ESPN insider sees Ohio State as 'Big Ten Sleeper' this season

A year after being on the hot seat, Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler enters the 2026-27 season with lofty goals and has the Buckeyes slotted in many pre-season top 25 polls. Ohio State brings in eight new players -- both transfers and freshmen -- nearly all of whom are expected to make some sort of impact this season, and that is combined with returnees and potential All-Big Ten players John Mobley Jr and Amare Bynum. According to one ESPN insider, Ohio State could be the 'Big Ten Sleeper' this season. "The Buckeyes could be a Big Ten sleeper, provided they pull the pieces together," Myron Medcalf wrote. "Doing so will demand another outstanding season from John Mobley Jr. (15.7 PPG, 41% from 3), who will play next to incoming five-star and projected top-10 draft pick Anthony Thompson. Jake Diebler also added a strong portal class, including Justin Pippen -- the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen -- who led Cal in scoring last season. The Buckeyes went dancing this past March thanks to a late push. It's easy to predict Selection Sunday should feel more comfortable next year." Thompson, who pledged to his in state Buckeyes over Indiana, is one of the more purely gifted athletes and freshmen that has played in the Ohio State program in quite some time. His skill alone, assuming his potential is reached this year, is enough to keep the Buckeyes in a good spot most of the year. Add in transfers like Pippen, Jimmie Williams, Curtis Givens, Andrija Jelavic and Josh Ojianwuna, and the core is set alongside Mobley and Bynum. Ohio State is coming off of a 21-13 season last year and an eight-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The expectations are more this year. Medcalf sees the Buckeyes as a potential Elite Eight sleeper as the team's ceiling, with 28 wins. On the flip side, a first round exit is the floor. The Buckeyes are coming off of a trip to Puerto Rico which provided a good experience for such a new team, and will play Cincinnati and Butler in exhibitions before getting the season underway. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion.  This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: ESPN insider sees Ohio State as 'Big Ten Sleeper' this season