Jake Diebler questions lack of free throws for Bruce Thornton vs. Illinois: 'Something's not right about that'

Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler didn’t mince words after Tuesday night’s 88–80 loss to Illinois. Especially when discussing Bruce Thornton’s surprisingly low trip total to the free-throw line.

Thornton delivered one of the best performances of the season in the loss. He poured in 34 points to go with six rebounds and six assists while playing all 40 minutes.

He was ultra-efficient, shooting 13-of-17 from the field and repeatedly beating defenders off the dribble and finishing through contact. Yet despite the physical nature of the game, one in which 48 total fouls were called, Thornton attempted just two free throws.

“That’s very surprising to me,” Diebler said postgame. “I thought him only getting to the free throw line one time, something’s not right about that. In a game where there’s 48 fouls called and the way he’s guarded with the physicality he’s guarded with, it’s very surprising to me that a player of that caliber gets to the free throw line one time.”

Alas, Illinois adjusted throughout the game defensively by putting more size on Thornton. It did little to slow him down, though. Ohio State worked to get its star the ball in different spots. Thornton consistently made the right reads, whether scoring himself or setting up teammates. Still, Diebler acknowledged there may be areas for Thornton to examine as well.

“Some of that could be him,” Diebler said. “He’s got to initiate more contact. Because it felt like those type of plays were being honored tonight, where offense initiating contact. So we’ve got to go back and look at that.”

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Even with the loss, Diebler made it clear there was little to critique in Thornton’s overall performance. The senior controlled the game offensively and kept Ohio State within striking distance against a physical Illinois team that capitalized at the free-throw line.

“I mean, he had 34, six and six,” Diebler explained. “So I don’t know what there is to really pick at. Aside from him not getting to the free throw line when it seemed like a lot of free throws were being had.”

In the end, the defeat dropped Ohio State to 7–2 on the season, but there were positives to take away, particularly Thornton’s continued emergence as one of the Big Ten’s premier players. He’s now averaging 21.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game, and his aggressiveness remains central to Ohio State’s identity.

The Buckeyes will look to bounce back Saturday night when they play West Virginia at Rocket Arena. Diebler is hoping his star guard’s physical style is rewarded a bit more at the stripe, but time will tell if that’s the case.