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Rumors swirl of Ohio State basketball offering huge NIL package to guard in portal

The Ohio State basketball team is in the offseason after not deciding to play in the Crown. They might be ponying up for guys in the transfer portal with big NIL offers.
ByRyan Stano|
Feb 6, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Evan Mahaffey (12) controls the ball as Indiana Hoosiers guard Anthony Leal (3) and guard Gabe Cupps (2) and forward Malik Reneau (5) defend during the second half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Feb 6, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Evan Mahaffey (12) controls the ball as Indiana Hoosiers guard Anthony Leal (3) and guard Gabe Cupps (2) and forward Malik Reneau (5) defend during the second half at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

The Ohio State basketball program needs better players. That much is certain after the Buckeyes missed the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. They are purely focused on the offseason after declining an invite to play in The Crown. The transfer portal is the first order of business.

Getting the right players to transfer in will be crucial. That is something the Ohio State Buckeyes failed to do last offseason. They didn't identify the right guys to come in and help them. They will try to remedy that now that Jake Diebler has a full season of head coaching experience.

There are rumors that the Buckeyes might have more NIL investment this offseason. If they end up investing $8-10 million, as is rumored, then they could be in good shape. They are rumored to be heavily interested in a certain Big Ten player who will be in the portal.

The Ohio State basketball team is rumored to be interested in Gabe Cupps

There are rumors that the Buckeyes are interested in Indiana Hoosiers guard Gabe Cupps. Cupps is an Ohio native and will transfer now that Mike Woodson is no longer coaching IU. There are even rumors of how much money the Buckeyes are offering for him to come to Columbus.

If the Buckeyes are, in fact, offering Cupps $600K to play for the Buckeyes, that's good news that they are willing to spend that much on a player. Cupps isn't necessarily the guy I would choose to spend that kind of money on, but it remains to be seen if that is who they are looking to bring in.

Cupps is rumored to be choosing between Ohio State and Dayton. Cupps is a Dayton native, so that makes sense. He didn't do much while he was with the Hoosiers, so it would be disastrous if they decided to spend all of that money on someone who averaged just 2.6 points per game as a freshman and none this past season.

Ohio State needs shooting and that's what Cupps did in high school. Hopefully, they find someone better to give them that skill in the transfer portal.

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