Jake Diebler on facing Michigan: 'I don't believe in minimizing that game'

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines have one of the most intense rivalries in college athletics and that extends to basketball season. It’s a rivalry that is set to be renewed on Sunday afternoon. Some coaches might want to minimize the emotions of a rivalry like that, but not Ohio State’s Jake Diebler.

Ahead of the game, Diebler emphasized that he doesn’t want to minimize the importance of the game. Instead, he wants to embrace the history and value behind it.

“I don’t believe in minimizing that game in this rivalry,” Diebler said. “I don’t think you need to do a lot extra. We’ll certainly talk and I think there’s even an education component, right, to this game and to make sure that our guys understand the history of this game.”

Diebler, a native of Ohio, grew up well aware of the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan, even if his own playing career took him to Valparaiso. He would come to Ohio State as an assistant coach in 2022, being named the interim in 2024 before earning the full-time job. It’s that history of the rivalry — which dates back to 1909 and has seen the Buckeyes go 108-83 all-time against the Wolverines — which Diebler will hope to teach his team.

“But there’s no minimizing it,” Diebler said. “There’s more to it in this time of year, but make no mistake, this is a rivalry game and we’ll embrace everything that comes with that.”

Last season, as the interim head coach, Diebler got his first win as the head coach against Michigan. That was an 84-61 win. The two sides haven’t yet played this season.

Coming into the game, Diebler has led Ohio State to a record of 15-10 on the season and 7-7 in Big Ten play. That includes winning two of their last three games. However, Sunday is going to present a tall task. Michigan is sitting at 19-5 and 11-2 in Big Ten play this season. That’s the best in the conference and has the Wolverines ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll. In the latest bracketology, Ohio State is projected to be an eight-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan, meanwhile, is set to be a four-seed. Of course, there is still plenty of time for that to change.

Tip-off for Ohio State and Michigan is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, February 16th. The Buckeyes are set to play host in the matchup.