2026-27 Ohio State Men's Basketball

[DZ83CK]

Current projected roster:

SR (2)
F Devin Royal
F/C Josh Ojianwuna

JR (6)
CG John Mobley Jr.
G Braylen Nash
CG Taison Chatman
G Gabe Cupps
SF Colin White
C Ivan Njegovan

SO (2)
F Amare Bynum
SG/SF Mathieu Grujicic

FR (2)
SF Anthony Thompson
F Alex Smith
G Myles Herro

I believe 2 scholarships are open at this time. Probably will look to add at least one guard and one big in the spring.
My projected starting lineup as of now is Mobley-Thompson-Royal-Bynum-Ojianwuna.

 

[calibuck]

Believe that Diebs will be looking for a seasoned PG, and a C in the portal. After watching the Buckeyes this season, and seeing how much Thornton did, cannot really project Mobley, Chatman, or Cupps replacing him. Losing Tilly and Noel hurts, as am more of a Tilly supporter than most. Maybe Noel gets a medical redshirt? Not certain what entails, but think he'd be support, but not a primetime player. Anyway, see things most the same way as others above, Bynum is going to be tested with the NIL portal, and all the 'tampering' that is going to go on.

 

[DZ83CK]

Believe that Diebs will be looking for a seasoned PG, and a C in the portal. After watching the Buckeyes this season, and seeing how much Thornton did, cannot really project Mobley, Chatman, or Cupps replacing him. Losing Tilly and Noel hurts, as am more of a Tilly supporter than most. Maybe Noel gets a medical redshirt? Not certain what entails, but think he'd be support, but not a primetime player. Anyway, see things most the same way as others above, Bynum is going to be tested with the NIL portal, and all the 'tampering' that is going to go on.

No one thinks Noel is going to get another year. Both G and C they have major needs. I think they do have flexibility to put Mobley at the 1 as long as they get a guard who can pair well with him by being strong in the areas Mobley isn't particularly strong (defense, size, length, strength, ability to get to the foul line). Ideally they get a tough, athletic, strong big man who can pass the ball and can hit the 3, although Ojianwuna may be able to do most of those things.

 

[Thump]

Heard on the radio this morning that Royal may ask for a pay raise and I agreed with the host, “Go look for one.”

 

[DZ83CK]

Heard on the radio this morning that Royal may ask for a pay raise and I agreed with the host, “Go look for one.”

I could be wrong but don't think OSU would get a better player in his place.

 

[Thump]

I could be wrong but don't think OSU would get a better player in his place.

Fair enough but never know who is looking to transfer but in your defense, we have not had a keen eye for transfers thus far.

 

[DZ83CK]

Fair enough but never know who is looking to transfer but in your defense, we have not had a keen eye for transfers thus far.

Yeah, it's a lot of unknowns. Maybe the struggles in the portal in recent years just have me snakebit and jaded, but I do feel Devin is a good player who you want to try and keep & don't think it's likely they would get someone else in the portal that would be an upgrade. Realistically, you're bringing in a 5-star SF, which is the position I believe Royal wants to play (and start), but IMO Anthony Thompson is going to be the new go-to guy on this team, so AT's definitely starting. I don't think it's likely that AT would end up starting at SG unless they really strike out in the portal. Even with Devin being a local kid entering his Senior year, it can be a tough sell to get a guy who's started the past couple of years to come off the bench, which is probably what they would have to end up doing if they get a starting guard in the portal.

 

[Bestbuck36]

Yeah, it's a lot of unknowns. Maybe the struggles in the portal in recent years just have me snakebit and jaded, but I do feel Devin is a good player who you want to try and keep & don't think it's likely they would get someone else in the portal that would be an upgrade. Realistically, you're bringing in a 5-star SF, which is the position I believe Royal wants to play (and start), but IMO Anthony Thompson is going to be the new go-to guy on this team, so AT's definitely starting. I don't think it's likely that AT would end up starting at SG unless they really strike out in the portal. Even with Devin being a local kid entering his Senior year, it can be a tough sell to get a guy who's started the past couple of years to come off the bench, which is probably what they would have to end up doing if they get a starting guard in the portal.

Devin can be very good if he masters the skills that he is good at. He could be a pro player in the midrange game and a force around the paint, if he applied himself in an aggressive manner ALL the time. Too many times he looks kinda checked out and enamored with the arc or passing too much. Kid can dominate when he gets pissed off.

 

[otisu]

If the program is going to improve, Diebler has to find ways to retain guys like Royal and Bynum even with an AT coming in. Otherwise we’ll be right back in the same position we were this year with no depth.