I saw data earlier this season that showed statistically OSU was actually a better team in the second half than most. What does that tell you? He's making adjustments better than most coaches, and that's with a roster that isn't spending comparably to the elite in the sport. Be honest, is the OSU roster that talented that you'd expect multiple guys actually playing consistent minutes in the NBA in the future? I say no. Obviously he did not inherit a roster filled with elite talent, and has been hamstrung by OSU with regards to NIL. This year he's got Bruce Thornton and a bunch of guys who probably wouldn't start for the top teams in the B1G, plus a short bench because again OSU has held back the program with NIL in comparison to the top teams in the B1G. When guys transfer from OSU, they're not all of a sudden shining elsewhere. Currently the talent level in the program, in terms of the 4th-8th best players on the roster, is not sufficient to be competitive at the top of the B1G.
I think the #1 thing he needs to change is get more elite defensive players - now he did get Ojianwuna, who I believe is more defense-oriented, but obviously he's not playing this year. The offense works well enough even with a roster that's 12th in the B1G in terms of NIL, but these past couple of seasons clearly defense is the area they aren't putting out a winning product. Part of that is these guys aren't good enough rebounders, part of that is they need some better athletes in terms of size, athleticism, length, strength and motor. My hope is that if - I know, big IF - OSU starts to let the NIL dollars actually flow to this program that they will be able to get some guys who are elite defenders. I don't know if Jake realizes this is the area he needs to upgrade the most, but I guess we'll have to wait another year to see. I don't think his first couple of offseasons that he had the right situation to add the best players to the program, so I do have hope that this next chance will be the time that OSU finally gets smart with NIL and lets this man use some funds to add the players he needs to build a B1G contender. It's not going to show up on the list of "needs" for the offseason for OSU, but they absolutely should prioritize adding SOMEONE who will be an All-B1G caliber defender just as much as they should prioritize adding a strong guard to replace Bruce.
