Eric Boggs
With the 2024-2025 basketball season fast approaching, Ohio State men’s basketball head coach Jake Diebler joined the “Morning Juice” program on 97.1 The Fan for an in-depth conversation about the Buckeyes’ offseason, team chemistry, and the challenges of navigating a new era in college basketball.
As the leaves begin to change and the air cools, it signals not just the heart of football season but the onset of basketball season, too. “It felt like football weather these last couple of days,” Diebler noted, “but it’s starting to turn into basketball weather.” With the Buckeyes gearing up for their exhibition game in Cincinnati on Friday, Diebler shared that the offseason has been a whirlwind but one filled with excitement and optimism.
Offseason Focus on Chemistry and Bonding
Diebler emphasized that in today’s era of the transfer portal, building team chemistry is more important than ever. With frequent roster turnover, especially in basketball where teams have much smaller rosters than football, developing cohesion is essential. Ohio State has had its share of roster changes, making Diebler’s focus on team bonding a top priority.
“We spent the summer really trying to carve out space for chemistry to be built off the court,” Diebler explained. While injuries limited on-court chemistry development, the team held weekly “family dinners,” where players gathered without coaches to strengthen their bond. They also went on a team retreat to Athletes in Action headquarters in Xenia, where the focus was on real dialogue and camaraderie.
“When we were at the retreat, we all put our phones up for a period. At first, a couple of guys were uncomfortable, but by the end, everyone saw the value in having real conversations,” Diebler said, smiling as he recalled some intense Monopoly games that broke out among the team.
Diebler, being a younger coach, still relates to the players, but he emphasized how important it is for them to take ownership of team chemistry. “I think Bruce Thornton has really stepped up in that leadership role,” Diebler shared, pointing to the relationship he has built with Thornton over the past couple of years. Diebler also mentioned Meechie Johnson, who returned to Ohio State after a stint at South Carolina, as a key player driving those interactions.
“We try to be intentional about who we bring into our family. Chemistry matters, and I think it impacts winning. We’re continuing to build on that.”
Navigating the Transfer Portal Era
As college athletics continues to change, the transfer portal remains a significant aspect of team building. Diebler reflected on how the landscape has shifted since his playing days. “Back then, you usually had to sit out a year when you transferred, which helped in player development. Now, with players being able to transfer multiple times without sitting out, it’s a whole different ballgame.”
Diebler likened recruiting from the transfer portal to “speed dating.” Evaluating basketball talent through film is straightforward, but figuring out a player’s character and how they’ll fit into the team requires making quick decisions. Diebler stressed that building a personal connection is key, noting the case of Sean Stewart, who the Buckeyes recruited in high school before he went to Duke. When Stewart entered the portal, Ohio State had the inside track because of their previous relationship.
That’s where players’ input becomes valuable. “Sometimes our guys have more experience with a player in the portal than we do because of AAU or camps. We try to see if there are any connections there, which can give us an edge in recruiting,” Diebler added.
Team Outlook for the Upcoming Season
When asked about the characteristics fans should expect from this year’s Buckeye squad, Diebler emphasized pace, competitiveness, and toughness. “People are going to see a level of urgency and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor,” he said. Ohio State was successful last year in part because of their defensive intensity, which allowed them to turn opponents over and get out in transition more frequently. This season, Diebler hopes to build on that foundation but balance it with poise and efficiency.
While the Buckeyes have a veteran backcourt featuring players like Bruce Thornton and Meechie Johnson, the frontcourt is filled with talented but inexperienced players. Diebler highlighted two former McDonald’s All-Americans and Ohio’s Mr. Basketball, Devin Royal, as key contributors, though they’ll be growing into their roles. “It might present some challenges early on, especially with our tough non-conference schedule,” Diebler admitted, “but by the time we hit Big Ten play, I believe we’ll see significant growth.”
One intriguing addition to the team is 7’2″ Croatian big man Ivan Njegovan, who joins the team with international experience but is brand new to American basketball. “It’s fascinating. He’s blended in perfectly with the team,” Diebler said. “This is his first time in America, and he’s loving it so far.”
Non-Conference Challenges Ahead
Speaking of Ohio State’s non-conference slate, Diebler acknowledged the ambition behind their scheduling. “We’ve got Texas, Texas A&M, and several other high-level opponents right out of the gate,” Diebler said. “It’s going to test us early, but that’s what we want. We’re excited about the opportunity to grow.”
As the Buckeyes enter the new season, the mixture of experienced guards and talented young bigs provides a lot of excitement but also a few unknowns. Diebler and his staff will be working tirelessly to continue building the chemistry that could carry Ohio State deep into the season.
“We’re going to be a team that plays tough, plays hard, and plays together. That’s what Ohio State basketball is about,” Diebler concluded. With the season just around the corner, Buckeye fans have plenty to look forward to as their team embarks on what promises to be an exciting journey.
