I still think the NIL thing is without some context. That's money spent not funds available. We were reportedly in on guys like Swain Peterson and Williams until the end. Who knows how much money ended up going unspent because we got burnt waiting on those guys and had to settle for scraps by the time they decided for elsewhere. I'm not saying we have a scUM money at all but I don't think the situation is as awful as some want to think.

This is why we need to be better at highlighting the best more realistic options Instead of hoping and waiting on those high high level types.

So, we're firing him, right?

CMic said:

With NIL at 12-14th in the B1G, an 8th place finish is probably a 75 percentile result. Obviously, not where I want the program to be, but we’ll likely be worse next year unless NIL is increased.

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Yeah, that's what worries me the most, NIL. The best players are expensive, and I don't think OSU is going to provide NIL that allows for them to get those types of players. So the coaches have to outsmart the competition - you could say maybe they did that with Amare Bynum, but no one else they added a year ago was really the type of player that helped them win more than a hypothetical average replacement player would have. The hit rate on transfers needs to go way up, I realize they need to have a certain quantity of players for practice & emergency depth reasons, but that can't be more than half the roster.

buckeyebri said:

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I remember the first time I heard that song, it was at a school dance in the 6th grade.

DZ83CK said:

Alright. The season is over. Would you say the overall performance was below, met, or exceeded expectations?

I would say this was a "meets expectations" season based on preseason projections, but certainly you'd like to have seen a little more success. Ideally, you get a couple real assets in the portal and take a step forward next season.

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With NIL at 12-14th in the B1G, an 8th place finish is probably a 75 percentile result. Obviously, not where I want the program to be, but we’ll likely be worse next year unless NIL is increased.

DZ83CK said:

Alright. The season is over. Would you say the overall performance was below, met, or exceeded expectations?

I would say this was a "meets expectations" season based on preseason projections, but certainly you'd like to have seen a little more success.

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I think it was about the bare minimum of the met expectations scale. They needed to make the tournament and they did but they flopped big time and were completely unprepared out of the gate in a game they probably shoulda won in the 1st round.

Diebler needs more signature wins outside of Purdue next season for one. That's still his whole resume at the moment. Clear progress in the xs and os and having guys consistently prepared aspect as well. If we are in the same spot or worse after next year I think it's time to move on but I get the feeling the AD will be ok with bare minimum expectations and get the bad feeling we end up with another Holtmann type extension fiasco.

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Just sayin': His NFL career just evolved to being a QB2 (or QB3). Which might be a good thing if it helps to extend his NFL career. He's just 27 years old and could conceivably play another 10 years.

Alright. The season is over. Would you say the overall performance was below, met, or exceeded expectations?

I would say this was a "meets expectations" season based on preseason projections, but certainly you'd like to have seen a little more success. Ideally, you get a couple real assets in the portal and take a step forward next season.

Jagdaddy said:

I love that Day adjusts, but occasionally I think he overadjusts by, for example, slowing the offense to a crawl and putting multiple tight ends on the field because they had problems with scUM when they did it. I agree with this adjustment in theory, but let's not overreact to "experience" being too big of a deal in the current environment based on IU, which also had a ton of experienced guys, and a staff, that were not only experienced generally but were experienced at playing and coaching with each other.

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We’re not going to win a championship every season. But can we win every 3-5 years and be in the mix every year, for sure. I think the constant adjustments is what we will see with the ebb and flow of players and NIL You have guys that are looking for the payday and guys that want developed.

I feel Day has a good feel for what he wants to do.

DZ83CK said:

IMO it was a strategic error to play Tilly 31 minutes in this game. TCU is not a big team, they played bigger than their size but this was the textbook example of a team you can play with a small ball lineup against. OSU went on a huge run when Tilly was on the bench in the second half, then when he came back in, that's when TCU went on a run and won the game. Jake made a mistake in not adjusting his lineup to the matchups in this game.

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This goes back to my point about Diebler struggling with making adjustments on the fly.

IMO it was a strategic error to play Tilly 31 minutes in this game. TCU is not a big team, they played bigger than their size but this was the textbook example of a team you can play with a small ball lineup against. OSU went on a huge run when Tilly was on the bench in the second half, then when he came back in, that's when TCU went on a run and won the game. Jake made a mistake in not adjusting his lineup to the matchups in this game.

DZ83CK said:

We definitely need a strong portal season. There's potential for a good core group coming back, and when you add in Thompson, they have the makings of a decent team, but it's really easy to slip and take a step back if they make the wrong choices. They need to add at least two big-time players, PG and C. Can't settle for guys who averaged 4 or 5 points per game.

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We can't do what we did this year and wait around forever for higher level guys to make their decision, we were supposedly "heavily in" on Swain, Williams & Peterson, but in the end were we really? The hoops portal moves VERY quickly. We need to identify the best more realistic options quick who aren't going to take forever and end up leaving us hanging. That's how you end up with a Cupps type having to play big minutes at point next year.

They essentially need to attack the portal like Ojianwuna isn't even there. If they bank on him that could be a potential disaster in itself.

bigdog3300 said:

We took a step forward this year instead of backward, so I at least have more optimism for Diebler than I did this time last year. Very interested to see how next year looks after the portal, but with some pieces like Bynum, Mobley, Thompson, you have a foundation if you can hold it together.


The one thing I'll still be concerned with...if Diebler isn't a great recruiter, whether based on skill or lack of NIL assets, don't you need your coach to be very strong on the x and o side? Otherwise, what is he giving you....if he's not a recruiter, a strategist, loaded with experience, elite staff builder, etc., what is he excelling at?

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We definitely need a strong portal season. There's potential for a good core group coming back, and when you add in Thompson, they have the makings of a decent team, but it's really easy to slip and take a step back if they make the wrong choices. They need to add at least two big-time players, PG and C. Can't settle for guys who averaged 4 or 5 points per game.

DZ83CK said:

Tilly should have been a backup at OSU, as he obviously is the type of player that is not capable of consistent success at the highest level in college basketball. He had a skillset that fit, just not the strength and athleticism to excel when the going got tough. Moving towards next season, you would expect Ojianwuna to play, and he will provide a more athletic big to the team, but his offensive skillset is not as developed.

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Tilly as an offensive big man off the bench would be a great fit, when he's the starter you are constantly relying on though it's definitely not good.

I don't think anyone should have much expectation from Ojianwuna. A big man coming off a leg injury, good chance he never regains form. But if he does bounce back effectively, I would trade offensive skill for Physicality and Athleticism down low any day for our situation.

buckeyemania11 said:

When you can't afford the highest end of players it's all about finding the right fits.

Tilly in the grand scheme alone is not a bad player, but in the situation he's put in, being the main big man on a Big 10 team, this is not a great fit for Ohio State.

Diebler is almost certainly going to have to sacrifice offensive ability down low in the portal if he wants to succeed, we aren't affording a beast who can do it all. we really need a couple of guys who can physically at least hope to hold up against the better teams in the B1G (and other conferences)

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Tilly should have been a backup at OSU, as he obviously is the type of player that is not capable of consistent success at the highest level in college basketball. He had a skillset that fit, just not the strength and athleticism to excel when the going got tough. Moving towards next season, you would expect Ojianwuna to play, and he will provide a more athletic big to the team, but his offensive skillset is not as developed.

Couple of snooze fests in these late afternoon games still going

buckeyemania11 said:

Would be nice if Howard could have the effort of a lifetime tonight but scUM will probably win by 30

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I'm going to rewatch the tourney game against Loyola Marymount
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DZ83CK said:

A lot of what happens next year depends on how they finish out the roster. I realize the results in the portal have been poor (for the most part) so far ... which begs the question, will Diebler get good players in the portal this season? I hate to say it, but with NIL being problematic, I am doubting them at this point. Most of the guys he's brought in through the portal have not been what the program needed, their best add this past season is Tilly who started and helped but not quite what they needed.

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When you can't afford the highest end of players it's all about finding the right fits.

Tilly in the grand scheme alone is not a bad player, but in the situation he's put in, being the main big man on a Big 10 team, this is not a great fit for Ohio State.

Diebler is almost certainly going to have to sacrifice offensive ability down low in the portal if he wants to succeed, we aren't affording a beast who can do it all. we really need a couple of guys who can physically at least hope to hold up against the better teams in the B1G (and other conferences)