Tag: C.J. Walker

Former Ohio State guard C.J. Walker to play in TBT, but not with team you think

Umm, what’s the deal here? Say it ain’t so C.J.

It looks like there will be another former Ohio State basketball player taking part in the winner-take-all basketball tournament known as … wait for it … The Basketball Tournament. You know it well. The Buckeye alumni squad Carmen’s Crew won the whole thing in 2019 but stubbed its tow last summer in the first round. The squad is back for another run at glory with much of the same nucleus it’s had before.

Now, it appears another former OSU player of recent feats of athletic endeavors is getting into the mix in the TBT, but not for Carmen’s Crew. According to an announcement on Twitter, OSU’s point guard from the last couple of seasons, C.J. Walker, is in the fold to play with Dayton’s alumni team, the Red Scare.

Walker isn’t the only former Ohio State player moonlighting for the Red Scare. He joins Trevor Thompson and Jordan Siebert (who transferred to Dayton). Dayton and Columbus are only about 70 miles apart so maybe there was some confusion.

Either way, we’ll root for any former Buckeye until they run up against Carmen’s Crew. And by the way, if the chalk holds, the two will meet in Columbus in the regional final at the Covelli Center as the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds.

Sign me up for that.

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Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

Did he stay or did he go? Tracking the biggest NBA draft decisions

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

All prospects who declared early entry for the 2021 NBA draft without foregoing their collegiate eligibility had until July 7 to withdraw.

While the official date from the league is not actually until July 19, the NCAA has mandated the deadline of July 7 for players who wish to play college basketball next season.

Prospects who declared as early entry candidates but were just “testing the waters” often opt to return to the collegiate ranks so as to improve their draft stock for the subsequent year instead. But there are several reasons why a player might be even more willing to return to college for another campaign than usual.

For example, seniors have the option to use another year of eligibility because of the massive impact of COVID-19. Others may be interested in playing another year of college in front of fans after last season was met with many restrictions.

Meanwhile, all NCAA athletes also now have the ability to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) for the first time. This offers an avenue to collect some money while still in college without needing to fully commit to turning pro.

Here are the latest updates about who is still testing the waters, who will be turning pro and who will be returning to the NCAA.

C.J. Walker grateful, will pursue professional basketball

As expected, Ohio State guard C.J. Walker made it official by announcing his intentions to pursue a professional basketball career.

It isn’t really much of a surprise, but Ohio State guard C.J. Walker will not be returning to Ohio State. Though a senior, there was still a slim possibility that Walker would have a change of heart and take advantage of the extra year of eligibility afforded to athletes because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It would have been a major shock if Walker pulled the trigger on a change of heart and decided to return to Columbus for one more run at things. He had already participated in a senior day ceremony and made several remarks about his career and moving on.

Still, if you held out hope a guy with experience and guts would still be a part of things, you can now move on. Walker, as expected, was gracious and thankful for his time at Ohio State.

Ohio State will now turn to other options at the point guard position as expected. Getting transfer Jamar Wheeler will subdue some of the sting of losing Walker’s steadying presence, and having a healthy Jimmy Sotos will provide needed depth. You can also bank on Duane Washington getting some time on the ball as long as he too comes back after testing the NBA waters.

Ohio State basketball way-too-early projected starting lineup, key players for 2021-2022

Ohio State vs. Minnesota Big Ten Tournament basketball preview, prediction, and odds

Ohio State will play Minnesota in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. We’ve got your preview and score prediction to get you ready.

Records

Ohio State 18-8 (12-8), Minnesota 14-14 (6-14)

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Thursday, March 11
Game Time: 2 p.m. EST (approximately)
Venue: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Network: Big Ten Network

OK. Here we go. It’s March and it’s time for all the madness to begin. Before we get into the NCAA Tournament though, it’s time for some mayhem in the Big Ten Tournament for Ohio State.

The Buckeyes have lost four straight games, but that matters little now. It’s really like a brand new season, with each win a one-and-done scenario. Ohio State now nows its opponent, and it comes in the form of the No. 13 seed Minnesota Golden Gophers. They were playing some really good ball when they beat OSU by seventeen points early in the season, but since then have fallen on hard times because of scattered play and injury.

Somehow, someway, Minnesota found a way against Northwestern on Wednesday, and Ohio State will need to be at the top if its game to move on to face Purdue with a win in the quarterfinals.

The stage is set, now it’s time to put on the show.

Next … The Ohio State game plan

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

WATCH: Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann, guard C.J. Walker discuss loss vs. Michigan State

Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann and guard C.J. Walker met with the media to discuss the heartbreaking loss vs. Michigan State on the road.

The Ohio State basketball team fell victim to the rigors of the Big Ten on Thursday night. Michigan State has not had the season it wanted to date this season, but it’s still Michigan State and the athletes and talent are there. Sure enough, the Spartans played hard, physical, and tough down the stretch to make a couple more plays than the Buckeyes to pull off the upset and enhance their chance at the postseason.

Guard C.J. Walker and head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media after the game to discuss what they saw from the game, what Michigan State was doing, and what went wrong.

We’ve got the entire press conference for you in its entirety. Click on the below video taken from our YouTube account and watch reactions from both after the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksqsm4wh4eU

Ohio State next takes on another tough, talented, and physical opponent in Iowa on Sunday.

C.J. Walker to try and play against Wisconsin

According to basketball insider Jon Rothstein, Ohio State point guard C.J. Walker will try and play against Wisconsin Saturday.

News broke earlier this week that C.J. Walker was a potential for getting back at practice in hopes that he could be available for the team against Wisconsin Saturday.

It now appears as though that is a reality.

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, head coach Chris Holtmann told him that Walker is going to try and play in Madison against a No. 10 ranked Badgers squad Saturday.

Walker has been out of the lineup for the last four games as he deals with some torn ligaments in his hand. He tried to play through the injury that occurred during a scrimmage in November, but it began to affect his play a bit too much and the decision was made to give the injury rest and time to heal.

If Walker can play and be close to himself, it could be a shot in the arm for an Ohio State team that has had to use guys in ball-handling positions they aren’t best suited to perform. Not only has OSU been without Walker, but without backup point guard Jimmy Sotos as well, who injured his shoulder against Rutgers on January 9. It does not appear as though he is ready to quite come back.

The Buckeyes won three of four games with Walker out of the lineup, but it would be tough for this team to continue to play at that high of a level without their leader and point guard on the floor.

We’ll see how well it goes today at 4 p.m. EST.

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Ohio State could get point guard C.J. Walker back Saturday against Wisconsin

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State could get point guard C.J. Walker back for game against Wisconsin Saturday.

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch (subscription may be required), the Ohio State basketball team could get starting point guard C.J. Walker back for the game against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Walker has been out four games because of torn ligaments in his hand. He suffered the injury during preseason workouts in November and tried to play through it, but it became too much and he had to shut it down. Now, it appears he may be on the cusp of returning and has been cleared to begin trying to work his way back.

“We’ll see how he does if he can return to practice and to what degree he feels confident in his hand,” Holtmann told the  Dispatch. “I wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s going to depend on what he feels like his pain tolerance can be coming back.”

Ohio State won three of the four games without him, turning initially to backup guard Jimmy Sotos, but he too went down with injury a couple of games ago. The team has used a combination of Justice Sueing and Duane Washington mostly to handle the ball coming up the floor that last two times out. It appears as though Sotos is still not ready to get back into action, but Walker’s presence could be huge for the team.

“Jimmy would be doubtful (against the Badgers),” Holtmann said. “It’ll be a tip decision but it’s probably doubtful. CJ, he could practice. I wouldn’t expect it necessarily to be a situation where he’s thrown right back into 32 minutes a night. I think it’s going to be based on how he feels.”

Ohio State and Wisconsin face each other in Madison at 4:00 p.m. EST Saturday.

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Ohio State could get point guard C.J. Walker back Saturday against Wisconsin

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State could get point guard C.J. Walker back for game against Wisconsin Saturday.

[jwplayer cslL0ru7-er0jUifI]

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch (subscription may be required), the Ohio State basketball team could get starting point guard C.J. Walker back for the game against Wisconsin on Saturday.

Walker has been out four games because of torn ligaments in his hand. He suffered the injury during preseason workouts in November and tried to play through it, but it became too much and he had to shut it down. Now, it appears he may be on the cusp of returning and has been cleared to begin trying to work his way back.

“We’ll see how he does if he can return to practice and to what degree he feels confident in his hand,” Holtmann told the  Dispatch. “I wouldn’t rule it out, but it’s going to depend on what he feels like his pain tolerance can be coming back.”

Ohio State won three of the four games without him, turning initially to backup guard Jimmy Sotos, but he too went down with injury a couple of games ago. The team has used a combination of Justice Sueing and Duane Washington mostly to handle the ball coming up the floor that last two times out. It appears as though Sotos is still not ready to get back into action, but Walker’s presence could be huge for the team.

“Jimmy would be doubtful (against the Badgers),” Holtmann said. “It’ll be a tip decision but it’s probably doubtful. CJ, he could practice. I wouldn’t expect it necessarily to be a situation where he’s thrown right back into 32 minutes a night. I think it’s going to be based on how he feels.”

Ohio State and Wisconsin face each other in Madison at 4:00 p.m. EST Saturday.

[listicle id=41153]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.