Now fully into the Big Ten schedule, Ohio State basketball is going through its toughest stretch of the season to this point. After losing to an undefeated Nebraska team on Monday by just three points, the Buckeyes are now on the West Coast to face off against Oregon and Washington in back-to-back contests.
The Ducks are first, with the Thursday game beginning at 10:30 p.m. EST, and both teams going in needing a win.
Ohio State holds a 10-4 record (2-2 Big Ten) and is currently projected as a bubble team in the NCAA Tournament. But the Buckeyes want to not leave that decision up for question and are hoping to come out of this stretch with some wins.
Oregon is off to an 8-7 start (1-3 Big Ten), but holds a 7-1 record at home. The Ducks have been led by Nate Bittle, who is scoring 17.0 points per game and is bringing down 6.8 rebounds. But there are scoring options all around the lineup, with Jackson Shelstad (15.6 points), Kwame Evans Jr. (13.5) and Takai Simpkins (12.6) all averaging double-digit points.
Then the Buckeyes play Washington on Sunday at 6 p.m. EST, the Huskies holding a 9-6 record (1-3 Big Ten).
Head coach Jake Diebler talked after the Nebraska loss about what the Buckeyes are facing in terms of their schedule, but noted that every team goes through something like this.
“We’ve had an NBA stretch,” Diebler said. “I won’t even call it a tough stretch because other teams are going through it. We’ve gone coast-to-coast. We’re going to play four games in nine days. It’s not ideal, but it happens. Other teams are going to face it.”
Many times a trip like the Buckeyes are taking can help bring a team closer together, but Diebler doesn’t believe that is necessary for the team he’s coaching now.
What he does think is a problem that they need to address is the approach that Ohio State has on the court at the beginning of games, which has been something that has put the team in big holes in the first half at times this season.
“I don’t think this team needs to come closer together,” Diebler said. “This is a really close group and they care a lot about each other. We just have to develop more of this nastiness on the court that we play with when we’re trailing. That’s the missing piece right now.”
Diebler believes part of what has been ailing the Buckeyes late in close losses is that the starters have been tired toward the end of games.
Part of that is because the bench hasn’t been producing much. The game against Nebraska was an example of that, with Gabe Cupps, Brandon Noel and Colin White scoring zero points combined between the three of them in 21 minutes of game action.
The bench production won’t be helped by the fact that Noel suffered a foot injury in the game against the Cornhuskers and is out indefinitely.
But Diebler has talked with some of the players who have been coming off the bench about their aggressiveness when they get into games, and he’s hoping that will improve, which could give the starters more time to rest.
“When guys are in, they have to be aggressive,” Diebler said. “I had a conversation with some guys and told them, ‘You’re going into the game and passing up open shots. You’re going into the game and you’re hesitating. That’s not helping us win.’ We’re looking for a few guys to add that.”
