BASE: Power Surge Leads to 21-14 Win

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Every starter scored a run and nearly every starter hit a home run as Ohio State defeated Connecticut, 21-14, Saturday at Harmon Field to improve to 7-0 on the season. The 7-0 record ties for the third-best start ever for an Ohio State team with only two teams – the 1917 team opened 10-0 and the 1991 won its first eight games – opening the season with a better record.

The Buckeyes pounded 21 hits against five UConn pitchers. Seven of those hits were home runs, including five in the third inning that enable the Buckeyes to come back from a 4-2 deficit and take a 10-4 lead. The seven home runs increased the team’s total to 15 in 2009 after hitting only 19 the entire 2008 season.

In that third inning and with one out, Justin Miller hit a solo shot, Dan Burkhart walked and Cory Rupert homered. Then with two out, Michael Arp singled, Matt Streng homered over the scoreboard in left field, Zach Hurley singled, Cory Kovanda homered and then Michael Stephens homered. Single inning home run records are not tracked in the Ohio State media guide, so it is unsure whether a record was set.

Hurley added a two-run shot in the fourth inning and Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington in the starting lineup for only the second time, hit another towering blast in the seventh inning that made the score 21-13. Streng’s home runs were not only the first two of his career, but they came from both sides of the plate. No idea when – if ever – that’s been accomplished by a Buckeye.

Ohio State added five runs in both the fourth and sixth innings to maintain a goal-line-stand advantage over a Huskie team, now 3-3 on the year, that would not quit. Despite trailing by scores of 10-4 and 15-6, the Huskies kept swinging the bats against an array of Ohio State pitchers – freshman Ross Oltorik made his first collegiate start and he was followed by Theron Minium, Jared Strayer and Drew Rucinski – and closed the gap to 15-12 through six innings. The Huskies totaled 18 hits for the game with five players having two or more.

Minium, who entered the game in the bottom of the third with Ohio State trailing 4-2, picked up the win. He and Strayer joined Oltorik in seeing their first action of the 2009 season. Minium was pitching for the first time since the 2007 season as he red-shirted last year.

Jake Hale came in and finished his fifth game of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. UConn starter Greg Nappo gave up eight runs off eight hits in 2.2 innings and dropped to 1-1 with the loss.

Courtesy Jerry Emig Ohio State Athletics

Jantel Lavender Repeats as Big Ten Player of the Year

PARK RIDGE, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference office announced on Monday the 2009 All-Big Ten women’s basketball teams and individual award winners. Highlighting the list, Ohio State sophomore Jantel Lavender was named Big Ten Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Buckeye head coach Jim Foster was named Coach of the Year, OSU point guard Samantha Prahalis was named Freshman of the Year, Buckeye junior Shavelle Little was named Defensive Player of the Year and Purdue freshman Brittany Rayburn was named Sixth Player of the Year.

Lavender earns Big Ten Player of the Year distinction by the conference coaches and media this year, after earning selection by the coaches last season. She becomes the sixth player in Big Ten women’s basketball history to earn the award in back-to-back seasons, joining former Buckeyes Tracey Hall (1986-87) and Jessica Davenport (2005-06-07). The sophomore became just the second player in conference history to complete the statistical triple crown, leading the conference in points (20.0) and rebounds (9.9) per game, as well as shooting percentage (.549) during Big Ten play. She eclipsed the 1,000-career point milestone this season, needing just 53 games to reach the marker, making her the second-fastest Buckeye in history to reach the plateau. Also this season, Lavender was named Big Ten Player of the Week five times, tying her for the conference’s single-season record. Her nine career selections tie her for third on the conference’s all-time list. Lavender also earned unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten first team by the coaches and media.

Lavender’s mentor, Foster was tabbed as the conference Coach of the Year by his peers and by a 22-member media panel. The selection is his fourth in the last five years. The 31-year coaching veteran led Ohio State to its fifth consecutive Big Ten title, a feat previously accomplished only by the 1983-87 Buckeye squads. Under his guidance, Ohio State finished the regular season with a 24-5 overall mark and ranked as high as 12th nationally. The Buckeyes enter the 2009 Big Ten Tournament as the No. 1 seed for the fifth consecutive year, marking an unparalleled run atop the bracket.

A freshman under Foster’s tutelage, Prahalis was named Freshman of the Year by the coaches and media. She becomes the second consecutive Buckeye (Lavender) to earn the honor and is the eighth player in program history to receive the nod. The Commack, N.Y., native led the Big Ten in assists throughout the season and finished the regular season with a 5.76 assists-per-game average to rank 15th among all NCAA Division I players. Prahalis led all Big Ten freshmen in scoring, averaging 10.0 points per game, and finished sixth among her classmates with 3.0 boards per contest. She was also named to the All-Big Ten second team by the media and earned honorable mention selection by the coaches.

A junior for the Buckeyes, Little is the second player in conference history to be named Defensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. Her award marks the Buckeyes’ third in the 10-year history of the honor. Little averaged 2.57 steals per game during the 2008-09 campaign and anchored a Buckeye defense that gave up less than 55 points per Big Ten game. On offense, the Ann Arbor, Mich., native contributed 3.2 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest.

Another Buckeye recognized was senior Star Allen who was named to the third team by both the coaches and the media. Allen led the Big Ten in field goal percentage at .545 percent, was ninth in rebounding (7.5) and 19th in scoring at 10.9 per game. She scored a career-high 25 points in her final home game Sunday and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds. She also had four assists and three blocks. Allen, who was a second-team selection in 2006-07, went over 800 points for her career Sunday. In her last five games, Allen has scored 91 points (18.2 ppg) and is shooting 37-of-62 (.597 percent) from the field.

Courtesy Adam Widman Ohio State Athletics and The Big 10 Conference

Tressel To Visit Troops

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s Jim Tressel is one of six college football coaches who will visit U.S. service personnel in the Middle East as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour in May.

The delegation is planning to make stops throughout the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The tour is organized through the Department of Defense. The coaches will meet for orientation in late May and should be overseas eight days.

Others participating this year include Mack Brown (Texas), Houston Nutt (Ole Miss), Rick Neuheisel (UCLA), Troy Calhoun (Air Force) and Tommy Tuberville, who was a part of the inaugural Coaches’ Tour last year.

For more information, go to www.coachestour2009.com.

Courtesy Shelley Poe Ohio State Athletics

2009 Ohio State Football Season Preview: Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Mike Adams (6-8, 322, So) #74
After an injury plagued freshman year at Ohio State Mike Adams comes into this season as the favorite to replace graduating senior Alex Boone.

Adams hoped to win a starting spot on the line last season before suffering a shoulder injury in spring practice. As the season progressed and the line continued you to struggle Adams got a shot to fill in for Boone against Purdue. Adams left the field after the game with his foot in a walking boot.

This season Adams comes into spring practice healthy and a disappointing injury riddled season can not wipe away all the success he had at the prep level. Adams, a U.S. Army All American, ranked nationally in the Top 100 from ESPN, Scout, Rival, Prep Star, and Superprep.

Adams has the NFL size at tackle that Ohio State looks for. At 6-8 he shows surprising athleticism with quick feet and good hands. In the run game he shows the technique and skill to make it to the second level and put a body on defenders. Against the pass his lateral movement and hand gives him the ability to slow down any pass rusher. He is not a dominating tackle but his technique and athleticism will make him a staple at left tackle for the Buckeyes.

Left Guard: Jim Cordle (6-4, 297, Sr.) #64
Jim Cordle returns to the offensive line as the most experienced Buckeye starter and looks to anchor the line in 2009.

In 2007 Cordle entered into the starting lineup at Ohio State as a sophomore. His task was to replace Rimington Award finalist Doug Datish and the change has worked out well for Buckeye Fans. He played most of the season with his right hand in a cast to protect a wrist fracture and snapped the ball with his opposite hand. His impressive play despite the injury earned him a a selection to ESPN’s all-Mayday team for toughness.

Last season, as a junior, Cordle again started at center for the Buckeyes before being moved to guard. Injuries to the line and overall underachievement forced Ohio State to make some changes. Cordle moved to left guard and made way for freshman standout Mike Brewster.

Cordle has exceptional quickness and plays low with power. His versatility and athleticism allows Ohio State to open up the running game, installing pulling plays designed to feature his mobility. His move to guard has worked out well and his success there will continue to make an impression this season.

Center: Michael Brewster (6-5, 296, So.) #50
Michael Brewster heads into his first full season of starting and hopes to build on his early successes.

Brewster came to Ohio State as part of one of the best recruiting classes to ever walk onto campus. The number one offensive linemen from the state of Florida accepted just as many awards as Terrelle Pryor. Brewster like Mike Adams was a U.S Army All-American and ranked in the top 100 from ESPN, Scout, Rivals, PrepStar, and Superprep.

Brewster is a gamer. He is a very physical and intense competitor and plays with a high motor. Ohio States line became instantly manageable with his entrance into the lineup. His athleticism makes him a good fit with Terrelle Pryor getting downfield and making plays when there is a breakdown.

Right Guard: Justin Boren (6-3, 310, Jr.) #56
Justin Boren joined the Buckeyes last season after transferring from Michigan. Boren left the wolverines to return to his home state citing that Michigan’s “Family Values” had eroded.

Boren started every game as a sophomore for Michigan at either center or guard. His experience and skill makes him as much of a lock on the line as Brewster. Having appeared in 18 games at Michigan he will begin his Buckeye career as one of the most experienced players on the line.

Don’t expect any early struggles as he transitions into the system, as Boren arrived in Columbus spring of 2008. Boren has great size and plays very physical he will start fast and finish this season as the best Buckeye linemen. Expect Boren to have just as much success on the line as the Buckeyes have against his former team.

Right Tackle: Bryant Browning (6-4, 312, Jr.) #70
Bryant Browning started all of last season at right tackle for Ohio State replacing All-American Kirk Barton. Browning played very well considering his inexperience and the poor play of the offensive line.

Coming into camp he will be the favorite at right tackle but he will face more competition at his position than any other player on the line. Like any young player, Browning at times struggled with false starts and penalties. But as the season progressed he proved he was the best answer for Ohio State.

Browning, a powerful run blocker, will be challenged from spring ball from J.B. Shugarts and Connor Smith. Browning’s starting experience will give him a good chance to hold onto the job…at least at the start of the season.

Top 5 Questions Facing the Buckeyes

1. David Lighty—missed?

The loss of junior captain David Lighty has proven to be more serious than anyone could have expected. Lighty, a key reserve from the Conley-Oden Buckeyes, has stepped into his new role as the leader of this team among failed expectations.

Fans and media alike agreed that the loss of Lighty would not bring the demise of the Buckeyes. But a closer look at this team reveals that this injury was a serious blow to the Buckeyes.

Since Lighty exited the lineup Dec. 17, the team once with the nation's longest winning streak, including ranked wins over Notre Dame and Miami, is struggling to stay in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten.

Lighty’s stats are meager at best, averaging 9.7 pts, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, but his impact on the Buckeyes is much more than just stats.

“In Lighty, the Buckeyes lost a guard with Final Four experience, someone who understands Thad Matta's system and could be a much-needed mentor to the younger players on the team,” said Andy Katz.

The Buckeyes, now six weeks into Lighty’s 6-12 week injury, are hoping for a miracle because without Lighty, Ohio State lacks the ability to win against top Big Ten foes Michigan St. and Illinois.


2. Can the bench survive with the loss of Crater?

Backup Anthony Crater poured salt on the wound, just 11 days after the loss of Lighty, requesting a release from Coach Thad Matta. Crater had 12 points and 19 assists in the young season. This leaves the much-maligned P.J. Hill to step up and be the guy one year after Buckeye fans found out he could not be the guy.

P.J. Hill quickly won the favor of the Ohio State faithful with his defensive pressure and energy, but his offensive deficiencies are too many to overcome. Averaging 1.4 points and 1.1 assists per game, Hill looks like he is playing a jacked-up version of hot potato with the ball.

William Buford (G) and B.J. Mullens (C) have shown improvement, but Ohio State lacks depth in the backcourt behind Jeremie Simmons. In a tough stretch of the Big Ten season, the Buckeyes are forced to find points off the bench from the likes of Nikola Kecman, Kyle Madsen, and Walter Offutt.


3. The Diebler Debacle?

As a senior at Upper Sandusky High School, Jon Diebler led the nation in scoring at 41.2 points per game, grabbed 12.3 rebounds per game, was named Mr. Basketball in Ohio, and finished his career as Ohio’s all-time leading scorer. All of his success has not been able to translate into consistency at the next level.

As a sophomore Diebler is averaging 10.5 points per game and is still struggling to find a role in Thad Matta’s offense. Offensively he lives and dies with the three, and his lack of strength makes him a liability cutting to the basket.

Diebler has a great work ethic, discipline, and a genuine desire to improve. He may turn out to be Matta’s best recruit simply because he may stick around for four years, if the fans are willing to wait.


4. Can B.J. Mullens give the Buckeyes a post presence?

After the exodus of Kosta Koufos, a big man with a pulse would bring a smile to any Buckeye fan. A year of turnovers and outside jumpshots from the big seven-footer left people in Columbus screaming for a big man that can get his hands dirty in the paint.

Thad Matta attempted to ease the freshman center, B.J. Mullens, into the starting lineup, and it has paid dividends. Mullens has okay hands, quick feet, and the ability to score with many different post moves. He still lacks intensity and can sometimes let his emotions get the best of him. Let’s just hope this seven-footer decides to stick around for a second year.


5. Too Young?

Too bad. In an era of college basketball where the NBA has significantly crippled some NCAA programs, Ohio State has fallen victim to the one and done syndrome plaguing many universities.

Year in and year out players come to campus to scrape by, avoid injuries, and prepare for the NBA Draft. Programs are forced to learn how to recruit on the fly as many of their highly touted freshmen opt out for the draft.

Thad Matta has struggled with his recruiting strategy, and although the Buckeyes have the second-youngest team in the Big Ten, they could be even younger next season with the potential of losing sophomore Evan Turner (the team's leading scorer) and freshman center B.J. Mullens.

After three straight seasons of great recruiting classes, next season Thad Matta could be looking for answers from the student body in the form of some walk-ons.