Week of May 14, 2025
Mid-May in Ohio feels like the turning of a page — basketball winds down, baseball heats up, and football begins to rumble back into view. It’s a week of transitions, of heartbreaks and headlines, and of new chapters being written in locker rooms across the state. The Cavaliers’ dream season ended in frustration, the Browns are staring down yet another quarterback dilemma, Ohio State is reloading after a title run, and the Guardians are quietly becoming a team to watch. If you haven’t been keeping up, don’t worry — we have.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers’ record-setting regular season came to a jarring halt this week. After finishing 64–18 under new head coach Kenny Atkinson — a Coach of the Year campaign that began with a franchise-record 15-game win streak — Cleveland looked poised to finally break through in the playoffs. Instead, they fell in five games to the Indiana Pacers, who outplayed them in nearly every critical moment of the series.
Donovan Mitchell did what he could, but injuries, cold shooting stretches, and some glaring defensive lapses left the Cavs vulnerable. What stings the most is how quickly things unraveled — fans went from daydreaming about a Finals appearance to watching the team collapse in the span of a week. Now the conversation shifts to what comes next: Will the front office keep this core intact? Can Evan Mobley and Darius Garland take the next step? And will Atkinson’s system, which thrived in the regular season, evolve under playoff pressure?
For now, the city is left wrestling with a familiar feeling: promise unfulfilled.
Cleveland Browns
Quarterback uncertainty in Cleveland — some things never change. With Deshaun Watson expected to miss the entire 2025 season following a second Achilles surgery, the Browns are once again trying to figure out who will lead them under center.
Joe Flacco is back and taking early reps, but it’s rookie Shedeur Sanders who’s stealing the spotlight. Sanders made waves this week with an 81-yard throw during minicamp that had teammates — and internet pundits — buzzing. He’s not shying away from the moment, either. Confident and composed, he’s already drawn comparisons to Tom Brady for how he’s handled sliding in the draft and how determined he is to prove people wrong.
That said, talent alone doesn’t guarantee a start. He’s still competing with Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel. It’s a packed room — and probably the most interesting Browns quarterback room since Baker vs. Tyrod.
On the downside, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has been ruled out for the season due to a neck injury. He was expected to anchor the defense again this year, and his absence leaves a major hole — both strategically and emotionally — in a unit already stretched thin.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Even when they’re not playing, Ohio State is rarely quiet. After winning the national title over Notre Dame, the Buckeyes are seeing the usual mix of departures and new hires. Stars like Emeka Egbuka and Donovan Jackson are now NFL-bound, while the transfer portal has claimed several role players looking for more playing time elsewhere.
In the coaching booth, things are changing too. Tyler Bowen steps in as the new offensive coordinator, tasked with maintaining the high-octane identity fans expect. And on the other side of the ball? None other than Matt Patricia — former Patriots defensive coordinator and Lions head coach — is taking over the defense. It’s a bold hire that could prove genius or controversial, depending on how things unfold this fall.
Despite all the change, the expectations remain sky-high in Columbus. Anything less than another playoff appearance will feel like a letdown.
Cleveland Guardians
Quietly, steadily, the Guardians are putting together one of the best starts in baseball. Now at 25–17, they’re not making a ton of noise — but maybe that’s their strength. This team isn’t built on flash. It’s built on discipline, fundamentals, and timely hitting.
Carlos Santana, now 38, is still coming up big in key moments. The bullpen — long a source of anxiety for Cleveland fans — has been surprisingly dependable, and the starting rotation is holding its own. Recent back-to-back shutouts over Milwaukee gave fans a glimpse of what this team can be when everything clicks.
With a series against the Reds up next, Cleveland has a real shot to widen the gap in the AL Central and prove they’re not just early-season darlings — they’re contenders.
Ohio State Women’s Basketball
Off the court, controversy struck this week. Head coach Kevin McGuff was arrested for suspected impaired driving after reportedly driving through a neighbor’s yard and parking on his own front lawn. Police say he failed multiple sobriety tests.
It’s a troubling situation for a program that has been building real momentum. There’s no word yet from Ohio State on McGuff’s future with the team, but the incident has raised serious questions about leadership and accountability moving forward.
It’s been a week of reality checks and rising tensions. For the Cavs, the dream season is over, and the hard questions begin. The Browns are once again caught between hope and uncertainty. Ohio State is retooling on the fly, and the Guardians are quietly building something worth watching. Even off-field drama has found its way into the spotlight.
But that’s Ohio sports — relentless, emotional, and always evolving. Whether you’re nursing playoff heartbreak or riding a winning streak, you’re never far from the next chapter. And that’s what keeps us coming back.
