The Ohio State basketball program needs to improve. After three straight years of missing the NCAA Tournament, something needs to change. This was Jake Diebler's first full year as a head coach, so he deserves some grace. He was afforded this year to make mistakes.
That year is now over. The Buckeyes decided not to play in the Crown, so their offseason has begun. Now, they have to figure out how to get better in the offseason. The first order of business is getting some better players in the transfer portal than they did this year.
Ohio State has a large NIL fund that they will be able to dip into this offseason, so that shouldn't be an issue. They have to identify the right players, though. It sounds like they might be in the mix for a big man who killed them in the Big Ten Tournament and helped end their season.
The Ohio State basketball program could be in the mix for Owen Freeman
According to Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch, while speaking on the BuckeyeXtra Basketball Podcast, the Buckeyes could be in the mix for Owen Freeman. Freeman will be a junior next season and played his first two seasons at Iowa.
Freeman actually had 14 points and eight rebounds against the Buckeyes in the NCAA Tournament, which was better than any big man for Ohio State did in that game. It would be nice if the Buckeyes could actually get someone who is a presence in the low-post.
Ohio State has to make sure that they make the necessary improvements to the roster. Fans will not be as forgiving of Diebler next season. A fourth straight year missing the Big Dance would be unacceptable and the worst stretch of basketball this program has seen in decades.
It remains to be seen if the Buckeyes can land Freeman. He would be a nice addition to the roster.