The Ohio State basketball team had the worst possible loss over the weekend to North Carolina. They lost on a shot with under five seconds left, and then ran a terrible in-bounds play that didn't even get a shot off. It was an opportunity to earn a massive resume-boosting win, and it was wasted.
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a quick turnaround, playing Grambling State on Tuesday. This was the final non-conference game on the schedule for the Buckeyes, and it was one they needed to win. After that heartbreaking loss, Ohio State needed to build its confidence.
That's exactly what they were able to do. They crushed the Tigers, winning the game 89-63. They shot over 60 percent from the field in the first half. The only reason it was close at any point was due to the high number of turnovers they committed early on.
Ohio State basketball program crushes Grambling State
John Mobley Jr. had perhaps his best game of the season, shooting a high percentage from beyond the 3-point arc. Bruce Thornton did what he does, scoring the ball when necessary. With him on the court, the Buckeyes have a shot to win every game they play.
Yet, it's clear Ohio State has an issue when games get close. That's something they will need to fix when Big Ten play begins. They have no issues taking down teams like Grambling State, but what happens against Michigan State when they just won't go away?
Jake Diebler has been learning on the fly as a first-time head coach. His results have been mixed at best, but Ross Bjork seems determined to give him a long leash. It's clear that Diebler's players play hard for him, and that's half the battle as a collegiate head coach.
How well Ohio State is able to play in conference play will now determine whether or not they will miss the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season.