Happy Sunday Buckeye fans and welcome to today's Skull Session.
I honestly feel terrible for Urban Meyer right now.
He was often criticized at Florida for having so many players arrested (30 during his 6 years at Florida) and since he's taken the reigns at Ohio State, there have been 3 major arrests already, including Storm Klein's recent debacle later dismissed from the team.
Even though these arrests are completely out of his control, won't Coach Meyer get the blame?
If the Buckeye football team continues their arrests at the current pace, Meyer will definitely smash his arrest record at Florida, even if it's completely out of his control.
Way to go Buckeyes, let's continue our streak of dominance vs. Florida since the 2007 multi-sport championship losses.
Anyway, Nike's The Opening in Oregon has occupied most of my weekend and there is a lot to talk about, the Ohio Homecoming was entertaining, and many other exciting things happened in the last few days. We can put the negatives aside for now.
I'll ease you into it. We'll start with hoops and make our way into the football recruiting news.
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT 'EM. Just like how you are indispensable to the company you work for (they can't get rid of you), college basketball has their indispensable players.
ESPN posted a list of college basketball's most indispensable players and you guessed it, there has to be at least one Buckeye on the list. Why would I post this without one?
8. Aaron Craft (Ohio State) -- Another year in the Big Ten. Another battle at the top of the conference. Indiana should be the preseason favorite to win the league. But Michigan State, Michigan and Ohio State will be in that mix, too. The latter of which lost Jared Sullinger, but Craft is the kind of point guard that can make any roster click. He’s an efficient distributor (4.6 apg). And he’s still America’s top perimeter defender (2.5 spg). Yes, the Buckeyes need Deshaun Thomas to embrace his new role as the center of the offense. But Craft is still the most important player on that team. The Bucks are not elite without him.
I can't agree more that Aaron Craft is the most indispensable player on the Buckeyes, but #8? I was thinking top 5 for sure and here's why:
Other notables: #2 Cody Zeller, #4 Trey Burke. Agree?
OHIO HOMECOMING HOOPS. There were many questions why Evan Turner was not playing for the Team USA Elite squad that scrimmages the real Team USA during the Olympic trials.
The answer is that Evan Turner was helping out his former university and contributing to charity at the same time this Saturday. It wasn't just Evan Turner, many other "celebs" joined in on the action including former Buckeyes J.J. Sullinger, Ton Stockman, Dallas Lauderdale, Jon Diebler and David Lightly, Cleveland Cav Tristan Thompson, and others including former Lebron teammate Dru Joyce.
The group split to represent Team Columbus and Team Cleveland. The event held a 3-point contest before the game and can you guess who won? Check out that video here.
J.J. brought back memories once the game started:
Another THREEEE from @MrOH1O !!!! #TeamColumbus RT
— Ohio Homecoming (@OhioHomecoming) July 7, 2012
Each player had an opportunity to shine and the game was a success with Team Columbus eeking it out at the end 94-91.
11W's Kyle Rowland will have the full story tomorrow.
NIKE'S #THEOPENING RUMOR MILL . The Opening out in Oregon has been extremely eventful and the 11W recruiting staff has been working hard to stay on top of the rumor mill.
There has been plenty of rumors floating around specifically with Plano, Texas LB Mike Mitchell, who just crushed the SPARQ record with an incredible 4.39 40 yard dash time.
Now, this isn't a speedy wide receiver. This kid is legit 6'3/215 and is faster than almost everyone else at the camp.
Mitchell has been rumored to be a Buckeye lean and could commit to OSU this weekend before the camp ends.
Hearing matter of when not if for Mike Mitchell to #OhioState
— Alex 11W (@alex11w) July 7, 2012
Mitchell says his top 3 are Ohio State, TCU, and Florida State but will visit Ohio State and Florida State in the next few weeks.
The six Buckeye commits at The Opening have also been under the microscope and TE Marcus Baugh performed as well as anyone in Saturday's 7 on 7s.
Marcus Baugh has been great today. #Buckeyes
— JC Shurburtt (@jcshurburtt) July 8, 2012
Baugh hooked up for multiple TDs with future rival and Penn State commit Christian Hackenberg.
RB Ezekiel Elliott rocked an Ohio State hat all day yesterday on ESPNU showing his strong allegience to his future school.
And...the best tweet of the day and something we will definitely be seeing a lot of down the road:
Cam Burrows breaks up a Shane Morris pass
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) July 8, 2012
Count on it.
MORE MITCHELL. Mike Mitchell also has a little brother who is a stud athlete as well. Mickey Mitchell (6-7/200) happens to be one of the top, if not the top, 2015 basketball recruit in the country. Whichever football program ends up landing Mike could greatly benefit the school's basketball program as well.
Whoever gets Mike Mitchell is also in very good position for landing his bro, stud 2015 SF Mickey Mitchell. bit.ly/NcqrZj
— Brian Perroni (@RivalsPerroni) July 7, 2012
Oh how Thad would be so happy with Urban if this all worked out.
CLICK IT OR A TICKET. Video from The Opening where it seems like the Michigan OL commits get beat every time. David Lighty giving his thoughts before the Ohio Homecoming game starts (bad quality). The Opening "easiest coach impersonations" with the not-so-funny Shane Morris and Alex Anzalone. If each BCS team was a drug which one would the Buckeyes be (Not too fond of OSU's but funny)? New Scout 100 has Marc Loving dropping to 48.
