LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: Buckeyes

New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – This week only 1/2 of the dynamic duo was able to get a recording in, and Chris of course used it to talk about the Cleveland Cavaliers, a topic that doesn’t get mentioned much here in Southwestern Ohio. And it’s really a shame, too, because the Cavaliers are the most recent non-college Ohio team to win a Championship, and they are real contenders to do so again.

Chris explains just what has changed this season to transform Cleveland from a middle of the pack Eastern Conference team into one that is already counted among one of the league’s best. It all starts with the hiring of Kenny Atkinson as head coach. His system and coaching style have this team maximizing its potential. And with General Manager Koby Altman making all the right moves in terms of trades and draft picks, the success isn’t just for the short term.

So have a listen, get your NBA and Cavaliers fix, and very soon Chris and Mark will get down to a deep dive into the upcoming Reds season, as well as what the future holds for the Bearcats on the basketball court. The Wolverines also looked prime to make a good run in the NCAA Tournament, so there will be plenty to discuss in the coming weeks!

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 21, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Don’t look now, but the Bearcats have some life! They’ve won 3 straight games, and scored 84 or more points in each of them. Jizzle James is dominating on offense, and the Cats are getting back to their dominance on the glass. Their offense is playing to its strengths once again, and what seemed like a program on the brink just a short few weeks ago has a pulse, and a realistic chance to make the NCAA Tournament. Mark and Chris talk you through exactly what the numbers look like, and just how Cincinnati has pulled itself back into the hunt. They are still behind the eight ball with very tough tests upcoming against Iowa State, Baylor, and Houston, but there is still hope in the Queen City.

The guys next talk about the Michigan Wolverine’s big home win against the top 10 Purdue Boilermakers, avenging a huge blowout lost a few weeks ago in West Lafayette. Dusty May has transformed a program that won just 8 games last year into one that now sits atop the Big 10. Although the Wolverines turn the ball over far too much, Mark and Chris explain why some of these turnovers are the result of the offense the Wolverines run, and just how efficient they can be if they are cleaned up. Ahead of a big matchup with Ohio State this weekend, Michigan looks to keep the momentum rolling as they climb in the polls.

Finally, the guys bring you a recap of the Super Bowl and a tough loss for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jaylen Hurts answered the call and led the Eagles to victory as Saquon Barkley was relatively quiet. Though Patrick Mahomes had an uncharacteristically poor performance, he surely had no help from his line, running backs, or receivers. In the wake of this loss, Kansas City has plenty of holes to fill, and we will see if they can return to the title game in 2026.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

In addition, here is the article that Chris and Mark referenced when discussing the Wolverines and their efficient offense, despite having one of the worst turnover rates in college basketball.

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Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 13, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Our Super Bowl preview episode is here! Chris and Mark touch on whether Jalen Hurts can win this game on his own if the Chiefs’ run defense shuts down Saquon Barkley. It’s ultimately going to come down to the game’s biggest players, and that means, of course, Patrick Mahomes. The combination of Mahomes and Andy Reed are creating quite a dynasty, and a third straight Super Bowl win will cement them among football’s best franchises.

The guys also get to the week in Bearcats basketball. They skip over a bad loss against West Virginia to recap a much more positive 93-83 win on the road against UCF. The Cats played their game on offense and got some better looks at the basket, which resulted in shooting nearly 60 percent from the field. It was a win the program desperately needed, but it remains to be seen if they can stay on track.

Mark and Chris briefly talk about the Wolverines’ tough win over Oregon, and the difficulty their guards have in creating offense without such high turnover rates. The guys break down the Cavaliers’ huge acquisition of Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter and it’s a move both the guys really like. And Joe Burrow has been making the rounds doing media events prior to the Super Bowl, and Chris and Mark bring you just how his comments may impact the Bengals’ offseason plans.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

And don’t forget, it’s almost time for Reds’ Spring Training! In just a few short weeks the Cincinnati Reds will be taking the field on February 22 for some split squad action. The first broadcast game will be on February 26, so catch it if you can! The Reds open the regular season against the San Francisco Giants on March 27th!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Feb 7, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Cincinnati Bearcats are struggling mightily and are now 2-7 in the Big 12 after a very good start to the season. Mark and Chris do a deep dive on what has gone wrong during this last stretch of very winnable games for the Cats. The problems stem from what we all thought was going to be a huge strength for this team, namely rebounding and hustle. Cincinnati has been outrebounded in their last several games, and it is making it nearly impossible to win, especially when the offense has also struggled. Mark and Chris disucss just what has gone wrong and what it means for the rest of this Bearcats season, and even the prospects for the team going into next year. The guys also get into the NFC and AFC Championship games, and the impact that both Saquon Barkley and Patrick Mahomes had on their teams’ victories. And don’t forget to tune in next week when we preview the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 30, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – Is it time to panic for Bearcat basketball fans? After the loss against Texas Tech this past week, Mark explains exactly why there is still plenty to be positive about for Cincinnati. Make no mistake though, this next stretch of winnable games for the team could very well could decide whether they end up becoming a promising NCAA Tournament team, or whether their season is effectively over. Chris and Mark also give their reactions to Ohio State winning the National Championship and the reflection the Irish defense’s performance had on Bengals fans perceptions of their new hire in defensive coordinator Al Golden. Chris also discusses the Wolverine basketball team’s grueling overtime win against Northwestern and their big matchup with top 15 Purdue on Friday.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 23, 2025
New Episode: The Queen City Sports Podcast by Chris Ball & Mark Raines

by Chris Ball

Loveland, Ohio – The Bearcats got their first conference win on Wednesday night and Mark is here to break down how they did it. The Bearcats’ offensive struggles are still an issue and he and Chris discuss which Bearcat player is the catalyst for turning it all around. It’s also going to be a crucial stretch for Cincinnati in their next run of winnable games, in Mark’s opinion they have to take advantage in order to improve their resume before the NCAA Tournament field is announced in the coming weeks. For his part, it was a rough Thursday night sports-wise for Chris, as the Thunder blew out the Cavaliers and Michigan had an ugly loss on the road to a determined Minesota team. But Mark was able to talk him off of the ledge and the guys discuss how both teams can learn from these losses and how they don’t mean the sky is falling for either team. The guys also touch on the upcoming championship matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame, and why they feel the game will be closer than most of the pundits are predicting.

Have a listen and don’t forget to leave your comments and feedback!

_______________________

Hey readers… have an opinion about sports? How about a topic you’d like to see written about in Loveland Magazine or a thought about one of our articles?

Just need to vent and get out your frustration about the Reds, Bengals, or any other sports issues?

Feel free to share with an email to lovelandmagazinesports@gmail.com!

We would love to hear from our readers, and we thank you for your support and engagement.

Also, don’t forget to follow us at The Loveland Sports Desk at the below links:

For Facebook, click here.

For X, click here.

For Instagram, click here.

Christopher Ball is a longtime Loveland resident and an attorney. He graduated from Loveland High School in 2003 and was a member of the football team before going on to become a coach’s assistant at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. He has been following and rooting for the Reds and Bengals since the early 1990s and has been through the many ups and downs that fandom has wrought over the years.

Jan 16, 2025
Protecting Your Loved Ones during Thanksgiving Break

Ohio State University College of Public Health Dean Amy Fairchild sent the following message to students today.

Dear Buckeyes:

As we wrap up our final days on campus and look toward the holidays, I’d like to remind you of the critical role you play in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Most importantly, we know that household transmission is the primary way that this virus is infecting people. One night at a bar or party means that you can bring the virus home, where it can spread rapidly. You have the power to reduce infections, including among your loved ones who may risk severe illness, hospitalization and death. I cannot emphasize enough that what may be a symptom-free inconvenience for one person can be devastating to another — and I say that underscoring that the pandemic’s severity is increasing throughout our nation and our state by the day.

By now you know what is required to do your part — proper masking when you’re in the same room as others, physical distancing, hand hygiene and staying far from large gatherings and within a small, consistent bubble of close friends and roommates. Parties simply aren’t worth it, particularly when cases are increasing in our community and on and around our campus.

I strongly recommend that, if you are able, you head home for the holidays as soon as you can if you receive a negative test result from routine testing this week. If you are not planning to leave this week, I urge you to test twice before heading home for break. The first test, part of our routine weekly screening, should be today, tomorrow or Wednesday. From that point forward, before you depart for home, please be especially careful by limiting unnecessary contact with others, maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask any time you cannot avoid being with other people. If you plan to leave next week, the second test should be on Monday or Tuesday. Regardless of your planned departure date, out of concern for the safety of your family and friends, you must wait for your final “exit test” results before you head home. Testing hours and instructions are available on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website. If you are positive you should work closely with Ohio State’s Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team to make your plan for isolating to stop spread of the virus.

If your results are negative, remember infection can take several days to be detected, which is why we test routinely. Continuing to follow precautions when you go home is your best bet for limiting illness in your families. Among those precautions: Wear masks on the car ride home, or however you’re getting home. Crack the windows. Limit the family coming to pick you up to one person.

During break, please resist the temptation to let the expectations we’ve set at Ohio State fall by the wayside. I understand that what feels “normal” is to visit with all of the friends and family you’ve missed, but we are in a time when those visits — especially if they include many people who aren’t masked and distant — can have serious repercussions, sending ripples through multiple families and social circles. Think about ways to bundle up against the Ohio fall and winter, keep the group small and spend some time outside.

If you know you were in riskier situations on campus, and especially if you have higher-risk loved ones at home, consider a 14-day self-quarantine in a room by yourself if that is possible. Wait 14 days to visit extended family who are vulnerable to the virus, including grandparents.

Thank you for all you’ve done this semester to keep us Together As Buckeyes and for your continued commitment to keeping your family, friends and our entire community safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Amy Fairchild, PhD, MPH

Dean of the College of Public Health

Nov 16, 2020