July 9, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler defends guard John Mobley Jr. during a summer workout in the practice gym of the Schottenstein Center. No. 19 Texas and Ohio State will look to start their campaign on the right foot when they face off in Las Vegas on Monday as part of the season-opening Hall of Fame Series. Both teams are rebuilding around key players from the transfer portal.
The Longhorns went 21–13 in 2023–24 in the first full campaign under coach Rodney Terry, which included a 9–9 record in their final season in the Big 12. Texas earned a seventh seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost to Tennessee, now a Southeastern Conference rival, in the second round of the Midwest Regional.
Terry will demand more from his team this season.
“That first year we were really trying to create a culture,” Terry said. “We’re trying to teach our guys how hard you have to work, trust the process, compete at an incredible level, have a physical mentality. There are expectations, there are standards, and we do it that way.” Kind of do.
“In this scenario and all college athletics, if you’re able to have some kind of continuity, you give yourself a chance.”
The Longhorns have two key returning players in reserve guard Chandall Weaver and forward Kadin Shedrick. Texas added guards Jordan Pope as transfers from Oregon State, Tramon Mark from Arkansas and late Arthur Kaluma from Kansas State; The starting group will be led by sensational 6-foot-6 freshman guard Trey Johnson, who is ranked as the No. 5 player in the country in the class of 2024 by the 247Sports Composite.
Texas is expected to contribute from former Indiana State forwards Julian Lary and Jason Kent, as well as returner Ze’Rick Onyeama, who played a backup role for the Longhorns last season.
The Buckeyes are in their first full season under coach Jake Deibler, who took over after Chris Holtmann was fired in February. Ohio State went 19–12 overall and finished 9–11 in Big Ten play in a three-way tie for ninth place. The Buckeyes were the No. 2 seed in the NIT, winning twice before losing to Georgia in the quarterfinals.
Building some continuity will be key to early season success for the Buckeyes, who have talent but little experience playing together.
“Our front court has a great combination of athleticism and skill,” Diebler said. “We’re talented, we’re versatile, we have a lot of guys that can play different positions, but inexperience is something we have to respond to. I want our guys to be aggressive and confident and with great freedom.” Play. As a coach you have to create space for your players’ talents to shine.”
Junior guard Bruce Thornton is Ohio State’s only returning starter from last year’s team. He earned all-conference honors by leading the Buckeyes in scoring with 15.7 points, while also grabbing 3.7 rebounds and dishing out 4.8 assists per contest.
He will be joined by South Carolina transfer Michi Johnson Jr. as well as San Diego State transfer Micah Parrish. Shawn Stewart and Aaron Bradshaw, who played at Duke and Kentucky last season, respectively, will start at forward.
The reserves feature freshman John Mobley Jr., returners Tasson Chatman and Evan Mahaffey, and former Florida and Samford player Quess Glover, who missed last season as part of the Kansas State roster due to a meniscus injury.
–Field Level Media