Ohio State’s recent three-game winning streak was halted by a loss to Illinois, but the Buckeyes are still in a strong position this season. Currently on the NCAA Tournament bubble, Jake Diebler’s team is just one game under .500 in Big Ten play. However, achieving a return to even footing will not be easy.
Maryland will visit Value City Arena on Thursday, nearly two months after delivering one of Ohio State’s worst losses of the season on December 4. The Terrapins dominated 83-59 in a game that was more lopsided than the score suggested. Diebler’s team has improved significantly since then, but the upcoming rematch will serve as a real test.
One day after the loss to Illinois and three days before the Maryland game, Diebler spoke to the media about the team’s progress. He emphasized the need for smarter play with fewer turnovers, fouls, and poor shot choices. He also stressed the importance of better offensive movement, as the team looks to get revenge.
“Right now, we have everything to play for. Everything is right in front of us. We’ve positioned ourselves well enough to be playing really meaningful games right now. Every game is important,” said Diebler.
Ohio State’s presence in the NCAA Tournament conversation in February marks a significant improvement over the past two seasons. Diebler noted that while there were results earlier in the season he’d like to revisit, a strong finish to his first year could see the Buckeyes return to the tournament for the first time since 2022.
“There’s definitely a difference. We’re a completely different team than we were back then. But make no mistake, we haven’t forgotten that,” Diebler added about the upcoming Maryland game.
Handling Maryland’s frontcourt will be crucial for a better outcome than their previous matchup, in which Ohio State found itself down 50-17 at halftime after a brutal 34-7 run from the Terrapins. Although the Buckeyes have shown considerable improvement, the upcoming game will be a direct test of their progress.
“We’ve got to play a little bit smarter. Some of it’s shot selection at times, and some of our turnovers. Some of it’s execution defensively, the communication at times, or fouling. We’re having some fouls that almost feel like mental lapses for a second,” said Diebler, reflecting on the areas where his team still needs improvement.
Diebler praised the recent toughness, energy, and cohesion his team has shown, but acknowledged that mental mistakes still need to be corrected. He noted that there are several possessions per game where the Buckeyes are giving opponents free points through fouls—something he sees as the next area for improvement.
