Jake Diebler might’ve just unlocked a key piece for Ohio State’s late-season push - and it’s coming from a spot that’s been quiet for too long: the bench. Redshirt sophomore guard Taison Chatman has stepped into the spotlight, and suddenly, the Buckeyes are getting the kind of second-unit scoring they’ve been sorely missing.
In Thursday night’s 82-62 road win over Maryland, Chatman once again delivered. He dropped 10 points on 50% shooting, added three assists, and gave the Buckeyes 20 solid minutes off the bench. That’s now three straight games with double-digit scoring for Chatman - a stretch that’s not just impressive, it’s transformative for this team’s rotation.
Now, the postgame headlines weren’t all about his scoring. Chatman was ejected after a late-game scuffle with Maryland’s Elijah Saunders. Not exactly the way you want to finish a strong night, but from a purely basketball standpoint, his recent play has been a major plus.
Let’s look at the numbers. Over the last three games, Chatman is averaging 11.7 points in just 18 minutes per game.
He’s shooting a blistering 66.7% from the field and 70% from deep. That kind of efficiency is rare - especially from a bench guard still finding his rhythm after a slow start to the season.
In fact, through his first 14 games, he totaled just 27 points and only cracked double-digit minutes twice. Now, he’s not only healthy, he’s confident, decisive, and giving Ohio State a real offensive spark.
That spark couldn’t come at a better time. One of the biggest issues for Ohio State during their early-season stumbles - particularly in tight losses to North Carolina and Nebraska - was the complete lack of bench scoring.
In both of those one-possession defeats, the Buckeyes got zero points from their bench. That’s not just a red flag; it’s a flashing neon sign.
Statistically, the Buckeyes are near the bottom of the national rankings in bench production - 350th in the country at just 12.6 points per game. But over the last three outings, that number is trending in the right direction. They got 13 bench points against Penn State, 21 at Wisconsin, and 19 more at Maryland - with Chatman responsible for two-thirds of that production.
That’s not just filling a gap - that’s changing the equation.
The good news for Ohio State? Chatman won’t face a suspension for the altercation in College Park.
And that’s huge, because the Buckeyes have a big one coming up. Michigan comes to town on Sunday, and with a potential signature win on the line, they’ll need every bit of the momentum Chatman’s bringing off the bench.
Right now, he’s not just earning minutes - he’s earning trust. And for a Buckeyes team still trying to carve out its identity in the heart of Big Ten play, that could make all the difference.