Category: Buckeyes Wire

Ohio State forward Kaleb Wesson named Big Ten Player of the Week

The Big Ten has named Ohio State big man Kaleb Wesson its Player of the Week.

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Kaleb Wesson, a third-year power forward for the Ohio State Buckeyes, was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after two dominant efforts, both resulting in Buckeye victories.

Wesson played an integral role in the team’s 25-point blowout of the then-top 10-ranked Villanova Wildcats. He ended the game with 10 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

While he may’ve been the most important player on the court against Nova, Wesson’s dominance over UML may’ve been equally as impressive. He totaled a double-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists, leading the team in each category respectively.

This season, Wesson is averaging 10.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Even more impressively, Wesson is shooting 43% from deep. Overall, he’s captaining his team the way a third-year star should.

Now 3-0, the Buckeyes are a top-ten team in the nation, something we haven’t been able to say through Wesson’s first two seasons.

That said, he’ll have Stetson and Fort Wright on the calendar this week trying to push his Buckeyes to 5-0.

Ohio State wrestling needs work after tough weekend

What should the Ohio State Buckeyes learn from losing a tough wrestling dual against Virginia Tech?

The Ohio State Buckeyes fell to the Virginia Tech Hokies in their third wrestling dual of the season. It was Ohio State’s first loss of the season, and the first nonconference loss since losing to Cornell in February 2017.

You could see that Ohio State’s wrestling team was not quite up to its expected elite level in its dual on Friday, when four out of ten Buckeyes lost their matches against Pittsburgh. Heavyweight Chase Singletary did upset No. 9 Demterius Thomas on Friday, and Quinn Kinner (141 lbs) looked strong in a close loss against No. 4 Mickey Phillipi, but Ohio State’s holes at 157 and 184 lbs were clear.

That was evident on Sunday, when six of the ten Buckeyes lost. Neither Gavin Hoffman nor Zach Steiner seems elite at 184 lbs, and Elijah Cleary (157 lbs) is talented but not able to compete with the top athletes. Ke-Shawn Hayes is probably the best bet for the Buckeyes at that weight class when he returns from injury.

Luke Pletcher and Kollin Moore, ranked No. 1 in their respective weight classes (141 and 197 lbs) were strong as always. Still, the two of them couldn’t cover for a lineup that just wasn’t at its best on Sunday.

Quinn Kinner never could get things going against Collin Gerardi. And, of course, the match that turned the dual was at 149 lbs. Freshman sensation Sammy Sasso–who had not yet lost this year–made one wrong attack early in his match, which was quickly countered into a pin by Virginia Tech’s Brent Moore.

Sunday’s dual was not all bad, though. Ethan Smith–who is highly-touted and hugely talented but has somehow never produced on the big stage–pulled off an incredible upset over No. 4 David McFadden at 165 lbs.

Ohio State’s roster is still stacked with talent, and coach Tom Ryan always has his team ready come tournament time in March. If Quinner and Sasso can use matches like this to build themselves into elite competitors, the Buckeyes will definitely be in the thick of things in a few months.

For now, though, Ohio State clearly has a lot of work to do. The Buckeyes next take the mat a week from Sunday against Cornell. We’ll see what changes and improvements have been made by then.

Ohio State moves up to No. 9 in latest USA TODAY College Basketball Poll

The Ohio State basketball team has moved all the way up into the top ten of the newly released USA TODAY College Basketball Poll.

The Ohio State basketball team is now a top ten squad twice over. It already checked in right at No. 10 in the AP College Basketball Poll, and now we also get word that it is No. 9 in the newly released USA TODAY College Basketball Poll.

The Buckeyes have had an impressive start to the season, starting out 3-0, with an impressive beatdown of then No. 10 ranked Big East foe Villanova in Columbus.

That victory, in combination with what pollsters and media experts have seen from the play and athleticism on the court in 2019-2020 has no doubt had an effect on the perception of this team. Early on, many felt Ohio State was a borderline top 20 team, now it seems a lot of folks are feeling a little more bullish on what kind of damage this team can do.

Here’s the complete top 25 according to USA TODAY:

1. Duke
2. Louisville
3. Michigan State
4. North Carolina
5. Kansas
6. Virginia
7. Maryland
8. Gonzaga
9. Ohio State
10. Kentucky
11. Oregon
12. Texas Tech
13. Seton Hall
14. Arizona
15. Villanova
16. Utah State
17. Tennessee
18. Auburn
19. VCU
20. Memphis
21. Xavier
22. Texas
23. Baylor
24. Washington
25. Colorado

Ohio State basketball jumps into the top ten of the AP College Basketball Poll

Ohio State is officially a top ten basketball squad after appearing in the top ten of the latest AP College Basketball Poll.

After staring out of the gate 3-0, including a dominating performance against then No. 10 Villanova at home, the Associated Press college basketball voters have taken notice of Ohio State.

The newest AP College Basketball Poll was just released Monday and Ohio State has moved all the way up into the top ten from No. 16 to No. 10. It’s the first time the Buckeyes have made it into the top ten since midway through Chris Holtmann’s first season.

The new No. 1 is Duke after Kentucky lost to unranked Evansville. Louisville checks in right behind Duke, with Michigan State, Kansas, and North Carolina rounding out the top five.

Ohio State is next in action against tonight (Monday) against Stetson.

Here’s the rest of the top 25:

1. Duke
2. Louisville
3. Michigan State
4. Kansas
5. North Carolina
6. Maryland
7. Virginia
8. Gonzaga
9. Kentucky
10. Ohio State
11. Oregon
12. Texas Tech
13. Seton Hall
14. Arizona
15. Utah State
16. Memphis
17. Villanova
18. Xavier
19. Auburn
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia Commonwealth
22. Texas
23. Colorado
24. Baylor
25. Washington

Michael Thomas sets NFL record for receptions after ten games

Former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas has set an NFL record for receptions in the first ten games of an NFL season, with 90.

With his 90th reception on the season, former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas set a new NFL record for receptions in the first ten games of the season, breaking a record previously shared by Marvin Harrison and Julio Jones, in 2002 and 2015, respectively.

Thomas’ 90th catch of the year was also his fourth of the game, and it came shortly before the halfway point of the second quarter. The former Buckeye went on to catch four more passes in the game, so the current record for receptions over the first ten games of the season now stands at 94.

The current record for most receptions in a season is held by Marvin Harrison, who caught 143 passes in 2002. Thomas currently is averaging 9.4 catches per game, which is on pace to break Harrison’s record. If Thomas can continue his current pace, he will reach about 150 receptions on the year.

Thomas also made an incredible catch along the sidelines last week, which reminded Buckeye fans of his all-time great touchdown catch before halftime of the 2015 Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama.

Whether Thomas can keep up this pace or not is anyone’s question. Drew Brees’ brief absence due to injury doesn’t seem to have hampered him too much, though. Whether or not he sets the full-season record, this has already been a historic season for the former Ohio State standout.

Ohio State opens up as -18 point favorite against Penn State according to BetMGM

BetMGM has published its early line for Ohio State vs. Penn State and it has started at eighteen in favor of the Buckeyes.

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The Ohio State football season starts for real Saturday. Up until now it’s all been window dressing and beat down after beat down. Now comes a top ten Penn State team with the same dreams of grandeur Ohio State has. Win the game Saturday, cruise on into the Big Ten Championship Game in Indy, win and then hopefully get a crack at the College Football Playoff.

It’s such a big game nationally that ESPN’s College Game Day, FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff Show, and BTN Tailgate are all converging on Columbus to rub elbows with fans and each other.

We now have a line on the game too. According to the online sportsbook BetMGM, Ohio State has been installed as an eighteen point favorite for the titanic struggle in the ‘Shoe Saturday at Noon.

*Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:00 a.m. ET. 

That might seem a little outlandish considering the Nittany Lions have played almost every game tight with Ohio State during James Franklin’s tenure, but apparently Vegas believes this Buckeye squad is just different.

And based on what we’ve seen this year, the oddsmakers might be right. We’ll find out Saturday.

“Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.” 

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Big Ten football power rankings after week 12: Movement at the top?

We’ve got the latest Big Ten football power rankings. Is there some movement at the top with Minnesota’s loss? What about Ohio State?

The season is now hitting the home stretch in the Big Ten and in college football in general. We’re now eleven weeks into the college football season, and we have a fairly good feel about who’s in this thing, and who’s not. Michigan continues to be a bit resurgent, Ohio State has clearly separated  itself, and everyone else is looking to position themselves for the postseason.

We’re here to make sense of it all, and teams like Penn State and Wisconsin are still right there for a trip to Indy.

As we do each week, here’s your Big Ten football power rankings after the latest round of games. As always, give me a break on these, after being in vacation in Mexico, I had to catch up on This is Us, A Million Little Things, and The Purge. The struggle is real.

14. Rutgers – (Last week 14)

Things aren’t good when a 35-point loss is a moral victory, but that’s what we had when the Scarlet Knights were able to put up 21 points against the Ohio State defense Saturday.

13. Maryland – (Last week 13)

Nothing to see here really. The Terps were on a bye week and it’s still the same Maryland team that’s quite on the season.

12. Northwestern – (Last week 12)

The Wildcats stepped out of conference and finally got another win. It’s still an awful season for Pat Fitzerald and crew.

11. Nebraska – (Last week 11)

Another week, another loss for everybody’s preseason dark horse in the West Division. The ‘Huskers now have to win their last two games just to get to a bowl. That’s sounds like a proverbial corn maze with a gain against Iowa to end things. It’s doable, but you have to make all the right turns.

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Next … 10 thru 6

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Big Ten Football 2019 Bowl Projections, College Football Playoff picks after week 12

Here’s the latest look at where we project Big Ten teams to be playing in the postseason, as well as a look at the Playoff projections.

The Big Ten has a rich, rich history in historical bowl games, and the expectations are set for that to continue in 2019. Here at Buckeyes Wire, we’re keeping with tradition and giving you a peek at where we think all the teams in the conference will end up when all the dust settles on the season.

We reassess after each week of games and project based on what we’ve seen.

And as a reminder, don’t get too upset with these just yet. The season might be a rounding the corner into the home stretch, but there’s still a lot that could — and will — happen. So this whole things remains in flux and we’ll adjust each and every week.

Keep in mind that these scenarios are very complicated with projecting when there’s not enough teams from certain conferences with tie-ins, and the agreements with bowls to not repeat the same program over a certain time-frame if at all possible.

Here’s a look at the projections now after twelve weeks of results on the field.

Quick Lane Bowl

Thursday, December 26
8:00 ET, ESPN
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
ACC vs. Big Ten

Projection: North Carolina vs. Michigan State

New Era Pinstripe Bowl

Friday, December 27
3:20 ET, ESPN
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
ACC vs. Big Ten

Projection: Illinois vs. Louisville

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

Friday, December 27
8:00 ET, FS1
SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, CA
Big Ten vs. Pac-12

Projection: Michigan vs. USC

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Next … Continued

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Ohio State beats Rutgers: 5 things we learned in victory

Ohio State took care of business against Rutgers on Saturday. Here’s five things we learned.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t quite the score most people projected, but Ohio State still more than took care of business against a Rutgers team that’s just looking to turn the page into a new era.

Like most games, the Buckeyes raced out to a big lead, then cruised from there. The second and third teamers may have took it on the chin just a wee-bit toward the tail-end of the game, but it was still good experience and something the whole team can grow from.

Next up is the big one against Penn State, but first we take time to reflect with five things we learned from the Ohio State win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Anyone can make the spectacular play at anytime

Yeah, you know about Justin Fields, J.K. Dobbins, and Chase Young, but there’s so much NFL talent on this roster it’s a bit ridiculous. I think we’re going to look back on this year’s team and be absolutely floored by how many kids end up playing ball on Sundays.

Wide-receiver Chris Olave made a draw-dropping catch, cornerback Shaun Wade made a highlight-reel interception, and they aren’t the only ones to get into the spotlight.

Again, maybe it didn’t go as well with after the first-teamers as you would have thought against Rutgers, but this team has a depth of talent maybe nobody else in the country has.

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Next … Justin Fields can indeed sling it

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Ohio State stays at No. 2 in latest Amway Coaches Poll

The Ohio State Buckeyes held on to their No. 2 spot behind the LSU Tigers in the latest Amway Coaches Poll.

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The Ohio State Buckeyes held on to their No. 2 spot behind the LSU Tigers in the latest Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

The Buckeyes did pick up an extra first-place vote, receiving six after only earning five last week. The change was likely due more to LSU’s defensive struggles against Ole Miss than for anything the Buckeyes did in their blowout win over Rutgers. Or it could just be that one voter missed last week, and he would have picked Ohio State at No. 1 then too.

There was a change in the Top 5 this week, as Georgia jumped Alabama. Whether this was due to Georgia’s win over Auburn, Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, or some combination of the two, the Bulldogs have passed the Tide and will likely hold that position as long as Georgia doesn’t lose another game.

Minnesota and Baylor, who each suffered their first losses of the season this week, fell out from the Top 10–from No. 7 to No. 11 and No. 10 to No. 13, respectively.

The Big Ten and SEC led the poll with six ranked teams each. Three teams each were ranked from the AAC and Big 12, while the Pac 12 and Mountain West each put two teams in the poll. The ACC and Sun Belt each had one ranked team, along with Independent Notre Dame.

Navy, Texas, and Indiana all fell out of the rankings, while Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, and San Diego State moved in to replace them.