Ohio State men's basketball needs more from its transfer class if they have NCAA aspirations

When Jake Diebler was hired back in March, one of the perceived benefits of that decision was that Ohio State would keep the most talented bits of a middling roster around for at least one more season. While each came with their own flaws and quirks, Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Felix Okpara, Devin Royal, Scotty Middleton, and Taison Chatman were all talents that Diebler and his staff were hoping to keep.

That’s not quite how it turned out. Despite Diebler being their lead recruiter and the person most responsible for getting them to Columbus, Middleton, Gayle, and Okpara all chose to transfer out of the program when the season ended.

Thornton, Royal, and Chatman stayed put at Ohio State. A 50% retention rate for those six players could be looked at as a win or a failure right now, depending on who you ask. Regardless, the departures – in addition to four other players leaving the program or graduating, left several open scholarships.

Diebler – operating largely on his own while he was simultaneously trying to put together a coaching staff in April – swung high in the transfer portal, prioritizing raw talent and high ceilings over known commodities.



https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2024/12/17/24323120/ohio-state-mens-basketball-transfer-aspirations-ncaa-meechie-johnson-aaron-bradshaw-jake-diebler