After three straight games in Chapel Hill, North Carolina is packing its bags for Atlanta, where a familiar December tradition awaits: the CBS Sports Classic. This year, the Tar Heels draw a compelling matchup against an Ohio State team that’s quietly building a case for March.
The Buckeyes come in at 8-2, backed by a #40 ranking in KenPom and #47 in the NET. Not eye-popping numbers, but solid-and maybe even a little deceptive.
Their two losses tell a tale of extremes. One came on a buzzer-beater to a struggling Pitt team, a Q3 stumble that lingers on their résumé.
The other? A gritty, down-to-the-wire battle with a top-25 Illinois squad, where Ohio State had it within one possession in the final minute.
And just last weekend, they showed serious resolve by clawing back from 14 down to beat West Virginia in double overtime. This group is far from flawless, but they’re battle-tested.
At the helm is Jake Diebler, now in his second full season as head coach and seventh overall with the program. Diebler took over as interim in February 2024 after Chris Holtmann’s departure and quickly made his case by winning six of his first eight games.
That earned him the job outright, and while last season’s 17-15 finish didn’t result in a postseason run-the Buckeyes declined a College Basketball Crown bid due to injuries-it’s clear the program is trending upward. Ohio State hasn’t danced in March since 2022, but that drought could be nearing its end.
Speaking of 2022, that was the last time UNC and Ohio State squared off-also in the CBS Sports Classic. That one was a thriller.
Carolina trailed for most of the game before Pete Nance hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to force overtime, where the Tar Heels ultimately pulled out the win. Whether this year’s matchup delivers the same drama may come down to one player: Bruce Thornton.
Thornton is the engine of this Ohio State team, and he’s been nothing short of sensational through 10 games. The senior guard is averaging 21.8 points per game-eighth in the nation-and he’s doing it with clinical efficiency: 60% from the field, 50% from deep, and 86% at the line.
But he’s not just a scorer. Thornton leads the team in assists (4.4) and steals (1.3), and he’s third in rebounding (5.0).
He’s also a workhorse-he didn’t come off the floor against Illinois and played 49 of 50 minutes in the double OT win over West Virginia. Simply put, he’s the kind of guard who can take over a game.
Whether Carolina has Seth Trimble available to help slow him down remains to be seen, but his presence-or absence-could be a swing factor.
In the backcourt, Thornton is joined by John Mobley Jr., a sophomore who’s putting up respectable numbers: 13.8 points, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 boards per game on 40/36/80 shooting splits. Mobley is the Buckeyes’ second scoring option and their most willing three-point shooter, so he’ll be a key perimeter threat to track.
Up front, Ohio State leans on a trio of transfers and underclassmen, starting with senior 7-footer Christoph Tilly. The Santa Clara transfer is averaging 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, bringing both size and skill to the Buckeyes’ front line.
He’s flanked by junior Devin Royal (13.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG) and fifth-year senior Brandon Noel (8.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG), who’s been a bit of a wild card. Noel exploded for 29 points against Northwestern earlier this month but managed just nine combined in the two games since.
If his inconsistency continues, freshman Amare Bynum could be in line for more minutes.
Bynum, a former four-star recruit, has been the first man off the bench and is starting to find his rhythm. Against West Virginia, he delivered a breakout performance: 17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks. If he keeps trending up, the Buckeyes might have a decision to make in the frontcourt rotation.
Physically, Carolina holds the edge in height-rolling out a 7’0”-6’10”-6’10” frontcourt compared to Ohio State’s 7’0”-6’8”-6’6”. But the Buckeyes bring more bulk.
Tilly checks in at 240 pounds, outweighing UNC’s Henri Veesaar by 15. Royal and Noel both tip the scales at 230-plus, and Bynum is another sturdy 240-pounder.
That physicality could pose problems if the Buckeyes choose to play a bruising style inside.
So what does all this mean for Carolina? This game has a similar feel to their recent matchup with Georgetown-a winnable game against a solid, if not elite, opponent.
The Tar Heels have the size and talent to control the paint, but they’ll need to stay disciplined on the perimeter and keep Thornton from dictating the pace. If they can do that, they should head back to Chapel Hill with another quality win in their pocket.