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Jake Diebler eyes signature win over Michigan in crucial rivalry matchup

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•02/15/25•

SpencerHolbrook

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler talks to guard John Mobley Jr. (0) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Valparaiso Beacons at Value City Arena in Columbus on Dec. 17, 2024. Ohio State won 95-73. (© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jake Diebler talks to guard John Mobley Jr. (0) during the second half of the NCAA men's basketball game against the Valparaiso Beacons at Value City Arena in Columbus on Dec. 17, 2024. Ohio State won 95-73. (© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Jake Diebler already has what most would call 'signature wins' in his debut season as the Buckeyes lead man. Diebler took his program to Madison Square Garden in December and knocked off the bluest of blue bloods: Kentucky. The Buckeyes won that game by 20, pulling away from the Wildcats in the second half to give them an early NCAA Tournament resume-booster. He took his team into Mackey Arena, a place that swallows road teams up and spits them back with a loss more than any other building in the sport. Ohio State beat Purdue by three on the road for one of the best wins for any program in league play this season. That could be Diebler's first Big Ten win to earn the 'signature' tag. But neither of those hug wins, which are anchoring Ohio State inside the NCAA Tournament bubble right now, compare to what Diebler has a chance to do Sunday afternoon inside the Schottenstein Center.