COLUMBUS — The final scores won't count in the standings, but Ohio State's week in Puerto Rico may prove to be one of the most valuable stretches of the Buckeyes' offseason.
The Buckeyes wrapped up their foreign tour this week with a pair of dominant exhibition victories over Puerto Rican select teams, defeating Los Boris 1 by a 117-75 margin before following it with a 111-73 win over Los Boris 2. More importantly, the trip gave Jake Diebler's retooled roster an opportunity to play meaningful basketball together months before the regular season begins.
Ohio State showcased the offensive depth it hopes will define the 2026-27 season.
In the first exhibition, Jimmie Williams led the Buckeyes with 21 points while knocking down six three-pointers. Freshman Anthony Thompson added 14 points and seven rebounds, Amare Bynum dished out seven assists, and Ivan Njegovan pulled down 10 rebounds as Ohio State shot nearly 49 percent from beyond the arc and recorded 33 assists on 41 made field goals.
The Buckeyes followed with another impressive offensive performance the next day.
John Mobley Jr. scored a team-high 17 points, Justin Pippen finished with 14 points and five assists, and Bynum added 16 points and five more assists in the 38-point victory. Ohio State gradually pulled away in the second half, finishing the trip with two convincing wins and several encouraging individual performances.
While the competition doesn't compare to the nightly grind of the Big Ten, foreign tours are often viewed as an opportunity to accelerate player development. NCAA rules allow teams to hold additional practices before traveling overseas, giving coaches valuable time to install offensive and defensive systems while building chemistry among newcomers.
That opportunity was especially important for the Buckeyes, who enter the season with several transfers and freshmen expected to play significant roles.
Away from the court, Ohio State participated in a youth basketball clinic in La Perla, toured Old San Juan, sampled Puerto Rican cuisine and capped the trip with a catamaran excursion to Icacos Island. The combination of basketball and team-building was exactly what the coaching staff hoped to accomplish before the fall semester begins.
For a program looking to build on last season, the week offered an encouraging first step. The Buckeyes return to Columbus with valuable game experience, growing chemistry and a clearer picture of how their new-look roster fits together heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
What's Next: Ohio State returns to campus to continue preparations for the upcoming season before hosting Butler in an exhibition game on Oct. 25. The Buckeyes will also face Cincinnati in the CareSource Invitational exhibition on Oct. 7.