What a brutal way for the season to finish... The Ohio State Buckeyes played so well down the stretch in Big Ten play to earn the No. 8 seed in the East Region. Although they drew a tough first-round matchup in No. 9 TCU, all of the frustration from Buckeye Nation has boiled over and onto Jake Diebler's plate. The final play he asked Bruce Thornton to run with the game on the line was so awful...
For those who did not see it, or need a refresher for some reason, here is the final play from the loss.
Jake Diebler and co. drew up some great ATO plays throughout the game.
— Josh Poloha (@JorshP) March 19, 2026
Not sure what this was in the most important moment of the season. pic.twitter.com/wlZJM5hwt5
TCU advanced to the Round of 32 by the final score of 66-64. The Horned Frogs dominated in the first half with a 39-24 lead heading into the break. While Thornton and company clawed, scratched, and battled their way back in the second half, it was all for naught. One would think that 4.3 seconds would be more than enough time to get a better shot than a Thornton half-court desperation heave.
As expected, Ohio State fans were in rare form following the worst play call of the year from Diebler.
Ohio State fans are absolutely furious with Jake Diebler after TCU loss
People are completely livid that this is how Thornton's college basketball career ended at Ohio State.
4 seconds can get you to the net. Worst play I’ve seen drawn up. Do not let Jake Diebler on the flight.
— Kyle (@Vince4MVP) March 19, 2026
Jake Diebler should not be Ohio State’s Head Coach. Your all-time leading scorer in program history never won a tourney game.
— THE BRB SOCIETY (@BRBSociety) March 19, 2026
Can’t rebound. Can’t shoot. Can’t defend. Just can’t.
How Jake Diebler felt spending 30 seconds drawing up a handoff at 65 feet for the only player TCU expected to get the ball pic.twitter.com/hSTlmlNKS0
— Lewis Jackson’s Shorts (@LewJacksShorts) March 19, 2026
I'd be surprised if Jake Diebler isn't fired. Ohio State had some talent. But they were very poorly coached.
— Isiah Sanders (@MrZaySanders) March 19, 2026
The shame that Buckeye Nation feels right now for what transpired feels like a terrible football loss.
So Jake Diebler has still done worse than Chris Holtmann 2 full seasons into his tenure . #gobucks
— Dhan (@Dhaneye) March 19, 2026
Not much they could have done with 4.3 secs and having to go full court.
— Ohio State Fanatic (@OhioStateFan92) March 19, 2026
Only thing Jake Diebler could have done differently is to try to get the ball to half court before and then call timeout.
I really think they would have won if Tilly never came back in the game.
i really picked jake diebler to win a ncaa tourney game man i should be publicly shamed
— Daniel “Danny” Dimes (@TheDannyDimesJr) March 19, 2026
Jake Diebler and Bruce Thornton are both losers, we can be honest here.
— Rodriguez Gayle Jr Corner (@WolverineCorner) March 19, 2026
The other takeaway from all this is nobody is surprised that Diebler set Thornton up for failure either...
At the end of the day, no one made me bet on Jake Diebler. I have no one to blame but myself.
— Chase Mahurin (@ChaseMahurin) March 19, 2026
Jake Diebler consider yourself lucky i dont like college basketball
— Brian (@_brijoey_) March 19, 2026
DO NOT LET JAKE DIEBLER ON THE PLANE
— BIG DADDY BUCKEYE (@LetsGoWild69) March 19, 2026
Jake diebler hit LinkedIn buddy
— Gio Wexner (@GioWexner) March 19, 2026
TCU awaits the winner of No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 TCU in their Round of 32 matchup in the East Region.
Ohio State fans cannot believe Jake Diebler called that final play vs. TCU
These wounds are still fresh. What seems to be at play here is multi-faceted. It is a combination of the love this fan base has for Thornton, the growing distrust in all things Diebler, and the overall shock value of how the game ultimately transpired. Emotions are at an all-time high on the hardwood for the Buckeyes. It had been a long road back to the NCAA Tournament. Losses happen, just not like this...
After watching this game, it was clear that TCU was the better team throughout. The Horned Frogs built up a sizable first-half lead, only to later vanquish it. Thornton did not shoot the basketball very well in the first half. We need to give Jamie Dixon his flowers as well. He has built something pretty special in Fort Worth over the last decade after his lengthy run over at Pittsburgh. TCU is better off.
In the end, Diebler is going to have to wear this, mostly because Thornton cannot. He has exhausted all of his eligibility, whereas Diebler expects to be back for year three leading the Buckeyes. For as great as Ohio State played in the lead-up to this tournament, for it to end like this is just downright pitiful. The final sequence of TCU's go-ahead bucket and Ohio State's meltdown was soul-crushing.
Now that the season is over, Ohio State has to find a way to pick up the pieces after that catastrophe.