Honestly, if you’re a Buckeyes fan, checking the ohio state basketball ranking right now feels a bit like looking at your bank account after a long vacation. You know it’s not going to be great, but you still hope for a surprise.
Right now, Ohio State isn't even in the AP Top 25. They’re basically stuck in the "also receiving votes" purgatory, specifically sitting at what would be #38 in the latest Coaches Poll with a measly three points.
It’s rough.
After a 74-81 loss to Washington on January 11, the Buckeyes dropped to 11-5 overall and a mediocre 3-3 in Big Ten play. This isn't exactly the "shooting for the moon" vibe head coach Jake Diebler promised back in October.
The Reality of the Big Ten Standings
The Big Ten is a meat grinder this year. You’ve got Nebraska—yes, Nebraska—sitting at 17-0 and ranked #8 in the country. Then there’s Purdue and Michigan both lurking in the top five.
Ohio State? They’re currently tied for 8th in the conference.
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Where the Buckeyes Stand (As of mid-January 2026)
To keep it simple, here is how the middle of the pack looks:
- Indiana: 3-3 conference, 12-5 overall
- Ohio State: 3-3 conference, 11-5 overall
- Minnesota: 3-3 conference, 10-7 overall
- USC: 3-3 conference, 14-3 overall
One week you look like a tournament team, the next you’re losing to a Washington squad that has four losses in the conference. It’s exhausting to watch. The Buckeyes have shown flashes, like that 10-point win over Oregon on the road, but they followed it up by letting the Huskies walk all over them.
What’s Killing the Ohio State Basketball Ranking?
If you want to know why they aren't ranked, look at the "Quad 1" games. They are 0-3 against Top 25 opponents. You can't get national respect if you can't beat the big dogs.
Defense is a massive headache. They’re giving up about 71 points per game. In the Big Ten, if you can’t get stops in the final four minutes, you’re dead. Against Nebraska earlier this month, they lost by three points because they couldn't close the door.
The Roster Mix
Bruce Thornton is still the heart of this team. The senior guard is doing everything he can, but he needs help. The transfers haven't been as "plug-and-play" as we hoped.
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- Gabe Cupps: The Indiana transfer has been solid, but he’s not a high-volume scorer.
- Christoph Tilly: The 7-foot senior from Santa Clara provides size, but the Buckeyes are still getting out-rebounded in key moments.
- Brandon Noel: He’s been a bright spot coming in from Wright State, yet the chemistry between the new guys and the vets still feels... clunky? Sorta hit or miss.
Is Jake Diebler on the Hot Seat?
It’s only his second full year, but the "hot seat" rumors are already starting to buzz. It feels unfair, but that’s the reality at a school like Ohio State.
Missing the NCAA Tournament last year was a gut punch. If they don't turn this around and get back into the ohio state basketball ranking top 25 soon, the pressure is going to get weirdly intense. People are already pointing out that it only costs about $5 million to move on from him this spring. That’s "pocket change" for a major athletic department if they feel the program is drifting.
But let's be fair. Diebler inherited a mess. He’s trying to build a culture of "urgency," and you can see it in how hard they play. They just aren't consistent.
What Needs to Happen Next
The schedule doesn't get easier. They have UCLA coming to the Schottenstein Center on January 17. That is a "must-win" if they want to stay relevant.
If they want to fix their ohio state basketball ranking, they have to sweep the home games against Minnesota and Penn State later this month. Lose one of those, and the NIT starts looking a lot more likely than the Big Dance.
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The metrics (NET and KenPom) still like them enough to keep them in the conversation, mostly because they don't have many "bad" losses. But "not losing to bad teams" isn't a strategy for making the Top 25. You have to actually beat someone good.
Actionable Steps for the Buckeyes
- Find a secondary scorer: Someone besides Thornton needs to be a threat every single night.
- Clean up the glass: Being out-rebounded by Washington is unacceptable for a team with this much size.
- Defend the three: They’re allowing opponents to shoot too well from deep, which negates their offensive spurts.
Watch the UCLA game closely. If they come out flat at home, it might be time to start worrying about the direction of the season. If they win, they’re right back in the mix for an at-large bid.
Keep an eye on the AP Poll every Monday. Until they knock off a ranked Big Ten opponent, don't expect to see "Ohio State" next to a number anytime soon.
Next Steps for Fans
Check the updated NET rankings on Tuesday morning to see if the loss to Washington dropped them out of the top 50. You should also keep a close eye on the injury report for the UCLA game, as any depth issues in the frontcourt will be exploited by the Bruins' size. Finally, if you're attending a game at the Schott, watch the bench energy during defensive transitions—it's the best indicator of whether this team is buying into Diebler's "urgency" mantra or just going through the motions.