Top Ohio State players with eligibility next year:
- PG Bruce Thornton, two years of eligibility remaining: 15.8 points, 4.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 32.6% from 3-point range
- G Roddy Gayle Jr., two years of eligibility remaining: 14.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 29.5% from 3-point range
- F Zed Key, one year of eligibility remaining: 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 52% from the field
- C Felix Okpara, two years of eligibility remaining: 6.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 62.1% from the field
- F Evan Mahaffey, two years of eligibility remaining: 5.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals
- Wing Scotty Middleton, three years of eligibility remaining: 3.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 35.7% from 3-point range
- F Devin Royal, three years of eligibility remaining: 3.2 points, 1.9 rebounds
The scoop: The bigger issue is the transfer portal.
It’s very well known in coaching circles that staffs across the country have been eyeing the Ohio State roster for some time now. The likes of Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Scotty Middleton and Felix Okpara are already among those who have been popular names behind the scenes. A mass exodus to the transfer portal is to be expected, and whoever takes on the job needs to be able to try and retain as much talent as possible but also be somebody who has experience in rebuilding a program via the portal.
First-year coach Grant McCasland retained Pop Isaacs, which helped spark the Texas Tech retool. Joel Soriano was a big-time center whom Rick Pitino was able to keep on board when he took the St. John’s job. Kansas State coach Jerome Tang wasn’t able to keep Nijel Pack, but he kept Markquis Nowell and Mr. New York City led K-State to the Elite Eight in 2023.
Ohio State is thought to have good — though not insanely good — resources via NIL in basketball circles, so any hire is going to have to be able to move quickly and effectively in what will be a very fast-moving portal. Make no mistake — the sharks smell the blood, are circling the water and the Buckeyes need a Great White of their own if they want to be able to keep any of their promising young players on the roster and add the talent needed to take a step forward.
Now, for the top coaches whom Ohio State could be in the mix for…
