Ohio State Trio Reflects on Loss to Virginia

Buckeyes players discuss tough defeat against ranked opponent

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Ohio State basketball players Bruce Thornton, Amare Bynum, and Jake Diebler spoke to reporters following their team's 70-66 loss to No. 15 Virginia in Nashville on February 14, 2026.

Why it matters

The loss was a setback for Ohio State, which had high hopes for a strong season. The Buckeyes were looking to bounce back from the defeat and continue their push for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

In the postgame interviews, the Ohio State players discussed the team's performance, areas for improvement, and their determination to learn from the loss and move forward.

  • The game took place on February 14, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The players

Bruce Thornton

A starting guard for the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team.

Amare Bynum

A forward for the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team.

Jake Diebler

An assistant coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We had our chances, but just couldn't get the shots to fall when we needed them. We'll learn from this and come back stronger.”

— Bruce Thornton, Starting Guard (dispatch.com)

“Virginia is a tough team, and they really made us work for every point. We've got to execute better on both ends of the floor.”

— Amare Bynum, Forward (dispatch.com)

“I'm proud of the effort our guys put in, but we've got to find a way to get over the hump against ranked opponents. This is a learning experience we can build on.”

— Jake Diebler, Assistant Coach (dispatch.com)

What’s next

The Buckeyes will look to rebound in their next game against a conference opponent, as they continue their push for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Despite the tough loss, the Ohio State players and coaches remained positive and focused on the lessons they can take from this experience to help them improve and succeed later in the season.