You’re Nuts: What’s a enjoyable “buy game” Ohio State might add to spherical out its schedule?

Welcome to a different rousing version of “You’re Nuts”, the place our basketball writers choose a basketball-related, basketball-adjacent, or not-at-all basketball-related subject and defend every of their sides in not more than 500 phrases.

This wasn’t an enormous week for Ohio State basketball information, apart from the truth that the workforce is headed to Puerto Rico subsequent week for an “international” journey beginning on Wednesday. They’ll face at the very least two groups there, however the id of these groups has but to be revealed.

Additionally, former Ohio State ahead Jae’Sean Tate re-signed with the Houston Rockets on Thursday afternoon. Tate, who performed for the Buckeyes from 2014-18, has been with the Rockets since 2020. Tate’s position with the Rockets has decreased each season since his rookie 12 months, however he nonetheless appeared in 46 of Houston’s 82 video games final 12 months, averaging 2.8 factors per sport on 51.4% capturing.

He will workforce up with former Buckeye Bruce Thornton this season, who was drafted by the Rockets with the thirty first general choose within the 2026 NBA Draft. Thornton averaged 18.6 factors per sport in 5 NBA Summer League video games this month.

Last week, Connor and Justin debated who will lead Ohio State in blocked pictures this upcoming season. Last 12 months, Ohio State completed sixteenth within the Big Ten with 2.4 blocks per sport and had zero gamers who averaged at the very least one block per sport.

Justin picked Ivan Njegovan, who had the very best block charge on the workforce final season, and might even see an uptick in minutes this 12 months. Connor picked Amare Bynum, who led the groups in blocks per sport final season with 0.8 per sport, however was additionally requested to play small ball heart final 12 months at occasions — a job he’s not possible to have this season.

This week, the fellows are speaking about Ohio State’s schedule.

If the maths checks out, Ohio State has house for six extra video games on its schedule, all of which is able to probably be “buy” video games that might be performed on the Schott. While these aren’t the largest draw for followers in comparison with some convention video games, there’s no motive we are able to’t hope for some enjoyable mid-majors to make a visit to the Schott.

Here are the video games that we all know/are reported to be on the schedule for this season:

These six, on prime of 20 Big Ten video games, places you at 26. The NCAA most for a daily season is 32, which means Ohio State can add as much as six extra. Who would you wish to see Ohio State throw on the schedule, ~ understanding the kind of video games they’ll probably schedule for these remaining spots ~ ?

This week’s query: What’s a enjoyable “buy game” the Ohio State males might add to spherical out the schedule?

Ohio State welcoming the Antelopes of Grand Canyon to the Schottenstein Center could be an excellent enjoyable and entertaining non-conference sport for a couple of completely different causes.

First off, Ohio State, in accordance with its personal web site, has by no means confronted Grand Canyon, which made the bounce to Division-I in the course of the 2013-14 season and has performed within the NCAA Tournament 4 occasions since then.

Second, Grand Canyon has been one of many higher mid-major groups within the nation over the previous decade. Ohio State would have the benefit, however the Antelopes have received 20 or extra video games in 9 of the final 11 seasons.

Bryce Drew has amassed a document of 140-52 in his six seasons there, making the NCAA Tournament in 4 of his six seasons. Grand Canyon completed No. 57 in KenPom final season with a document of 20-12. They completed 13-7 within the Mountain West final season.

Finally, Jake Diebler and Bryce Drew have an in depth friendship that goes again over 20 years. Diebler acquired to know Drew nicely when he was at Valparaiso from 2005-09. Bryce Drew was an assistant at Valpo below his father, Homer Drew, who recruited Diebler there out of Upper Sandusky High School.

Diebler usually talks about how influential each Bryce and Homer Drew have been on him all through his total basketball profession, each taking part in and training.

On prime of all that, the crimson vs purple could be an elite jersey matchup.

As a Kent State alum, the rationale I need this sport to occur is fairly easy.

It is at all times enjoyable when Ohio State performs one of many prime MAC applications, and Kent State is that. Right now, Miami, Akron, Kent State, Toledo, and Ohio are the highest 5 applications within the MAC, so taking part in any of them could be good, however I need them to play the Golden Flashes.

Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff is without doubt one of the extra underrated coaches within the nation. He is 312-186 in 15 seasons as the top of the Kent State program and has by no means had a dropping season.

The Golden Flashes are persistently one of many prime applications within the MAC and are well-coached, making them a strong opponent to tackle within the non-conference. It remains to be a sport Ohio State ought to hypothetically win, however tougher than taking part in one of many directional Michigans.

Honorable point out to Toledo.