Uncut: Jake Diebler discusses high-scoring, low-defense season opener against IU Indy

Throughout the season, Land-Grant will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions. Listen to the episode and subscribe Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut” we take you inside the Ohio State media room at the Jerome Schottenstein Center for Monday’s post-game press conference following Ohio State’s 118-102 win over the IU Indy Jaguars, coached by first-year head coach Ben Howlett. Ohio State took an 8-6 lead 1:28 into the game and did not relinquish it, although the game never got out of hand. Diebler opened the press conference by acknowledging the unique pace the game was played at, with the two teams combining for 162 offensive possessions. He said that there will be teams this season that will slow Ohio State down, and there will be teams that challenge the Buckeyes defensively, but IU Indy was not one of those teams. He also acknowledged that allowing the Jaguars to shoot 50% from the field was “not acceptable” and will need to be addressed. In particular, Diebler said they did not do the best job closing out on three-point shooters, trapping too aggressively on one side and then not getting back over to the open shooter in time to prevent a shot. Christoph Tilly, who scored a career-high 28 points, and Bruce Thornton, who scored 26 points on 7-of-10 shooting, spoke for a few minutes before Diebler. Thornton and Tilly both said they didn’t like seeing the gaudy offensive numbers for IU Indy but that it does not feel like it’s anything that can’t be improved. Thornton said the pace of the game “felt like the NBA games he watches.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices