After splitting two home matchups, the men’s basketball team wraps up its trio of exhibitions by heading to Columbus to take on Ohio State.
Here is what you need to know before the Bulldogs take on the Buckeyes:
Who: Butler vs. Ohio State
When: Oct. 25, 2 p.m.
Where: Schottenstein Center
How to watch: B1G+
Butler’s Buckeye brotherhood
Familiar faces will reunite at The Schott, including a former Ohio State standout who now carries a clipboard for Butler. Assistant coach Jon Diebler enjoyed an illustrious four-year career wearing scarlet and grey, finishing first in program history — and second in Big Ten history — in career three pointers made. Diebler and the Buckeyes made two Sweet Sixteens and achieved the third-best record in Ohio State history, 31-3, in his senior year.
Meanwhile, Jon is not the only Diebler making a name for himself in Columbus. His brother Jake Diebler is entering his third full year as the head coach of Buckeye men’s basketball after spending eight prior years on the staff.
Perhaps the most important Bulldog in Ohio State history, however, is Thad Matta, who is currently serving as a special assistant to the president and athletic director for Butler. In between two stints as the head coach of the Dawgs, Matta spent 13 years manning the sidelines of the Schottenstein Center. Matta piloted the Buckeyes to 20-win seasons 12 times, made nine NCAA Tournament appearances and reached two Final Fours.
Ohio State will honor Matta at halftime of the game.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State is coming off an 11-point neutral-site exhibition loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 7, but has not been in action since.
Junior guard John Mobley Jr. is the man to watch for the Buckeyes. A rarity in today’s college basketball landscape, Mobley has started more than 50 games for the team heading into his junior season. The Ohio native averaged 15.7 points per game last year and will test the Bulldogs’ perimeter defense with his willingness to let shots fly from almost anywhere.
Ohio State does not have the same level of experience on the interior. The Croatian duo of junior center Ivan Njegovan and junior forward Andrija Jelavic appears poised to split time at the five. Njegovan has been a depth piece in Columbus for two seasons, while Jelavic enters the fray after playing his lone season of college basketball at Kentucky.
First-year Anthony Thompson should hold down the power forward spot nicely for the Buckeyes, though. Ranked No. 7 in his recruiting class, Thompson brings a blend of length, athleticism and shot-making ability that will challenge any Bulldog who draws that defensive assignment.
The most important takeaway for the Dawgs will be rebounding against the Buckeyes’ size. Against Indiana, Butler was dominated on the glass, so another chance to be tested against a power conference opponent will be valuable.
“This week will be about defensive rebounding,” head coach Ronald Nored said. “Before these games count, we’ve got to make sure we come out against Ohio State and rebound.”
Dinged-up Dawgs
Two Butler guards are healing up from injury heading into the clash in Columbus.
Graduate Jalen Jackson tweaked his left leg at the end of the Dawgs’ exhibition victory over Indiana State. He was declared day-to-day after receiving imaging.
First-year Samu Adler, who broke a finger on his left hand in late September, was fully cleared to practice this week.
Both players status’ are unclear for the upcoming exhibition, but they will have an additional week to recover ahead of the regular season regardless.