carolina opened the season with a 15-10 win over TCU in Dublin, while USC handled San Jose State 42-26 behind a strong performance from quarterback Jayden Maiava. Those games provided the first real glimpse at two teams Ohio State could be keeping an eye on throughout the season, particularly USC with the Buckeyes traveling to Los Angeles later this fall. Finally, the guys look ahead to the opening weekend slate. Ohio State’s matchup with Ball State should provide the first opportunity to see this year’s team in action, but there are plenty of other games worth watching, including Baylor-Auburn, Boise State-Oregon, Clemson-LSU, Wisconsin-Notre Dame and Ole Miss-Louisville. After months of predictions and offseason debates, the games are finally here, and Off-Script Ohio is back to get you ready for another Buckeye football season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 214 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back for a rare, non-guest episode to discuss some Ohio State basketball news. First up, the non-conference schedule has been officially released. It won’t be easy for the Buckeyes, as BYU, Kansas, UConn, and Vanderbilt are on the schedule. What do we make of the Buckeyes ' early-season games, and what should be the expectation? After that, we discuss the Buckeyes adding Lee Aaliya to the roster, and even though that is the 15th spot on the team, could the Buckeyes still add Christoph Tilly? And what would that do to their ceiling? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football is finally back, and after months of offseason storylines, roster debates and predictions, it is officially time to talk about the games. Episode 32 of Off-Script Ohio kicks off the 2026 season by breaking down Ohio State's seven captains. Brandon Inniss, Julian Sayin, Austin Siereveld, Jeremiah Smith, Kenyatta Jackson, Payton Pierce and Jaylen McClain. The guys also discuss Inniss earning the Block O jersey and what the new leadership group says about this year's team. A mix of veteran offensive stars, a defensive anchor replacing three first-round picks, and a receiver who's already the face of the program before he's even entered started his junior season. From there, Cole and Joey make their official season predictions, with both landing at 11-1. The biggest part of the episode is a game-by-game breakdown of the schedule. Ball State, Kent State, Illinois, Maryland and Northwestern feel like the safest wins, while Iowa and Nebraska present tougher road challenges. Then come the games that could define the season. Texas, Indiana, USC, Oregon and Michigan, five matchups the guys treat as legitimate toss-ups or, at best, likely wins that will still require the Buckeyes' best football to come out on top. Which game is the toughest? Which matchup is the most underrated threat? And which game are the guys most excited to watch? Cole and Joey dig into all three questions to close out the episode, setting the tone for a season that starts in earnest with the Texas trip in Week 2. After a long offseason, Off-Script Ohio is officially back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 212 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back with another guest. Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated joins us for the fourth offseason in a row to preview the Ohio State roster. We talk with Kevin about the 2026-27 roster, Jake Diebler, expectations, and much more. What should we expect from John Mobley Jr? How good is Amare Bynum? And is there a chance Christoph Tilly returns? Kevin had an interesting answer to that question. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Kevin:Twitter: @CBB_Central Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 212 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back with another guest. Matt Brown of the Extra Points Newsletter joins us to talk about all things off the field in college sports. We discussed the NIL aspect of college football and basketball, how the courts get involved, and the specific NIL tightrope that Ohio State tries to walk with football and the rest of the sports. Before we talked to Matt, Justin goes over some takeaways from the two Puerto Rico games, and a top recruit cuts his college list to eight teams. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Matt:Twitter: @MattBrownEP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 211 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are joined by Will Guillory of The Athletic. Guillory covers the Houston Rockets, which is now the home of two former Buckeyes, Bruce Thornton and Jae’Sean Tate. Guillory was on site in Las Vegas for all the Summer League action, so we discussed Thornton and his performance. Where does Thornton fall in the rotation? Can he expect minutes early? Was Guillory surprised by the decision to draft Thornton? And what does Guillory like about Thornton’s game? We also talked about Jae’Sean Tate and his role with the Rockets, Kevin Durant and working with the players, and some of the stories he has written in his career. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Will:Twitter: @WillGuillory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 210 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back to talk about Ohio State’s open practice this week and give some takeaways. Connor attended the open practice for the Buckeyes on Tuesday and gave us eight moments that stood out. How does John Mobley look? What is the center rotation shaping up to be? Is Anthony Thompson the player we think he is? After that, we close the episode with some recruiting news and final takeaways from practice. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 209 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on former Michigan men’s basketball player and current college basketball content creator Ant Wright. Ant has grown a Twitter following of over 100,000 followers through his basketball content on social media. We talk with Ant about social media and how he grew his following, including what the early days of Twitter were like. We also discussed Amare Bynum, John Mobley, and Justin Pippen with Wright and what he thinks of this current Ohio State team. To close, we discuss Jake Diebler, Dusty May, and who Ant hated playing the most when he matched up against Ohio State. Before the interview, we discussed Bruce Thornton tearing up the NBA Summer League, and the exhibition announced between Ohio State, Cincinnati, Xavier, and Dayton. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Ant:Twitter: @itsantwright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 208 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on Prolific Prep assistant coach Paul Murray to talk about incoming freshman Alex Smith. Murray was the coach who worked most closely with Smith and had some great insights into what he will bring this season. Coach Murray talks with us about Alex Smith, what he brings to Ohio State, what he is good at and much more. We also talked about Prolific Prep in general, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybansta and how to prepare to play Cooper Flagg. Before that, Connor reports back after attending a Buckeyes practice. Who stood out the most? What did he learn and observe? And what were some main takeaways? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Paul:Twitter: @itspaulmurray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 207 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor hop on this week to discuss the reclassification of 2027 five-star combo guard LJ Smith to the 2026-27 ball club. Smith will join as one of the five guards, but where will he fall on the depth chart? And what should the expectation be for the young freshman? We react to all that and give our takes on what this means for the team next season. Plus, we discuss the schedule and Ohio State scheduling a home and home with Vanderbilt. Is the schedule too hard? Or are these the exact games the Buckeyes need early in the season? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 206 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on an Ohio State basketball great and former center Evan Ravenel. Ravenel joined us to talk about his time with Ohio State, Thad Matta, Jake Diebler, his playing career and what he is up to now since he retired from basketball. He discussed why those teams he was on were so successful, his relationship with Dave Dickerson and Dave Richardson, how smooth William Buford was and why Amedeo Della Valle was a bucket. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Evan:Twitter: @e_rav24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State’s offense might once again be one of the most talented groups in college football, but unlike some recent years, several key roles still feel fluid entering the summer. The Buckeyes have proven stars returning, high-end transfers arriving, and elite freshmen pushing for early opportunities. But as spring practice and the spring game showed, this offense is still evolving. The structure is there. The upside is obvious. Now the question becomes how the pieces ultimately fit together. The easiest projection on the roster remains quarterback. Julian Sayin is firmly QB1 entering the season after throwing for over 3,600 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2025, and everything about Ohio State’s offseason has reinforced that reality. But one of the bigger conversations around the room is what happens behind him. Tavien St. Clair continues to look like Ohio State’s quarterback of the future, and the spring game showed both the flashes and inconsistency expected from a young quarterback with elite physical tools. Ohio State clearly believes in the long-term upside there, which makes getting him second-half reps this season extremely important. At running back, Bo Jackson still projects as the centerpiece after his 1,090 yard season last year, even though injuries limited spring evaluation. Behind him, the room feels much more open. Isaiah West, Ja’Kobi Jackson, Legend Bey, Anthony Rogers, and Favour Akih all bring different styles, and there may not be a true RB2 separation until fall camp. Ohio State’s receiver room once again looks loaded, but the hierarchy behind Jeremiah Smith remains one of the most fascinating storylines on the roster. Smith is the unquestioned WR1 and arguably the biggest star in college football entering 2026. Brandon Inniss still appears positioned for a major slot role, but the battle for the next outside spot remains wide open between Devin McCuin, Chris Henry Jr, Kyle Parker, Brock Boyd, and others. McCuin has generated serious momentum throughout spring after arriving from UTSA with nearly 1,700 career receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Multiple reports described him as one of the biggest standouts of spring practice, and there is growing belief he could immediately become one of Ohio State’s most reliable receivers. Then there is Chris Henry Jr, whose spring game performance only accelerated the hype surrounding him. His size, catch radius, and natural movement ability already look different, and while Ohio State may not need him to carry a major role immediately, it is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine him staying off the field entirely. The bigger takeaway is this, Ohio State’s offense may rotate more receivers this year than it has in recent seasons. Instead of relying almost entirely on two or three stars, the Buckeyes suddenly have legitimate depth and stylistic variety at the position. Tight end remains one of the quieter but more important storylines offensively. Nate Roberts continues trending toward a major role after strong offseason momentum, while transfers Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams add experience and versatility. Roberts, in particular, feels like someone Ohio State wants to emerge as a true difference-maker within the offense. But ultimately, the offensive line may decide how dangerous this offense actually becomes. The Buckeyes return talent and experience, but spring also reinforced that the group still has questions, especially regarding consistency and protection. Austin Siereveld, Phillip Daniels, Ian Moore, Josh Padilla, Luke Montgomery, and Carson Hinzman all factor heavily into what the final lineup becomes. Josh Padilla, specifically, feels increasingly important. If Ohio State solidifies the tackle spots, Padilla could become the stabilizing interior presence this offense badly needs. The line does not necessarily need to become dominant. It just needs to become reliable enough that the offense can fully unlock players like Sayin, Smith, and the expanded receiver rotation. The most important thing about Ohio State’s projected offensive depth chart is not simply how talented it looks. It is how many answers the Buckeyes suddenly have. There is star power at quarterback and wide receiver. There is depth at running back. The tight end room looks deeper and more versatile. And while the offensive line still has things to prove, the competition there feels healthier than it did late last season. The Buckeyes are not rebuilding offensively. They are reshaping around a slightly different identity, one built on more versatility, more depth, and potentially more balance. Now the next step is turning projection into consistency by the time September arrives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 205 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on Jam Hines from No Ceilings NBA to talk about the NBA Draft. Hines is one of the top NBA draft minds in the industry and we picked his brain about all things Ohio State. We talk with Hines about Bruce Thornton, John Mobley Jr., Anthony Thompson and Amare Bynum, as well as the overall 2026 NBA draft and the current state of NIL and how it affects the draft. Before that, we discuss John Mobley Jr., officially withdrawing his name from the NBA draft pool and returning to Ohio State for his junior season. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Jam:Twitter: @jamontheboards Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. On episode 204 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on Wyatt Huff of the Kentucky Wildcats on SI and the co-host of the Breaking Blue Podcast to talk all things Andrija Jelavic, Ohio State’s newest transfer from Kentucky. We talk with Huff about the strengths and weaknesses of “Jelly”, what he brings to the Buckeyes and what Ohio State fans should expect from him. Also, we quickly touch on Aaron Bradshaw and Mark Pope. Before we talk to Huff, we discuss the Buckeyes new coaching addition, the new roster addition, and why the Buckeyes will be tested much more in conference play this season. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Wyatt:Twitter: @Wildcat_wave Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 203 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor welcome on Tristan Freeman of Busting Brackets to talk about new transfer Jimmie Williams. Freeman covers Duquesne and Pittsburgh, so he has seen Williams up close. We discuss Williams game, what he bring to the Buckeyes, and what Buckeye fans should expect this season from him as a sixth man. Before we bring on Freeman, we talk about Ohio State scheduling UConn for a home and home in 2027 and 2028 and we conclude the offseason transfer portal talk with how the Buckeyes filled out the roster. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Tristan:Twitter: @hoopsnut351 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State isn’t just moving into the offseason, it’s defining it. Between a massive NFL Draft showing, meaningful spring game takeaways, and continued roster movement across both football and basketball, the Buckeyes are firmly in transition mode. But this isn’t a reset. It’s a reload, and the early signs suggest Ohio State is positioning itself for another run at the top. The headline is simple, Ohio State dominated the NFL Draft. Four first-round picks and 11 total selections reinforced what the program has become, the most consistent pipeline of NFL-ready talent in college football. Carnell Tate went No. 4 to the Titans, Arvell Reese followed at No. 5 to the Giants, Sonny Styles landed at No. 7 with the Commanders, and Caleb Downs went No. 12 after the Cowboys traded up. And it didn’t stop there. Kayden McDonald, Max Klare, and Davison Igbinosun all came off the board on Day 2, with additional contributors like Caden Curry and Lorenzo Styles Jr. rounding out the class. This wasn’t just about numbers. It was about top-end talent. Ohio State didn’t just produce draft picks, it produced cornerstone players. And that matters as much for recruiting as it does for perception. The standard in Columbus isn’t just getting players to the league anymore. It’s getting them there early and often. Spring football didn’t answer everything, but it revealed plenty. At quarterback, Julian Sayin showed flashes but had limited reps, while TSC had a more volatile performance, high highs mixed with clear inconsistency. The takeaway is potential is there, but the position still needs clarity. At running back, injuries limited evaluation. Top options like Bo Jackson and Isaiah West didn’t play, leaving more opportunities for depth players. Favour Akih saw significant usage and looked solid, but his size raises questions about how large his role can realistically be this season. Ja’kobi Jackson, meanwhile, showed enough to suggest he could factor into the rotation. Wide receiver remains one of the most fascinating groups. Chris Henry Jr. stood out again, continuing his strong offseason momentum. The initial trio of Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Innis, and Devin McCuin was notable, and McCuin’s role is worth watching closely. There’s a real case that he could finish second on the team in receptions. At tight end, Nate Roberts continues to trend toward TE1. The staff has shown confidence in him, and his versatility gives him a real chance to lead the room from Day 1. The offensive line was difficult to fully evaluate due to injuries, but one thing stood out clearly, the defensive line dominated. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. consistently disrupted the front, highlighting both his growth and the potential strength of that unit. If there was one clear takeaway from the spring game, it was this. The defensive line might already be ahead of schedule. The starting group of Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Eddrick Houston, Will Smith Jr., and Beau Atkinson set the tone early, and the edge rotation looks deeper than expected. With players like Qua Russaw in the mix, there’s a real argument that this group could exceed expectations. At linebacker, things remain fluid. With Pettijohn out, the starting group of Christian Alliegro, Pierce, and Alford got extended run. Alliegro and Pierce may have a slight edge heading into the summer, but this battle is far from decided. In the secondary, the structure is becoming clearer. Devin Sanchez looks like CB1, with Jermaine Mathews Jr, Jaylen McClain, and Terry Moore rounding out the starting group. Sanchez, in particular, looks like a breakout candidate with true lockdown potential. Off the field, momentum continues to build. Ohio State added four-star offensive tackle Jimmy Kalis, a top-200 prospect from Pennsylvania. The class now sits at 11 commits and ranks among the top groups nationally, continuing the program’s strong recruiting trajectory. On the basketball side, the transfer portal remains active. Ohio State added depth with Jimmie Williams from Duquesne, who averaged 15 points per game last season, and Curtis Givens III from Memphis, who brings additional guard depth and playmaking. Like football, the basketball roster is still evolving, but the pieces are starting to come together. This is what Ohio State looks like in transition. Elite talent leaves, more arrives, and the standard doesn’t drop. The NFL Draft reinforced the program’s ceiling. Spring football revealed where the next strengths could come from. And recruiting plus the portal continue to shape what comes next. The questions aren’t gone. Quarterback clarity, linebacker roles, and offensive line health all remain key storylines. But the foundation is there. And if the early signals hold, Ohio State won’t just be reloading, it will be right back in the national conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 202 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back to discuss the newest Ohio State men’s basketball transfer portal signee Jimmie Williams and what the roster looks like as of April 21. With the addition of Williams, the Buckeyes bench depth is starting to take shape. We talk about what he did well at Duquesne, what he struggled with, and what the main things are that he brings to Ohio State. Now, what is left for Jake Diebler and the staff to add? And who are the main players to look out for? And what do we think the rotation will look like next season? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 201 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are back to discuss the Ohio State men’s basketball transfer portal signees so far and the outlook moving forward. First of all, the Buckeyes signed guard Justin Pippen from California and center Andrija Jelavic from Kentucky. While both of these guys are decent players, they are not needle movers like Rob Wright and Jalen Haralson. Is that a problem? Or do these guys plus the retained roster make a solid team? Also, who should the Buckeyes target moving forward to fill out the roster? And we answer some social media questions to close the episode. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State’s season is over, but the pressure around the program is not. If anything, it has intensified. March Madness has wrapped up, a national champion has been crowned, and now everything shifts toward response. The conversation is no longer about what Ohio State was. It is about what comes next, and how quickly the Buckeyes can close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. The headline is unavoidable. The Michigan Wolverines cut down the nets, defeating the UConn Huskies to win the national championship and deliver the Big Ten its first title since 2000. That changes the conversation. For years, the Big Ten has faced criticism for falling short in March. This run pushes back on that narrative, but for Ohio State, it also raises the stakes. Michigan is not going anywhere, and its success adds another layer to the evaluation of where Ohio State stands within the conference. It also inevitably brings coaching decisions back into focus. Ohio State chose to move forward with Jake Diebler rather than pursue alternatives like Dusty May, and with Michigan now at the top of the sport, those choices will continue to be part of the conversation moving forward. The takeaway is simple. The path is there. The Big Ten just proved it can be done. Now Ohio State has to build a roster capable of following it. While the tournament played out, Ohio State’s roster began to shift quickly. Taison Chatman, Devin Royal, Colin White, Gabe Cupps, and Mathieu Grujicic all entered the transfer portal, signaling a clear reset in parts of the rotation. At the same time, the Buckeyes added key pieces. Justin Pippen arrives with proven production after averaging over 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists last season, giving Ohio State another experienced ball handler. Andrija Jelavic adds size and frontcourt depth, bringing a different physical element to the roster. And the work is not finished. Ohio State remains in the mix for Jalen Haralson, while continuing to evaluate additional portal options after missing out on other targets. The early shape of next year’s roster is starting to come into focus. John Mobley Jr. and Justin Pippen headline the backcourt, while Amare Bynum and Anthony Thompson anchor the frontcourt alongside pieces like Josh Ojianwuna. It is a group that, if it comes together, has balance and versatility. But like most modern rosters, it is still evolving in real time. As basketball reshapes its roster, spring football is quietly building toward the 2026 season. Several transfers have already earned early trust by losing their black stripes, including Dominick Kelly, John Walker, Mason Williams, James Smith, Devin McCuin, Qua Russaw, and Christian Alliegro. That early validation typically signals players who are expected to contribute sooner rather than later. One of the more notable developments is Brock Boyd becoming the first true freshman to lose his black stripe, a sign that he could push for early playing time. At wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith continues to generate attention, both for his on-field dominance and his growing profile within the sport. With the spring game approaching, Ohio State is beginning to move from projection to evaluation. It will not answer every question, but it will start to reveal which battles matter most. March Madness ends with a Big Ten breakthrough and a new standardPortal movement and roster construction take center stageSpring football notes: Early trust and rising momentum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 200 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to discuss the recent transfer portal news, the history of Ohio Mr. Basketball winners and maybe we should have done something special for episode 200? Taison Chatman, Gabe Cupps and Colin White have all entered the portal since our last episode, who do we think is the biggest loss? And what does this mean for the Buckeyes transfer portal strategy? Also, top transfers Rob Wright and Jalen Haralson have been linked to the Buckeyes and conducted zoom meetings, so do we think these are good fits? Or do you take the best players and figure out the fit later? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 199 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back after two weeks to recap a chaotic last 72 hours for the Ohio State men’s basketball team. Devin Royal has hit the transfer portal, Amare Bynum is coming back to school and John Mobley Jr. is entering the NBA draft with the option to return to school. If he does return to school, he will be back in Columbus and not enter the transfer portal. We recap and discuss it all. Plus, we talk about Joel Justus leaving for Vanderbilt and play a game featuring possible transfer guards. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re back with our March offseason episode, and we’re talking about black stripes, jersey numbers, and coaching consultants. Yeah, it’s spring ball fever! Catch it! Ohio State had its annual Pro Day, and although we don’t pay tons of attention to it, you couldn’t miss the video of Arvell Reese doing Arvell Reese things. Carnell Tate doesn’t have to run a 40 for people to know he’s a good wide receiver worthy of a high draft selection spot. We touch on those and other things from Pro Day. There’s an unbelievable rate of players in spring ball this year as almost the entire class is already on campus. Some of those players are already making their mark, as two guys out of the transfer portal had their black stripes removed after Saturday’s practice. We discuss who, and why it’s a good sign for the roster heading into 2026. One of the annual things that takes some getting used to is figuring out who is who when departing players open up their jersey numbers for the generations of players behind them. We discuss the interesting case of Kenyatta Jackson, who has a new number, may be eyeing another number instead, and how that could have a ripple effect through the rest of the roster. Smart money is on wearing a number left behind by a star player if you want playing time. Hey, Ryan Day has a lot on his mind. Maybe he’ll send you onto the field thinking you’re Caleb Downs. Stranger things have happened. Somehow, we ended up on a tangent about Lou Holtz. I don’t know how these things happen. Day added a couple more coaching consultants since our last show, and to no one’s surprise, they have NFL experience. What does it mean for the Buckeyes? We discuss how nothing bad can happen. It can only good happen. NOTE: We are in our offseason schedule, which normally means we are back at least monthly, with the understanding that we may convene if we line up a guest, get some unexpectely big news, or just get a whole lot of noteworthy things to talk about. However, in this episode, we announced our intention to call it quits after our April show, which will feature news from the OSU Spring Game and the NFL Draft. It’s been our pleasure to bring you this show over the years and we’ve enjoyed discussing Ohio State football with each other and with you. But for reasons we go into during this show, it is time. We hope you’ll join us for next month’s finale. We would love to hear from you, so please reach out with your feedback and questions below in the comments section or send us an email to [email protected]. Any questions directed toward us will be answered on our final show. As always, thanks for listening! 0:20 - We open with an announcement about the show and also there was an OSU Pro Day. 26:09 - Number changes can test your brain early in a college football season. Ohio State had some changes. 41:47 - Ohio State looks for some advantages by adding a few new coaching consultants. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State may be out of the tournament, but March is far from over and neither is the momentum surrounding the program. Episode 29 of Off-Script Ohio shifts from heartbreak to projection. With a chaotic NCAA Tournament unfolding, key roster decisions ahead, and even a few football storylines creeping in, this week felt like a turning point. Not the end of the season, but the beginning of what comes next. March Madness: chaos continues and brackets take shape The Final Four is officially set, and like most years, it is not what anyone fully expected. Illinois, UConn, Michigan, and Arizona remain standing, with two Big Ten teams breaking through and reshaping the narrative around the conference. For all the criticism the Big Ten takes in March, this run matters. From a prediction standpoint, it has been a mixed bag. Joey sits at two of four Final Four teams correct, while Cole managed just one. That is March. Even when you think you see the bracket clearly, it shifts. The UConn versus Duke matchup stood out as a defining game. High level execution, late game shot making, and the kind of intensity that reminds you what separates contenders from everyone else. Then there is Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ run has been nothing short of improbable, stringing together wins in a way that did not seem realistic even a week ago. It is another reminder that March is less about resumes and more about timing. Even with the season over, Ohio State basketball is still very much in motion. The biggest development is Devin Royal entering the transfer portal. It is a move that raises questions about fit and direction. Royal showed flashes, but never fully carved out a consistent role. Now, Ohio State has to evaluate whether this is simply roster turnover or a sign of something deeper in terms of rotation and development. At the same time, the priority is obvious. Bring back Amare Bynum. Bynum’s late-season emergence changed the identity of the team. His presence inside, combined with improved confidence and production, gave Ohio State a different look offensively and defensively. If the Buckeyes want continuity heading into next season, it starts there. On the women’s side, Ohio State’s run came to an end in the Sweet 16 against Notre Dame. It is a tough exit, but still a strong showing and another step forward for a program that continues to stay relevant deep into March. Spring football does not usually dominate the conversation this time of year, but there are a few notes worth paying attention to. Kyle Parker and Earl Little both lost their black stripes, a sign of early trust from the coaching staff. Parker earning that recognition before some others raised eyebrows, but it aligns with what has been heard. The wide receiver room has seen heavy rotation, with multiple players getting reps across different spots. That kind of flexibility is notable. It suggests the staff is still evaluating roles rather than locking into a set depth chart. Up front, one name continues to generate buzz. Ian Moore. Early praise from within the program has been significant, with some already labeling him as a future first round pick. It is early, and those projections can shift quickly, but it speaks to both his physical tools and how he has looked in early action. This is the strange part of the calendar. The games are gone, but the momentum is not. Ohio State basketball has real decisions to make. The portal, player development, and roster continuity will define whether this past season was a stepping stone or just a brief return to relevance. At the same time, March Madness continues to reinforce a simple idea. There is no perfect blueprint. Teams get hot, rotations tighten, and opportunities open. Ohio State saw that firsthand. Now the challenge is building a roster that can take advantage of it next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After clawing back from the bubble and earning an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Buckeyes saw their season end in a 66–64 loss to TCU. It was the kind of game that lingers. A comeback that showed their ceiling, and a final sequence that underscored how thin the margin really was. Episode 28 of Off-Script Ohio captured that tension. Progress and frustration, both real, both true, and both defining how this season will ultimately be remembered. A season that earned March, and a finish that stings Ohio State’s loss to TCU was not a collapse. It was a reminder. Down 15 at halftime, the Buckeyes responded with urgency and composure, flipping the game and taking a 55–50 lead with six minutes to play. Every starter finished in double figures, with John Mobley Jr. leading the way with 15 points and Amare Bynum delivering one of his most complete performances with 12 points and 9 rebounds, including several clutch moments late. That is what makes the ending harder to process. Ohio State had control. It had momentum. And then, in the final seconds, the execution simply was not there. A disjointed final possession ended without a clean look, closing the door on what felt like a very real opportunity to advance. And that is the lingering thought. Not just that Ohio State lost, but that the path ahead, potentially a matchup with Duke, felt more open than expected. Grading the season: progress with perspective The final record tells a straightforward story. 21–13 overall. Eighth in the Big Ten. An NCAA Tournament appearance. But the context adds weight. Ohio State spent much of the season hovering around the bubble, navigating close losses, inconsistency, and questions about identity. Then, late in the year, everything shifted. Wins over Purdue, Penn State, Indiana, and Iowa reshaped the resume and gave the Buckeyes real momentum entering March. Making the tournament mattered. It ended a three-year absence and reestablished a baseline expectation for the program. At the same time, the TCU loss reinforces how much room there still is between back in the field and built to advance. There is also a broader truth. This team was a handful of possessions away from looking very different. Flip a few of those close losses earlier in the season, and Ohio State is not an 8-seed. It is a top-25 team, maybe even playing for seeding instead of survival. That duality defines the evaluation. Encouraging, but not complete. Around March Madness: chaos, near-misses, and shifting picks Beyond Ohio State, the tournament delivered exactly what it always does. Chaos. Duke survived a major scare against Siena. High Point delivered a game winner against Wisconsin. VCU knocked off North Carolina in overtime. Kentucky needed a half-court shot just to extend its game before eventually advancing. And Vanderbilt’s season ended on a full-court heave that nearly forced overtime. Even the favorites have looked vulnerable, which only amplifies the frustration for Ohio State. This was not a bracket defined by invincible teams. It was one defined by opportunity. Final Four predictions are already shifting. Joey is reconsidering Duke’s path and eyeing Michigan State as a potential replacement. Cole is doubling down on St. John’s, with Florida, Arizona, and Iowa State rounding out the picture. The only certainty is uncertainty. March remains what it always is. Unpredictable and unforgiving. Looking ahead: momentum, expectations, and the next step Despite the early exit, the trajectory matters. Ohio State found something late in the season. A more balanced offense, a clearer rotation, and the emergence of Amare Bynum as a legitimate frontcourt presence changed how this team functioned. That version of the Buckeyes looked sustainable, not just dangerous. The question now is whether that becomes the foundation or the peak. Jake Diebler did enough to stabilize the program and earn another year. The next step is clear. Move from making the tournament to winning in it. From competitive to consistent. From flashes to identity. The goals reflect that shift. A top-six seed. At least one NCAA Tournament win. A top-five finish in the Big Ten. That is the new baseline. Ohio State is no longer trying to get back. It is trying to move forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 198 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back for the final episode of the season and the first episode of the offseason as the Ohio State men’s basketball team falls to TCU 66-64 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and the season has now come to an end. First off, we break down the TCU game, what went wrong in the first half, the final play and why some common themes from the season popped up in this game. After that, we take a lot at the priorities for the offseason. Where do the Buckeyes have to upgrade? Who could they bring in as a GM? And is the talent evaluation all on Jake Diebler? Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join hosts Justin Golba and Alex Frank as they discuss ⁠Ohio State⁠ football, basketball, recruiting, and much more! Come for the hot takes. Stay for the warm ones. Subscribe: ⁠RSS⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Google Podcasts⁠ | ⁠iHeart Radio On episode 62 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Alex is out again so Justin is joined by Land-Grant Holy Land women’s basketball beat writer Thomas Costello to break down the women’s NCAA tournament. First off, what did the Buckeyes do in the Big Ten Tournament to earn a three seed? And what is the matchup like against Howard and Notre Dame? Will we get to see Jaloni Cambridge against Hannah Hidalgo After that, we discuss the Buckeyes path to the Final Four, which would include an elite eight matchup with UConn. Is it even possible to defeat UConn? And if so, how do you do it? We will be back with another episode next week, and once a week in the offseason every Wednesday morning. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! Connect with the podcast:Twitter: ⁠@HolyLandPod⁠ Connect with Justin Golba:Twitter: ⁠@justin_golba⁠ Connect with Alex Frank:Twitter: ⁠@frankie_nnati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio 8-seed Ohio State Buckeyes (-2.5, 145.5 total points) vs. 9-seed TCU Horned Frogs| KenPom predicts: Ohio State by 3 Game Date/Time: Thursday, Mar. 19, at 12:15 p.m. ETLocation: Greenville, South CarolinaTV: CBSRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (21-12) has earned the 8-seed in the East Regional of the men’s NCAA Tournament, and will face 9-seed TCU (22-11) Thursday afternoon in the first round. It’ll be the first game of the round of 64, which means the loser of this game will be the first team eliminated from the round of 64. Both teams enter the NCAA Tournament playing their best basketball of the season. Ohio State won its final three games of the regular season, and then went 1-1 in the Big Ten Tournament. TCU won its last five games of the regular season before going 1-1 in the Big 12 Tournament. While Ohio State has the nation’s 16th-best offense according to KenPom, TCU brings the 23rd-ranked defense to this game, as well as one of the best shot blockers in the Big 12 in sophomore forward David Punch. The Horned Frogs are 15-0 this season when holding teams to 65 points or fewer. Ohio State scored at least 65 points in 27 of its 32 games so far this season. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 74, TCU 68 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 197 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back for the second episode this week and this time, we have a full preview for the Ohio State and TCU matchup. As the Buckeyes prepare for their first round matchup, we get in the film room and dissect the Horned Frogs (get it?). What does TCU do well? What does TCU struggle with? And where do the Buckeyes have an advantage? We then give our picks for the game, the score and who we think will be the MVP for both teams. We then finish the episode with a programming note on if the Buckeyes win and advance to the Round of 32. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 196 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back and we will have a two episode week for everyone this week as the Ohio State men’s basketball team is back in the tournament. For this special episode, we fill out our full brackets, picking all the upsets and going all the way to our Final Four and eventual national champions. Every game will be predicted with our reasons why, For a programming note, we will have a full TCU preview episode coming out Wednesday morning so while we will pick who we think we will win the game in this episode, we will go more in depth in the preview episode. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a late-season push that included wins over Purdue, Penn State, Indiana, and Iowa, Ohio State secured an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament and will open March Madness against 9-seed TCU in Greenville, South Carolina. The turnaround marks a significant moment for the program and gives the Buckeyes real momentum entering the tournament. Episode 28 of Off-Script Ohio captured a program moving in two directions at once. On the hardwood, Ohio State is playing its best basketball at the right time. On the football field, spring practice has begun revealing early hints about how the 2026 roster could take shape. Ohio State’s late-season run changed everything. The win over top-ten Purdue was the spark, but the Buckeyes followed it up by beating Penn State and Indiana, then adding another victory against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament before falling to Michigan in the quarterfinals. That stretch was enough to push Ohio State safely into the NCAA Tournament field. The Buckeyes now face a 21–11 TCU team that finished sixth in the Big 12. The Horned Frogs are built around defense, ranking 22nd nationally in defensive efficiency according to KenPom, and they arrive in strong form after winning nine of their last eleven games. But the analytics lean Ohio State’s way. The Buckeyes rank 26th in KenPom, making them the highest-rated 8-seed in the bracket, while TCU sits 43rd overall. As a result, Ohio State opened as roughly a 2.5-point favorite. If the Buckeyes advance, the likely reward is a second-round matchup with No. 1 overall seed Duke, led by projected top NBA Draft pick Cameron Boozer. Duke remains a title contender, though injuries late in the season created a few unexpected close calls in the ACC Tournament. For now, Ohio State’s focus remains simple, beat TCU and give themselves the chance. The Buckeyes’ late surge has not happened by accident. The starting lineup has stabilized, and Amare Bynum’s emergence in the frontcourt has added balance to a roster that already relied heavily on guards Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. Ohio State is also finally getting healthier, allowing Jake Diebler to build a more consistent rotation. And then there is Thornton. Already Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer, the senior now has a chance to extend that legacy on college basketball’s biggest stage. While basketball commands the spotlight, spring football has quietly begun in Columbus. Early practice notes show a projected first-team offensive line of Austin Siereveld, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Gabe VanSickle, and Phillip Daniels, a group with both experience and upside. On defense, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Beau Atkinson have taken early first-team reps at defensive end, with Alabama transfer Qua Russaw working primarily with the defensive line. At wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, and transfer Devin McCuin have been working with the first-team offense, hinting that McCuin could be a serious contender for the WR2 role. And one name generating early buzz, Legend Bey, whose speed has already caught attention during the first practices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio No 8. Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (-12.5, total points 154.5)| KenPom predicts: Michigan by 12 Game Date/Time: Friday, Mar. 13, at 12:00 p.m. ETLocation: Chicago, ILTV: BTNRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (21-11, 12-8) will face top-seeded Michigan (29-2, 19-1) in the Big Ten quarterfinals Friday afternoon at Chicago’s United Center. The Buckeyes are looking to extend their winning streak to a season-long five games. Michigan will try to add a third win over the Buckeyes to their resume, having already beaten them by double-digits in Ann Arbor and in Columbus. The last time Ohio State or Michigan swept the other in a season series that consisted of three or more games was the 2010-11 season, when Ohio State went 3-0 against Michigan. The Buckeyes avenged a 17-point loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes last month by beating Iowa by three on Thursday afternoon. Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 24 points on a hyper efficient 10-for-14 shooting night. While Thornton was named All-Big Ten Second Team this week, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg was named both First Team and was also named the conference’s player of the year. 60% of the Big Ten’s All Defensive Team was made up of Wolverines, with Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson each being named. The winner of this game will advance to play the winner of Wisconsin and Illinois Saturday at noon. That game will be broadcast on CBS. Connor’s prediction: Michigan 84, Ohio State 74 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 195 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to preview Ohio State’s rematch against the Iowa Hawkeyes and preview the conference tournament as a whole. First off, we break down the Iowa matchup on Thursday afternoon. What can Ohio State do to change the outcome from the blowout loss two weeks ago? Will having Christoph Tilly and possibly Brandon Noel back make a difference? And is it ever okay to root against your favorite team for the greater good? After that, we break down the conference tournament bracket and make our predictions for who will be playing for a trophy on Sunday in Chicago. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (-1.5, total points 139.5)| KenPom predicts: Iowa by 1 Game Date/Time: Thursday, Mar. 12, at 12:00 p.m. ETLocation: Chicago, ILTV: BTNRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (20-11, 12-8) rides a three-game winning streak into the Big Ten Tournament, where it will square off with one of the two teams that beat the 8th-seeded Buckeyes by at least 15 points this season. Iowa (21-11, 10-10) is the 9-seed in the Big Ten Tournament, earning a third round game with the Buckeyes by beating 17-seed Maryland on Wednesday afternoon, 75-64. Iowa beat Ohio State 74-57 back on February 25 in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes got 22 points from First Team All-Big Ten honoree Bennett Stirtz on 8-for-11 shooting. As a team, Iowa shot 22-for-29 (75.9%) from two-point range, and led by as much as 23 during the second half. Since that loss, Ohio State has rattled off three consecutive wins over Purdue, Penn State, and Indiana. The Buckeyes are averaging 89 points per game during the win streak and won those three games by an average margin of 17.7 points. The winner of this game will advance to play top-seeded Michigan on Friday at Noon (ET). Connor’s prediction: Iowa 68, Ohio State 67 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join hosts Justin Golba and Alex Frank as they discuss ⁠Ohio State⁠ football, basketball, recruiting, and much more! Come for the hot takes. Stay for the warm ones. Subscribe: ⁠RSS⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Google Podcasts⁠ | ⁠iHeart Radio On episode 61 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Alex is back to co-host and him and Justin are discussing the scouting combine and the most recent social media discourse around Carnell Tate and Julian Sayin. To start, we discuss the scouting combine and how the top Ohio State prospects performed. Who was the standout and where do we want them to go in the draft? After a quick break, we discuss the recent social media discourse around Julian Sayin. Is there a reason to be concerned? Or are we set on him being the QB1 this season? We will be back with another episode next week, and once a week in the offseason every Wednesday morning. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! Connect with the podcast:Twitter: ⁠@HolyLandPod⁠ Connect with Justin Golba:Twitter: ⁠@justin_golba⁠ Connect with Alex Frank:Twitter: ⁠@frankie_nnati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 194 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are both back from Bruce Thornton day against Indiana, where Thornton broke the all-time scoring record and Ohio State all but clinched a spot in the NCAA tournament after taking down the Hoosiers 91-78 on senior night. We open the episode by talking about how great the atmosphere was at the game Saturday, how awesome the fans were and how it was the perfect moment for Thornton, who deserved all the praise he received. We also discussed Jake Diebler’s press conference and a question Connor has been holding for Bruce for three years. After that, we talk about the Penn State and Indiana games and what happened on the court and how the Buckeyes have turned it around since the Iowa loss last week. To close, we briefly discuss the Big Ten Tournament, but we will have a full preview of that out Thursday morning. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes (-4.5, total points 153.5)| KenPom predicts: Ohio State by 5 Game Date/Time: Saturday, Mar. 7, at 5:30 p.m. ETLocation: Columbus, OH TV: FOXRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (19-11, 11-8) will send off seniors Bruce Thornton, Christoph Tilly, and Brandon Noel Saturday night as they also try to snap a five-game losing streak against the Hoosiers (18-12, 9-10) that stretches back to the 2022-23 season. Last year, Ohio State visited Bloomington on Indiana’s senior day on March 8, falling to the host Hoosiers, 66-60. For the Buckeyes, today’s game is likely a “win and you won’t have to play in the Dayton First Four” game. For Indiana, it truly might be a “win and you’re in” game. Bruce Thornton enters Saturday’s game 12 points away from passing Dennis Hopson to become Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer. Hopson, along with other Ohio State legends including Michael Redd, are expected to be in attendance. It is also Bruce Thornton bobblehead day at the Schottenstein Center for the first 2,000 fans in the building. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 77, Indiana 74 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 193 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are joined by Jason Carmello of Big Underdog Bracketology to talk about the bracket because we are officially in March and the bracket is all that matters. Carmello is an Ohio State grad so open the episode by discussing the loss against Iowa and the win over Purdue to put Ohio State on the right side of the bubble. What went right against Purdue that went wrong against Iowa? We also preview Penn State and Indiana. After that, we talk about every possible scenario that can happen for the Buckeyes this week and where that puts them in the bracketology conversation. Can they afford a loss? And what happens if they win both? We end the episode with some national talk and teams we hate and love heading into March. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Connect with Jason:Twitter: @bigunderdogblog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Ohio State Buckeyes (-7.5) at Penn State Nittany Lions (Total Points 153.5)| KenPom predicts: Ohio State by 8 Game Date/Time: Wednesday, Mar. 4, at 7:30 p.m. ETLocation: State College, PA TV: PeacockRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (18-11, 10-8) heads to State College, PA after scoring a massive upset win over Purdue Sunday afternoon that vaulted them back onto the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Buckeyes have two regular season games remaining, the first of which is a road test at last-place Penn State (12-17, 3-15). As of Tuesday night, Ohio State was listed as the second-highest 11-seed on Bracket Matrix. If they win their last two games, the Buckeyes should feel pretty good about their spot. KenPom currently gives Ohio State as 51% chance to win out, which would put them at 20-11 overall and 12-8 in the Big Ten. Penn State started the season 0-10 in the Big Ten but has won 3 of its last 8, including a 71-69 win over Iowa on Saturday. The Nittany Lions are fifth in the Big Ten in team field goal percentage at 47.1%, but are dead last in opponent field goal percentage at 79.1%. Bruce Thornton is 30 points away from passing Dennis Hopson to become the all-time leading scorer in Ohio State history. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 80, Penn State 75 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State still has questions to answer this spring, but not everywhere. At the NFL Combine, the Buckeyes didn’t just show up. They took over. On the hardwood, the basketball team absorbed a damaging loss and then delivered one of its biggest wins of the season. And as March looms, Ohio State finds itself exactly where drama lives best, on the bubble. Episode 27 of Off-Script Ohio felt less like a recap show and more like a temperature check on the entire athletic department. The headline performance belonged to Sonny Styles. At 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds, Styles did not simply test well for a linebacker. He tested historically. His 43.5 inch vertical was the best at this year’s combine and the best ever recorded for a linebacker. His 11-foot-2 broad jump landed in the 99th percentile for the position. Then came the 4.46 40-yard dash, good for the 98th percentile, and a 1.58 10-yard split that graded in the 94th percentile. Put it all together and the Relative Athletic Score model had Styles as the fourth most athletic linebacker tested since 1987. Fourth out of 3,216. That is not just impressive. That is rare air. And he was not alone. Lorenzo Styles Jr. blazed a 4.27 in the 40, adding even more buzz to the family name. Arvell Reese also ran a 4.46 at 6-foot-4, 241 pounds, further reinforcing what Ohio State fans already knew, the athletic profile in that room is different. Carnell Tate’s workout drew a more measured reaction, but even that sparked real draft debate. The fun part of combine week is projecting chaos. Joey went bold with Arvell Reese at No. 3 overall to Arizona, Sonny Styles at No. 6 to Cleveland, Caleb Downs at No. 10 to Cincinnati and Carnell Tate at No. 13 to the Rams. Cole countered with even more heat. Arvell at No. 2 to the Jets. Sonny at No. 4 to Tennessee. Carnell at No. 5 to the Giants. Caleb Downs at No. 10 to the Bengals. And Kayden McDonald sneaking into the first round as well. Whether those exact landing spots happen is almost beside the point. The larger takeaway is this, Ohio State once again looks like it will flood the early rounds with premium athletes. And after the combine, it is hard to argue against that momentum. If the combine was all fireworks, the hardwood was emotional whiplash.Ohio State’s 57-74 loss to Iowa was as damaging as any result on the resume this season. It was the kind of defeat bubble teams simply cannot afford. And then came Purdue. An 82-74 win that may ultimately define the season. Bruce Thornton poured in 20 points. Juni Mobley added 21. Devin Royal delivered 12 points and nine rebounds. Jake Diebler improved to 3-0 against Purdue in his career. That was not just a win. That was a response. The Buckeyes now sit at 18-11 overall and 10-8 in Big Ten play. The NET ranking sits at 34. The resume is uneven but workable: 2-10 in Quad 1 with wins over Purdue and Northwestern6-1 in Quad 2 with a loss to Pittsburgh4-0 in Quad 36-0 in Quad 4 BracketMatrix currently shows Ohio State in 91 of 105 projected brackets, slotted as an 11 seed. Most bracketologists have the Buckeyes among the Last Four In. In other words, they are breathing, but barely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join hosts Justin Golba and Alex Frank as they discuss ⁠Ohio State⁠ football, basketball, recruiting, and much more! Come for the hot takes. Stay for the warm ones. Subscribe: ⁠RSS⁠ | ⁠Apple⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Google Podcasts⁠ | ⁠iHeart Radio On episode 60 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Alex is away for a couple weeks, so for the second straight week Justin is joined by Land-Grant Holy Land’s women’s basketball beat writer Thomas Costello to talk about the Ohio State women’s team. To begin the episode, Justin goes over the top performers for the Buckeyes at the scouting combine and how the Styles brothers lit up the internet with their performances. Also, some news and notes from the program. After that, Justin and Thomas discuss an interesting past week for the Ohio State women’s basketball team, which included an overtime loss to No. 8 Michigan and a blowout win over No. 15 Michigan State. To close the episode, we preview the conference tournament and the Buckeyes path to a conference title in Indianapolis. We will be back with another episode next week and once a week in the offseason every Wednesday morning. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! Connect with the podcast:Twitter: ⁠@HolyLandPod⁠ Connect with Justin Golba:Twitter: ⁠@justin_golba⁠ Connect with Alex Frank:Twitter: ⁠@frankie_nnati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before every Ohio State men’s basketball game, Connor Lemons gets you ready for that day’s action with key stats, players to know, and prevalent storylines for that day’s game on the “Good Hoops Morning” podcast. Listen to the episode and subscribe: Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio Purdue Boilermakers (-6.5) at Ohio State Buckeyes| KenPom predicts: Purdue by 4 Game Date/Time: Sunday, Mar. 1, at 1:30 p.m. ETLocation: Columbus, OHTV: CBSRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (17-11, 9-8) has one last chance to make a power move and thrust themselves into the NCAA Tournament field against the No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers (22-6, 12-5) Sunday afternoon. As of Saturday night, Ohio State was projected as the third team out of the NCAA Tournament according to Bracket Matrix. Purdue is a projected 3-seed, and is also No. 7 in the NET, making this Ohio State’s final Quad-1 game of the regular season. Purdue has lost two of its last three games, having just lost to No. 13 Michigan State Thursday night at Mackey Arena. Ohio State’s loss to Iowa on Wednesday night represented their first losing streak of the season — a loss to Purdue would become the program’s first three-game losing streak since losing to Michigan, Northwestern, and UCLA in February 2025. Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton is 50 points away from becoming the all-time leading scorer in program history. Purdue’s Braden Smith is 73 assists away from becoming the all-time assists leader in college basketball history. Connor’s prediction: No. 8 Purdue 82, Ohio State 70 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops. Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio On episode 192 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to discuss the Buckeyes loss to Michigan State on Sunday and preview a huge showdown in Iowa City tonight. Despite a valiant shorthanded effort with two of its three best scorers out and a herculean performance from Bruce Thornton, Ohio State fell to Michigan State 66-60. Does it matter who was out for the Buckeyes? Or is a loss a loss this late in the season? After that, we preview the huge showdown looming at Iowa, where the Buckeyes have a great chance to get their first quad one win. What advantages and disadvantages do the Buckeyes have against the Hawkeyes? And how do you slow down Bennett Stirtz. Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning. Connect with the Podcast:Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN Connect with Connor:Twitter: @lemons_connor Connect with Justin:Twitter: @justin_golba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices