Ohio State's men's basketball team has been riding a roller coaster of results lately, alternating between wins and losses over their past nine games. This streak has kept them teetering on the edge of the NCAA Tournament bubble, doing just enough to stay in the conversation but not quite enough to solidify their position.
As Jake Diebler pointed out, life in the Big Ten is no walk in the park. "It's top to bottom full of really good teams," he noted, emphasizing the need for consistency. The Buckeyes have shown resilience, but breaking this win-loss pattern is crucial, and Sunday presents a golden opportunity to do just that.
Ohio State is set to face No. 15 Michigan State on their home turf, a chance to snag a significant Quad 1 win and gain some breathing room in the tournament race.
"Big-time environment, it’ll be a hostile crowd," Diebler said, capturing the essence of college basketball. Ohio State versus Michigan State in late February - it doesn't get much bigger than this.
Winning at the Breslin Center is no small feat, but Diebler and some of his players have done it before. Back in 2024, as an interim head coach, Diebler led the Buckeyes to a thrilling 60-57 victory over the Spartans, thanks to a buzzer-beater from Dale Bonner. Players like Bruce Thornton and Taison Chatman were part of that memorable game and bring that experience into Sunday’s matchup.
Michigan State, under the legendary Tom Izzo, is a powerhouse, especially on the boards. They average 41.1 rebounds per game, ranking 14th nationally, while holding opponents to just 28.6 rebounds, the fewest allowed by any team. Ohio State has had its struggles in this area but showed improvement in their recent win over Wisconsin.
Diebler highlighted the importance of a collective effort on the glass. "We're not built for one or two guys to just go dominate the glass," he said. "When we're dialed in and everybody's doing their job, we can be a good rebounding team."
Defensively, the Buckeyes have also stepped up, showing marked improvement in their recent outings. "I think we're starting to see our guys take a step forward in execution," Diebler said, emphasizing that defense requires just as much precision as offense.
Ohio State might have to tackle this challenge without star shooting guard John Mobley Jr., who’s been out with a hand injury. Taison Chatman has filled in admirably, contributing significantly against Wisconsin.
Diebler remains hopeful about Mobley's return, appreciating his commitment to the team. "The moment he's ready to play, he's going to be out there," Diebler assured.
Whether Mobley suits up or not, Ohio State is poised to make a statement at Michigan State, aiming to bolster their tournament hopes with a marquee win.