Confidence in 2024-25 Ohio State Buckeyes The men’s basketball team should be on the rise after its excellent performance against the Texas Longhorns at a neutral site to open the season. Not only did the Buckeyes defeat the 19th ranked team in the country in Las Vegas, but on national television this team should have put the entire Big Ten Conference on notice.

The last seasons, the Purdue Boilermakers They have been the kings of the conference. Not only was 7’4″ Zach Edey nearly impossible to stop, but Matt Painter’s team also had a strong supporting cast around their big star. With Edey now in the NBA with the Memphis GrizzliesPurdue has a strong team, but may have taken a step back from runner-up to University of Connecticut the last season.

The Boilermakers won their first game 90-73 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, but they should get tested sooner rather than later. After the clashes against Northern Kentucky and Yalethe No. 14 team in the country will face the No. 2 Alabama and no. 18 Marquette in consecutive games.

If Purdue fails this season, the Indiana Hoosiers, UCLA Bruins, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Illinois fighting Illini, Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines Everyone will be in the mix looking to become Big Ten favorites.

Ohio State should really be considered a true contender in this conference this season and could potentially even win the regular season crown.

One game doesn’t tell the whole story, so jumping too far ahead would be foolish. However, for those who watched Ohio State play at the end of last season and on Monday night, it is obvious that this coaching staff has helped generate a new level of energy and intensity within this program.

In the backcourt, Meechie Johnson didn’t play his best game going just 2-11 from the field for six points. His quickness with the basketball, lack of fear of shooting, and experience as a scorer likely mean he’ll score a lot of points this season. You’ll find your groove sooner rather than later.

Bruce Thornton played an excellent game and led the way with 20 points. While Thornton predictably shined, rookie guard John Mobley Jr. lived up to his “Sniper” nickname off the bench. He added 14 points and was perfect from the triple (4-4).

Senior Micah Parrish is listed as a guard, but could also be considered a wing. Not only were his 17 points, six rebounds and five assists crucial against the Longhorns, but his defensive presence was impressive as well.

If the Buckeyes can get great production from Thornton, Johnson, Mobley and Parrish this season, especially from three-point range, then Ohio State should be in great shape.

As for the forward, Devin Royal was great off the bench with 16 points in 25 minutes. Starters Aaron Bradshaw and Sean Stewart weren’t asked to score much in this game, but their length on the defensive end was valuable. It’s refreshing to see Ohio State have two players 6’9″ or taller in the starting lineup.

Despite only playing 15 minutes, Evan Mahaffey deserves a lot of credit for playing big and securing eight rebounds. Bradshaw, Stewart, Royal and Mahaffey in the frontcourt are a strong rotation with the potential to see Austin Parks get some time when needed.

Here’s what’s obvious with the Buckeyes so far. They have natural shooters and scorers, they have size and they play much faster in Jake Diebler’s system. In general, these are the keys to success.

The Buckeyes play Youngstown State at home on Monday before going to Texas A&M on November 15. The non-conference schedule is packed with tough tests for Ohio State, but in previous years the Buckeyes have done pretty well overall in the early part of the season. Where things have fallen apart has been in January and February.

I don’t expect that to happen with this group. Instead, Ohio State fans should pay close attention to this team because the Big Ten is wide open and the Buckeyes should be among the best in the conference.