As Ohio State approaches the end of its regular season, each game becomes a pivotal chapter in their quest for an NCAA Tournament berth. With just four games left, the Buckeyes are juggling the challenge of building a strong tournament resume while dealing with key injuries. The focus is on preparation and execution as March looms.
In their recent 66-60 loss to No. 13 Michigan State, Ohio State was missing three key players: John Mobley Jr., sidelined with a finger injury for three games; Brandon Noel, out since January 5 with a foot injury; and Devin Royal, who was absent due to illness.
Looking ahead to their matchup with Iowa, head coach Jake Diebler emphasizes controlling the controllables.
“We control what we can control,” Diebler states. “Right now, that’s how we prepare for Iowa and ultimately, how we play against Iowa.”
The Buckeyes are seeking their first win against a Quadrant 1 opponent, and a victory at Iowa’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena could be a game-changer.
Even if Wednesday’s result doesn’t go their way, Ohio State’s resume might still improve based on the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings. Wins over Wisconsin and Northwestern could potentially shift to Quadrant 1 if those teams climb in the rankings.
“There’s a reality that in a week, we could have two quad one wins regardless,” Diebler explains. “That’s kind of the way the NET works, things fluctuate.”
Despite external factors influencing their postseason hopes, Ohio State remains laser-focused on their next game.
“Right now, it is all hands on deck that are available for Iowa,” Diebler emphasizes.
The team’s resilience is evident as they adopt a next-man-up mentality, a strategy that’s helped them avoid consecutive losses this season.
“[Monday] we watched film on the things we didn’t do well enough against Michigan State,” Diebler notes. “There are things we can control, that we can do better, regardless of who’s playing.”
Mobley Jr.’s status is improving, with Diebler noting his day-to-day progress.
“He’s working so hard to get back as quickly as he can,” Diebler shares.
As for Noel, who’s missed 13 games, there’s optimism for his return this season.
“The end of this week should give us a good indication of where we’re at,” Diebler says. “He’s progressing well and hitting markers along the way.”
With the roster gradually getting healthier, Diebler remains optimistic about the team’s potential as they near the postseason.
“I’m hopeful and prayerful that we’re going to turn the corner on some of this stuff here really, really soon,” Diebler remarks. “And if we do that, get everybody available and moving in the same direction, watch out.”