Gus Johnson wants the Ohio State administration to show a little more financial love to the men's basketball squad.
The Buckeyes fell short against No. 15 Virginia in Nashville on Saturday and are 16-9 this season without a signature win to lean on. Ohio State is one of the most bubbly of bubble teams in the country right now and could be staring at a fourth consecutive season without an invitation to the NCAA tournament. Johnson and former Buckeye. All-American Jim Jackson, believes that a little bit of cash can change their fortunes.
Gus Johnson: "The difference between UVA and Ohio State is that... UVA paid for (their players). Ohio State, they've given all their money to Ryan Day" 😳pic.twitter.com/qnuZcVi5p6
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 15, 2026
Gus Johnson says Ohio State men's basketball needs some cash
After Johnson made the comments about how much money Ryan Day gets for the football roster, Jackson continued the discussion.
"And that's the challenge you have with football schools. The distribution of cash," Jim Jackson said. "Now how many times do you go to the same donors is the question as well, but this is an evolving scenario for all these schools, especially a school like Ohio State. If you want to compete, you've got to pay nowadays."
“I’m going to have to call President [Ted] Carter and ask him if he can just show some love in the pocketbooks for the Buckeyes’ basketball team,” Johnson responded.
Jake Diebler needs something big to happen
We already know what kind of resources are being pumped into Buckeyes football. A Wall Street Journal report claimed that Ohio State spent at least $35 million on the roster in 2025 and one would expect that number to be matched, if not surpassed, in 2026.
Day is also one of the highest-paid coaches in the country, making over $12 million annually. When you include the base salaries for coordinators Matt Patricia and Arthur Smith, along with the other assistants, that's over $20 million. It's a safe argument to say that it's $60 million to get the Buckeyes football product on the field.
But they've won a lot of games. Day is 82-12 in seven seasons with five playoff appearances and a national championship. He gets what he wants because he wins. Jake Diebler is trying to find his way in his second full season with what he has, but to get a championship roster he needs more real dudes on the roster.
However, to get more, he'll have to prove he can win with what he has. That's why finding a way into the tournament is so important for the Buckeyes coach this season. It will be a lot easier to convince boosters to write a check when they are convinced the basketball program is going in the right direction.