Land-Grant Podcast Network: An Ohio State University podcast

Bucketheads Podcast: Devin Royal is out, Amare Bynum is back and John Mobley is probably back?

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

Why did Ohio State fans erupt in anger when hometown player Devin Royal decided to transfer?

The Bucketheads podcast returns for episode 199 to dissect the major roster movements for Ohio State basketball as the offseason begins. Hosts Conor Lemans and Justin Golba open with a lighthearted discussion about tipping Uber drivers before diving into the news. The first major topic is forward Devin Royal entering the transfer portal, which the hosts argue was an inevitable result of a numbers crunch with incoming elite recruit Anthony Thompson and returning forward Amare Bynum occupying the forward spots. They push back against fan narratives framing Royal's departure as an indictment of the program. Next, they confirm Amare Bynum's return announcement, noting his decision not to test the NBA draft waters. The conversation then shifts to guard John Mobley entering the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility, with comparisons to Dwayne Washington's path a few years prior. The hosts emphasize Mobley's statement that he will not enter the transfer portal, signaling a likely return. The core of the episode focuses on Ohio State's glaring roster needs: a starting-caliber point guard and a center to pair with or back up Felix Okpara. They spend significant time playing a game where Conor rates potential transfer portal guards on a scale of 1 to 10 based on fit. High-rated targets include Toledo's Leroy Blyden Jr. and Sonny Wilson, while more expensive options like Jackson Shelstad and Jeremiah Wilkinson are discussed but deemed less likely. They briefly touch on the departure of assistant coach Joel Justus and humorously critique how college basketball insiders tweet portal entries. The episode wraps by highlighting coach Jake Diebler's success in player retention and teasing future portal coverage.

As heard by us

Ohio State's reset is weighed through lineup fit, transfer cost, and Mobley's role.

Bucketheads frames Ohio State's roster reset around fit, cost, and the choices still left on the board. Devin Royal's transfer pushes the conversation toward what Mobley staying at the two would mean, and Conor Lemans and Justin Golba sort through a possible Mobley, Anthony…

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Want a calm read on what Ohio State's roster could look like after Devin Royal transfers?

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