Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes made player-led decision to pause roster conversations until season is over
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Buckeyes made player-led decision to pause roster conversations until season is over
Bill Self made headlines for the wrong reasons over the weekend. Not only did his shorthanded Kansas team get bounced by Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 32, but he also admitted postgame that, for the last month, he had been thinking about next season.
“Not in the moments during the game,” Self clarified before later saying, “But we could have done a much better job as a staff of putting more guys out there that we could play. And so that’s something that I’ve thought about for a long time.”
Self ultimately added: “When you don’t have as much firepower or that maybe you’ve had in past years, it certainly showed this year.”
While all coaches multi-task — recruiting and roster/staff management demand that, anyway — publicly discussing thinking ahead to next season is the antithesis of the fundamental “stay in the moment” coaching principle.
Self’s postgame language is a stark contrast to the language used by Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler and his players during their stretch run, a month and a half defined by winning through a cloud of uncertainty. Winners of 8-of-10 games since Diebler took over for Chris Holtmann, Ohio State is still playing in the NIT and is set to face Georgia in the quarterfinals of the 32-team tournament Tuesday.
Diebler was asked Monday if conversations about players’ futures are ongoing during the Buckeyes’ NIT run.
“That’s been player-led that we’re gonna wait till after the season,” Diebler said. “I think our guys are really focused on what we have going on right now. And they want to get out there and win. We’ve done everything we can to just lock in on that.
“But yeah, the nature of this time of year in college basketball, it’s crazy. Our guys deserve a ton of credit for really keeping the main thing the main thing right now.”
“Crazy” is the word Creighton head coach Greg McDermott used to describe the portal opening the day after Selection Sunday when he joined The Field of 68 Monday after leading his Blue Jays to another Sweet 16 appearance.
But perhaps even that’s an understatement. One-time Ohio State guard and current South Carolina star Meechie Johnson Jr. put his name in the portal Monday on the heels of a breakout season, in which he led the 26-win Gamecocks with 14.1 points per game.
Some players are testing the NIL market, others are set on looking for new homes. In the meantime, Ohio State is locked in on winning the NIT.
“I think the way we finished the season, the way they performed in the postseason says a ton about who they are as people,” Diebler said. “It says a lot about the chemistry within this team and program and speaks to their pride for what’s on the chest of their jersey but also playing for guys who this is the end of their college basketball career and playing for each other.”
Diebler later noted: “I think our guys are motivated by the fact that there’s a there’s a game to be won, there’s a championship to be won, that we’re playing really good teams, and they’re motivated to play for each other.”
Scotty Middleton back with Buckeyes ahead of NIT quarterfinals
Ohio State freshman wing Scotty Middleton rejoined the team ahead of its NIT quarterfinal matchup against Georgia Tuesday. Middleton missed the first two rounds of the tournament while attending to a family matter.
“He knows he has our support and the support of Ohio State and all the resources we have here that he may feel like he needs or doesn’t need,” head coach Jake Diebler said Monday. “But we’ve come alongside him, and we’re supporting him.
“I think he’s doing well. He’s just processing some things.”
For more details on Middleton, go here.
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