COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Coach Jake Diebler's first full season begins Monday night when Ohio State plays its men's basketball opener against No. 19 Texas in Las Vegas. The meeting point is scheduled for 10:00 p.m

“On a big stage against a really good opponent,” said Diebler. “This will be a great indication of where we are at the start of the season knowing we have a really tough non-conference schedule.”

The game will be the second meeting between the schools and the first since March 17, 1986, when the Buckeyes won a home game 71-65 in the second round of the NIT.

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Well-known name among transfers

Although Ohio State returns seven players, including two starters, from last season's team, many are new to the program. Five of them are transfers, including Aaron Bradshaw from Kentucky and Sean Stewart from Duke. Both are sophomores looking for a fresh start.

Micah Parrish is from San Diego State and Ques Glover is from Kansas State. Both are fifth-year players, with Parrish being on the Aztecs team that made it to the 2023 national championship game.

Meechie Johnson Jr. returns to Ohio State after spending the last two seasons at South Carolina, where he averaged 13.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. The Cleveland native spent his first two seasons as a Buckeye under Chris Holtmann and returns to bolster Diebler's first roster.

“He's an adult. He had grown up from the first practice we had to the day he lasted about 10 to 15 minutes,” Diebler said in the offseason. “Now he can last a little longer and do it at a high level. So it was fun to see.”

The freshman class includes reigning Mr. Basketball of Ohio Colin White and John Mobley Jr. of Reynoldsburg, who will celebrate a homecoming of sorts Monday night. He played his sophomore and junior seasons at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.

Thornton and Mahaffey want to take the lead

Bruce Thornton and Evan Mahaffey are the two veterans and returning players from Ohio State University who want to lead Team 126. Thornton enters his junior season having led the team in points (15.7), assists (4.8), steals (1.2) and minutes played (33.6).

“I don’t take him for granted. Not even for a day. As a head coach, it's very reassuring to have a player like that. That you can lean on him and talk to him to get to the team at times,” said Diebler. “Bruce has improved his game and raised his level this offseason.”

Mahaffey is also entering his junior season after making significant contributions as a sophomore, primarily on defense. He averaged one steal per game and recorded 25 blocks.

“He’s feeling more comfortable and confident offensively, which is important,” Diebler said. “He has good basketball instincts.”

Tough test at the start of the season

For the third time, Ohio State opens against a ranked opponent. The Buckeyes lost their two previous attempts: a loss to No. 12 Utah State on December 1, 1970 and No. 15 Oklahoma on November 25, 1988 in the first round of the Maui Invitational.

The Longhorns are coming off a 21-13 season and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Diebler knows that Monday offers the opportunity to make a splash on the big stage on the first day of the season.

“That’s a great aspect of this game. “The quality of the opponent is certainly great,” said Diebler. “To be on this stage on the first day of the college basketball season is something our guys are excited about.”

And Texas won't be the last notable opponent the Buckeyes face in the non-conference portion of the schedule. Texas A&M, Pitt, Auburn and Kentucky are also ahead.

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