Honestly, if you’re a fan checking the latest Ohio State Buckeyes basketball news, you probably feel like you're on a roller coaster that only goes in circles. One week, Jake Diebler’s squad looks like a dark horse Big Ten contender; the next, they’re dropping a winnable game on the road in Seattle. It is frustrating.
The Buckeyes currently sit at 11-5 overall and an even 3-3 in conference play after a stinging 81-74 loss to Washington on January 11, 2026. This game was basically a microcosm of the season. Bruce Thornton was a monster, dropping 28 points and moving past the 1,800-career-point milestone. But even with Thornton's heroics and a season-high 20 points from freshman Amare Bynum, the defense just couldn't get a stop when it mattered. Washington shot 50% in both halves. You aren't winning many Big Ten road games when the opponent is that comfortable.
The Bruce Thornton Factor and the Frontcourt Puzzle
Bruce Thornton is the engine. Period. He’s averaging over 20 points a game and is firmly in the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 conversation. But as we've seen, one guy can't carry the whole load in this expanded Big Ten. The Buckeyes are getting decent production from Devin Royal (11 points, 8 rebounds against the Huskies), but the injury bug is starting to bite.
Christoph Tilly, the 7-foot senior who has been a massive addition via the transfer portal, went down with an injury after playing just 15 minutes against Washington. That is a huge blow. Ivan Njegovan stepped up with six rebounds, but let's be real: Tilly’s presence in the paint is what allows Diebler’s "fast and physical" system to actually work. Without that 7-foot anchor, the Buckeyes look a lot more vulnerable on the interior.
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Breaking Down the Recent Stretch
- Jan 2 at Rutgers: A gritty 80-73 road win that felt like a turning point.
- Jan 5 vs #10 Nebraska: A 72-69 heartbreaker at the Schottenstein Center.
- Jan 8 at Oregon: A massive 72-62 bounce-back win in Eugene.
- Jan 11 at Washington: The aforementioned 81-74 letdown.
It is sort of weird, right? They can beat Oregon on the road but lose to Nebraska at home. That's the 2026 Big Ten for you. It's a meat grinder.
What's Wrong With the Defense?
If you look at the stats, Ohio State is actually scoring plenty. They’re averaging over 83 points per game, which is top-tier nationally. The problem? They’re giving up way too many open looks. Against Washington, a 12-0 Huskies run in the second half turned a seven-point Buckeye lead into a deficit they never recovered from.
Jake Diebler has talked a lot about "basketball IQ" and "playing faster," but sometimes playing faster leads to defensive lapses. They’re currently middle-of-the-pack in the Big Ten standings (10th or 11th depending on the day), and if they want to secure a decent seed for the Big Ten Tournament in March, the perimeter defense has to tighten up. You can't let teams shoot 50% from the floor and expect Thornton to bail you out every night.
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The Marcus Johnson Hype is Real
While the current season is a bit of a grind, the recruiting trail is giving fans plenty to talk about. The biggest Ohio State Buckeyes basketball news on the horizon is the arrival of Marcus Johnson. The Cleveland native and top-25 recruit in the 2026 class has committed to staying home.
Johnson is the kind of explosive guard who can change a program's trajectory. Between him and the development of current freshmen like Amare Bynum, the future looks bright. But "the future" doesn't help Thornton win a ring in his senior year.
Key Upcoming Schedule
The Buckeyes are heading back to Columbus for a crucial stretch that will likely define their season:
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- Jan 17 vs UCLA: A massive home game on CBS. This is a must-win for the resume.
- Jan 20 vs Minnesota: Another home tilt where they cannot afford a slip-up.
- Jan 23 at Michigan: The rivalry game in Ann Arbor. Records don't matter here, but momentum does.
Actionable Insights for the Second Half of the Season
If you're following the Buckeyes, keep your eyes on these three specific areas. This is what will determine if they're playing in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT come March.
Monitor the Injury Report
The status of Christoph Tilly is the most important storyline right now. If his injury is long-term, Josh Ojianwuna and Ivan Njegovan are going to have to play the best basketball of their lives. Without a reliable center, the Buckeyes' defense becomes a sieve.
Watch the "Three-Point Variance"
Ohio State has been streaky from deep. John Mobley Jr. and Bruce Thornton need to stay consistent to keep defenses from collapsing on Devin Royal in the paint. If they're hitting at 35% or better as a team, they're hard to beat.
The "Schott" Advantage
They’ve already dropped a couple of home games they shouldn't have. For the Buckeyes to make a jump, the Schottenstein Center has to become a fortress again. The UCLA game on Jan 17 is the perfect opportunity to reset that home-court advantage.
The talent is there. Bruce Thornton is a pro. Amare Bynum is growing up before our eyes. Now, Jake Diebler just needs to find a way to get this team to defend for 40 minutes instead of 30. If they do that, they’ll be just fine.