Turbulent Times for Ohio State Basketball – Awaiting Revival

The situation at the Ohio State basketball program is a bit tense. The inaugural season under the leadership of Jake Diebler, as the main coach, did not meet the expectations many held. Towards the end of the current season, the Buckeyes’ performance dipped significantly, they exited the Big Ten Tournament prematurely, and for the third consecutive year, the NCAA Tournament did not feature Ohio State. The forthcoming changes in the team’s lineup will be essential, and they need to be undertaken with precision, deliberate planning, and clear goal setting.

While certain aspects impacting the future prospects of those donning the Scarlet and Gray will be out of Ohio State’s control, there will be many elements that will be directly influenced by Diebler and his coaching team. It is imperative that the situation improves, and does so quickly. A series of players have chosen to list themselves in the transfer portal, meanwhile, Ohio State welcomed a few from another Big Ten team via the same route. Every change in the team’s roster is managed to reflect the current status as accurately as possible.

On the list of players who have registered in the transfer portal, we find names such as Austin Parks, a Center, Meechie Johnson Jr., a Guard, and Evan Mahaffey, a Forward. Both Parks and Mahaffey will be seeking new teams to utilize their remaining eligibility years, thereby freeing up two spots on the Ohio State roster to complete their college careers elsewhere. Johnson is hoping to secure a medical hardship and extend his gameplay by one more season of eligibility.

Alongside the outgoing players, the incoming ones via the transfer portal also added a fresh mix to Ohio State. One such player is Gabe Cupps, a Guard hailing from Indiana. Additional athletes on the portal will undoubtedly be on Ohio State’s radar. Before joining the Buckeyes, Cupps had spent two seasons with the Hoosiers but a torn meniscus, which kept him benched for most of the preceding season, could lead to a medical redshirt.

Cupps is a distinguished player, having been crowned Ohio’s Mr. Basketball in 2022. He may now have the potential for three more years of eligibility. Micah Parrish, Guard, and Ques Glover, Guard, however, are two players who have come to the end of their eligibility.

Looking ahead further to the 2025-2026 season, the Ohio State roster includes Bruce Thornton (Guard), John Mobley Jr (Guard), Colin White (Guard), Taison Chatman (Guard), Gabe Cupps (Guard, as previously mentioned), Ivan Njegovan (Center), Aaron Bradshaw (Center), Devin Royal (Forward), and Sean Stewart (Forward). These individuals are all expected to return and contribute to the Buckeyes’ performance.

Among the fresh faces who will be part of the Ohio State team in the coming year, A’mare Bynum, a Forward, and Dorian Jones, a Guard, stand out. To boost their line-up for the following season, Ohio State only signed these two newcomers. While both are amongst the top-100 recruits, it’s yet to be seen how quickly they can adapt to the complex dynamics of elite college basketball.

Given the current lack of depth in the guard position at Ohio State, it appears that Dorian Jones may have a better opportunity to make an impact in the upcoming season. Amid these manifold changes, three positions on the Ohio State roster remain to be filled.

The course of Ohio State’s basketball program under Jake Diebler has not been a smooth one so far, but amidst the current turbulence, the potent building blocks of the future are hatching. Notable names have moved on, leaving slots to be filled by promising talents and seasoned athletes alike.

While it is heartbreaking for the Buckeye nation to not see their team participating in the NCAA Tournament three years in a row, it may also serve as the motivation driving the much-needed change and improvement. Outgoing players open the channel for incoming players, instigating dynamicity into the program whilst retaining the core team.

Each fresh wave of recruits brings unique strengths and opportunities to Ohio State. Despite the uncertainty enveloping their quick adaptation to the highest level of college basketball, their potential cannot be overlooked.

Long-standing basketball fans know that nothing remains static in sports. That’s why the current situation of desperate need for guard depth at Ohio State could very well turn into a robust guard-lineup in the future, one that could dictate the game’s course.

Uncertainty may loom over the team owing to the evident changes, but the promise of a fresh and vigorous line-up instills optimism in the hearts of the die-hard Buckeye followers. The lessons learned, coupled with the incoming talent, could potentially return Ohio State basketball to its past heights or maybe hit new ones. After all, change is the only constant in both life and sports.