Ohio State just took a significant hit at a pivotal moment in its season.
Freshman guard John Mobley Jr., one of the Buckeyes' most consistent offensive weapons, is out indefinitely with a hand injury suffered during Wednesday’s 89-82 win over USC. While the team expects him to return before season’s end, he’ll miss an extended stretch - and that’s a tough blow for a squad fighting to stay in the NCAA Tournament picture.
Mobley has been a fixture in the starting lineup all season, starting all 24 games alongside Bruce Thornton in the backcourt. He’s not just been steady - he’s been dynamic.
Averaging 15.1 points per game, Mobley ranks second on the team in scoring and leads Ohio State in 3-point shooting at a sharp 40% clip. He’s also chipped in 2.8 assists per game, showing a growing feel for the offense and an ability to create for others, not just himself.
Losing that kind of production and floor spacing is no small thing, especially this late in the season. But the Buckeyes aren’t without options - and now, it’s Taison Chatman’s time to step into the spotlight.
Chatman has quietly been trending upward, averaging 9.6 points over his last five games and emerging as the team’s most reliable bench scorer. With Mobley sidelined, Chatman is expected to slide into the starting lineup. It’s a big ask, but he’s shown flashes of being ready for a larger role - especially with Ohio State already navigating thin depth after losing forward Brandon Noel to a foot injury back in early January.
Behind Chatman, Gabe Cupps will likely move back into the top backup guard role. His numbers - 1.8 points in just over 13 minutes per game - don’t jump off the page, but the Buckeyes will need more than just box score contributions from him. Whether it’s steady ball-handling, perimeter defense, or simply keeping the offense flowing, Cupps’ minutes suddenly carry more weight.
And it’s not just on the guards. Wing Puff Johnson and center Ivan Njegovan will also need to find ways to provide a spark off the bench. With the rotation tightening and the stakes rising, Ohio State needs contributions from across the roster - not just to survive, but to keep pushing toward March.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Four Quad 1 games remain on the regular-season schedule, and the first one comes fast: a Saturday night showdown against No.
15 Virginia. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. on FOX.
With Mobley out, the Buckeyes face a serious test of depth, resilience, and identity. This stretch will tell us a lot about who they are - and whether they have enough to keep their tournament hopes alive.