Buckeye basketball looks much different this season under new head coach Jake Diebler. After leading the team to an 8-3 finish last year after taking over as interim head coach, Diebler was officially hired on Mar. 17, 2024. Diebler took the Buckeyes on a deep Big Ten tournament run and to the NIT championship game. They would unfortunately lose there in a close matchup with Georgia. With his first full year at the helm underway, Diebler has his unit off to a hot start.
Start to This Season
The Buckeyes opened the season about as well as they could have, finding themselves 2-0 currently. In the Las Vegas Hall of Fame Series, they beat then-ranked No. 19 Texas 80-72. The scoring was balanced throughout the roster and Diebler’s guys seemed to play at their pace and with their style nearly all game long.
Ohio State then found themselves ranked before they faced Youngstown State in their home opener at the Schottenstein Center on Nov. 11. The now-ranked No. 21 Buckeyes handled the Penguins with ease, winning 81-47.
What Looks Different?
Offense
The short answer is that most of the overall play of the Buckeyes looks different from when former head coach Chris Holtmann was leading the charge. Diebler has the offense playing at a much higher pace and taking more in-rhythm shots. The team likes to run, getting solid looks near the rim, or open threes on the perimeter. Holtmann had the team playing more inside-out on offense and at a slower pace of play. They were much more of a half-court team. The Buckeyes now are making a point of taking good shots in transition and moving the ball quickly when they are forced to operate in the half-court.
Defense
On defense, the Buckeyes are more similar to Holtmann’s previous strategy. A key difference is that Diebler seems to really highly value athletic, lengthy bigs that can challenge shots at the rim, while still being capable perimeter defenders. Versatility is integral in the sport now, and Diebler seems to be very aware of the advantages it provides. Duke transfer Sean Stewart and Kentucky transfer Aaron Bradshaw have provided those things. Both forwards move well and challenge shots at the rim. Forward Devil Royal has less size but is another incredibly versatile defender. His quickness and his ability to crash the glass make it difficult to take him off the floor.
On the perimeter, all of Ohio State’s guards bring talent and effort on defense. Bruce Thornton and Meechie Johnson Jr have exceptional lateral quickness and use their hands well. Micah Parrish also provides much-needed length on the perimeter as a capable defender, contesting shots and disrupting passing lanes. They should be able to make life difficult for Big Ten guards and wings this season.
Key Players:
Bruce Thornton
Thornton was the team’s leading scorer last season, averaging 15.7 points per game. His versatility as a lead guard on offense is a huge part of this team. He is a solid outside shooter and can finish at the rim. Despite his lack of size at just 6-foot-2, he uses his stocky 215 pound frame to score from the post as well. His experience and leadership will be a huge factor in how far the Buckeyes can go this year.
Meechie Johnson Jr.
The Ohio native spent his first two collegiate years with the Buckeyes under Chris Holtmann. He then transferred and spent the last two seasons at South Carolina, where he improved tremendously. Johnson then decided to come back to Columbus this offseason with the official hiring of Diebler. A veteran guard who can score and make plays is a much-welcomed addition to the roster.
Devin Royal
The sophomore from Pickerington, Ohio played well as a freshman last year. He really showed his potential late in the season after Diebler took over. He has continued to show what he is capable of this year. He scored 16 points against Texas, going 7-of-11 from the field. He was able to finish near the rim while also stretching the floor, going 2-of-4 from three. He also played tremendous defense and made some key plays on that end of the floor.
John Mobley Jr.
The freshman guard has been a huge part of the offensive production early this year. He started off his college career making 7-of-7 three-point attempts. He would finally miss one when his eighth attempt failed to go through the net late against Youngstown State. Now that he has proven he is capable of missing, he will still surely continue shooting with high efficiency.
Looking Ahead For Buckeye Basketball
The Buckeyes are currently shooting 50 percent from the field and a ridiculous 48 percent from three-point range. The success from beyond the arc is likely not sustainable, but there is a clear improvement in shooting that will open up the offense in a way that it hasn’t ever been before. The issues currently plaguing the Buckeyes are mainly turnovers and rebounding. They have turned the ball over 15 times in each of their two games so far. Diebler stressed the importance of improving those areas in his press conference this week. The Buckeyes have been impressive through two games, but still need to develop as the season progresses.
Ohio State will next play against No. 23 Texas A&M on Friday, Nov. 15 when they go on the road. A second top-25 opponent this early in the year will provide another major test for the rising Buckeyes.
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