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Three things to know about the Ohio State men’s basketball team
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Three things to know about the Ohio State men’s basketball team

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The first full season for coach Jake Diebler kicks off Monday night when Ohio State plays its men’s basketball opener against No. 19 Texas in Las Vegas. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m

“On a big stage against a very good opponent,” Diebler said. “This will be a good indication of where we are at the beginning of the season knowing that we have a very tough non-conference schedule.”

The game marks the second meeting between the schools and the first since March 17, 1986, when the Buckeyes won 71-65 in the second round of the NIT in a home game.

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Here are things you need to know before getting a tip.

Well-known name among transfers

Although Ohio State returns seven players, including two starters, from last season’s team, many are new to the program. Five of those are transfers, including Aaron Bradshaw from Kentucky and Sean Stewart from Duke. Both are second-year students looking for a new start.

Micah Parrish is from San Diego State and Ques Glover is from Kansas State. Both are fifth-year players, with Parrish on the Aztecs team that made a run to the national championship game in 2023.

Meechie Johnson Jr. returns to Ohio State after spending the past two seasons at South Carolina, where he averaged 13.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. The Cleveland native spent his first two seasons as a Buckeye under Chris Holtmann and returns to boost Diebler’s starting roster.

‘He’s grown up. He had matured from the first practice we had to the day he lasted about 10-15 minutes,” Diebler said in the offseason. “Now he can continue a little longer and do it at a high level. So it was nice to see.”

The freshman class includes reigning Mr. Ohio Basketball, Colin White and John Mobley Jr. from Reynoldsburg, who will make a homecoming of sorts Monday night. He played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas for his sophomore and junior seasons.

Thornton and Mahaffey want to take the lead

Bruce Thornton and Evan Mahaffey are the two Ohio State veterans and returning starters looking to take charge of Team 126. Thornton enters his junior season having led the team in scoring (15.7), assists (4.8) , steals (1,2) and minutes played. (33.6).

“I don’t take him for granted. Not even for a day. It’s very reassuring as a head coach to have a player like that. That you can lean on him and talk to him to join the team every now and then,” Diebler said. “Bruce has improved his game and raised his level this season.”

Mahaffey also enters his junior season after making key contributions as a sophomore, primarily on defense. He averaged a steal per game and recorded 25 blocks.

“He’s starting to feel more comfortable and confident offensively, which is important,” Diebler said. “He has good basketball instincts.”

Tough test to start the season

This is only the third time Ohio State has opened against a ranked opponent. The Buckeyes lost their previous two tries: a loss to No. 12 Utah State on December 1, 1970, and to No. 15 Oklahoma on November 25, 1988, in the first round of the Maui Invitational.

The Longhorns are coming off a 21-13 season and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Diebler knows Monday offers a chance to make some noise on a big stage on the first day of the season.

“That’s a great aspect of this game. Certainly, the quality of the opponent is great,” Diebler said. “Being on this stage, Day 1 of the college basketball season, is something our guys are excited about.”

And Texas won’t be the last major opponent the Buckeyes will face in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Texas A&M, Pitt, Auburn and Kentucky are also leading the way.

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