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6 takeaways: On radio show, Ohio State's Jake Diebler says Buckeyes not counting wins
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- 6 takeaways: On radio show, Ohio State's Jake Diebler says Buckeyes not counting wins
Ohio State interim coach Jake Diebler got a week of rest and preparation underway with his weekly radio show.
Sunday afternoon, the Buckeyes took down Michigan, 84-61, on senior day at Value City Arena . It moved Ohio State to 18-12 overall and 8-11 in the Big Ten, and it also made the Buckeyes 4-1 with Diebler in charge. The win was the most lopsided against the Wolverines since 2005, and it gives Ohio State a three-game winning streak entering the regular-season finale Sunday at Rutgers.
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First, though, some rest.
"We have a much-needed day off today," Diebler said Monday. "Our guys need to rest and recover. This break, we need to be smart with it. We need to use it wisely but we also need to take advantage of the opportunity to rest and recover."
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Here are five other takeaways from Diebler's radio show. Assistant coach Mike Netti closed out the show on the final segment.
Buckeyes not counting wins amid NCAA Tournament hopes
Despite the win streak and late-season success, Ohio State is on the outside of the NCAA Tournament bubble looking in.
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Diebler took a submitted question asking if there's a magic number of wins he feels the Buckeyes need in order to make March Madness a realistic possibility.
"Our next game is the most important one," he said. "What that total is, it's hard to say because now you start to depend on the results some other teams have. There's so many variables and factors. The best thing we can do is play as well as we possibly can in the next game. The Big Ten Tournament's a whole other situation.
"I'm just really proud of how our guys have fought and come together to position ourselves at a time where it didn't seem like this would be possible. They've earned the right to play in the postseason. Hopefully we have enough opportunities to make it happen."
Then Diebler cited the famous line from the movie Dumb and Dumber.
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"So you're saying there's a chance," he said.
Mar 3, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jamison Battle (10) is front and center for Carmen Ohio following their NCAA Division I Mens basketball game at Value City Arena.
Diebler talked to Bryce Drew about planning for the week
In an effort to hang onto the momentum the Buckeyes have built with their recent play while taking a week off from games, Diebler said he was going to reach out to mentors within the coaching profession for advice. Monday, he said that has already included a long talk with Grand Canyon coach Bryce Drew.
"They have a similar break," Diebler said. "Talked about what they're doing this week. (I'm) leaning back on my mentors in this business and reflecting on what I saw them do in situations like this. Had a great conversation with Bryce. He had some great insight."
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Diebler said the Buckeyes will meet as a staff Monday to plan out the week but that by the end of the week, they will keep it as similar as possible to how they have led up to games on each of the last three Sundays.
"The first half of the week is about us and getting our guys as healthy as we can get," Diebler said. "As a staff, we've started planning for Rutgers."
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Netti said the coaches have focused on the present as best they can.
"If we can do it today, that's what we've got to focus on," he said. "We've been part of great teams. You've got to be who you are, and we've got high-character people here."
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Senior day impacts substitution rotations
For the first time in three games, Ohio State had its full roster available against the Wolverines. Sophomore guard Bruce Thornton missed Thursday's game against Nebraska with a migraine , and Jamison Battle missed the game prior at Michigan State.
Both were back in action, but the lineups were still altered on account of senior day.
" Just when I felt like I was starting to get into a groove (with rotations) ," Diebler said with a laugh. "It was challenging. The first half was challenging. One time Bruce said, 'I'm trying to get into a rhythm.' It was unique, but I thought our guys responded well to it."
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The Buckeyes started walk-on big man Owen Spencer alongside fellow seniors Zed Key, Dale Bonner and Battle. Thornton was the fifth starter.
"The decision to start Owen, that was an easy one," Diebler said. "We tried to draw up a play for him to start the game."
Bonner, Battle and Key combined for 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting.
"Those three guys have been really important these last few weeks," Diebler said. "We've talked openly that there's a finality about this team and this season. Our guys are taking that seriously. We've enjoyed being around each other and working. A lot of times that has to be by your oldest guys."
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Ohio State is as healthy as a team can be at this point in the year
Although there are players dealing with what he terms normal bumps and bruises, the Buckeyes have an otherwise clean injury report. Diebler said he was impressed with how Battle was engaged with his teammates while being forced to sit out against Michigan State with an ankle injury.
"I thought Jamison and the way he handled being out was so impressive and it sent a message to our whole team with his engagement," Diebler said. "Then for guys to have to step up when Bruce was out, I've been so impressed with our team's ability to handle the overall adversity we've been faced with but also when you consider the pieces we've been missing, it's been impressive and says a lot about who they are.
"We're striving to play more segments of our best basketball. It helps having our whole group available, but I think we've still got another level we can strive to get to."
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Assistant coach Brandon Bailey's family grows
After the Buckeyes beat Michigan, first-year assistant coach Brandon Bailey added a son when his wife gave birth to their fifth child Sunday night.
"Really excited for the Bailey family," Diebler said. "Brandon's been unbelievable to work with. They're just an awesome, awesome family. Just when I felt like I had a lot going on, he had a way to keep it in perspective."
Diebler and his wife are expecting their fourth child in the coming months.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 6 takeaways: On radio, Jake Diebler says OSU not counting wins
