Carly: What if I told you that a single executive order signed by Governor Doug DeWine just changed the entire trajectory of Ohio State’s basketball season? We’re talking about players who were thought to be gone, returning to the court when they shouldn’t have been able to. That is the headline shaking up Columbus right now.
Doug: And it’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about veteran leadership in a conference that is absolutely stacked. The NCAA’s new guidance excluded those who played four seasons, but this order bypasses that restriction for the 2022 class. So, how does Coach Thad handle that influx of experience alongside the rookies?
Carly: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America’s number one daily sports podcast! I’m Carly, and joining me as always is our lead analyst, Doug. Today is Friday, October 31st, and we are diving headfirst into your mailbag. Before we get to the questions, Ava has laid out what we’re tackling today.
Ava: Here is what’s coming up on today’s episode of the Ohio State Buckeyes show. First, we break down the immediate impact of the DeWine order on the current roster picture and why veteran presence might be the key to survival in the Big Ten. Second, we tackle your burning questions about the point guard situation following Milan Momcilovic’s departure and where the rim protection will come from. And third, we answer your hypotheticals about March Madness seeding and give you our final predictions for the season.
Carly: Doug, last week we talked about the critical roster battles, specifically that open point guard spot. This week, you’ve got listeners weighing in with some serious takes. Let’s jump into Segment One: The Big Picture and the DeWine Order. Marcus from Columbus asks: 'With the DeWine order allowing the 2022 athletes to return, does Ohio State suddenly become a top-five team in the Big Ten?'
Doug: That is a huge question, Marcus. And honestly, it’s optimistic. Look, adding veteran players who have already played four seasons adds depth, sure. But let’s look at the context. The NCAA’s general guidance still excludes those specific players from standard eligibility, which creates a complex logistical hurdle. Even with the governor’s intervention, integrating them into a system mid-cycle isn’t like flipping a switch.
Carly: Right. It’s not just showing up to practice. They have to learn the playbook, build chemistry, and fit into rotations. Doug, you mentioned earlier that veteran players trend up over rookies. Does this change your projection from last week?
Doug: It shifts the ceiling, but maybe not the floor. Remember, we projected Ohio State for a No. 6 seed in the 2027 March Madness field. A No. 6 seed is solid, but it’s not elite. To get into that top-five conversation, you need more than just extra bodies; you need consistent half-court execution. The Big Ten is physical. It’s slow-paced. It’s grind-it-out basketball.
Carly: So, are you saying the DeWine order is more of a psychological boost than a tactical game-changer?
Doug: Exactly. It provides stability. When you’re dealing with injuries or foul trouble—which happens in the Big Ten—having veterans who know how to manage a game clock is invaluable. But tactically? The core issues remain. Spacing. Shot selection. Pace control. Those don’t magically improve because you added experienced legs to the bench.
Carly: Okay, so let’s talk shot selection. Sarah from Cleveland writes in: 'The headlines mention ranking the top 100 players and preseason tiers. Where do the Buckeyes actually fit in those tiers if we ignore the hype?'
Doug: Good question, Sarah. If you look at the consensus preseason tiers, Ohio State is often placed in that upper-mid tier. Not quite the contenders like the Illini or the Gators, but definitely above the Cinderellas. Why? Because of the brand. Because of the recruiting base. But also because of the unresolved point guard issue.
Carly: There it is again. The point guard spot. @BuckeyeFan88 asks: 'Milan Momcilovic is gone. Who is running the offense? Is there a clear starter yet, or is this going to be a committee approach?'
Doug: It’s going to be a committee approach, at least initially. And that’s risky. In the Big Ten, if your point guard can’t handle pressure, you get trapped. You turn the ball over. You lose possession. We talked about this two days ago—the need for someone who can initiate the pick-and-roll effectively. Without a clear primary ball-handler, the offense can stagnate.
Carly: Stagnation leads to turnovers. And turnovers lead to fast-break points for the other team. Doug, how does the coaching staff mitigate that risk?
Doug: By simplifying things. By relying on wing play. By using off-ball screens to create mismatches rather than forcing the point guard to beat their defender one-on-one. It’s about spacing. If the shooters are open, the defense has to rotate. And if the defense rotates, the lane opens up. It’s less about hero ball and more about systematic execution.
Carly: Systematic execution. I love that. Okay, let’s move to Segment Two: Roster Battles and Depth Chart Concerns. We’ve got a lot of mail here about the frontcourt. Kevin in Dayton asks: 'You mentioned rim protection last week. With the new arrivals, is the interior defense actually improved, or are we still vulnerable inside?'
Doug: Kevin, this is the million-dollar question. Rim protection isn’t just about height; it’s about timing and verticality. The 2022 athletes bringing back might add size, but do they have the foot speed to recover? In the modern game, big men have to switch onto guards. If they can’t, you get exposed in space.
Carly: So, are we looking at a potential weakness in the rotation? Or is there a specific player stepping up?
Doug: I think we’re looking at a rotational challenge. It’s not necessarily a weakness if managed correctly. But if you get into foul trouble, the drop-off in rim protection could be steep. That’s why I keep emphasizing the need for versatile defenders who can switch multiple positions. Switching is key in the Big Ten.
Carly: Switching. Yes. @HoopsLover23 asks: 'What about the freshmen? Are any of them ready to contribute immediately, or is the DeWine order just a distraction from developing young talent?'
Doug: That’s a fair concern. Freshmen need reps. But the DeWine order isn’t a distraction; it’s a resource. However, it does complicate the minutes distribution. If the veterans are playing heavy minutes, the freshmen might see limited action early on. That’s not ideal for long-term development, but it’s good for short-term wins.
Carly: Short-term wins versus long-term development. That’s a tough balance. Lisa from Cincinnati wants to know: 'How does this affect the overall win total prediction? Are we still sticking with ten to twelve wins?'
Doug: We are sticking with ten to twelve wins. Here’s why: The Big Ten is brutal. Every road game is an away game. Travel fatigue. Crowd noise. Refereeing standards. It’s a grind. Even with the added veteran depth, winning twelve games requires consistency. And consistency is hard to come by when you’re figuring out rotations mid-season.
Carly: Consistency is the keyword. Okay, moving to Segment Three: Hypotheticals and Lightning Round. This is where we get fun. Mike from Toledo asks: 'If Ohio State makes the tournament, what’s the best-case scenario? Can we really hope for a deep run?'
Doug: Best-case scenario? You make the tournament, you secure a No. 6 seed, and you upset a higher seed. That’s realistic. A deep run to the Elite Eight? Possible, but unlikely without a dominant defensive performance across the board. You need to protect the rim AND limit turnovers. Do both, and you’re dangerous.
Carly: Dangerous. I like that word. Okay, lightning round. Quick takes. First question: Is Coach Izzo on the hot seat? The headlines mention coaching hot seats.
Doug: No. Absolutely not. Izzo is entrenched. He’s built a program. He’s developed players. The pressure is on the administration to support him, not the other way around. Hot seat rumors are just noise.
Carly: Agreed. Next: Will Ohio State finish eighth in the Big Ten? We’ve said different things over the past few days.
Doug: I’m sticking with eighth. It’s a safe bet. It accounts for the volatility of the conference. Tenth is possible if things go wrong, but eighth feels like the median outcome given the resources available.
Carly: Final lightning round question: What’s the biggest storyline to watch in November?
Doug: The integration of the 2022 athletes. How quickly can they gel with the current roster? That’s the storyline that will define the first month of the season.
Carly: Doug, thanks for breaking all of this down. For our listeners, if you enjoyed today’s mailbag, please remember that putting out fresh, daily content like this takes a lot of work. We’re passionate about bringing you the best analysis every single day, and your support helps us keep the show free and accessible to everyone.
Doug: That’s right. Whether it’s researching the latest NCAA guidelines or breaking down film, we do it for you. If you want to help us keep doing that, check out the link in the episode description. A small contribution goes a long way in keeping the network running smoothly.
Carly: Thanks for listening, Ohio State fans. Subscribe, rate, review, and share the show with your friends. Let’s keep the momentum going. Go Bucks!