Ohio State Still on the Bubble, but Taison Chatman Is Making a Case
The Buckeyes are back in familiar territory - not quite in, not quite out. With a gritty 89-82 win over USC, Ohio State improved to 16-8 (8-6 Big Ten), but let’s not sugarcoat it: they’re still firmly planted on the NCAA Tournament bubble. And with at least eight games left to play, every possession, every lineup decision, and every minute on the floor matters more than ever.
Bruce Thornton was the closer on Wednesday night, scoring the Buckeyes’ final nine points to fend off the Trojans. But it’s another guard - Taison Chatman - who’s starting to draw attention for what he’s bringing to the table, and the question now is whether it’s time to elevate him into the starting five.
Let’s break it down.
The Case For Starting Chatman
Ohio State’s slow start against USC - just one make in their first eight shots - was a reminder of the urgency this team needs to play with down the stretch. Falling behind early and playing catch-up isn’t a sustainable formula, especially with matchups against Virginia and Wisconsin looming.
That’s where Chatman comes in.
Over his last five games, the freshman guard has been lights out: 9.6 points per game, shooting 55.2% from the field and a scorching 58.8% from three-point range. He’s also been reliable at the line (6-of-7 free throws) and tied for the team lead with six rebounds in the Michigan game. Efficiency, confidence, and versatility - that’s what he’s bringing right now.
Defensively, Chatman still has work to do. He’s not as physical as some of his teammates, but offensively, he’s been one of Ohio State’s most consistent threats in recent weeks. And in a conference where spacing is everything, his presence on the floor opens things up for the rest of the offense.
Think about the ripple effect: Thornton has cooled off from deep after a hot start, sitting at 38.5% from beyond the arc. Mobley is holding steady at 40%.
Chatman? He’s at 55%.
That trio on the floor together forces defenses to stay honest - no sagging off, no doubling without consequences. It’s the kind of spacing that can turn a good offense into a great one.
Now, this doesn’t mean Chatman needs to be logging 30 minutes a night. But giving him a starting nod and letting him set the tone early could help Ohio State avoid those sluggish starts and get into a rhythm faster. He’s earned that look.
The Case Against Starting Chatman
On the flip side, there’s something to be said for keeping the current rotation intact - at least for now.
The lineup that took the floor against USC - Thornton, Mobley, Devin Royal, A’mare Bynum, and Felix Tilly - looked balanced. Chatman was the sixth man, logging around 20 minutes, and Puff Johnson followed as the seventh.
It worked. The Buckeyes found their footing and closed out a tough opponent.
Bynum, in particular, brings a level of physicality and effort that’s hard to replicate. He’s one of Ohio State’s more rugged defenders in the paint and gives the team an edge on the boards and in hustle plays. Swapping him out for Chatman could disrupt that defensive identity, especially early in games.
Then there’s Royal, who many believe needs more touches in the paint. A three-guard lineup featuring Thornton, Mobley, and Chatman - with Royal down low - could be a potent offensive look in stretches, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it should be the starting five.
And with Brandon Noel expected to return soon, the rotation could shift again. Why make a drastic change now when the current mix is holding its own?
What’s Next?
Ohio State’s margin for error is razor-thin. The bubble is crowded, and every game from here on out is essentially a mini postseason.
Virginia on Saturday. Wisconsin on Tuesday.
These are statement opportunities.
Whether Chatman starts or continues to come off the bench, his role is growing - and deservedly so. He’s proving he can be a spark, a shooter, and a steady contributor in big moments. But the coaching staff also has to weigh that against the need for defensive grit and rebounding, especially in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes don’t need to reinvent the wheel. But with Chatman heating up, they might want to consider putting a little more gas in the tank early - and that could start with giving him the opening tip.