By R.L. Bynum
On a week that Tyler Nickel and Jalen Washington dealt with Vanderbilt’s unbeaten streak ending and Elliot Cadeau and Ian Jackson each had contrasting performances in wins, Puff Johnson’s long wait to get on the Ohio State roster finally ended.
Johnson played his first three seasons at UNC, averaging 11.4 minutes and 3.1 points, then averaged 21 minutes and 8.4 points the last two seasons at Penn State. He entered the transfer portal expecting to receive a medical hardship waiver. After being denied multiple times, he filed a lawsuit and was denied again.
Johnson is eligible because the temporary restraining order he filed last Thursday in order to play was approved on Friday, allowing Ohio State to add him to the roster. There is another hearing set for Jan. 30.
What’s next is unclear, as he was expected to join the team Sunday.
“It’s going to take some time to get the basketball side,” Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said after Saturday’s 86–74 win over UCLA. “Right now, you and I are guessing as to when that will be.”
Johnson last played on Jan. 15, 2025, when he logged six minutes and scored three points for Penn State. He missed the last 15 games of his freshman season at UNC with a broken foot and missed significant time with a knee injury his junior season. Last season, he only played 17 games because of a heel stress fracture, a right wrist injury, a concussion and a broken right hand.
Expected to be on campus Sunday, Johnson officially appeared on the Ohio State roster on the school’s website, though without a photo.
“As far as when he’s going to get on the floor, I don’t know,” Diebler said. “He’s got to go through some things to get cleared at Ohio State. He and I have had conversations and we’re hoping to get him here as soon as we possibly can and begin that process of him becoming a part of our team.”
As for former UNC players who played last week, Vanderbilt’s unbeaten streak ended at 16 as the Commodores lost twice last week: 80–64 at Texas on Wednesday and 98–94 at home Saturday to No. 19 Florida. The Commodores fell from No. 10 to No. 15 in the new AP poll.
Nickel was 2 of 5 from 3-point range in both games, scoring 10 against Texas and 14 against Florida. Washington was scoreless for the first time this season before fouling out against the Longhorns and had 14 points and five rebounds against the Gators.
It doesn’t get any easier for Vanderbilt, which visits No. 17 Arkansas at 9 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN). The Commodores (16–2, 3–2 SEC) are tied for third in the SEC.
After Cadeau went 0 of 5 from the floor, going scoreless with six assists in Wednesday’s 82–72 win for Michigan at Washington, he rebounded to score 17 points and two 3-pointers with five assists in Saturday’s 81–71 victory at Oregon. The Wolverines moved up one spot in the AP poll to No. 3.
It was only the second scoreless game of Cadeau’s career. The other was in Carolina’s 90–62 victory over Wagner in the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament, when he played 19 minutes and dished out three assists.
The Wolverines (16–1, 6–1 Big Ten) are tied for third in the Big Ten ahead of Tuesday’s 7 p.m. home game against Indiana (Peacock).
Cade Tyson’s Minnesota Gophers (10–8, 3–4) lost both games last week. Tyson scored one 3-pointer in each game, netting 14 points in Tuesday’s 78–75 home loss to Wisconsin and 15 points with eight rebounds in Saturday’s 77–67 setback at No. 13 Illinois.
Ian Jackson rebounded from a four-point, two-assist game in St. John’s 92–60 home victory over Marquette to score 18 points with two assists and two steals in Saturday’s 86–79 win at Villanova. It was his second-best scoring output of the season for the Red Storm (13–5, 6–1 Big East), which is second in the league behind UConn.
Guard Tray Crisp scored 16 points and a season-high four 3-pointers Sunday as Mississippi State (15–5, 2–4 SEC) pulled a 71–59 home upset of Kentucky (17–3, 4–2), which was playing without Teonni Key for the third consecutive game (elbow injury). That came after Crisp had eight points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals in the Bulldogs’ 89–84 home loss Thursday to No. 5 Vanderbilt. The Wildcats fell four spots to No. 11 in the new AP poll.
In other action in the last week for former UNC players:
— Will Shaver scored a career-high 15 points in 13 minutes Wednesday in Samford’s 77–73 home loss to Furman, then played nine scoreless minutes in Saturday’s 76–75 home loss to ETSU.
— Ven-Allen Lubin had 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists as N.C. State (12–6, 3–2 ACC) got upset Saturday at home by Georgia Tech 78–74 in the Wolfpack’s only game last week.
— RyLee Grays combined for six points and four rebounds as Tulsa (12–5, 4–1 American) split two games in a North Carolina trip, losing 49–48 at East Carolina Tuesday and winning at Charlotte 74–53 on Saturday.
— Paulina Paris didn’t play in either game last week for SMU (8–11, 1–6 ACC), but her injury isn’t clear. The Mustangs won 83–76 at Pittsburgh on Sunday for their first conference victory.
Elliot Cadeau, Michigan guard
6–1, 180 pounds | Junior | UNC 2023–25 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of sophomore L.J. Cason
Season statistics — 17 games, 17 starts, 10.0 points, 44.9 FG%, 41.2 3P%, 68.3 FT%, 2.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 2.3 turnovers
Team record: 16–1, 6–1 Big Ten; Rank: No. 3
Wednesday: No. 4 Michigan 82, (at) Washington 72 — Started; 20:11, season-low 0 points, 0–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2 rebounds, 4 fouls, 6 assists, +6
Saturday: No. 4 Michigan 81, (at) Oregon 71 — Started; 30 minutes, 17 points, 5–8 FG, 2–4 3FG, 5–7 FT, 1 rebound, 2 fouls, 5 assists, 4 turnovers, 1 steal
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Indiana, Peacock
Trayanna Crisp, Mississippi State guard
5–8 | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 19 games, 19 starts, 8.6 points, 40.9 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 82.8 FT%, 2.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Team record: 15–5, 2–4 SEC
Thursday: No. 5 Vanderbilt 89, Mississippi State 84 — Started; 33:51, 8 points, 2–9 FG, 2–6 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, 7 assists, 2 turnovers, 3 steals, +6
Sunday: (at) Mississippi State 71, No. 7 Kentucky 59 — Started; 32:18, 16 points, 5–8 FG, 4–5 3FG (4 is season-high), 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 4 fouls, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, +14
Next game — 3 p.m. Sunday at No. 21 Alabama
RyLee Grays, Tulsa forward
6–4 | Junior | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — One of four forwards competing for time
Season statistics — 17 games, 2.2 points, 50.0 FG%, 2–4 3FG, 72.0 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 7 blocks, 5 steals
Team record: 12–5, 4–1 American
Tuesday: (at) East Carolina 79, Tulsa 48 — 9 minutes, 2 points, 1–1 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 2 assists
Saturday: Tulsa 74, (at) Charlotte 53 — 10 minutes, 4 points, 1–1 FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 1 steal
Next game — 7:30 Tuesday vs. Rice, ESPN+
Ian Jackson, St. John’s guard
6–5, 195 pounds | Sophomore | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter, sharing time in a point-guard-by-committee mix
Season statistics — 18 games, 11 starts, 11.1 points, 44.8 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 91.7 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Team record: 13–5, 4–1 Big East
Tuesday: St. John’s 92, Marquette 60 — Started; 18 minutes, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–2 3FG, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 foul, 1 steal, +16
Saturday: St. John’s 86, (at) Villanova 79 — Started; 23 minutes, 18 points, 7–12 FG, 1–4 3FG, 3–3 FT, 3 fouls, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday vs. Seton Hall, FS1
Puff Johnson, Ohio State
6–8, 190 pounds | Graduate | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve
Team record: 12–5, 4–3 Big Ten
Hasn’t played yet.
Next game — 6:30 Tuesday vs. Minnesota, Big Ten Network
Teonni Key, Kentucky forward
6–4 | RS senior | UNC 2022–24 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting forward
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 11.0 points, 54.9 FG%, 1–12 3FG, 70.7 FT%, 6.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Team record: 17–3, 4–2 SEC; Rank: No. 11
Thursday: No. 7 Kentucky 94, Florida 89 and Sunday: Mississippi State 71, No. 7 Kentucky 59 — Missed both games recovering from a dislocated elbow
Next game — 6:30 Thursday at No. 20 Tennessee, SEC Network
Ven-Allen Lubin, N.C. State forward
6–9, 250 pounds | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center
Season statistics — 18 games, 18 starts, 12.7 points, 66.4 FG%, 37.5 3P%, 68.3 FT%, 6.7 rebounds
Team record: 12–6, 3–2 ACC
Saturday: Georgia Tech 78, N.C. State 74 — 30:49 minutes, 12 points, 5–9 FG, 2–6 FT, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, 3 blocks, -11
Next game — 7 p.m. Tuesday at No. 22 Clemson, ACC Network
Plays UNC —7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, ESPN or ESPN2
Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt wing
6–7, 220 pounds | Senior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting forward
Season statistics — 18 games, 18 starts, 14.7 points, 52.0 FG%, 46.9 3P%, 82.1 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Team record: 16–2, 3–2 SEC: Rank: No. 15
Wednesday: (at) Texas 80, No. 10 Vanderbilt 64 — Started; 30:19, 10 points, 4–9 FG, 2–5 3FG, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 2 assists, 1 steal, -20
Saturday: No. 19 Florida 98, No. 10 Vanderbilt 94 — Started; 29:13, 14 points, 5–10 FG, 2–5 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, -13
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday at No. 17 Arkansas, ESPN
Paulina Paris, SMU guard
5–9 | Senior | UNC 2022–24 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting guard
Season statistics — 16 games, 10 starts, 10.7 points, 41.3 FG%, 25.4 3P%, 69.7 FT%, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists
Team record: 8–11, 1–6 ACC
Thursday: Virginia Tech 79, SMU 42 and Sunday: SMU 83, (at) Pittsburgh 76 — Didn’t play
Next game — 7:30 Thursday vs. Florida State, ACCN Extra
Plays UNC — 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Carmichael Arena, ACCN
Will Shaver, Samford center
6–10, 265 pounds | RS junior | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Reserve minutes
Season statistics — 17 games, 3.1 points, 50.0 FG%, 40.0 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 2.4 rebounds, 12 assists, 8 blocks, 3 steals
Team record: 9–10, 2–4 Southern Conference
Wednesday: Furman 77, Samford 73 — 13 minutes, 15 points, 5–9 FG, 1–1 3FG, 4–4, 4 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Saturday: ETSU 76, Samford 75 — 9 minutes, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG,1 rebound, 1 foul, 2 turnovers
Next game — 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wofford
Cade Tyson, Minnesota wing
6–7, 180 pounds | Senior | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starter
Season statistics — 18 games, 18 starts, 20.8 points, 50.2 FG%, 39.1 3P%, 79.7 FT%, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Team record: 10–8, 3–4 Big Ten
Tuesday: Wisconsin 78, Minnesota 75 —Started; 39 minutes, 14 points, 5–10 FG, 1–2 3FG, 3–6 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 1 steal, -3
Saturday: (at) No. 13 Illinois 77, Minnesota 67 —Started; 39 minutes, 15 points, 6–13 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers 1 block, 1 steal, -7
Next game — 6:30 Tuesday at Ohio State, Big Ten Network
Jalen Washington, Vanderbilt center
6–9, 240 pounds | Senior | UNC 2022–25 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Backup center
Season statistics — 18 games, 1 start, 9.8 points, 59.4 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 73.7 FT%, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Team record: 16–2, 3–2 SEC: Rank: No. 15
Wednesday: (at) Texas 80, No. 10 Vanderbilt 64 — Didn’t start; 14:30, season-low 0 points, 0–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 0–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 5 fouls, 1 steal, -2
Saturday: No. 19 Florida 98, No. 10 Vanderbilt 94 — Didn’t start; 14 points, 6–10 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2–4 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 fouls, 1 assist, 1 steal, +6
Next game — 9 p.m. Tuesday at No. 17 Arkansas, ESPN
Photo via redstormsports.com
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