High school ball season might be wrapping up, but for Ohio State's future, it's just getting started. They landed a commitment from Marcus Johnson, a baller who's been turning heads everywhere. This Cleveland kid isn't just another high school hotshot – he's a huge win for the Buckeyes, who are itching to get back to their championship ways.

From Garfield Heights to Buckeye Nation

Marcus staying in-state to play college ball is a big deal. This 6-foot-1 point guard with a deadly shot and slick run shined all over Ohio. Ranked as one of the top 25 players in the nation, his decision to join the Buckeyes shows how much the program has evolved for him and is also a huge win for Coach Diebler

A Family Affair

Basketball is a family thing for the Johnsons, and Marcus's choice to be a Buckeye goes beyond just the program's reputation. His cousin Meechie already blazed that trail, making Marcus's commitment even more special. It's a story about family just as much as it is about hoops.

The Diebler Effect

Coach Diebler has totally changed the game for the Buckeyes. From how he recruits to his plans for the team, everything he does feels fresh. Plus, he connects with players like Johnson on a whole other level. It's obvious Diebler isn't just building a team, he's building a whole family, and Marcus is pumped to be part of it.

Looking Ahead

With Johnson's commitment, the future looks bright for Ohio State. The young guard's talent and potential are a perfect fit for Diebler's system, promising exciting times ahead for Buckeye fans. As Johnson prepares to take his game to the collegiate level, Ohio State waits with bated breath, ready to cheer on their new star.

In the end, Marcus Johnson's story is more than just about basketball. It's about home, family, and the promise of what's to come. And for Ohio State, that promise has never looked brighter.

The Ohio State women's 2024 basketball team has secured the Big Ten regular season championship, finishing a season marked by resilience and dominance. This title is the program's first outright regular season championship since 2010. They pulled it off and are now the Big Ten champs! It's like, totally official. If you thought this team was done serving up awesome basketball moments, well, you were wrong.

A Season of Resilience

This achievement follows a challenging journey characterized by close contests, clutch moments, and unexpected turns. However, Head Coach Kevin McGuff's team persevered, leaving their opponents behind and etching their names in program history.

Jacy Sheldon: A Leading Force

Jacy Sheldon was straight-up fire this season. She was dropping three-pointers like it was nothing, and her moves left defenders in the dust. Her 22-point game against Michigan basically sealed the deal for the championship – total legend status.

Undefeated in the New Year

The new year brought a whole new level for the Buckeyes. They've been absolutely crushing it since January, winning 15 games straight! Talk about momentum. Their last loss was way back in December, and they haven't looked back since.

Securing the Title

With the regular season concluding, the Buckeyes have established an unassailable lead in the Big Ten conference standings. Their victory effectively shuts the door on any remaining challengers, leaving rivals like Iowa and Indiana to witness their triumph. This accomplishment is met with resounding cheers and the iconic "O-H-I-O!" chant echoing within the Schottenstein Center.

National Recognition

Their awesome play didn't go unnoticed. They're killing it with a 25-3 record and a sweet spot at number two in the AP Poll. The whole country's got their eyes on Columbus right now, and the Buckeyes are ready to shine.

Looking Forward

The quest for glory continues as the Buckeyes set their sights on the postseason. Their ambition extends beyond the conference championship, as they strive for a deep run in the NCAA tournament. The basketball world should brace itself for the arrival of a hungry and determined Ohio State team, poised to make a significant mark in March Madness.

A Toast to the Champions

Here's to the Ohio State women's basketball team – a bunch of total badasses who just showed everyone what they've got. They broke records, made history, and never stopped fighting. Let's hope they keep those sneakers squeaking and those shots falling!

Ohio State Basketball has added Brandon Bailey to their coaching staff as a new assistant coach. Learn more about his background and what he brings to the team.

Ohio State Basketball has added a new assistant coach to their roster with the hire of Brandon Bailey. Bailey joins the club with a plethora of expertise and knowledge, having previously worked with several great college basketball programs. Bailey has coached in the NBA for almost a decade. He is now an assistant coach on Chris Holtmann's staff at Ohio State. Learn more about his background and the contributions he can make to the Buckeyes.

Who is Brandon Bailey?

Brandon Bailey is the newest addition to the Ohio State Basketball coaching staff, joining as an assistant coach. He brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously worked with successful college basketball programs such as Loyola Marymount, San Diego State, and most recently, the University of San Francisco. Bailey is known for his ability to develop players and his strong recruiting skills, which will be valuable assets to the Buckeyes.

What is his coaching background?

Brandon Bailey has an impressive coaching background, having worked with successful college basketball programs for over a decade. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Loyola Marymount before moving on to assistant coaching positions at San Diego State and the University of San Francisco. Bailey is known for his ability to develop players and his strong recruiting skills, which will be valuable assets to the Ohio State Basketball team.

What will be his role on the Ohio State Basketball coaching staff?

As the new assistant coach for Ohio State Basketball, Brandon Bailey will be responsible for player development and recruiting. He will work closely with head coach Chris Holtmann and the rest of the coaching staff to help the team reach its full potential. Bailey's experience and skills make him a valuable addition to the team and fans are excited to see what he will bring to the program.

How will his addition benefit the team?

Brandon Bailey's addition to the Ohio State Basketball coaching staff is expected to benefit the team in many ways. With his experience in player development and recruiting, he will be able to help the team identify and recruit top talent. He will also work closely with the players to help them improve their skills and reach their full potential. Fans are excited to see how his expertise will contribute to the team's success in the upcoming season.

Eugene Brown III's transfer portal decision has left Ohio State basketball fans with questions. Get the answers you need in this detailed analysis.

Ohio State basketball fans were surprised when Eugene Brown III announced his decision to enter the transfer portal. This move has left many wondering what it means for the team's future and how it will impact their upcoming season. In this analysis, we'll take a closer look at Brown's decision and what it could mean for Ohio State basketball.

Who is Eugene Brown III?

Eugene Brown III is a 6'6" shooting guard from Decatur, Georgia. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 100 overall player in the class of 2020, according to 247Sports. Brown committed to Ohio State in September 2019 and played in 29 games for the Buckeyes during his freshman season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.28 rebounds per game.

Why did he enter the transfer portal?

While there is a twitter post from Eugene Brown III and no official statement from Ohio State basketball, it is speculated that Brown entered the transfer portal to seek more playing time and a larger role on a team. With the Buckeyes bringing in several highly-touted recruits for the upcoming season, Brown may have felt that his opportunities for significant playing time would be limited. Additionally, with the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to all players due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown may have wanted to explore other options for his future.

What are his potential landing spots?

It is still unclear where Eugene Brown III will end up after entering the transfer portal. However, there are several potential landing spots that have been speculated by fans and analysts. Some have suggested that he may transfer to a mid-major program where he could have a larger role and more playing time. Others have speculated that he may transfer to a school closer to his hometown in Georgia. Only time will tell where Brown will ultimately end up, but his decision has certainly left Ohio State basketball fans with plenty of questions.

How will his departure impact Ohio State basketball?

Eugene Brown III's departure from Ohio State basketball will certainly have an impact on the team. Brown was a key contributor off the bench last season, averaging 2.18 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. His departure leaves a hole in the team's depth at the wing position. However, Ohio State has a strong recruiting class coming in and several returning players who will be looking to step up and fill the void. It will be interesting to see how the team adjusts and evolves without Brown on the roster.

Zed Key Needs Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery, Having Major Effect on Ohio State Basketball

It's a sad day for the Ohio State faithful, as it has been confirmed that forward Zed Key will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury. Get the full story here!

It was confirmed today that Ohio State forward Zed Key will miss the rest of the regular season after having to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. The news comes as a major blow for the Buckeyes, who rely on Key's contributions in order to compete at their highest potential.

Get the Details on Zed Key's Injury.

Wednesday morning Ohio State's head coach Chris Holtmann revealed that forward Zed Key had sustained a shoulder injury, and will miss the remainder of the 2023 season. Key will undergo surgery at an unspecified time to repair a strained labrum in his shoulder, and is expected to make a full recovery in five months. He is set to begin his rehabilitation process immediately and the Ohio State front office expects him to be fully healthy ahead of next season.

Ohio State's Response to Losing Key.

The Ohio State coaching staff is deeply saddened by the news that Key will miss the remainder of the season, but are doing their best to remain focused on winning games. The team is already working to adjust their offensive and defensive schemes to better adapt to the absence of Key. While the loss of a key contributor will certainly hurt them, they are determined not to allow it to derail their goals for this season.

What to Expect from the Buckeyes Moving Forward.

Without Key's size and presence in the middle of the paint, it is likely that the team will shift to a more perimeter-oriented approach on offense. This move should create more open looks from beyond the arc and allow his teammates to better display their sharpshooting accuracy. On defense, the team will have to adjust from a post-oriented scheme to more of an aggressive perimeter stance as they look to limit opponents’ outside looks and make them take contested shots.

Potential Implications for the Rest of Their Season.

While the news of Key's injury has certainly been devastating to Ohio State's hopes for a turn-around, there are ways in which the team can look to offset their losses. Playing different lineups and adjusting their style of play accordingly could help take away some of the sting from his absence. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for reserves like Eugene Brown III and Felix Okpara to get more playing time if needed. It will be essential for the Buckeyes to continue improving through the final stretch of Big Ten play and adjust to the new circumstances of competing without Key if they want to make their case for a NIT bid come March.

In Ohio State's match-up with Iowa, center Zed Key left the game twice due to his shoulder injury and was unable to return. Read more about this devastating set back for the Buckeyes.

In a heartbreaking match-up against Iowa, the Ohio State Buckeyes suffered a major blow as center Zed Key left the game twice due to a shoulder injury and was unable to return. His absence from the court left his team devastated as they attempted to battle through without him in their line-up. Read more here about this tragic setback for Ohio State.

What is the Extent of Zed Key’s Injury?

While the full extent of Zed Key’s injury is still unknown, it has been reported that he suffered a dislocated right shoulder. He left the court in the first half after attempting to fight for a rebound, then returned later briefly before exiting again and was unable to return. Relief players filled in on the court but Ohio State will miss Zed's physical presence and leadership on the court.

How Could This Affect the Remainder of the Season?

The loss of Zed Key is a huge setback for the Ohio State basketball team. With Key out, the Buckeyes will have to rely on other players to fill in his role as leader. This could put more pressure on other players and affect team morale if they are unable to find an adequate replacement. Key was also one of the best physical presences on the court, so Ohio State may need to adjust their game plan going forward to make up for his absence.

Who Could Step Up And Fill Key’s Role?

With Key likely out for for some time, it is unclear who will be able to take his place on the court and fill his role as leader. There are several contenders for this position, including Eugene Brown and Felix Okpara, all of whom have seen more minutes recently in Key’s absence. Neither of them can replace Key’s physical presence on the court but if any of these players can step up into a larger role it could help alleviate some of the pressure due to his absence.

Eugene Brown III is a 6'7" forward from Conyers, Georgia who is currently playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and was ranked among the top 150 recruits in the country by ESPN. He played 29 games his freshman season, and earned Academic All-Big Ten during his sophomore campaign. Brown averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in his second year of action. He shot 44.2 percent from the floor. Brown has the potential to become a key player for the Buckeyes if Zed Key is out for some time.

Felix Okpara, a freshman center, currently playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes also filed in for Key. He is a 6'11" center from Nigeria who was rated as a four-star recruit by 247 Sports. Okpara has been an impact player in his first year at Ohio State, averaging 3.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1 block per game. He has also been a key part of the Buckeyes' defense. Okpara is a great all-around player who can play both inside and outside and has the potential to be an important piece of the Buckeyes' success in the years to come.

Is There Hope For The Buckeyes To Still Succeed In The Postseason?

Despite suffering a heartbreaking exit from the Ohio State-Iowa match due to Key’s shoulder injury, the Buckeyes still have plenty of reason to be hopeful for postseason success. While his absence is a major blow, there appears to be several players who can help fill in for what Key brought to the team. If these players can step up and contribute, then there is still hope that the Buckeyes will have strong enough performances in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament and NIT Tournament to make a run into March Madness.

The Ohio State Buckeyes Men's Basketball Team is perhaps one of the most exciting teams to watch out for in the NCAA basketball tournament this is because of their rooster which has significantly improved throughout the years, especially during the 2022-2023 season wherein they really played as a team and matured enough to face challenging opponents in the tournament. Most of their victories came during these mid-seasons home games wherein they have one of the loudest and most supportive crowds which is why the team is playing inspired basketball in every home game plus the Ohio state buckeyes mens basketball players have future NBA players because of their passion and drive when it comes to the game of basketball. Three of their starting five members that had significantly increased their scoring outputs namely Justice Sueing, Sean Mcneil, and Bruce Thornton.

What These Players Offer

These three players are averaging at least 28 points per game this season and can still go even higher since they are still half of the NCAA season. Due to the increase in scoring outputs, the team had become one of the most powerful teams in the league. Despite the high-scoring outputs from these players, they are also a more well-balanced team such as being able to share the ball and utilizing the talents of their other players, they take less 3 point shots and focused more on taking high-percentage shots such as their inside game and drawing fouls. Aside from their offensive capabilities that have significantly increased, their lock-in defense has also been a key factor in their games since they are one of the few teams today that is capable of suffocating their opponent which leads to steals and turnovers, blocks have also been a key factor in their game since during their training camps they focus on blocking shots without fouling their opponent.

Improvements in the Game

These improvements in their game can be seen as a key factor on why they could become a dark horse in this year's NCAA season as long as the team will remain healthy and continue to improve on their game especially during the playoffs wherein the game gets more intense which is why this team should remain focus and driven in winning that NCAA title. Despite these statistical improvements, there is also the matter of turnovers wherein the team tends to relax when having a huge lead or even in garbage time these can be a huge problem in problem because they can lose focus and start to underestimate their future opponents in tournaments. They should always take every game seriously regardless of who are their opponents whether they are the number one seed or at the bottom, every win is always important.

The NCAA has schools split up into conferences that determine standings, bracket position, and whole lot of cash. Historically, conferences have made up their membership based on regional location. However, in the last decade or so, we've seen conferences shifting and deals being made to support performance and financial sustainability. USC and UCLA have been members of the PAC 12 conference since the 1920's. They've been a staple of the conference that also includes Western-based universities like Stanford, Arizona State, and the University of Utah. In 2024, USC and UCLA will leaving the PAC 12 and joining the BIG 10, which is made up of mostly mid-Western states with hard-hitting reputations in the world of college sports. We're talking about Michigan, Nebraska, and Ohio State. The BIG 10 is currently comprised of 14 teams, so these two California teams will make the BIG 10, in reality, the BIG 16. The consequences for the PAC 12 could be detrimental, while the acquisition for the BIG 10 could be considered somewhat of an NCAA monopoly.

Historically, three states produce the most professional football players that go on to play in the NFL: Florida, Texas, and California. There are also more NBA players from California than any other state. Naturally, anyone looking for the next big football or basketball star would start the search in California. By USC leaving the PAC 12 and going to the BIG 10, they take with them a very large football fan base into the mid-west. The same is true for the UCLA basketball program, being consistently one of the top five teams in NCAA basketball year after year. With them moving to the BIG 10, USC and UCLA are providing the conference with an astronomical amount of fans committed to watching their favorite teams during the season. More viewers means higher ratings, and higher ratings means more money for anyone wanting a commercial spot on TV or advertisement space in the programs. More viewers also means higher ticket and merchandise prices along with the fans willing to pay them. This also means that the BIG 10 has a funnel into some of the top athletes having their eye on the NFL and NBA, boosting the BIG 10's reputation for producing professional athletes. The NCAA is a big business and the BIG 10 is playing the money game.

With Duane Washington Jr leaving Ohio State for the NBA draft recently, the Buckeyes were looking for a guard to add to the roster and found Louisiana Lafayette 6’2” guard Cedric Russell. He will be eligible for the 2021-2022 basketball season at Ohio State. He is a transfer who completed four years for the Ragin Cajuns in the Sub Belt conference.

Cedric Russell Sharp Shooter

A sharp shooter from 3 point range, he made 40% from behind the arc, placing him in the top 20 nationally at the division I level. Russell’s average points per game increased over the last three years from 11.4 to 14.4 to 17.2, in his final year. He was also looking at St Johns, Marquette, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma as new destinations.

Russell seems quite enthusiastic about his final two years of college ball being played at a major Big Ten program like OSU.

Ohio State Men’s Basketball 2021-2022

Ohio State’s 2021 season begins against Akron on November 9th. Chris Holtmann also added guard Jamari Wheeler from Penn State for the upcoming season, a player that is known for defense. Wheeler replaces point guard CJ Walker on the roster who graduated at end of last season.

Cedric Russell Sunbelt highlights

Duane Washington Jr has declared that he is planning on leaving Ohio State for the NBA Draft effective immediately. All Ohio State basketball fans are waiting to see where Duane Washington Jr will get drafted or will he be an international star like David Lighty. He would have been a senior next season at Ohio State. Take a look at his career in the basketball program and prospects to decide for yourself if you will be a first-round pick:

Duane Washington Jr's College Stats

From the moment he put on a Buckeyes jersey, Duane has been beloved by Ohio fans across the state and country. Now, it's time to look at Duane Washington Jr's stats to see if he has lived up to the hype. For a basketball player, threat and versatility, it's Duane Washington Jr that decides the outcome of the game. Duane Jr stands at 6-3 and 210 pounds with tremendous physical tools that were developed during his prime playing days in high school basketball. He played three years at Ohio State with his minutes per game increasing each year along with his average points per game, 7 in 2018 to 16.4 in 2020. His assists per game steadily rose from 1.1 as a freshman to 2.9 in his 3rd year. He was also able to grab more rebounds per game, finishing with 3.4 a game as a Junior.

Chances of Being a First-Round Pick For Duane Washington Jr

You've heard about the massive transformation that Duane Washington Jr. is implementing with his basketball game. He shot 41.0% from the field last year and was the the most consistent player for Chris Holtmann as a junior. And with an incredibly athletic build and high basketball IQ---Washington could be a devastating scorer for any team that drafts him. Therefore, it is likely that teams that are rebuilding their bench will sign him in the upcoming draft. If teams do pass on him in the second round, you can be sure to see him on a NBA G league roster next year.

How Wise Was It For Duane Washington Jr To Declare for the draft

It is not every day a player leaves the school in the midst of his final year of eligibility. When Duane Washington Jr originally committed to Ohio State, there was a big celebration by Buckeye fans. He also posed for pictures next to a poster of himself wearing an Ohio State jersey. This then led him to work out with his future teammates, including Keita Bates Diop and C.J. Jackson. Recently he made himself eligible for the NBA draft but still leave open the possibility of returning to the Buckeyes. But late June saw him take the final step and remain in the draft ending his college career.

Scouts feel that he is an above average athlete that sometimes takes questionable shots. That he is a good shooter and excellent from the foul line but does not tend to draw fouls. He handles the ball well but did not produce the assists they would like to see in a college guard. And that he is good at defensive but could improve his focus and rebounding.