Ohio State basketball: What should the Buckeyes do with the last roster spot?

The Ohio State basketball team has been very active in the transfer portal again this offseason. As of right now, they have one scholarship spot left on the roster to potentially bring in someone else from the portal or in case someone were to return. The Buckeyes have options for that last roster spot but what should they do with it?

The clear and favorite option is if they can get Malaki Branham back for one more season that last spot is his. With his announcement coming later today, that spot could be gone or still available for someone in the transfer portal. I’m sure most of Buckeye Nation would love to see Branham suit up in the scarlet and gray for another season.

Unfortunately, it can’t be sunshine and daisies all the time. We have to think worst-case scenario in case Branham decides to keep his name in the NBA Draft and force Holtmann to go to the portal to find someone to fill that spot. So, let’s discuss what the Buckeyes should do with the last open spot if they have to go looking in the portal.

The Buckeyes have already landed two really good guards from the transfer portal this offseason. Tanner Holden, an elite playmaker from Wright State who averaged 20.1 PPG last season. As well as the sharpshooting Sean McNeil from West Virginia who averaged 12.2 PPG last season. Holtmann has done good work in the portal landing a couple really effective guard transfers to improve next year’s team.

The lack of quality guard play hurt the Buckeyes significantly last season. It’s good to add experienced guards, especially ones that know how to score. It wouldn’t hurt to add one more playmaker like Texas transfer Courtney Ramey who the Buckeyes are in the market for in the portal. It would be okay if they don’t add another guard though since they have Bruce Thornton coming in to run the offense next season.

If the Ohio State basketball team is unable to grab another guard from the portal, the next priority is a solid big. Rebounding was something else the Buckeyes were really poor at last season. They need a big that can grab that first defensive rebound in a late-game situation.

Someone that is reliable at getting a tough rebound. Holtmann has sent offers to some bigs in the portal, we’ll just have to wait and see if one decides to bring his talents to central Ohio next season.

I think the odds of Branham coming back aren’t the greatest. It’s awesome if he does decide to come back and the roster is set for next season with a lot of weapons. But if Branham decides to go, there are a lot of options in the portal available for Holtmann to lure into Columbus next season.

The roster is filling out nicely so far for the Buckeye basketball team. With a highly ranked recruiting class, transfers coming in, and veterans returning, the Buckeyes will be a sneaky good team in the Big Ten next season. We’ll find out later today which direction the Buckeyes will be going in the fill that last roster spot.