Ohio State men’s basketball opens the 2026–27 season Monday, November 2, against BYU in Salt Lake City. It’s a make-or-break year for coach Jake Diebler, who now has the most talented roster of his tenure, including five-star freshman Anthony Thompson, plus a rebuilt backcourt and some real questions up front. Here are five things every Buckeyes fan should know before tip-off.
The Buckeyes went 21-13 last season and reached the NCAA Tournament, Diebler’s first, before a first-round exit against TCU. That’s progress, but it isn’t where Ohio State wants to be. This year the expectations are higher, and so is the pressure.
1. A Five-Star Freshman Is the Headline
Anthony Thompson is the name to know. He’s a McDonald’s All-American and a small forward from Hudson, Ohio, ranked No. 7 nationally in the 2026 class by 247Sports. He’s the highest-rated freshman entering the Big Ten, and one analyst called him one of the conference’s most notable freshmen. Diebler and his staff expect his shooting and rebounding to translate right away.
He’s not alone. Guard LJ Smith reclassified from the 2027 class and joins the group, and outlets rate him as a four- or five-star prospect. One report said Ohio State now has two of its eight highest-rated players ever on the same roster.
There’s a catch. Freshmen don’t always deliver right away, and Thompson will carry big expectations. Small forward is also one of the thinnest spots on the roster, so he’ll likely play heavy minutes.
2. The Backcourt Got a Full Makeover
Star guard Bruce Thornton is gone, and Gabe Cupps, Colin White and Devin Royal left through the transfer portal. Diebler rebuilt with four transfers and returned a sharpshooter:
| Player | Position | Last team | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Pippen | Guard | Cal | 14.2 points, 4.6 assists |
| Jimmie Williams | Guard | Duquesne | 15.1 points |
| Curtis Givens III | Guard | Memphis | 9.4 points |
| Andrija Jelavic | Forward | Kentucky | 5.5 points |
John Mobley Jr. is the veteran leader. He shot over 41% from three-point range and ranked 26th in the country with 3.1 made threes per game. One report says Pippen and LJ Smith will battle for the point guard job, with Mobley at shooting guard.
The challenge is chemistry. Mobley no longer has Thornton to draw defensive attention, and the new guards need time to gel.
3. The Frontcourt Is the Big Question
The Buckeyes’ size is where things get interesting. Amare Bynum, a Top 60 recruit from Omaha who was one of last season’s standout freshmen, anchors the middle. Josh Ojianwuna, now in his second year in Columbus after sitting out last season, adds more size.
New faces include Jelavic from Kentucky and two freshmen, Alex Smith and international center Vuk Lazarevic. Diebler said the staff set out to get bigger and add depth.
Still, writers flag depth as a worry. Beyond the main rotation, Ohio State needs several players to take steps forward. If injuries hit, there isn’t much cushion. A strong season depends on Bynum improving and the newcomers fitting in quickly.
4. The Schedule Is Tough Right Away
This is not a soft nonconference slate. Ohio State has 12 nonconference games, with eight at home, two on the road and two at neutral sites, and five against high-major opponents.
| Date | Opponent | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2 | BYU | Salt Lake City |
| Nov. 6 | Youngstown State | Home opener |
| Nov. 13 | at UConn | Storrs |
| Nov. 24 | Vanderbilt | Columbus |
| Dec. 2 | at Nebraska | Big Ten opener |
| Dec. 6 | Maryland | Columbus, noon |
| Dec. 12 | at Notre Dame | South Bend |
| Dec. 19 | Kansas | New York City |
The BYU game is the first meeting between the schools since 1997, and Ohio State leads the series 4-3. Vanderbilt starts a home-and-home series, with Ohio State visiting Nashville next season.
Big Ten highlights come later: Michigan State at home on January 23, a trip to Michigan on January 30, and a home finale against Michigan on March 7. The Big Ten Tournament is March 9 to 14 in Indianapolis.
A reality check: Ohio State lost its first exhibition, 79-68 to Cincinnati, on October 7. Exhibitions don’t count, and Diebler called them preparation for this schedule. The second exhibition is Sunday, October 25, at 2 p.m. at home against Butler.
5. The Pressure Is on Jake Diebler
Diebler took over in February 2024 and is now in his third full season. He has been praised for progress, but the program hasn’t won in the NCAA Tournament under him. Writers call this a make-or-break year, with the roster described as potentially one of the best talent-wise in years.
The goal is simple: get out of the first weekend of the tournament. The roster has the talent, and the schedule gives chances at big wins early. If Thompson delivers, the backcourt gels and Bynum takes a step, this could be a special team.
My Take
I’d call Ohio State a likely NCAA Tournament team, with a ceiling higher than that if Thompson hits. The key is the early games: win one or two of BYU, UConn, Notre Dame and Kansas and the resume looks strong. Lose all of them and the pressure builds fast. This is my opinion, not a certainty, and a young, new roster can take time to click.
