Honestly, if you missed the season opener back in November 2024, you missed the blueprint for how Jake Diebler wants to run the show in Columbus. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Most people look at the final score—80-72, Ohio State over No. 19 Texas—and think it was a typical early-season slugfest. It really wasn't.
The Buckeyes led for all 40 minutes. Every single second.
When Ohio State and Texas meet on a basketball court, it usually feels like two freight trains colliding, but this most recent clash in Las Vegas felt different. It felt like a passing of the torch for Ohio State and a "welcome to the reality of 2026" for a Texas program that has since undergone a massive facelift. If you’re tracking the trajectory of these two blue-bloods, you have to look past the box score.
The Night the Buckeyes Found Their Identity
The Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena was supposed to be the Tre Johnson show. And look, to be fair, Johnson was incredible. The freshman dropped 29 points, breaking a debut record previously held by some guy named Kevin Durant. You might’ve heard of him. Johnson went 5-of-10 from deep and looked like the best player on the floor for long stretches.
But Ohio State didn't care about the hype.
Bruce Thornton basically decided he wasn't going to let the Buckeyes lose. He finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, but it was his 11 points in the final few minutes that iced the game. Whenever Texas cut the lead to three—which they did a few times in the second half—Thornton or Micah Parrish would just hit a back-breaking triple.
The Buckeyes shot 50% from three-point range. That’s 14-of-28. You aren't losing many games when you shoot like that, especially when you're also outrebounding the Longhorns.
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Why That Win Still Matters in 2026
Fast forward to today. The landscape for Ohio State Texas basketball has shifted because of that specific game. It gave Jake Diebler the "proof of concept" he needed to recruit the current 2025-26 roster. We’re seeing guys like John Mobley Jr. and Devin Royal playing with a confidence that clearly took root in that Vegas upset.
Mobley Jr. was a flamethrower in that debut, hitting 4-of-4 from deep. It's those kinds of performances that have turned the Schottenstein Center back into a place teams actually fear visiting.
Meanwhile, Texas has hit the reset button. The Rodney Terry era ended in March 2025, and the arrival of Sean Miller has completely changed the Longhorns' DNA. They’re playing a much more disciplined, pack-line oriented style now, which makes a potential rematch with Ohio State’s high-octane offense a fascinating "clash of cultures" for the current season.
Comparing the Roster Revolutions
If you look at the current 2025-26 squads, the turnover is dizzying. Texas lost Tre Johnson to the Washington Wizards (no surprise there) and saw Arthur Kaluma and Kadin Shedrick head to the pro ranks as well. Sean Miller didn't waste time, though. He brought in guys like Dailyn Swain from Xavier—who, ironically, is a Columbus native—adding a layer of "revenge game" spice to any future meeting.
Ohio State, on the other hand, has leaned into continuity. Bruce Thornton stayed for his senior year, which is almost unheard of for a guard of his caliber in the NIL era. Having a four-year starter at point guard is basically a cheat code in college basketball.
- Texas current vibe: Tactical, defensive-minded, heavy portal usage to find "Sean Miller guys."
- Ohio State current vibe: Fast-paced, heavy on shooting, built around internal development.
The Women’s Game Is Just as Wild
We can't talk about Ohio State Texas basketball without mentioning the women’s side. Their history is actually more storied than the men’s. In early November 2025, we saw the Ohio Bobcats (different Ohio, I know, but often confused in search) take down Texas State, but the real meat is the Buckeyes vs. the Longhorns.
Texas and Ohio State women have a history of meeting in the big moments. Think back to the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Texas edged out the Buckeyes 66-63 in a game that came down to the final possession in Spokane. It’s a rivalry defined by physical defense and elite coaching. Kevin McGuff has built a juggernaut in Columbus that mirrors the intensity of the Texas program.
The 2025-26 Ohio State women’s roster is loaded with talent like Chance Gray and Jaloni Cambridge. They play a "press you into submission" style that is the polar opposite of the Texas women’s more traditional, half-court dominance. When these two meet, it's usually a battle of who can dictate the tempo first.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at the future of these matchups, here’s what you actually need to watch:
- The Three-Point Variance: Ohio State lives and dies by the arc. If they are hitting over 35%, they can beat anyone in the country. If they’re cold, their lack of a traditional "bruiser" inside can get exposed.
- The Sean Miller Factor: Texas is going to be a much better defensive team under Miller than they were in 2024. Don't expect another 80-point outburst from an opponent to go unanswered.
- Home Court vs. Neutral: The 2024 win was a neutral site game. Historically, the "Schott" is a much harder place to play than T-Mobile Arena. If Texas has to travel to Columbus in 2026, the atmosphere will be significantly more hostile.
- Watch the "Homecoming" storylines: Keep an eye on Dailyn Swain at Texas. Players returning to their home state often play with an extra gear.
The next time Ohio State and Texas meet, don't just look at the rankings. Look at the styles. One team wants to turn the game into a track meet; the other wants to turn it into a wrestling match.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the defensive efficiency ratings of Texas under Sean Miller versus the offensive rating of Ohio State’s guard-heavy lineup. The intersection of those two stats is where the game will be won or lost. Keep an eye on the injury reports for Bruce Thornton; as he goes, the Buckeyes go.