Ohio State’s men’s basketball collapse in March Madness has led to growing criticism of assistant coach Jake Diebler, with many questioning his role in the downfall.

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, will go down in history as a season of high expectations, heart-stopping upsets, and unexpected collapses. For the Ohio State Buckeyes, the season ended with a whimper rather than a bang, as they were eliminated far earlier than many experts predicted. Ohio State’s early exit from the tournament raised questions about the team’s overall performance, coaching decisions, and individual contributions. Among those under scrutiny is assistant coach Jake Diebler, whose involvement in the team’s collapse has sparked criticism and debate.

The Build-Up to Ohio State’s Collapse

Heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the Ohio State Buckeyes had high expectations. They finished the regular season as one of the top teams in the Big Ten and were ranked in the top 10 nationally. With a balanced roster, featuring a combination of experienced upperclassmen and talented underclassmen, the Buckeyes were poised for a deep tournament run. Many analysts and fans alike saw them as potential Final Four contenders. However, the wheels started to come off once Ohio State hit the tournament stage.

Ohio State’s tournament run began with a solid victory in the opening round, but their subsequent performances were marked by inconsistent play, defensive lapses, and uncharacteristic mistakes. The Buckeyes, who had relied on strong defense and disciplined offense all season, were outplayed by a lower-seeded opponent in their second game, leading to a shocking early exit. As the team struggled in various facets of the game, questions began to surface about what went wrong.

For many, the finger-pointing began with head coach Chris Holtmann. However, many believe that assistant coach Jake Diebler, known for his work with Ohio State’s defense, played a significant role in the team’s collapse. The following analysis will dive deeper into Diebler’s responsibilities, decisions, and the aftermath of Ohio State’s disappointing exit from March Madness.

Who Is Jake Diebler?

Jake Diebler has been with Ohio State’s basketball program for several seasons, primarily focusing on the team’s defensive strategy. Diebler is well-known for his work in developing the Buckeyes’ defensive identity, which had been one of the team’s strengths over the years. His defensive schemes had earned praise for their complexity and effectiveness during the regular season.

However, Diebler’s role during Ohio State’s March Madness campaign is now being called into question, as his strategies seemed to fail when the team faced pressure. While he has been a valuable asset to Holtmann’s coaching staff, his inability to adjust the defense in the face of tournament-level competition led to breakdowns in key moments. Moreover, it was his defensive game plans, or lack thereof, that many blame for Ohio State’s inability to stop key players on opposing teams.

In hindsight, Diebler’s game plans against tournament opponents were criticized for being predictable and too conservative. Ohio State’s defensive schemes, particularly against high-scoring offenses, seemed to lack the necessary adjustments and creativity that could have given the Buckeyes an edge. This, coupled with players who weren’t as mentally locked in as they had been throughout the season, led to a collapse that left fans and analysts questioning whether Diebler was the right man to lead Ohio State’s defense in high-stakes games.

Defensive Struggles: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Ohio State’s defense, one of the team’s most potent weapons during the regular season, was exposed during March Madness. Under Diebler’s watch, Ohio State had built a reputation for being one of the best defensive teams in the country. However, as the tournament wore on, the Buckeyes seemed incapable of adapting to the dynamic offenses of their opponents. In particular, Ohio State struggled against teams that could shoot the three-pointer effectively or attack off the dribble with speed.

The game plan against certain offenses appeared unbalanced and overly simplistic. In the tournament, when Ohio State was faced with teams that excelled at spreading the floor and knocking down threes, Diebler’s defensive schemes seemed static, offering little to no resistance.

The Buckeyes’ inability to effectively close out shooters and rotate on defense became evident as opposing teams racked up points, especially from the three-point line. Ohio State’s defenders appeared lost in transition, and at times, it seemed as though they weren’t contesting shots as aggressively as they had in previous matchups during the regular season.

This defensive breakdown also highlighted a lack of necessary adjustments. Diebler, who had been praised for his attention to detail during the regular season, failed to switch defensive assignments or employ different strategies to counteract the offensive sets from teams in the tournament. As a result, Ohio State’s defense appeared predictable and easily manipulated by opposing coaches, leaving the Buckeyes struggling to contain even average offensive teams.

Player Performance: The Impact of Coaching Decisions

While coaching strategy is often cited as a significant factor in any team’s success or failure, the performance of individual players cannot be ignored. In the case of Ohio State’s March Madness collapse, players such as Bryce James, Ethan Turner, and Samuel Duncan were expected to step up on both ends of the floor, especially in high-pressure tournament games. However, they struggled at critical moments.

Despite their individual talent, James and Turner were not able to carry the team when it mattered most. James, the team’s star guard, had a rough outing in the tournament, where he was unable to maintain his usual offensive efficiency. Turner, a forward with a knack for scoring in the paint, also struggled with his shot selection and was unable to impose his presence inside. While both players are undoubtedly talented, their inability to perform at a high level during the tournament added to Ohio State’s downfall.

This is where coaching decisions come into play. Diebler, as part of the coaching staff, had a responsibility to put his players in the best possible position to succeed. It was clear that Ohio State’s offense, especially in tournament play, became stagnant and predictable. The Buckeyes didn’t adjust well to changes in defensive intensity from their opponents, and this led to poor shooting performances and missed opportunities. By failing to develop a more diverse game plan for his key players and not providing the necessary defensive stability, Diebler’s coaching shortcomings became even more apparent.

Inability to Adjust: The Cost of Sticking to the Plan

One of the most damaging aspects of Ohio State’s tournament collapse was their inability to adjust mid-game. March Madness is known for its unpredictable nature, with teams often needing to shift their approach based on the flow of the game. Diebler’s refusal to make critical adjustments in key moments left Ohio State vulnerable.

For example, in their loss to a lower-seeded opponent in the second round, Ohio State’s defense failed to contain a guard who was on fire from the three-point line. Despite repeated attempts by the opposing team to exploit Ohio State’s defensive weaknesses, Diebler kept his team in a defensive scheme that wasn’t effective against this particular style of play. Instead of switching to a more aggressive, trapping defense or implementing a switch-heavy defense to contain the shooter, the Buckeyes continued to stick with their original strategy, which ultimately failed to stop the opposing team’s offensive onslaught.

This stubbornness in sticking to a defensive approach that wasn’t working was one of the main reasons Ohio State fell apart. In a tournament where adaptability is key, Diebler’s failure to evolve his defensive game plan in the face of adversity became a glaring weakness for Ohio State.

Repercussions: The Future of Jake Diebler

As the Buckeyes limp out of March Madness, many are left wondering what the future holds for Jake Diebler. While it is unlikely that Ohio State will make a change in their coaching staff immediately following the tournament, questions about Diebler’s effectiveness as a defensive coordinator could lead to increased scrutiny over the offseason.

For Diebler, the blame for Ohio State’s March Madness collapse may not be entirely fair. Basketball is a team sport, and while coaching is undeniably important, players’ individual performances and mental focus are just as crucial. However, coaching decisions often reflect a team’s overall performance, and Diebler’s inability to make adjustments in crucial moments will be remembered as a key factor in Ohio State’s downfall.

Moving forward, Diebler may need to reevaluate his defensive strategies, particularly in tournament settings where the competition is at its toughest. Ohio State’s coaching staff may also want to explore new approaches to balancing defensive rigidity with flexibility. If Diebler hopes to remain with Ohio State long-term, he will need to learn from this experience and find ways to better prepare the team for the pressure cooker of March Madness.