As interim coach, Ohio State basketball's Jake Diebler getting creative with lineups
There was a moment in the Purdue game where Jake Diebler could feel the eyes of his fellow coaches on the back of his head.
As the Buckeyes were in the process of taking down the No. 2 Boilermakers, Ohio State’s interim coach looked out to see a lineup featuring two sophomores and three freshmen holding down first-half minutes against a team listed among the favorites to win the national championship. It wasn’t for long, and the Buckeyes won the game, but even athletic director Gene Smith joked with Diebler after the game about playing such a youthful lineup.
It was a sign of what was to come for the Buckeyes with Diebler at the helm. As Nebraska comes to Value City Arena on Thursday night, the interim coach has shown a willingness to get creative with his lineups and provided a late-season spark to a program in need of one.
“There’s a lot of different thoughts that go into that,” Diebler said Wednesday. “You’ve got to trust your instincts, but our staff has provided tremendous input in that regard.”
In stepping in for Chris Holtmann with six games remaining in the season, there was only so much Diebler could realistically change. Unable to radically adjust Ohio State’s offensive or defensive schemes, he relied on an adherence to his preferred coaching style, one that emphasizes pace and intensity in all situations.
There’s no excuse for not hustling. Diebler has made it clear to his players: if you’re tired, sub out of the game, catch your wind and we’ll sub you back in. In response, Ohio State has used at least 20 different lineup combinations in each of the last three games, its only such streak of the season.
Against Minnesota, it wasn’t so much new lineups playing significant minutes together but the number of different lineups used. The Buckeyes used a season-high 25 different lineup combinations for at least one second, five of which were new and none of which were together for more than 4:22.
That most-used lineup, which featured Bruce Thornton, Roddy Gayle, Jamison Battle, Devin Royal and Zed Key, had only played together in six prior games and never for more than 2:36.
“The way our guys are playing, they’re playing really, really hard and sometimes it’s really obvious when you see guys needing a break,” he said. “In that moment, you’re evaluating specifically what your team needs. You’re also evaluating who’s on the floor for them and evaluating what have we practiced from a lineup standpoint.”
At Michigan State, Diebler used 21 different lineups and partly out of necessity relied the most on one not seen since a Jan. 27 loss at Northwestern. In the win against the Spartans, Diebler used a starting lineup of Gayle, Thornton, Scotty Middleton, Evan Mahaffey and Felix Okpara for 11:16.
Middleton’s inclusion was forced when Battle was unable to play due to an ankle injury suffered in the Minnesota loss. Battle is expected to be available against Nebraska.
There have been some unusual combinations along the way. Atop the list: Ohio State playing primary centers Key and Okpara together while the 6-6, 200-pound Mahaffey manned the small forward position. Those three had never seen the court together this season but outscored the Spartans 5-0 in 2:59, and Diebler said it was a lineup that essentially had not practiced together.
“Rebounding’s been so important for us and the physicality on defense and felt like that game called for something like that,” he said. “In that case, we went to an offense that was simple at that time with that lineup and one that guys could be comfortable in.”
Ohio State Buckeyes: Join the Ohio State Sports Insider text group with Bill Rabinowitz, Joey Kaufman Adam Jardy
Or against Purdue, when a lineup with three freshmen and two sophomores outscored the Boilermakers 5-1 in 1:46. That lineup with Thornton, Gayle, Middleton, Royal and Austin Parks had never played together this season.
There’s only so much the Buckeyes can reasonably practice given the date on the calendar. At some point, success or failure hinges on the ability for guys to adapt on the fly and make a play.
“You’ve got to trust guys,” Diebler said. “We’re practicing hard, but there isn’t enough time to cover everything and all the scenarios. It’s our job to help them be in position to succeed … but to some degree don’t overcoach (them).”
Get more Ohio State basketball news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State basketball: Key lineup changes a staple under Jake Diebler
