Land-Grant Podcast Network: An Ohio State University podcast

“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

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 at Iowa Hawkeyes (-6.5)| KenPom predicts: Iowa by 4 Game Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 9:00 p.m. ETLocation: Iowa City, IowaTV: Big Ten NetworkRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (17-10, 9-7) is sitting just on the outside of the NCAA Tournament field according to the Bracket Matrix, but after several fellow bubble-dwellers took losses on Tuesday evening, Ohio State has an opportunity to get some clarity and get back on the right side of things with a win in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes (19-8, 9-7) rattled off six straight wins starting in mid-January but have since lost three of their last four games, including a seven-point loss at Maryland. Ben McCollum’s team isn’t in danger of missing out on the NCAA Tournament just yet — they probably need to win one of their final four games to stamp a ticket. Iowa is elite at forcing turnover, but Bruce Thornton played all 40 minutes against Michigan State on Sunday without committing a single turnover. The senior guard is now 60 points away from becoming Ohio State’s all-time scoring leader. Thornton and Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz are the Big Ten’s leaders in minutes per game, with Stirtz at the top averaging 36.9 and Thornton just behind at 36.3. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 75, Iowa 73 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 59 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Alex is away for a couple weeks so Justin is joined by Land-Grant Holy Land’s women’s basketball beat writer Thomas Costello for an update and discussion on the women’s hoops team. We preview the upcoming showdown with Michigan and discuss what the Buckeyes have to do to secure a top ten road win. Also, how good has Jaloni Cambridge and does she get the national attention she deserves? After that, we discuss the Buckeyes ceiling this season and what they can do in March. And what do they have to do to host an NCAA tournament game? 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

We’re back with our February offseason episode, which starts with a lengthy letter from a listener. We’re always happy to hear from our listeners, and in this case, the email prompted quite a bit of discussion about Ryan Day, Julian Sayin, and other aspects of Ohio State football. We love a good conversation starter! We also covered a whole lot of offseason topics, with one of the primary ones being the hiring of Arthur Smith as the team’s new offensive coordinator. We discussed how it may affect the passing game and help Bo Jackson and the running game in 2026. We still expect the deep ball to Jeremiah Smith to be part of the offense, but you may experience some new flavors this year. There are more than 300 players heading to the NFL Combine and 11 of them are Buckeyes. We talk about who is going and the entire pre-draft process. Our discussion of Ohio State’s 2026 schedule includes the complete slate of games, and this fall looks to be a true gauntlet for the men of the scarlet & gray. The Buckeyes will have their hands full, with a lot of difficult road tests in hostile environments, and a lot of top-quality teams. If Day can navigate those turbulent waters to another College Football Playoff appearance, his team will be battle tested. There are a lot of new arrivals in the transfer portal, and we give a rundown of who’s new. There are exciting new arrivals on offense, defense, and special teams, and it seems Day has prioritized that third phase of the game in this offseason. NOTE: We are in our offseason schedule, so we will be 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. If not, we’ll see you next month. 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 at [email protected]. Any questions directed toward us will be answered on our next show. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, share, and follow the show over on Twitter at @SilvrBulletsPod. As always, thanks for listening! 0:20 - We open with a letter from a listener and our lengthy discussion about it. 22:32 - Arthur Smith will run the Ohio State offense. What will that be like? 33:28 - The Buckeyes at the NFL Combine, the 2026 OSU schedule is a difficult one, and we discuss the transfer portal arrivals. 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 at No. 15 Michigan State Spartans| KenPom predicts: Michigan State by 9 Game Date/Time: Sunday, Feb. 22, at 1:00 p.m. ETLocation: East Lansing, MichiganTV: CBSRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (17-9, 9-6) travels north on Sunday afternoon to take on Tom Izzo’s 15th-ranked Michigan State Spartans (21-5, 11-4). Both teams have gone 2-2 over their previous four games. Michigan State is looking to cement itself in the top-four of the Big Ten and earn the new, coveted “triple bye” in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State is on the hunt for its first Quad-1 win of the season — which for now is the biggest mark against the NCAA Tournament resume. As of Saturday, Ohio State was listed as the first team out of the NCAA Tournament according to Bracket Matrix. A win over the Spartans would assuredly leapfrog them over several teams, but the Buckeyes have also only won in East Lansing once in the last decade. Ironically, that was two years ago, with Dale Bonner’s prayer at the buzzer stunning the green and white faithful on February 25, 2024. Second-leading scorer John Mobley Jr. has not been ruled out yet for Sunday’s game. The sophomore is averaging 15.1 points per game, but has missed Ohio State’s last two games as he recovers from hand surgery from an injury suffered during Ohio State’s win over USC 10 days ago. Connor’s prediction: No. 15 Michigan State 74, 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 191 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to discuss the Buckeyes going 1-1 last week, but are coming off their best win of the season after beating Wisconsin 86-69 on Tuesday night. After a disappointing loss to No. 15 Virginia in Nashville, Ohio State bounced back and beat No. 24 Wisconsin handily at home. What was the difference between the two games and how did the Buckeyes put the Badgers away? After that, we preview a huge matchup Sunday at Michigan State and have a bubble discussion. We also make our predictions for where the Buckeyes will finish and a PSA for Bruce Thornton day. 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 58 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Justin and Alex are back to talk about the 2026 schedule and the recent NIL comments made by Gus Johnson and men’s basketball head coach Jake Diebler. A big talking point in 2025 was the ease of the Buckeyes schedule and in turn, they were not as battle tested as other teams were when December and January came around. Will they be more prepared in 2026 for the postseason with a schedule that seems much more difficult? Or will it end up being easier than we think? Then after a quick break, we discuss the comments about Ohio State’s NIL made by Gus Johnson during the Ohio State and Virginia men’s basketball game. Do we agree with his comments? And how can coach Diebler and the staff maximize the NIL they are allotted? 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 Wisconsin Badgers (-1.5) at Ohio State Buckeyes| over/under 157.5 Game Date/Time: Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 8:30 p.m. ETLocation: Columbus, OHTV: FS1Radio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com It’s officially danger zone time for Ohio State (16-9, 8-6). After spending the majority of the season on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, losing three of their last five games has them on the outside looking in as the No. 24 Badgers (18-7, 10-4) visit. Ohio State has not beaten a ranked team all season, but the Buckeyes also have not lost back-to-back games all year, so one of those odd trends will be broken on Tuesday night. Wisconsin comes into this game scalding hot, having upset two top-10 teams in a span of four days. The Badgers have finally broken into the AP Top-25 poll, and are very much in play for a double (triple?) bye in the Big Ten Tournament. Wisconsin’s guard duo of John Blackwell and Nick Boyd combined to score 43 points the first time these teams met. Bruce Thornton is 13 points away from passing Jerry Lucas and William Buford for 3rd all-time in scoring in program history. He is 34 points away from passing Herb Williams to move into 2nd all-time. Connor’s prediction: No. 24 Wisconsin 82, Ohio State 76 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State did not take the field this week, and won’t for awhile, but that never really stops the conversation in Columbus. On the newest episode of Off-Script Ohio, we leaned into the kind of offseason debate Buckeye fans do best. Who you loved watching most, which recent stars you would drop onto the 2026 roster, and what to make of a basketball team that looks brilliant one night and fragile the next. Five favorite Buckeyes of the Ryan Day era We started with our five favorite Buckeyes from 2019 to present, and it became clear fast that this era has produced a very specific kind of star. Quarterbacks who can carry a season, receivers who feel inevitable, and defensive talents who change the geometry of a game. Joey’s list featured Justin Fields, Will Howard, Caleb Downs, Chase Young, and Jeremiah Smith. Cole’s opened the same way with Fields, then went C. J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith Njigba, Chase Young, and then the toughest call, Jeremiah Smith with a real argument for Jeff Okudah depending on what you value more. What stood out is how much of the Ryan Day era identity still comes back to skill talent and decision makers. That is the defining through line. Quarterback play that raises the floor, receiver play that raises the ceiling, and just enough defensive game breakers to flip the biggest moments. Then we made it practical. If you could take one Buckeye from 2025 and one from 2024, on offense and defense, and add them to the 2026 team, who are you grabbing? Joey’s picks were clean and logical. On offense from 2025, Max Klare. On defense from 2025, Caleb Downs. From 2024, Treyveon Henderson on offense and Tyleik Williams on defense. It is the kind of list that prioritizes reliability and proven snap to snap value, which is usually how championship rosters are built. Cole went a little more fit based. From 2025, Carnell Tate on offense and Arvelle Reese on defense. From 2024, Josh Simmons on offense and J. T. Tuimoloau on defense. The logic is simple, if you are building a 2026 team, you are trying to stack answers. You want another difference making target, another defensive piece that can live in the chaos, and more stability at premium positions. On the hardwood, the week summed up Ohio State basketball in two games. The Buckeyes beat USC Trojans men's basketball 89 to 82, an offensive performance that reminded you why people keep believing this group can make noise. They played with pace, confidence, and just enough shot making to control the game without feeling like they needed a miracle stretch. Then they lost 70 to 66 to Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball, and you could feel the familiar frustration. The possessions that get tight, the stretches where scoring becomes work, and the defensive moments that are fine until they are not. This team keeps living in that uncomfortable space between “good enough” and “not quite stable.” The ceiling flashes, and then the floor shows up right after. Now the schedule turns into a pressure test. Tuesday night at home against Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball, then Sunday afternoon on the road at Michigan State Spartans men's basketball. Two games that can either steady the narrative or sharpen the questions. And that is the theme of the episode, honestly. Whether it is ranking your favorite stars, building the best possible 2026 roster in your head, or trying to make sense of hoops week to week, Ohio State stays in the same cycle. The talent is obvious, the outcomes are not. The next step is always there, the challenge is making it consistent. 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 Virginia Cavaliers (-4.5) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes| over/under 148.5 Game Date/Time: Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8:00 p.m. ETLocation: Nashville, TNTV: FOXRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com The Ohio State men’s basketball team (16-8, 8-6) faces off with the 15th-ranked Virginia Cavaliers (21-3, 10-2) Saturday night in a Valentine’s Day, Big Ten-ACC showdown in the Music City. It’s the first time Ohio State has played a non-conference game this late into the season since the 1986-1987 season. Jake Diebler said in the fall that he wanted to schedule an NCAA Tournament-caliber team in February “to simulate the NCAA Tournament,” for his team. Now, Ohio State has an opportunity to earn its second Quad-1 win of the season, but also forfeited a five-day break they could’ve had in between Big Ten games if they had not scheduled this game. Virginia enters this game as winners of 10 of its last 11 games. The Cavaliers are holding teams to 67.5 points per game, 29.4% from three-point range, and 45.2% on two-point shots this season. They’re also one of the best shot blocking teams in the ACC, averaging 5.8 blocks per game with two of the ACC’s top-three shot blockers on the team in Johann Grunloh and Ugonna Onyenso. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 78, No. 15 Virginia 74 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 57 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Justin is playing his flu game as he and Alex are back to talk about another coaching hire and the transfer portal additions and departures. We start by discussing the Buckeyes hiring of assistant tight ends coach Thomas Morton, a rising star in the coaching world. That makes three offensive hires this offseason, and what do we think of the hiring cycle in general? After a quick break, we discuss our three favorite transfer portal additions and three least favorite departures. Who do we think will have the biggest impact next season? With the season now over, 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

Ohio State didn’t play a snap this week, but Buckeye headlines still found the spotlight. At the NFL level, the program’s influence was impossible to ignore. Jaxon Smith-Njigba captured Offensive Player of the Year honors, a landmark achievement that reinforces Ohio State’s wide receiver pipeline at the highest level. Mike Vrabel added Coach of the Year to his resume, another reminder of the Buckeye imprint across the league. And when the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy, Smith-Njigba stood as the lone former Buckeye on the roster, but a very visible one. The NFL validation matters in Columbus. It fuels recruiting, reinforces development narratives, and strengthens the program’s long-standing pitch. Come here, and Sundays follow. On the hardwood, the mood remains more complicated. Ohio State basketball continues to live in the gray area between “dangerous” and “disappointing.” The flashes are there. But consistency, particularly defensively, remains elusive. Every week feels like a referendum on tournament viability, and every result carries weight. The margins are thin, and the schedule is unforgiving. The Buckeyes are good enough to beat most teams they face. They just haven’t proven they can do it often enough in high-leverage spots. That tension defines the stretch ahead. An early look at the defensive depth chart provides clarity about where Ohio State stands entering the offseason grind. On the edge, Kenyatta Jackson anchors one side, with Qua Russaw and Zion Grady battling for the opposite starting role. The depth behind them, Beau Atkinson, Epi Sitanlei, Khary Wilder, suggests long-term upside, but the top-end reps will matter most early. Inside at defensive tackle, James Smith and Eddrick Houston headline a room built on physicality and rotation. Jason Moore, John Walker, and Will Smith provide depth, and the staff clearly believes the interior will be a strength again. It’s not flashy. It’s foundational. Linebacker may be the most intriguing group. The top tier, Payton Pierce, Riley Pettijohn, and Christian Alliegro gives Ohio State versatility and range. Behind them sits a second wave of Tarvos Alford, Cincere Johnson, and Garrett Stover, names that could climb quickly with a strong spring. It’s a room with athletic upside and schematic flexibility. At corner, Jermaine Matthews and Devin Sanchez project as perimeter staples, with Earl Little likely factoring heavily into the nickel role. Behind them, Dominick Kelly, Jay Timmons, and Cam Calhoun represent a blend of youth and transfer talent that feels promising, if still somewhat projection-based. Safety closes the back end with Jaylen McClain and Terry Moore penciled in as starters, supported by a deeper rotation of LeRoy Roker, Blaine Bradford, Simeon Caldwell, and Deshawn Stewart. The unit lacks the single headline name of a Caleb Downs, but it compensates with experience and balance. When grading the rooms collectively, the defensive line feels sturdy. Linebacker feels athletic and ascending. The secondary feels talented, if still dependent on internal development taking another step. Across football and basketball, the pattern remains consistent. The ceilings are visible. The questions are too. The difference between a good year and a defining one won’t hinge on splash. It will hinge on growth, steady, structural, and sustained. 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 190 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to recap a disappointing loss to Michigan and preview two possibly must win games over USC and Virginia. To open the episode, the Buckeyes went 1-1 last week, with a win over a struggling Maryland team and a blowout loss to No. 2 Michigan. What went wrong in the second half against the Wolverines and what should the takeaway be? This week, the Buckeyes have USC and Virginia on the schedule. What do they have to do to bounce back? And how must win are these two games? We close the episode with that discussion. 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 Ohio State Buckeyes (-7.5) vs. USC Trojans| over/under 151.5 Game Date/Time: Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m. ETLocation: Columbus, OhioTV: Big Ten NetworkRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com For the first time all season, we’ll see how Ohio State (15-8, 7-6) bounces back from getting their rear ends handed to them. After a 21-point shellacking at the hands of No. 2 Michigan Sunday afternoon, the Buckeyes have no choice but to pick themselves up and lock back in with another NCAA Tournament team — USC — heading to town. The Trojans (18-6, 7-6) have mostly won the games they’ve needed to win to position themselves to make the NCAA Tournament. Currently a projected 10-seed, a few more wins would make the Trojans feel a bit more secure about their spot in the bracket. USC is already out their leading scorer, Rodney Rice, and may also be without their second leading scorer, Chad Baker-Mazara, who is day-to-day with an MCL sprain in his knee. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 80, USC 77 Connect with Connor: Twitter: @lemons_connor 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 Michigan Wolverines (-9.5) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes| over/under 159.5 Game Date/Time: Sunday, February 8, at 1:00 p.m. ETLocation: Columbus, OhioTV: CBSRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com Ohio State (15-7, 7-5) gets another shot against No. 2 Michigan (21-1, 11-1) Sunday afternoon in Columbus. The Wolverines won the first matchup last month, 74-62, as the Buckeyes briefly held a second-half lead in Ann Arbor but fizzled out over the final seven or so minutes. Michigan is enjoying its best start in program history, is No. 1 in the NET rankings and No. 2 in both the AP Poll and KenPom. The Wolverines lead the Big Ten in points per game and field goals made per game, and scored 110 in their most recent victory over Penn State on Thursday night. Dusty May would improve to 3-0 against Jake Diebler with a win, and former Buckeye Roddy Gayle would improve to 3-0 against his former teammate and close friend Bruce Thornton. Thornton is 22 points away from passing Kelvin Ransey to become 5th all-time in scoring in program history. Connor’s prediction: No. 2 Michigan 80, Ohio State 75 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 189 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to recap Ohio State’s 92-82 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday and preview the upcoming week. On Saturday, the Buckeyes missed another opportunity for a quad one win against Wisconsin and a chance for the signature win of the season. Is the season getting too close to the end for the Buckeyes? And what is going on with the defense and strategy? After the Wisconsin talk, we preview the Maryland game and Michigan game. What do the Buckeyes have to do to avoid a let down in college park? And how do you beat Michigan to get that much needed signature win? 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 Ohio State Buckeyes (-6.5) vs. Maryland Terrapins| over/under 151.5 Game Date/Time: Thursday, February 5 at 8:30 p.m. ETLocation: College Park, MarylandTV: FS1Radio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com Ohio State (14-7, 6-5) travels to the house of horrors known as the Xfinity Center on Thursday night to tangle with the 16th-place Maryland Terrapins (8-13, 1-9). The Buckeyes are 1-6 at the Xfinity Center in its last seven trips, including a 24-point beatdown in last year’s Big Ten opener. The Terrapins are 2-10 in their last dozen games and are struggling through one of the most difficult seasons in program history in Buzz Williams’ first year at the helm. Maryland has lost its last two games by a combined 73 points. This game will be a Quad-3 game for Ohio State. A win would do very little to improve Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament resume, but a loss would put them in a nearly impossible position moving forward. Connor’s prediction: Ohio State 83, Maryland 79 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 For episode 56 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Justin and Alex are back and we have another coaching hire and a schedule to discuss . To open the episode, we talk about Ohio State hiring Illinois special teams coordinator Robby Discher to the same position. Does this mean Ryan Day is taking special teams seriously? And what does this mean for next season? We also talk about Ryan Day’s comments about Legend Bey. After a quick break, we break down the Buckeyes schedule for next year. What are our record projections and where could the Buckeyes slip up? With the season now over, 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

Ohio State didn’t make any splashy moves this week, but they did make a key decision. By hiring Robby Discher as its special teams coordinator, Ohio State addressed a part of the program that had lingered in limbo for two seasons. The Buckeyes had functioned without a full-time coordinator on special teams, a reality that showed up not in disasters, but in small, accumulating losses. Discher’s arrival from Illinois, where he served as both special teams coordinator and tight ends coach, signals a shift from tolerance to intent. On the hardwood, margins remain anything but quiet. Ohio State’s week captured the full spectrum of bubble life. The 84–78 win over Penn State was uncomfortable, uneven, and absolutely necessary, the type of result that keeps a season breathing without convincing anyone it’s healthy. The trip to Madison reinforced the concern. An early lead against Wisconsin dissolved into a 92–82 loss where defensive resistance never arrived. Offensively, the pieces were there. Bruce Thornton and Amare Bynum each scored 18, Devin Royal added 16, and Taison Chatman continued his upward trend with 14 points, marking back-to-back strong performances that offer real optimism. But John Mobley Jr.’s regression, nine points on 4-of-12 shooting, exposed how thin Ohio State’s margin remains when one of it’s most reliable scorers cools. The inability to get stops wasn’t situational. It was structural. That reality sharpens the week ahead. Thursday’s road trip to Maryland is a must-win by any reasonable definition. The Terrapins are 8–12 overall and 1–8 in the Big Ten, with their lone conference win coming against Penn State. Ohio State doesn’t need style points, but it cannot afford slippage. Especially not with Michigan looming. Sunday brings a 20–1 Michigan team to Columbus playing with momentum and confidence. Since the last Ohio State–Michigan meeting, the Wolverines have beaten top-10 Nebraska and top-20 Michigan State in East Lansing, with another test against Penn State ahead. On paper, it’s a mismatch. In context, it’s a pivot point. A win would not simply help Ohio State’s resume, it would reset the emotional and mathematical trajectory of the season. Football, meanwhile, offered a different kind of clarity through an early look at the offensive depth chart. Cole and Joey go through position by position on offense and talk about how they expect to start at each spot and what they grade each positon group. Across football and basketball, the pattern is the same. Ohio State isn’t searching for direction anymore. The fixes are being made, and the weaknesses are visible. The stakes are no longer abstract. What remains is whether those quiet decisions, and some of those loud tests, finally start to tilt the margins back in Ohio State’s favor. 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 Wisconsin Badgers (-4.5) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes| over/under 156.5 Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. ETLocation: Madison, WisconsinTV: FOXRadio: 97.1 FM/ 971thefan.com Ohio State (14-6, 6-4) travels to Madison on Saturday afternoon to tangle with Wisconsin (15-6, 7-3) at the Kohl Center. The Buckeyes have struggled there in recent years, losing four out of its last five in Madison, with its lone win coming during the 2020-21 season when there were no fans in the arena. It’ll be a battle of two of the nation’s best backcourts — Bruce Thornton and John Mobley Jr. are currently scoring a combined 35.7 points per game, while Wisconsin’s John Blackwell and Nick Boyd are putting up 38.4 points per game together. Thornton is two points away from passing Michael Redd for sixth all-time on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list. As of Friday, sophomore guard Gabe Cupps and senior forward Christoph Tilly were both questionable for this game. Connor’s prediction: Wisconsin 78, 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 188 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin are back to recap the Buckeyes loss in Ann Arbor against Michigan and win in Columbus over Penn State. We first talk about the Michigan and what happened in the second half to help Michigan pull away. How do the Buckeyes put together 40 minutes of basketball to compete with the top teams? After that, we discuss the win over Penn State. Are we concerned about letting an 18 point lead slip? Or is every win in the Big Ten a good win? To close the episode, we preview the upcoming Wisconsin game. Is this the biggest game of 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

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 For episode 55 of Hangout in the Holy Land, Justin and Alex are back and this week we have an offensive coordinator hire to talk about. Last week we talked about options the Buckeyes could hire and they went with former Falcons head coach and Titans and Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. We give our thoughts and feelings on the hire. What does this mean for Ohio State’s offense? And what does this mean for Ryan Day? At the end of the episode, we discuss Ohio State’s recruiting class and some interesting tidbits about the 2026 class as a whole. With the season now over, 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

College football’s offseason rarely delivers clarity. This week, Ohio State got exactly that. The Buckeyes’ 2026 schedule release laid out a season that feels both familiar and unforgiving. A marquee early trip to Texas anchors September, while October brings road tests at Iowa and Indiana before a bye. November offers no relief, USC on the road, Oregon at home, a trip to Nebraska, and Michigan to close the regular season. There are no soft landings, only sequencing, and Ohio State now knows precisely where its margin for error lives. That clarity extends beyond dates. Ohio State opens the offseason tied with Notre Dame for the best national championship odds on FanDuel at +650, a reflection of both roster talent and quarterback optimism. Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin sitting among the top five Heisman odds underscores the expectation, this offense will drive the season’s ceiling. The biggest offseason shift came with the hiring of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. Ohio State now pairs two former NFL head coaches at coordinator spots, a rare alignment that signals a heavier professional influence across game planning and development. Smith’s role is notable not just for his resume, but for its structure. He does not count toward the 10 coach recruiting limit, leaving Ohio State flexibility to make one final strategic hire, a subtle but meaningful advantage as the staff takes shape. Recruiting momentum followed suit. Several 2026 commitments climbed significantly in national rankings, pushing Ohio State to five five stars on Rivals and a top four overall class nationally when transfers are included, per 247Sports. The class reflects balance more than flash, edge rushers, defensive backs, linebackers, and receivers, reinforcing a roster designed to sustain elite play rather than spike temporarily. On the court, Ohio State basketball continues to live in narrow margins. A loss at Michigan followed a familiar script. Competitive stretches, flashes of resistance, but a clear gap against one of the nation’s best teams. John Mobley’s scoring surge remained a constant, even as other offensive options struggled to find rhythm. The response mattered more. Monday’s win over Penn State was messy, tense, and essential, the kind of game bubble teams must survive to stay relevant. At 14–6, Ohio State remains firmly in the NCAA tournament conversation, hovering around the last teams receiving byes. Saturday’s trip to Wisconsin now looms as a defining Quad 1 opportunity, and one that could stabilize the profile or deepen the uncertainty. Across football and basketball, the theme is convergence. Expectations are no longer theoretical. The schedule is known. The staff is nearly set. The roster is fortified. For hoops, the math is tightening by the week. Ohio State isn’t guessing anymore. The next stretch, on the field and on the floor, will determine whether preparation turns into separation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices