Ohio State’s roster picture for next season just got a little more interesting, and a former Buckeye center could be part of the answer.
With the NCAA once again losing in court, players from the 2022 class in all sports are now eligible for a fifth year. That opens the door for seniors who had been trying to make it as pros to circle back to college, and one name that fits that window is Christoph Tilly.
Tilly started at center for Ohio State last season and put up 11 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He wasn’t the most dominant big man the Buckeyes have ever rolled out there, but he may be the best option they have if they want to stabilize the frontcourt.
Right now, Ivan Njegovan is lined up to start at center. He has flashed some promise on the offensive glass, and he can block shots at a decent rate, but his offensive game is limited. That’s why Tilly makes sense as a possible return.
At 7 feet, Tilly still gives Ohio State size at the rim, and while his shooting from 3-point range was rough last season, he can at least hit those shots from time to time. That matters for a team that is expected to lean heavily on offense next season. The Buckeyes’ roster core is expected to revolve around John Mobley Jr. and two five-star freshmen, so spacing and scoring will be major priorities.
Tilly went undrafted in late June, which keeps the possibility open for a college return. For Ohio State, that would be a real boost on a roster that now has something to play for after Jake Diebler guided the Buckeyes to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. A center who can shoot would fit.
What Ohio State can’t get back is its best player from a year ago. Bruce Thornton went surprisingly with the first pick of the second round to the Houston Rockets, and his Summer League play all but locked in his path toward a roster spot there.
If Thornton had returned, Ohio State would have had a team with Big Ten title upside. Without him, the Buckeyes should still aim for the top six.
If Tilly comes back, the top four becomes realistic. Diebler has plenty of reason to dig into whether that reunion can happen.
And Tilly? He’ll almost certainly look at his options in college basketball again. Coming back to Columbus, playing for a familiar coach and in a familiar building, would be the cleanest outcome for everyone involved.
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