OSU tidbits

[CappyNU]

Wasn't able to get the full preview done, but a few notes from what I had typed up:

What’s on the line: Our streak of beating them in 3 consecutive seasons – the last time we did that was in the 1950s. Also, a chance to feel good about this team heading into the exam break after the last five games.

Coach: Jake Diebler, in his second full season after taking over as interim in 2024 following Chris Holtmann being fired on Valentine’s Day. Diebler got the job after going 8-3 the rest of the season, including upsets over Purdue and at Michigan State, along with making the quarterfinals of the NIT. He followed that up with a thoroughly mediocre and unlucky season last year – they lost on a buzzer beater at home in OT to Pitt, lost three conference games in a row by a total of 5 points, and got obliterated by us at home without BB or Leach. So far this year, they have played the 7th-easiest schedule in college basketball (3rd of all P5), going 5-0 against some very crappy teams where they look unstoppable on offense, but going 1-1 against Notre Dame and Pitt, both of whom are rated lower than us – the former winning by just one at home, the latter losing by 1 on a…checks notes…buzzer beater, again. Huh. So, who is the real OSU?

What’s New – Coaching Style: They’re shooting a ton of 3s this year, passing the ball much more, playing significantly faster on offense, clamping down on the defensive boards, and avoiding fouling opponents. Should we be concerned? Well, against the 5 crappy teams, they shot 40% from 3, but against the ACC teams they shot just 30%. This year, they are the best team in the country at shooting 2s! Sounds scary, but while they shot 71.5% against the crappy 5, they shot just 49% against the ACC teams. Rebounding – they’ve gathered 39% of their misses (uh oh!) and limited opponents to 23% against the crappy 5, but only getting 20% of their misses (phew) and allowing 30% against the ACC teams.

What’s New – Player Edition: Less than many other teams – the Buckeyes are 5th among P5 teams in continuity from last season, only behind Purdue, Marquette, UConn and Iowa State (one of these teams is not like the other…). From their opening day roster last year, 5 transferred out and 2 graduated, including 2 starters and 3 rotation players. They were replaced with 4 transfers and 3 freshmen. 2 transfers have stepped into the starting roles, while 1 freshman and 1 transfer are in the rotation.

Who’s Back: A bunch of players who were the #1 recruit in their state at the time of recruitment - Bruce Thornton (Georgia), Devin Royal (Ohio), Taison Chatman (Minnesota) and John Mobley Jr. (Utah). Also returning are sophomores Colin White (who took an official visit to NU and received an offer) and Ivan Njegovan, neither of whom played very much last season.

 

[CappyNU]

Starters:

#2, 6’2” CG Bruce Thornton – This guy just does it all. He’s a rare, talented, 4-years-at-the-same-school player who can score at all three levels, get to the line with regularity, avoid turning the ball over, find open teammates, grab defensive rebounds and get the occasional steal. Also, he never leaves the court, averaging 38 minutes per game. Has scored 9+ points in 29 straight games and at least one assist in 51 straight. This year, he is shooting more and passing less, while taking significantly fewer midrange jumpers and many more 3s. He’s also getting out in transition 33% more than last year, though he’s less efficient. Oh, and prior to the last game against Pitt, he was shooting 60% from 3 this year, 69% from 2 and 88% from the FT line. Scored 24 of the team’s 64 points against Notre Dame and 18 of the 66 against Pitt (including a whopping 12 defensive rebounds), along with an outrageous 38 of 94 on 14-17 shooting against Purdue Fort Wayne. Fun fact that I’m sure will not come back to bite us in the *** – Thornton in his career is 1-10 from 3-point range against us.

#0, 6’2” CG John Mobley Jr. – The former 4-star recruit made his way into the starting lineup following Meechie Johnson’s departure in the middle of December last year, and hasn’t left it since. Mobley has picked up where he left off last year, as a largely perimeter player who drives to the rim occasionally. There are a few changes this year – he is almost entirely a catch-and-shoot player from 3 vs last year, he would shoot a decent percentage off the dribble; he is initiating pick and roll offense significantly more this year (15% of possessions vs 5% last year), though they are not executing it very well. He’s averaged 18 points per game against the crappy 5, but just 6 points per game against the ACC teams on a combined 3-13 shooting. Mobley’s defense also leaves something to be desired. In their last game against Pitt, he left the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return, but haven’t seen an update on his status. Last year we held him to the second-fewest points he scored all season, 4 on 1-8 shooting including 0-5 from 3, while also forcing him into 3 turnovers. Hoping for a repeat again tomorrow.

#21, 6’6” Wing F Devin Royal – In his 3rd year at OSU this season, Royal took a step into the starting lineup last season following an injury to another player, and stayed there for the remainder of the season. Last year, his role was largely as a guy who would drive to the rim with the ball or cut to the rim without it. Less frequently, he would either post up or take ill-advised midrange shots. When he led the fast break or got the ball after an offensive rebound, he was extremely efficient. This year, he is spending way more time on the perimeter as a catch-and-shoot 3 guy or shooting 3s off the dribble, which has worked out very well as he is shooting 46% from deep. He’s also rarely posting up or cutting to the basket from the perimeter, but his usage in transition is up by 50%. Notre Dame was able to shut him down, but against Pitt he scored 22 of their 66 points on 9-15 shooting, though he did have 4 turnovers.

#14, 6’8” Wing F Brandon Noel – A transfer from Wright St., Noel was one of the Horizon League’s best players last season as a guy who could score at all 3 levels, and was frequently asked to take it to the rim despite his beefy 240 lb size, or to cut from the outside to the rim when he didn’t have the ball. With OSU, his game is very different – he’s much more of a down-low post-up player, who also is always looking for a potential open man. He does spend some time on the perimeter, but when he takes 3s, they are unassisted off the dribble instead of catch-and-shoot like last season. He’s also much more involved in second chance opportunities, and is a great rebounder overall. Despite being a very involved player last season, he’s usually the 5th scoring option on the court this year. I believe he is banged up from their last game as well, so we’ll see if that impacts him.

#13, 7’0” C Christoph Tilly – A transfer from Santa Clara, Tilly was the best player on their NIT squad last season. OSU has tried to turn him into a perimeter threat, which he has never been in his career, and it shows, as he is only making 16% from deep so far. Otherwise his role is largely the same. Tilly lives at the free throw line, where he shoots an outstanding 86% for a 7-footer. He is also a great passer, but spends most of his time posting up down low, as would be expected, where he is very efficient. Will be a tough matchup for Page and Kropp today. May be prone to turnovers, he’s had 6 in the last two games.

 

[CappyNU]

Reserves:

#4, 6'2" Wing G Gabe Cupps - Transferred from IU after barely playing last season. He's barely used on offense, can't shoot 3s well, but he is a solid defensive option for them.

#1, 6'8" Wing F Amare Bynum - One of the two freshmen who play this year, Bynum looks like a solid player, even if he isn't very efficient thus far. Most of his possessions have come either on the fast break or on second chances.

#7, 7'2" C Ivan Njegovan - Comes in when Tilly needs to sit. Not really involved in the offense as much, but is a good rebounder, though gets in foul trouble very quickly.

#20, 6'6" Wing F Colin White - A sophomore who played sparingly last year, and is playing...less sparingly this year. Brings almost nothing on offense, but seems like a solid defender.

#3, 6'4" PG Taison Chatman - Missed all of last year with a torn ACL, Chatman is trying to hit the potential that made him a former 4-star recruit. Not likely to see much playing time today though. Can fill it up from deep quickly though if he does get in.