NCAAM
If you came to Value City Arena expecting a slow, rusty season opener, you walked out of there like you’d just watched an NBA All-Star Game with a B1G logo slapped on it. Ohio State didn’t just beat IU Indy — they detonated them, 118–102, setting multiple program records in a game that felt more like a statement than a tune-up.
Forget easing into the 2025–26 season. The Buckeyes hit the floor like a team sick of preseason hype and ready to start a new era of bully ball. They shot 63% from the field, got to the line 53 times, and made Value City Arena look like their personal gym.
Let’s start with the history books.
If you’re wondering how a game with that many whistles didn’t completely implode, you’re not alone. IU Indy racked up 36 fouls, and Ohio State cashed in like they were running a shooting drill. The Buckeyes’ top three scorers — Christoph Tilly, Bruce Thornton, and Devin Royal — combined to go 29-for-38 from the stripe. That’s not just efficiency; that’s attrition warfare.
Ohio State came out absolutely cooking — seven straight made shots, five from deep, before most fans had even sat down. They jumped out to a 19–8 lead in the first four minutes, forcing IU Indy into early panic mode.
To the Jaguars’ credit, they didn’t fold. New head coach Ben Howlett has these dudes running a “frenetic tempo” offense straight out of his West Liberty playbook. For a few minutes, it worked — Kyler D’Augustino (21 points) and Kameron Tinsley (22) kept IU Indy within striking distance, trimming the lead to 33–32 halfway through the first half.
Then the Buckeyes flipped the switch. A 13–0 run, fueled by four IU Indy turnovers, stretched the margin back to double digits. By halftime, Ohio State was up 66–50, shooting 67% and looking like they could score on an empty gym or a packed arena — didn’t matter.
Let’s talk about Christoph Tilly, because the 7-foot Berlin native officially introduced himself as a problem in the paint. Tilly dropped a career-high 28 points on 9-of-11 shooting, adding nine boards, three assists, and a block for good measure. He bullied his way through IU Indy’s front line like a man playing against summer campers.
His footwork looked sharper, his touch smoother — this wasn’t a “feed the post for fun” performance. This was a declaration: if you don’t double him, you’re done.
Meanwhile, Bruce Thornton continues to be the engine that drives the Buckeyes’ offense. The senior guard put up 26 points, five rebounds, and four assists, crossing the 1,500-point mark for his career and passing Jae’Sean Tate on the all-time scoring list. Every possession ran through him, and when IU Indy tried to speed him up, he slowed the game down like a veteran chess player setting traps.
And then there’s Devin Royal — the quiet killer. The local product from Pickerington finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, carving out space and finishing plays that most wings wouldn’t even attempt. It’s not often you see a trio all hit 20+ on opening night. In fact, this was the first time since 2019 that three Buckeyes have done it in the same game.
You could feel the difference in depth this year. John Mobley Jr. tied his career high with eight assists and added 16 points, running the second unit with poise. His ability to push tempo without losing control kept the Buckeyes dangerous, even when Thornton sat.
Freshman Amare Bynum chipped in six points off the bench, showing flashes of confidence you don’t usually see in a kid’s first collegiate game. And Brandon Noel may not have filled the scoring column (six points), but his 10 rebounds and 800th career board were huge for establishing inside dominance.
The second half played out like a victory lap — Ohio State’s frontcourt overwhelmed the Jags in the paint, stretching the lead to 22 points midway through the half. IU Indy tried to make a run, cutting it to 10 late behind a barrage of threes, but every time they gained momentum, OSU calmly hit the brakes and got to the line.
Every good game story has a moment where one team grabs control and never gives it back. That happened when Ohio State dropped a 13–0 run in the first half, turning a one-point game into a comfortable double-digit cushion.
That stretch was a perfect microcosm of what head coach Jake Diebler wants this team to be: fast, disciplined, and ruthless. IU Indy had no answers for OSU’s length and transition execution — the Buckeyes moved like a team that actually enjoys defense-to-offense sequences, not just end-of-clock hero ball.
The Jaguars’ debut under Ben Howlett wasn’t about wins and losses — it was about pace, rhythm, and identity. And they showed enough flashes to believe in what’s coming.
Five players hit double figures, with Tinsley (22) and D’Augustino (21) leading the charge. The Jags shot 50% from the field and stayed aggressive despite the whistle-fest. They just ran into a bigger, deeper, more experienced team that knew how to weaponize its physicality.
Howlett’s quote summed it up perfectly: “This isn’t the finished product. We’ll get better from it.” And honestly? You believe him. The system is chaotic but entertaining — and in a mid-major landscape starving for identity, IU Indy just planted its flag.
One game doesn’t define a season, but this one sent a message: the Buckeyes are built to score in bunches, and they’re not afraid to play downhill.
After last year’s up-and-down campaign, Diebler’s squad looks more fluid, more confident, and more dangerous. The inside-out combination of Thornton’s leadership, Royal’s versatility, and Tilly’s interior presence gives this team legit Big Ten contender vibes.
The challenge, as always, will be defense and consistency — but if the Buckeyes keep blending this kind of offensive efficiency with swagger, Value City might see a lot more fireworks this winter.
Ohio State stays home to host Purdue Fort Wayne on Friday, Nov. 7 (6:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network). Expect another high-octane showcase — but if the Buckeyes are serious about making noise nationally, now’s the time to tighten up defensively.
Because if opening night was any indication, this isn’t the same Ohio State team we’ve seen the past few years.
This one’s got bite.
Final Take:
The Buckeyes didn’t just open their season — they kicked the door off its hinges. If this offensive explosion is a preview of what’s to come, the rest of the Big Ten might want to start stretching now.
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