The Buckeyes are starting voluntary workouts at the WHAC this morning.
Folks, football is almost back.
Word of the Day: Capricious.
ANONYMOUS #TAKES. I work under the assumption that no less than 72 percent of anonymous Internet quotes are made up, in some fashion or another.
Maybe that's cynical, maybe that's unfair, but I find it's a good rule of thumb to keep me from getting needlessly worked up about information from an "insider" that's really just third-hand conjecture from Donatos delivery guy whose friend knows a student manager.
All that to say, here are some anonymous #takes about this year's Buckeye football team that are allegedly from opposing "coaches." Do what you wish with them.
"They're a favorite to win the conference and the national title, and it's for a very good reason," the coach said. "They're operating at the highest level. They're dominant in every phase of construction. They recruit, develop and coach better than anyone in the conference and as good as Alabama or Clemson."
...
Another coach appears to be skeptical about OSU maintaining the same production all the way through on defense in 2020, but even if there are growing pains, an offense led by junior quarterback Justin Fields and other playmakers should help easy any transition.
"They might be a step behind on defense, but they should be able to score points and really hurt your feelings with that offense," the second coach said. "They're still the gold standard on recruiting; nothing has changed there. They're the prohibitive favorite to win it all. It's that or bust."
Yes, you needed an anonymous quote to inform you that Ohio State is very good at offense and recruiting, and that coach absolutely needed the anonymity to protect him from those extremely provocative and inflammatory takes. I'm glad we did this.
TBT TO C-BUS. COVID-19 has forced The Basketball Tournament to reevaluate some things, but it's looking like the TBT could be played in Columbus after all. It's just going to look quite a bit different differerent.
The annual event, which has featured teams playing for a $2 million, winner-take-all prize, has been forced to adapt to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now in its seventh year, TBT will trim its field from 64 teams to 24 teams, all of whom will play in one location.
Columbus was initially selected as one of nine host cities, marking the second consecutive year TBT would hold games . Games were slated to be held at Ohio State’s Covelli Center from July 23-26, while the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship were to be played August 6-11 at the University of Dayton.
...
Complicating matters is the fact that Columbus is also a finalist to be one of two hub cities when the NHL resumes play, making it unlikely that both events could take place in the same city.
A formal announcement could come as soon as Monday.
I'm not going to pretend to have sources advising me on this matter, but I honestly have a hard time believing these two events couldn't take place in the same city.
The TBT was played at Capital University the past two years and was going to be held at the Covelli Center this year, so it's not like they're going to be fighting over the same venues or anything. And maybe I'm ill-informed about the city's hospitality industry, but I feel like there will be plenty of housing for both if need be.
Regardless, I'm hoping Carmen's Crew gets to win $2 million in a tournament that takes place on Ohio State's campus simply so that Thad Matta's squeaky-clean legacy goes full circle and those players get to make bank playing on the same court where they notoriously didn't make a cent.
BRING ON BLUE. When Ohio State started shifting towards a national recruiting approach, some voiced the extremely valid concern about whether these out-of-state #teens would understand the rivalry the way it needs to be understood.
That's not a problem when you've got prospects from Virginia indoctrinated before they're even seniors in high school.
— TreVeyon Henderson (@TreveyonH15) June 5, 2020
The Only Game That Matters.
(Clemson can go ahead and get dumped too, though).
FAMILY LEGACY. Sometimes, Buckeyes create other Buckeyes.
Lawrence Funderburke helped lead Ohio State to a Big Ten title during his playing days, and now his daughter is going to look to do the same – but in the pool instead of on the court.
Swimmer Nyah Funderburke has verbally committed to Ohio State University, where she will continue a family legacy for the Buckeyes. A rising high school senior, she is expected to join Ohio State for the 2021-2022 season. She won’t have to travel far for college – she’s already a member of the Ohio State Swim Club.
Funderburke’s parents both attended Ohio State, where notably her father Lawrence played the last 3 years of his college basketball career. He led Ohio State to the 1992 Big Ten Championship before going on to an 11-year professional basketball career, including 8 years in the NBA.
Nyah Funderburke is a 3-time Ohio High School Division II State Champion individually, having won titles in 3 different strokes.
I have no idea what my future offspring's Ohio State legacy will be, but I sure hope it's a lot cooler and more impressive than "take five years to graduate before landing a job that requires neither of my degrees."
BRAXTON MILLER – GOOD GUY. It's kind of astounding how under-the-radar Braxton Miller flies these days for a guy that's certified Buckeye royalty, but just because he's not always in the public eye doesn't mean he's not doing some cool things.
Much luv! https://t.co/AnrnRMnW6M
— BRAXTON MILLER (@BraxtonMiller5) June 8, 2020
That's my quarterback.
SONG OF THE DAY. Management requested the daily tune be moved to the end of each Skull Session, and I see no reason why not.
Here's "Carmen Ohio" sung by the Ohio State Men's Glee Club – virtually.
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