Ohio State Tennis

[bobleenov1963]

Although I hate to say this, as an Illini fan, the only way Tucker leaves is if he chooses to leave. He has done a phenomenal job as a northern school coach. If you’re going to measure success as having to win an NCAA title, then I think your expectations are a bit too high - his teams have basically won everything else. Keep in mind, the reason tOSU has talent is because Tucker has convinced these players to come play in Columbus, OH - not an easy task, just as it is trying to get players to come to Champaign, IL, or Ann Arbor, MI.

I’m not a fan when Tucker signs overaged foreign players (Torpegaard), but he recruits a lot of strong domestic players also. Not easy when you’re recruiting against schools from the SEC, ACC, PAC12, etc..

Tucker is probably one of the highest paid tennis coaches in D1 tennis, if not the highest. When you get paid like this, you're expected to bring NCAA title to the school. He has been there like almost twenty years and he hasn't won the NCAA title. I really don't care if his teams have basically won everything else. The goal is the NCAA title. He didn't prepare Wolf in the match against the freshman Riffice. There is no excuse that Wolf lost to Riffice and the responsibility is solely on Tucker.

Can you imagine Nick Saban gets paid 8M/year and not winning National title in twenty years? You think the University of Alabama will tolerate that? Hell no. With all the talents that Tucker recruited and not able to win the NCAA title, he needs to go. As Eric Swalwell said to Joe Biden in last month debate that "it is time to pass the torch to a new generations of Americans". Tucker needs to do the same thing and leaves.

 

[SpringWater]

Joyce to Texas as Assistant Volunteer Coach!

 

[Nacho]

Tucker is probably one of the highest paid tennis coaches in D1 tennis, if not the highest. When you get paid like this, you're expected to bring NCAA title to the school. He has been there like almost twenty years and he hasn't won the NCAA title. I really don't care if his teams have basically won everything else. The goal is the NCAA title. He didn't prepare Wolf in the match against the freshman Riffice. There is no excuse that Wolf lost to Riffice and the responsibility is solely on Tucker.

Can you imagine Nick Saban gets paid 8M/year and not winning National title in twenty years? You think the University of Alabama will tolerate that? Hell no. With all the talents that Tucker recruited and not able to win the NCAA title, he needs to go. As Eric Swalwell said to Joe Biden in last month debate that "it is time to pass the torch to a new generations of Americans". Tucker needs to do the same thing and leaves.

Seriously? 14 BIG championships, 2 indoor Championships, an NCAA individual champion, 1 conference loss since 2010, and many a top 10 finish? What teams have better records since 2000? And at a school that had zero interest in tennis, and had zero alumni or student support until he took over. Now they are completely rebuilding their tennis facilities. I think everyone forgets how bad OSU was prior to 2000 for a school with one of the largest athletic endowments out there. They had 3 last place finishes when he took over. Most schools that struggle have no budget, not OSU, they just didn't care before Tucker...

 

[Nacho]

OSU with the ever-so-interesting team this coming season. Initially expecting the loss of Martin Joyce and Hunter Tubert, I thought that OSU would actually be stronger with a strong freshmen class. However, after losing JJ Wolf to the circuit and Alex Kobelt to grad school/transferring but adding a much needed Justin Boulais, there's a lot more ambiguity for how the team will fare.

On first glance:
John McNally has had a great summer so far and looks poised to hold down the #1 spot
Kyle Seelig has had success as well and will continue being a great contributor to the team
I thought James Trotter was perfectly capable of starting last season and had picked up a great win against Roy Smith (former Baylor #1). I see success for him this year.
I'm fully expecting both Cannon Kingsley and Justin Boulais to start as well
The other freshmen (JJ Mercer and Robert Cash) are both high-end recruits, but not sure who'd occupy the last spot when also considering Tim Seibert. Seibert is a strong player who does respectable against tough players, but typically loses from what I've seen. Tucker has stacked Seibert at the 4th singles spot in previous years, but could find more success playing down to 6.

Overall, I do see regression mainly due to losing Wolf, but we'll see how the team develops come the start of the season.

I agree with some of what you say, I do think that Kobelt had a string of matches above his normal play, and couldn't maintain it so not that big a loss. Joyce never played well beyond the 4-6 spot, and Tubert wasn't solid until his senior year. Having Torp and then Wolf always winning at 1 was a bonus that, like you, I am not confident yet McNally can keep up with; but certainly the freshman coming in look strong and Trotter and Seibert should be able to fill holes as well. I don't think they will be the dominant team they were with Wolf in the lineup, but I expect they will be in the top 10 mix, and certainly look good for another BIG run. If Florida doesn't win this thing next year then something is wrong down there

 

[mikej]

If Florida doesn't win this thing next year then something is wrong down there

The depth of NCAA men’s tennis is too great for me to ever “expect” a championship from one particular team - there will be 3-5 outstanding teams next year with a chance to win the title, as there are most years, and I do expect UF to be among if not leading that bunch, but nothing is a given

(Somehow I’m better at adopting this attitude with men’s tennis than I am with men’s basketball, where I often go through a day or two phase of not talking to anyone when a great Duke team fails to cut down the nets)

 

[NoChance]

I do believe that the '20 NCAA tournament will be pretty interesting to follow. It's only late July, '19...a lot can happen before then.

 

[Nacho]

The depth of NCAA men’s tennis is too great for me to ever “expect” a championship from one particular team - there will be 3-5 outstanding teams next year with a chance to win the title, as there are most years, and I do expect UF to be among if not leading that bunch, but nothing is a given

(Somehow I’m better at adopting this attitude with men’s tennis than I am with men’s basketball, where I often go through a day or two phase of not talking to anyone when a great Duke team fails to cut down the nets)

Ha! Your being conservative, not a bad stance to have. But, with all the talent and returning proven players Florida has I would be shocked if they weren't top 5 all year; definitely the team to beat

 

[bobleenov1963]

Seriously? 14 BIG championships, 2 indoor Championships, an NCAA individual champion, 1 conference loss since 2010, and many a top 10 finish? What teams have better records since 2000? And at a school that had zero interest in tennis, and had zero alumni or student support until he took over. Now they are completely rebuilding their tennis facilities. I think everyone forgets how bad OSU was prior to 2000 for a school with one of the largest athletic endowments out there. They had 3 last place finishes when he took over. Most schools that struggle have no budget, not OSU, they just didn't care before Tucker...

14BIG championship is not the same as NCAA championship. If Tucker gets paid big money for a tennis coach, he needs to deliver championship to OSU. Simple as that. It is like OSU hired Urban Meyers just to win BIG championship. Are you kidding me? Urban Meyers was hired for two things: 1- beat Michigan and 2- win National championship. Btw, Urban Meyers accomplished both.

"What teams have better records since 2000?" Let see, how about Wake Forest, U. of Virginia, Texas, UCLA, Baylor, USC, Illinois, Georgia. All these teams won NCAA championship and OSU has not. For all the talents at OSU and the money the coach got paid and not winning the team NCAA championship, that's inexcusable and Tucker needs to go.

 

[Nacho]

14BIG championship is not the same as NCAA championship. If Tucker gets paid big money for a tennis coach, he needs to deliver championship to OSU. Simple as that. It is like OSU hired Urban Meyers just to win BIG championship. Are you kidding me? Urban Meyers was hired for two things: 1- beat Michigan and 2- win National championship. Btw, Urban Meyers accomplished both.

"What teams have better records since 2000?" Let see, how about Wake Forest, U. of Virginia, Texas, UCLA, Baylor, USC, Illinois, Georgia. All these teams won NCAA championship and OSU has not. For all the talents at OSU and the money the coach got paid and not winning the team NCAA championship, that's inexcusable and Tucker needs to go.

So your premise is that Ty, as a 20 year coach and graduate of OSU, earns more money then most high level D-1 coaches, and because of that he should be judged on winning National Championships? I agree we disagree on the success of a tennis coach, and I think comparing tennis expectations to other sports, such as a revenue generating one like OSU football, is the wrong approach. Completely different sports with completely different support and strategic objectives. OSU has one of the largest Athletic budgets in the country, with a surplus of revenue from its sports and donations ($30 million a year), so they can afford to pay their coaches what they want. They have double the sports programs of other schools, so its a monster of a school to work at.

I differ in that don't begrudge a guy that went to OSU, probably made a volunteer salary (if one at all) when he started as an assistant in 95', and has taken OSU to one of the top programs Nationwide with probably the best record since 2000. Just like any company that has had an employee for 25+ years, he has benefited from his longevity. Know anything about the old OSU coach? And Columbus is not exactly a tennis power bed for recruiting. They have to play their entire season indoors, with an athletic department that could have cared less about the sport up until 10 years ago, and now does because of Tucker. It was a monumental task and he has benefited from his success as consistent coach of the program, mens and now women's as well. Not to mention the players, the all americans (small handful before 2000), the coaches from under him to coach other programs...

By the way, you must have a short memory and are only naming schools that have won an NCAA Spring Championship, but to look at a few:
OSU record since 2000: 593-82 14 BIG championships, 2 ITA indoor Championships
Wake record since 2000: 393-177, 3 ACC championships, 1 NCAA Championship
UCLA record since 2000: 455-90. UCLA, a lifetime powerhouse tennis school with 22 All-americans since 2000, has only one NCAA championship since 2000 (2005), so with your logic they should get rid of Billy Martin correct?

I could look up the other schools, but it would be a similar story. Even Virginia was garbage prior to 2005...

 

[jcgatennismom]

"What teams have better records since 2000?" Let see, how about Wake Forest, U. of Virginia, Texas, UCLA, Baylor, USC, Illinois, Georgia. All these teams won NCAA championship and OSU has not. For all the talents at OSU and the money the coach got paid and not winning the team NCAA championship, that's inexcusable and Tucker needs to go.

All of the above schools with the exception of Illinois are schools that primarily play outdoors. With the NCAAs outside, those schools have an innate advantage. Indoors champs should get the same respect as NCAAs champs. Also big 10 is the weakest Power conference with only two (Illinois, Michigan) and sometimes three (Minnesota) strong teams for OSU to play in late spring. OSU plays most of its toughest matches indoors with a handful outside and then an easy conference season and championship while other top 16 teams are playing much harder conference matches and conference tournaments in late spring. Before facing UNC 5/16, OSU's last top 8 match was Texas more than 2 months before (and OSU lost).


Even the PAC-12 schools have struggled going deep in NCAAs in recent years; it has been the southern and Texan teams who have gone deep in the hot and humid outdoor conditions. Even some of the NCAA early rounds have been played indoors at some schools due to weather so those teams are less prepared when they do play outside. Dont judge a team on just NCAA wins but on the balance of NCAA and indoor wins... That said I agree Florida will be the favorite next year, but McNally did beat Riffice outdoors at a recent Challenger...

 

[MarTennis]

No way Tucker needs to go. Gotta respect how he turns 4 and 5 star in state players into productive doubles contributors. Not all about titles.

 

[MarTennis]

JJ's transition game is poor. his movement into net is slow. At ATP level, it will get exposed. also his stamina and shot tolerance is in question.

If true, Then your boy Tom fawcett has no shot in singles or doubles.

 

[Deon Sanders]

No way Tucker needs to go. Gotta respect how he turns 4 and 5 star in state players into productive doubles contributors. Not all about titles.

In recent memory he has

A couple of NCAA title winners in singles and doubles

Turned a nationally good but not specifically noteworthy to most people Peter Kobelt into the ITA #1 player. From Columbus area.

An essentially unheard of to almost anyone Kevin Metka into a player in the finals of the NCAA doubles. From Columbus area.

Coached what would become the highest ATP ranked college player of 2019 right into the circuit. That kid was from Ohio.

Turned a 2 star player into someone that has beaten top 25 ITA players (Alex Kobelt from Columbus area).

And the entire time has kept the roster almost entirely within Ohio including kids from Columbus and states bordering the state of Ohio with a couple international players over the years while reaching #1 rankings multiple times

Name another coach even close to that. Laughable to call some coach with a 100% international team of people that dont care a better coach.

 

[JW10S]

If true, Then your boy Tom fawcett has no shot in singles or doubles.

Tom Fawcett's current ATP singles world ranking is 935, his doubles ranking is 731--JJ Wolf at 283 is already ranked several hundred spots higher that Fawcett. And at 606 Wolf is also ranked higher in doubles than Fawcett.

 

[Nostradamus]

Tom Fawcett's current ATP singles world ranking is 935, his doubles ranking is 731--JJ Wolf at 283 is already ranked several hundred spots higher that Fawcett. And at 606 Wolf is also ranked higher in doubles than Fawcett.

then why is Fawcett better than him ? he can beat him in straight sets if they played

 

[mikej]

then why is Fawcett better than him ? he can beat him in straight sets if they played

Fawcett does have a high ceiling, he could possibly even have a better ATP career than the great Matt Bruch

 

[jerryjones1960]

No way Tucker should be fired or close to it, he's done an amazing job......the fact he's done it with Ohio kids is irrelevant, I doubt the AD cares where the kids are from if they win

 

[bobleenov1963]

No way Tucker should be fired or close to it, he's done an amazing job......the fact he's done it with Ohio kids is irrelevant, I doubt the AD cares where the kids are from if they win

If that's the case, show me the NCAA championship at the end of May. OSU has probably the best tennis player in the country this year in JJ Wolf and Wolf lost to a freshman from Florida, totally unacceptable. I blamed it squarely on Tucker. He has been at OSU for twenty years, a school with a big athletic budget, great facilities and NO NCAA championship in 20 twenty years. Oh, he is also probably the highest paying tennis coach in the country. Tucker is like Jim Harbaugh of U. of Michigan. All talks but no NCAA championship. Amazing job, give me a break.

 

[Rattler]

Riffice is not your

If that's the case, show me the NCAA championship at the end of May. OSU has probably the best tennis player in the country this year in JJ Wolf and Wolf lost to a freshman from Florida, totally unacceptable. I blamed it squarely on Tucker. He has been at OSU for twenty years, a school with a big athletic budget, great facilities and NO NCAA championship in 20 twenty years. Oh, he is also probably the highest paying tennis coach in the country. Tucker is like Jim Harbaugh of U. of Michigan. All talks but no NCAA championship. Amazing job, give me a break.

Riffice was not a run of the mill Freshmen.

 

[jerryjones1960]

good points, I'll counter by saying if Harbaugh has the same results as Tucker over the next 15 years he won't get fired either, in fact he'll get some serious raises and bonuses

 

[jerryjones1960]

which coach (s) is/are better then Tucker?

 

[Nostradamus]

WOW, this is impressive. JJ Wolf just beat Taro Daniel tour vet. Taro still plays very solid tennis top 100 caliber. even though Taro wasn't at his best today, still this is a good win for JJ trying to make it in the challenger tour

 

[andfor]

WOW, this is impressive. JJ Wolf just beat Taro Daniel tour vet. Taro still plays very solid tennis top 100 caliber. even though Taro wasn't at his best today, still this is a good win for JJ trying to make it in the challenger tour

Always an excuse. Jack Sock is not at his best either. If you show up to and play, the match counts.

 

[CHtennis]

Got their first win this year, with the freshman Cannon Kingsley playing one. How good will he be?

 

[Deon Sanders]

One cannot simply beat Ohio State indoors

Poor Texas probably thought they actually had a chance

 

[Deon Sanders]

Absolutely rolling USC right now

 

[Deon Sanders]

Kingsley absolutely dad dicked the number 1 ranked player

 

[Nacho]

This is similar to how it went last year...Some of the second sets are closer...but it is so tough to play there. USC had chances in doubles that would make a huge difference had they converted.

 

[Alcawrath]

OSU about to host Miss State at home. Let's go bucks!!! Also, OSU does a great job with their livestream that anyone can watch for free!!

 

[Golden_state_of_mind]

If they don't finish, it is a failure this year.

 

[collegetennisisthebest]

Ohio State had a better team last year....with an undefeated Trotter at 4.
Virginia has a better team this year...as Dietrich is a much stronger player than Goetz.
If Virginia does not win it again, it is a huge failure for Virginia.

 

[mikej]

Lol 1-4 are all crazy good, no one a failure for not taking home the title this year

 

[Sureshot]

I noticed that Anthrop lost when elevated to line 3 and was promptly returned to the fourth spot. It's easier to rack up wins and dominate lower down. To the close followers of the Buckeyes, are Anthrop and Bernard ready to play up top, cuz that's what will be required of them next year. I think Bernard has what it takes. He made the quarters of the NCAA singles competition last year and also won the Columbus 25K. That's some serious cred. But don't know much about Anthrop's claims to the top spot in the lineup.

 

[bobleenov1963]

If they don't finish, it is a failure this year.

I hope OSU will get it done this year. I was disappointed by OSU football team lost to TTUN for three straight years. UVA might be OSU kryptonite this year.

 

[scmyers]

Buckeyes 3-6 are favorites against everyone except Texas. Last years team WAS arguably better with Trotter at 4, but Anthrop and Bernard are better this year, and Anthrop has had a great year at 4 only losing when he moved up to 3 like @Sureshot pointed out. UVA looked vulnerable against South Carolina but as 2 time defending champions they can’t be overlooked. Texas is really coming on strong and their 1-3 have shown no weakness‘s. If Buckeyes get to the final and UT is there it’s going to be a tough one. As much as I like Anthrop, Bernard and Nakashima, they are the only 3 returning players next year with 13+ UTR’s and unless we get some high level transfers like Vocel and Van Emburgh from couple years back it’s going to be a down year. Even incoming highly touted recruit NIkita Filin is only a mid-high 12 UTR.

 

[Clemson_tennis]

Lol 1-4 are all crazy good, no one a failure for not taking home the title this year

Yeah I agree that nobody would be a "failure". It's just that Ohio State and TCU keep getting so close but can't finish the job. It must be eating Tucker and Roditi alive, even if they won't fully admit it. But in both cases, there have been better teams in the past than this year's version who didn't win it all. And Texas was highly touted and still only have that one title from 5 years ago now.

So there is some pressure on each one. But IMO Virginia has the least pressure because they have kind of exceeded expectations to win the past two seasons. TCU was the fav in 2022, and Texas/Ohio State were considered stronger last year but UVA stole both. So they are almost playing with house money at this point going for a three-peat.

 

[bobleenov1963]

Yeah I agree that nobody would be a "failure". It's just that Ohio State and TCU keep getting so close but can't finish the job. It must be eating Tucker and Roditi alive, even if they won't fully admit it. But in both cases, there have been better teams in the past than this year's version who didn't win it all. And Texas was highly touted and still only have that one title from 5 years ago now.

So there is some pressure on each one. But IMO Virginia has the least pressure because they have kind of exceeded expectations to win the past two seasons. TCU was the fav in 2022, and Texas/Ohio State were considered stronger last year but UVA stole both. So they are almost playing with house money at this point going for a three-peat.

UVA didn't steal anything . It won both times by beating all the teams it played in the tournaments. It has a very strong chance to win again this year for the second three-peat. Hopefully, my Buckeyes can stop the Cavs but I am not so sure.

 

[silentkman]

Yeah I agree that nobody would be a "failure". It's just that Ohio State and TCU keep getting so close but can't finish the job. It must be eating Tucker and Roditi alive, even if they won't fully admit it. But in both cases, there have been better teams in the past than this year's version who didn't win it all. And Texas was highly touted and still only have that one title from 5 years ago now.

So there is some pressure on each one. But IMO Virginia has the least pressure because they have kind of exceeded expectations to win the past two seasons. TCU was the fav in 2022, and Texas/Ohio State were considered stronger last year but UVA stole both. So they are almost playing with house money at this point going for a three-peat.

How exactly did UVA steal it?

 

[Clemson_tennis]

How exactly did UVA steal it?

They were are #7 and #5 seeds in each year, which for tennis are pretty low seeds to win it all. Obviously they were still dangerous and great teams but not widely picked to win it all, especially in 2021.

And “steal” as in they added more national titles to their program total, swiping the chance away from those who programs wanted to win their first one.

 

[silentkman]

They were are #7 and #5 seeds in each year, which for tennis are pretty low seeds to win it all. Obviously they were still dangerous and great teams but not widely picked to win it all, especially in 2021.

And “steal” as in they added more national titles to their program total, swiping the chance away from those who programs wanted to win their first one.

It took UVA awhile before they won the first one. They lost in the finals in back to back years. Their time will come. Not too many good pros came from UVA.

 

[mikej]

It took UVA awhile before they won the first one.

And for those that recall, they won that first title in the unlikeliest of ways (involving Mitchell Frank the ultimate grinder, a saved match point, and a UCLA foot touching the base of the net)…but after that the floodgates opened and they sure know how to win them nowadays.

 

[Sureshot]

Just read Robert Cash is applying to Med School. Great for him but a real bummer for college tennis fans. Would have loved to see him on the tour. Surely one of the best doubles players in recent times. Could have been the next Salisbury or Ram.

 

[jcgatennismom]

Just read Robert Cash is applying to Med School. Great for him but a real bummer for college tennis fans. Would have loved to see him on the tour. Surely one of the best doubles players in recent times. Could have been the next Salisbury or Ram.

Let’s hope he and Tracy go deep at USO! If he is applying for med school, does that mean he will start fall 2025? For most collegians, tennis won’t be their career, and too many are still struggling to make it as a pro at 30. Better to make the most of a set amount of time in high level tennis-maybe he will be able to play other high level ATP dubs events over next year if he does well at USO. He will still have tennis post med school and residency just at a different level. There are guys in ATL at 40 who still have 11.5 UTRs-there are guys who play USTA national dubs tourneys with their sons. One of my son’s HS best friends was a D3 All American and part of a D3 Natty team. He is in med school now.

 

[andfor]

Just read Robert Cash is applying to Med School. Great for him but a real bummer for college tennis fans. Would have loved to see him on the tour. Surely one of the best doubles players in recent times. Could have been the next Salisbury or Ram.

Wow. I thought it was impossible to play high D1 level tennis and study a rigorous degree! Haha. Hopefully he can have success with his tennis and then transition to med school. Will be fun to watch.

 

[anindit gopalakrishnan]

I can't imagine playing college tennis (probably one of the most fun things someone can do) and then attending med school right after (probably one of the worst things someone can do)

 

[mikej]

I can't imagine playing college tennis (probably one of the most fun things someone can do) and then attending med school right after (probably one of the worst things someone can do)

nah, med school is fine, especially for D1 athletes who already have a strong sense of time management

residency is when he will wonder where it all went wrong - especially if in a surgical field, which athletes often gravitate towards

but good luck young man - i've witnessed a few former D1 tennis players flounder and/or give up at the residency stage - one of which is an alumnus of feddie's dear program, who's still bouncing around through surgical training some 13 years after finishing his undergrad tennis career

 

[Sureshot]

JJ seems to have hit a wall. Currently 165 vs a career high 39. Hasn’t had good results in a while. Was hoping he would make the main draw at the Open but he fell to Halys in R2 of the qualies after a none too convincing win over Crawford. Haven’t watched any of his matches, so don’t know what’s ailing his game. Hope he can turn it around.

 

[andfor]

JJ seems to have hit a wall. Currently 165 vs a career high 39. Hasn’t had good results in a while. Was hoping he would make the main draw at the Open but he fell to Halys in R2 of the qualies after a none too convincing win over Crawford. Haven’t watched any of his matches, so don’t know what’s ailing his game. Hope he can turn it around.

Without knowing, I always side on the guess of playing through an injury, or recovering from one and getting the sea legs back. To be clear I'm not making an excuse for him. He's a pro and likely keeping to himself and his team whatever he's dealing with to get his game back. At his age and formerly being top 50, have to guess at a minimum he's got that level still in him.

 

[bobleenov1963]

JJ should give up tennis and join the Pickleball PPA tour.

 

[andfor]

JJ should give up tennis and join the Pickleball PPA tour.

He's made over $2.3 mil in prize money in 6 years as a pro tennis player. Considering Wolf's only 25 years old and the most pro Pickleball players make is around $250K and there's only a few that make that much, that's a great idea.