COLUMBUS — Ohio State enters the 2026-27 basketball season with a different look in the backcourt, and the Buckeyes won't have much time to get comfortable. With Bruce Thornton gone, Justin Pippen and John Mobley Jr. are taking on greater responsibilities as Ohio State prepares to open its season Monday against No. 25 BYU.
The Buckeyes showed some encouraging signs in Sunday's 82-73 exhibition victory over Butler, but they also revealed a few areas that need work before facing a ranked opponent on the road.
Mobley finished with 17 points and three assists against the Bulldogs, shooting 7-of-14 from the field. The junior guard has already established himself as a dangerous outside shooter, but with Thornton no longer running the offense, Ohio State will need more from him as both a scorer and playmaker.
Pippen, meanwhile, scored 10 points and added three assists in his exhibition debut with the Buckeyes. The transfer struggled from the field, making just one of seven attempts, but was aggressive enough to get to the free-throw line nine times, converting eight.
Both guards also committed four turnovers, accounting for half of Ohio State's 16 giveaways. The Buckeyes finished with just 14 assists, numbers that suggest the offense is still finding its rhythm with a new group handling the basketball.
Rebounding was another concern. Despite winning by nine points, Ohio State was outrebounded 42-33, allowing Butler to collect 19 offensive rebounds and score 18 second-chance points. That will not get it done come the regular season.
There were positives, however, including Amare Bynum's 23-point performance and LJ Smith's four three-pointers. Ohio State shot 50% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc, showing that the Buckeyes have enough scoring options to take some pressure off their guards.
The challenge for head coach Jake Diebler is getting those pieces to work together consistently. Thornton provided Ohio State with an experienced leader who could control the offense, protect the basketball, and create opportunities when possessions broke down. Replacing that experience will require Pippen and Mobley to develop chemistry while adjusting to their new responsibilities.
Monday's opener at BYU should provide a much better indication of where Ohio State stands. The Buckeyes have offensive talent, but their new backcourt must show it can take care of the basketball, distribute it effectively, and keep the offense moving when it counts.
