Buckeyes Meet with the Media on Content Day
10/1/2025 10:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
John Mobley Jr:
What have you been working on this offseason?
“Off the ball. Ball screens. Just being more committed to the ball screens and how that looks, different coverages.”
What do you feel this time of year in terms of your excitement level getting ready to get out there and play?
“Last year, I had a little jitters, now I’m just ready, ready to show the work I’ve put in this summer, and show the world what this team has to bring”
What's different about this year?
“We had a lot of adversity last year. I feel like us, just being able to be together and communicate and not going about it in our own ways, I feel like that’s the wall we can break through”
Bruce Thornton:
Is making that tournament run something you guys are already talking about? Or is the focus on something else right now?
“Most definitely, but it’s not necessarily a goal of ours. The main thing is to get better each day, it’s the only thing you can control. We have a big emphasis on winning the day”
Gabe Cupps:
What are you hoping for this year?
“I’m just kind of settling into who I am as a player and then just being really good at those things, and not trying to do a bunch of stuff, but focusing on the things that I need to do really well and then just doing it”
Colin White:
How huge is it to have a guy like Bruce [Thornton] back? How big is it to have continuity?
“Its big time. Bruce is the captain. We call him captain for a reason. He's a guy that steadies our ship, our program. It's big time for him to come back. The leadership he brings to the locker room is next level”
Devin Royal:
Is there a different feeling this year as opposed to years past?
“Yeah. for sure. I feel like we just got more grit. On the court, off the court, we just push each other every day. As a whole collective group, we are more locked in on winning.”
How have you seen yourself evolve as more of a leader this year?
“Talking and knowing each other. Getting players to do better things, getting to work. We just attack each other, and it makes us better.”
Amare Bynum
What has been Brandon Noel’s impact on you and your development?
“We continue to teach each other how to get better on the court. I help him, he helps me. He has more experience than me.”
How does that test you?
“It has been really helpful. He played at Wright State and has more experience. He teaches me with the small things and the details. The details really matter.”
Mathieu Grujicic
Why Ohio State?
“The sense of urgency coach Diebler and his staff had since the beginning, that was a big turn on for me. Also knowing that I can play for a school as prestigious as Ohio State, that was also definitely something I was looking forward to, instead of taking the more conventional route. I always bet on myself and I feel like Ohio State was the right place to go.”
Brandon Noel
What was it about Ohio State that really drew you in when you were making your choice?
“Two things. The first is I really believe the staff’s message, as far as what they are trying to do with their guys. And the second thing is the retention. They returned a lot of guys here, a lot of scoring, a lot of minutes, a lot of experience and that’s something I want to be a part of. The combination of experience and the ability to win is something I want to be a part of.”
