With the 2025-2026 season officially over, the Ohio State basketball program has some work to do. With TTUN winning the national title, Jake Diebler has a lot of pressure to perform next year. He has already lost four players to the Transfer Portal, as well.
The portal is now officially open with the season over. There are three players that Diebler needs to target if the Ohio State Buckeyes are going to have any shot at competing for a Big Ten title next season. Not being on the bubble on Selection Sunday would be progress.
1. John Blackwell
John Blackwell entered the portal after Wisconsin lost to High Point in the first round. He played three seasons for the Badgers and finished this past season averaging 19 points, five rebounds, and just over two assists per game. His outside shooting is what should excite Diebler.
Blackwell shot just under 39 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He is a Big Ten player, so keeping him in the conference might be a selling point to him. Ohio State has lost four guards from the roster at minimum, and could lose a fifth if John Mobley Jr. gets drafted. Getting a guard is a must.
2. Terrence Hill Jr.
Adding a guard is dire, and Terrence Hill Jr. is a solid point guard to bring in. Hill Jr. helped VCU upset North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament. Hill Jr. averaged 15 points and shot 37 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. He would be the perfect fit in Diebler's offense.
With Bruce Thornton gone, Diebler needs a point guard who can score. Hill shot 46 percent from the field, so he's not inefficient. He showed he's ready to play for a big-time program after taking down the Tar Heels. Bringing him in would be a win for the Buckeyes.
3. Moustapha Thiam
Moustapha Thiam is a center from Cincinnati. Center is another position of need with Christoph Tilly out of eligibility. Tilly wasn't as effective as Ohio State was hoping he would be, either. Thiam would give the Buckeyes something that Tilly couldn't: rim protection.
Tiam is entering the portal for the third time after playing at two different schools for his first two seasons. Yet, his stats are undeniable. He averaged 12.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. He can also shoot from outside, even if he's not a knockdown shooter.
Having him take a short drive up I-71 would give Diebler the starting center he desperately needs.