Ohio State men’s basketball is hitting a tough patch at a critical point in the season. The Buckeyes have dropped three of their last five games, slipping to 15-8 overall and sitting 10th in the Big Ten standings. With just eight regular-season matchups left, the margin for error is shrinking fast-and so is the roster.
Injuries have been a persistent theme this year for the Buckeyes. While the starting five has mostly held steady, the bench has taken some real hits, and that lack of depth is starting to show. Head coach Jake Diebler offered some updates ahead of Ohio State’s upcoming showdown with USC, and while there are a few signs of progress, the road to full health remains uncertain.
Brandon Noel: A Key Piece Still Missing
The biggest absence continues to be forward Brandon Noel. The Wright State transfer hasn’t seen the floor since Jan. 5, when he logged just eight minutes against Nebraska before being shut down with a foot injury. Since then, he’s been a regular on the bench-but in a boot, not a uniform.
Diebler remains cautiously optimistic about Noel’s return.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Diebler said. “This isn’t a ‘he’ll be ready next week’ situation, but we’re hopeful to get him back before the end of the season.”
Noel started the first 10 games of the year and was coming off the bench in his last four before the injury. In his debut season with the Buckeyes, the Chillicothe native has averaged 7.4 points and 4.1 boards per game, with a standout 29-point performance against Northwestern in early December. His presence in the paint-and his ability to stretch the floor-has been missed, especially as the Buckeyes try to navigate the grind of Big Ten play.
Puff Johnson: Day-to-Day with Head Injury
Another transfer addition, Puff Johnson, has had a rollercoaster season. Initially ruled ineligible due to having already played five college seasons, Johnson was granted a temporary restraining order in mid-January that cleared him to suit up. He made his Buckeye debut against Michigan on Jan. 23 and appeared in two more games before being sidelined with a head injury.
Now, he’s inching closer to a return.
“More day-to-day now,” Diebler said. “We hope he’ll be able to get a full practice in today. Tomorrow will be a game-time decision unless something changes.”
Johnson, who previously played at North Carolina and Penn State, has averaged 5.2 points on 40% shooting and 1.7 rebounds per game in limited action. He went through warmups before the Buckeyes’ recent loss to Michigan but wasn’t cleared to play. His veteran presence on the wing could be a valuable boost down the stretch-if he can stay healthy.
Mathieu Grujicic: Illness Keeps Freshman Guard Sidelined
Freshman guard Mathieu Grujicic, a product of FC Barcelona’s U18 program, has seen limited action this season, appearing in just six games. Most recently, he was ruled out due to illness and didn’t travel with the team for Sunday’s game.
“He was really under the weather,” Diebler said. “We felt like it was best to keep him separated on game day-to give him the best chance to recover and to keep everyone else healthy.”
While Grujicic hasn’t been a major contributor on the court, his absence still thins out the backcourt rotation, especially in practice settings where depth matters.
Josh Ojianwuna: Progressing, But Unlikely to Return This Season
Perhaps the most intriguing name on the injury report is Josh Ojianwuna, the 6-foot-10 center who transferred from Baylor. After averaging 7.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and nearly a block per game last season, Ojianwuna was expected to play a significant role for the Buckeyes this year. But a knee injury has kept him sidelined all season, and with just eight games left, a return seems unlikely.
“He’s doing some individual work on the court,” Diebler said. “He’s progressing and working really hard.
I’ve been impressed with how engaged he’s been from the sideline-his voice, his leadership. He’s been with us on every road trip.”
Even without logging a single minute this season, Ojianwuna has made his presence felt as a vocal leader. But given he only has one year of eligibility remaining, it’s hard to justify rushing him back for a late-season cameo. The long-term picture matters here.
The Road Ahead
With the Big Ten standings tightening and March looming, Ohio State needs to find a way to stay afloat while managing its injuries. The Buckeyes still have time to make a push for the NCAA Tournament, but the margin for error is thin-and the roster is thinner.
If they can get Noel or Johnson back in the lineup soon, it could provide the kind of spark that helps turn things around. Until then, it’s next-man-up in Columbus, and the Buckeyes will have to lean on their core group to keep the season alive.