Get dumped then, Illinois.
Song of the Day: "Blue Orchid" by The White Stripes
Word of the Day: Wily.
SECRET WEAPON. We're less than a week into Garrett Wilson's move to the slot and I'm already pretty damn convinced that the Buckeyes have struck gold. And it seems like I'm not the only one.
Wilson lining up as the No. 1 slot receiver on the first day of practice Monday was one of the surprises of spring football. While Ryan Day explained away some position moves as the early experiments that spring football is all about, he didn’t talk about Wilson in the slot like it was an experiment. He talked about it like a solution, and maybe like something we haven’t seen at Ohio State before.
“I think when you look at his background, his basketball background, his spatial awareness is off the charts,” Day said. “His range is really good. He can operate in short areas. And the other thing for him is he can time up down the field like you said. He’s got a unique skill set. But I think his ability to catch the ball, put it away, run after the catch so quickly is something you want out of a slot receiver. And running option routes, setting up defenders and understanding space and everything like that, it happens a lot faster in there. But I think his skill set fits that.”
The middle of the field is more crowded, so a slot receiver has to find open areas, and he has to be able to turn it on quickly after a catch, because defenders are closing in. Coming into spring, I wasn’t expecting Wilson to play in there. After watching Monday’s practice and hearing Day’s explanation, it makes total sense.
Putting arguably the most electric playmaker on the field in the slot? Hell yeah!
There seems to be some sort of stigma against the slot receiver and nickelback positions that I don't understand. It's like everyone learned everything they know about football from playing Madden and assume those positions are automatically reserved for the third-best player in the rotation. But that's not close to true, especially in modern football.
I look forward to Wilson becoming the best slot receiver in college football (if he isn't already after a single spring practice).
THE BULLY'S NEXT VICTIM. Kaleb "The Bully" Wesson finally gets to pick on someone who can presumably stand up for himself tonight when he takes on 7-foot, 290-pound Kofi Cockburn, which is almost certainly the largest human he's ever faced on a basketball court.
"I never coached against Shaq"
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) March 4, 2020
Kofi Cockburn has rare size and athleticism. It's going to push the Buckeyes to rise to the challenge tomorrow against Illinois.
: https://t.co/SoBEulFe0V#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ux4USg6QOB
If Mark Turgeon's analysis is to be believed, I look forward to watching Kaleb push him around like a shopping cart tonight.
Ohio State is a 6.5-point favorite tonight. That might seem high, but it won't when the Buckeyes win by 13.
GET YOUR POPCORN READY. Basketball game aside, tonight's coverage of the Ohio State vs. Illinois game has the potential to get extremely interesting given a particular individual in attendance and the fellow calling the game.
Dan Dakich will call the OSU-Illinois game Thursday for ESPN. Bob Knight will also be in attendance with teammates from the 1960 national champions.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) March 4, 2020
If you have no idea why that's a big deal, I sincerely envy your lack of onlineness.
Dan Dakich and Bob Knight have a long, long history together with Dakich both playing and coaching under Knight for 16 years. Now, they pretty publicly don't get along at all.
I dont want to sound harsh, but I dont like him. I dont have a relationship, I dont want a relationship. I dont want to be around him. I dont want to see him. - Former Indiana player and assistant @DanDakich details the falling out he had with Coach Bob Knight pic.twitter.com/VrEZ3S0ACq
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) April 4, 2019
Dont think for a second this isnt Knight in his own mind sticking it to IU..out of the blue he shows up on a Saturday at a college hoops game...once again Knight disrespects those that played for him as all former players were at the IU game..loyalty has never been his thing https://t.co/zz7M58ibE2
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) January 11, 2020
I have a fairly firm rule against picking sides in a blood feud, but you better believe I'm gonna tune in to witness any and all fireworks.
Because if there's anything Dan Dakich does terribly, it's keeping his thoughts to himself, which could pose problematic when those thoughts are inflammatory towards a sentient powder keg.
MAMMA SAYS... Teradja Mitchell has just been given what I imagine is the most honorable nickname a linebacker could ever earn – Bobby Boucher.
Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington said he calls Teradja Mitchell Bobby Boucher, in reference to Adam Sandlers character in The Waterboy, because of his contact courage.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 4, 2020
Part of me feels completely cheated that we haven't Teeraw fully unleashed yet after two full seasons in Columbus. But another part of me is confident the wait is going to make the decleatings all the more spectacular when I finally get to see them.
TOM RYAN, AUTHOR. Tom Ryan's already a maker of men, and now it looks like he's trying a hand at wordsmithery, much to our benefit.
Was challenged to write a book on my journey home. Felt the timing was right. Will be released Summer of 2020. Thanks to all in my life who have lifted me along the way. https://t.co/nCq7UoogY5 pic.twitter.com/nexXdJg9kb
— Thomas Ryan (@Buckeye158) March 4, 2020
Based on what I know of his life story, I get the impression this is going to be a must-read.
NOT STICKING TO SPORTS. A DA says a man who's been on death row for 23 years is "likely innocent"... A man 1,119 times over alcohol limit is saved by doctors who administered 15 cans of beer... A thief uses a fishing rod to steal a Versace necklace... The Nigerian Prince internet scam is still fooling people... The most common illegal things car dealerships will try to do... How AI sent an early warning about the coronavirus.
