As much as I like waking up to speculation that I'm dead or in jail... let's just hope today's Skull Session posts on time.
OSU, THE CONSISTENCY KINGS. Because Ohio State wasn't good at football in the 1700s, it's a bit buried — by OSU standards, anyway — on the all-time winningest programs list.
But in the modern era, Ohio State avoided patches of mediocrity that engulfed programs higher on the list. (Looking at you, Michigan.)
From Jeff Svoboda of BuckeyeSports.com:
The Buckeyes have won 10-plus games 16 times in the last 22 years. They have had exactly one losing season in that span, a 6-7 campaign in the strained transition year between Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer. They’ve won two national championships in that time, played for it two others, and had a case as being as good as anyone in the nation six or seven other seasons.
[...]
In many ways, Ohio State – which checks in sixth all-time with 863 wins – is the Pittsburgh Steelers of college football. The Buckeyes have had just five full-time coaches since 1950. In that time, there have been just four losing seasons. Over the past two decades while every other school near the top of the list has seemingly had an extended down period, the Buckeyes’ worst span – a 21-15 mark from 1999-2001 – was preceded by a Sugar Bowl win and followed by a national championship.
I assume as long as Ohio State employs Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes will do nothing but increase their winning percentage.
RUSSELL STUDIED ANOTHER SLITHERY LEFTY. I've seen D'Angelo Russell compared to a bevy of NBA players, but I had yet to hear a Manu Ginobli comparison.
From Drew Garrison of SilverScreenAndRoll.com:
"I studied Manu Ginobili," Russell told NBA TV when asked which players he's tried to pattern his game around. "Not a lot of guys really valued his play. Growing up that was a guy that I really focused on." It's easy to see the comparison. Neither player is super-athletic, but both are left-handed playmakers with slithery moves to catch defenses off balance. Russell is a few inches shorter than Ginobili, but his impressive 6'9 wingspan makes up for it. His shooting ability is what can set him apart, though.
That's a great comparison to consider for Los Angeles Lakers fans, especially after Russell went on to say he sees himself as a combo guard. "I've been playing that combo role my whole life," D'Angelo reflected. That's a bonus to his draft value as the roster is currently constructed. Russell and Jordan Clarkson can play together because of D'Angelo's versatility, and he could also log consistent minutes next to Kobe Bryant.
I watched the interview live, and when Silk mentioned Manu, all the pieces slid together in my mind. In retrospect, it makes so much sense that I'm mad I didn't think of it first.
(UPDATE 9:07 a.m.): Here's the full video:
OSU, NOT THE B1G ATTRITION KING. THESIS: Urban Meyer is a ruthless dictator who will cut any corner and screw over any player to stay competitive.
Evidence from Patrick Vint of BlackHeartGoldPants.com, who compiled the transfer numbers of B1G programs over the last four years:
| TEAM | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IOWA | 10 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 25 |
| RUTGERS | 10 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 19 |
| MICHIGAN | 14 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
| ILLINOIS | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 17 |
| OHIO STATE | 11 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 |
VERDICT: Urban Meyer is not ruthless when it comes shoving kids out the door.
(Insert your Kirk Ferentz B1G Coach of the Year joke here, but of course Tim Beckman isn't even elite at pushing kids out the door.)
CLOSE CALL THERE, MAJIN BUU. 2015 OL signee Matt Burrell was considered a "must-get" by the Ohio State staff. The Buckeyes got their man, but Burrell revealed yesterday just how much work they must've put in to land the big fella:
Michigan was my dream school early lol till some things changed and since then the color makes my stomach hurt https://t.co/GSs3iTlGCx
— Matthw Brrell Jr!! (@majiiinbuu) May 12, 2015
Burrell, by the way, wasn't the only 2015 OSU signee that once thought he was going Michigan.
THOSE WMDs. "Creep" was actually man taking selfie with Darth Vader... Five surprising beach vacations at Ohio state parks... Brazil's $550M World Cup stadium turned parking lot... Facebook-New York Times deal is here... Nobody should care what Bobby Bowden thinks of Jameis Winston.
