Ohio State’s men’s basketball program showed a marked turnaround in the 2025‑26 season, finishing with a five‑win stretch that included upsets over No. 24 Wisconsin and No. 8 Purdue. The Buckeyes capped the year with a Big Ten Tournament victory over Iowa and a hard‑fought battle against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament, signaling that the team is moving beyond its recent struggles.
A New Era for Ohio State Basketball
The momentum was tempered by the departure of several key contributors, including Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and Christoph Tilly. Their exits left a void in scoring, defense and leadership that the coaching staff must now address as they reshape the roster.
Among those returning, guard John Mobley Jr. is expected to play a larger role after shooting above 41 percent from three‑point range last year, while forward Amare Bynum showed promise as a freshman and is projected to become a more dominant interior presence. Big man Ivan Njegovan also returns, providing depth in the paint.
The offseason brought a wave of transfers — Jimmie Williams, Justin Pippen and Curtis Givens III — who bring experience from other programs, and the highly touted freshman Anthony Thompson, a five‑star recruit who is already being counted on to anchor the offense. Coach Jake Diebler has emphasized Thompson’s impact as a make‑or‑break factor for the upcoming campaign.
Despite the additions, the team’s depth remains a concern. With limited options behind the starting five, the Buckeyes will need to rely on the development of younger players and the chemistry of new pieces if they hope to sustain the progress made last season.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming 2026‑27 schedule will test Ohio State’s revised lineup against a gauntlet of elite opponents, and the program’s ability to translate early‑season optimism into consistent wins will depend on how quickly Thompson integrates and whether the supporting cast can step up when needed.