Meechie Johnson announces status for Minnesota game

On3 imageby:Nick Schultz01/27/22

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Ohio State is getting a huge boost for Thursday night’s game against Minnesota. Meechie Johnson is back.

Johnson made the announcement on his Twitter Thursday evening. He shared a video of himself picking up a mask sitting on a chair with a simple caption.

“Back at it,” he said. “Go Bucks.”

Johnson took an elbow to the face in practice earlier this month and hasn’t played since. In 13 games this season — including one start — he’s averaging 6.6 points per game and shooting 36.8% from the floor this season.

Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann had a feeling Johnson would have a creative way to announce his return. At least, that’s what he said last week.

“I’m sure he’ll have fun unveiling that,” Holtmann said, via Rivals’ Colin Gay.

The No. 16-ranked Buckeyes are gearing up for a matchup with Minnesota at Williams Arena Thursday night. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Chris Holtmann provides latest update on veteran Ohio State forward Justice Sueing

Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing, who’s been dealing with an abdominal injury throughout the 2021-22 season, is on the right track to recovery, according to Buckeyes’ head coach Chris Holtmann.

During a press conference on Monday, Holtmann shared that Sueing – a 6-foot-7, a 215-pound big who’s played in just two games for Ohio State this season – is “starting to do some things in practice.” Holtmann noted that Sueing’s been experiencing some soreness and isn’t close to being back, but said that “he’s taking steps.”

Sueing, a former On3 Consensus three-star recruit out of the Class of 2017 who played his first two seasons at Cal, averaged six points and 3.5 rebounds over his two games played with Ohio State this season. He put up 10.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Buckeyes in 2020-21.

Ohio State has been managing to play without Sueing throughout the year, as the Buckeyes are currently 12-4 overall with a 5-2 mark in Big Ten play. OSU returns to action Thursday on the road at Minnesota, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.