Ohio State Buckeyes Aim for NCAA Tournament Return Under Jake Diebler

The Buckeyes secured an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2022, led by an experienced roster and new additions.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:08pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a college basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of scarlet, gray, and navy blue, conveying the energy and intensity of the Buckeyes' tournament run.Ohio State's return to the NCAA Tournament marks a pivotal moment in the program's resurgence under coach Jake Diebler.Greenville Today

The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team concluded its 2025-2026 season with a narrow defeat in the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's first appearance in the event since 2022. The team secured this position following a productive stretch in late February and early March, as well as a 1-1 record during the Big Ten Tournament. Head coach Jake Diebler reflected on the trajectory of the program during his second full season at the helm, emphasizing the culture of toughness and connection he has attempted to instill within the roster.

Why it matters

Ohio State's return to the NCAA Tournament represents a significant turnaround for a program that has struggled within the Big Ten over the last three seasons, posting a combined record of 23-37 in conference play. The 2025-2026 campaign served as a bridge to restore the program's standing in March Madness, suggesting a shift in the program's competitive floor under Diebler's leadership.

The details

The Buckeyes were eliminated in the Round of 64 on March 12, 2026, falling 66-64 to the TCU Horned Frogs in Greenville, South Carolina. Ohio State entered the tournament as a No. 8 seed in the East Region. The team's return to the NCAA Tournament was supported by an experienced roster featuring several high-scoring returning players, including senior point guard Bruce Thornton and junior forward Brandon Royal. To bolster the lineup, Ohio State also integrated several new additions into the rotation, such as Brandon Noel, Christoph Tilly, and Mathieu Grujicic.

  • The Ohio State Buckeyes concluded their 2025-2026 season on March 12, 2026.
  • The team secured its NCAA Tournament bid following a productive stretch in late February and early March, as well as a 1-1 record during the Big Ten Tournament.

The players

Jake Diebler

The head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, who is in his second full season at the helm.

Bruce Thornton

The senior point guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who served as a primary catalyst for the offense, averaging 17.7 points per game and leading the Big Ten conference with a 3.15 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Brandon Royal

The junior forward for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who averaged 13.7 points per game and served as the team's leading rebounder, averaging 6.9 boards per game.

Brandon Noel

A fifth-year player from Wright State who previously earned All-Horizon League second-team honors and averaged 19 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and has joined the Ohio State Buckeyes roster.

Christoph Tilly

A seven-foot transfer from Santa Clara known as a consistent double-figure scorer, who has joined the Ohio State Buckeyes roster.

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What they’re saying

“I hope people saw and appreciate the toughness and family atmosphere we have in this program. That's what this program was built upon, being tough and being connected. It's a big reason why we got to this point of the season. It's a big reason why we played the way we played in the second half.”

— Jake Diebler, Head Coach

What’s next

Diebler stated that there is a lot of good happening behind the scenes to ensure future success and described the process of building the current roster as a battle, though he expressed excitement about the progress made.

The takeaway

Ohio State's return to the NCAA Tournament represents a significant turnaround for a program that has struggled within the Big Ten over the last three seasons, suggesting a shift in the program's competitive floor under Diebler's leadership.