CBS SPORTS CLASSIC: NORTH CAROLINA VS. OHIO STATE

December 20, 2025

Jake Diebler

State Farm Arena

Ohio State Buckeyes

Press Conference

North Carolina 71, Ohio State 70

JAKE DIEBLER: Big-time game, big-time atmosphere and proud of the way our guys fought back, but disappointed, certainly, in stretches, and then at the end there we just didn't quite have enough poise to get ourselves to the free-throw line.

Got to give North Carolina a lot of credit. They're a really good team, but so are we. That was the message to our guys, we've got to start playing more consistently like that. I think our guys will. We've just got to keep fighting to do it.

Q. Jake, you guys are up one, they've got to inbound the ball, and obviously the turnover there. What did you tell your guys? Did you tell your guys get a time-out if you get in a tough spot there?

JAKE DIEBLER: Yeah, we said we had a time-out and we had a possession arrow.

Q. 4.4 seconds left, how did it play out compared to what you drew up?

JAKE DIEBLER: Yeah, we were trying to get the ball to Juni on the run there and thought we did. He had some time maybe to take a dribble, but at that point he got a shot on the rim and then we attacked the glass and had a chance. They did a good job finishing the play.

Q. What did you like about trying to get it in hands?

JAKE DIEBLER: Yeah, I think part of it is getting the ball inbounds, and two, felt like Juni had an advantage on his defender. The matchup the way it was going to play out, just I trust him in those moments.

Q. Did anything that they did in the last possession (indiscernible)?

JAKE DIEBLER: No.

Q. You were able to play your two bigs for a few minutes, trying to combat some of their size. What was the challenge of trying to (indiscernible)?

JAKE DIEBLER: I think we were searching for our front court, who could get it going and really do some good things for us, so we tried Devin at the 4 some and then thought he did a good job guarding in the second half. Then we gave Ivan a chance, and I thought he did a good job. He came in, helped protect the rim, did a good job executing on offense.

We were searching a little bit. In the second half the two-big lineup is something we've practiced and feel comfortable doing, so I thought those guys did a good job of it.