Ohio State Buckeyes Basketball Season Outlook for 2025-?26

The upcoming 2025-?26 season for the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team follows a disappointing previous year where they finished with a 17-15 record, missing the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive time. Head coach Jake Diebler faced challenges, particularly with the frontcourt's performance, which struggled to secure rebounds and defensive stops. This offseason saw significant roster changes, with nine players departing and several new recruits and transfers joining, including top-50 recruit Amare Bynum and experienced transfers like Gabe Cupps.

The Buckeyes' non-conference schedule includes notable matchups against teams like Notre Dame and North Carolina, providing opportunities to strengthen their NCAA resume. However, the Big Ten schedule presents a formidable challenge, especially in late February with tough opponents. Improving their historically weak defense will be crucial, particularly from new frontcourt additions. While substantial improvement may be unrealistic, a modest rise in performance could place Ohio State back in NCAA Tournament contention, buoyed by strong backcourt play from Bruce Thornton and John Mobley.