After Wednesday’s 89-82 resetting win over USC inside the Schottenstein Center, Ohio State heads to Nashville without its star guard for a Valentine’s Day matchup with No. 15 Virginia.
Ohio State announced Saturday afternoon that star guard John Mobley Jr. will miss time with an undisclosed hand injury. The program expects him back later this season, but it hasn’t set a timetable. His absence forces an immediate adjustment, and Taison Chatman to step up. Mobley spaces the floor and stabilizes the offense, something the Buckeyes now have to generate collectively.
A statement on John Mobley Jr.’s status. pic.twitter.com/OPFdNGM25g
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 14, 2026
Mobley has started all 24 games for Ohio State this season, averaging 15.1 points per contest, which is the second-most for the Buckeyes.
Against USC, Bruce Thornton finished with 21 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, and in the process moved into fifth place on Ohio State’s all-time scoring list. He now sits at 1,950 career points and needs one assist to reach 500. Ohio State will need Thornton to elevate his game even higher on Saturday against the Cavaliers.
Ohio State shot 60 percent in the second half and converted 24 of 25 free throws against the Trojans. The Buckeyes didn’t rush late possessions and trusted their spacing, leading to confidence down the stretch to close the game. The late-game performance showed growth from a team that has let narrow margins slip away earlier this season.
Virginia enters on a five-game winning streak and sits at No. 18 in the NET rankings. They crash the offensive glass relentlessly, averaging more than 14 offensive rebounds per game. Michigan presented a similar challenge, and Ohio State could not find an answer. The Cavaliers also force opponents to execute deep into the shot clock.
Ohio State and Virginia have not met since the 2015-2016 seasons during the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, where the schools played highly contested matchups. The Cavaliers won both by a combined 7 points. This marks the latest point in a season that the Buckeyes have scheduled a non-conference game since 1987. Ohio State chose this test as Diebler said, “This is the best time of year.” Diebler said. “We need to be our most connected and tough version of ourselves.”
The Buckeyes have already tested themselves against the ACC this season. Ohio State handled Notre Dame at home, lost at the buzzer at Pitt, and dropped a one-point battle to North Carolina in Atlanta. Jake Diebler’s team was competitive in those games, but now needs to close them, something he’s emphasized over the last few weeks.
That responsibility doesn’t rest on Thornton alone in Mobley’s absence. Devin Royal continues to establish himself inside, and Taison Chatman has found confidence in his perimeter shot over the past few weeks. Puff Johnson carved out meaningful minutes with timely shooting and physical play. His perimeter weaponry will be needed the rest of the way for the Buckeyes.
Debuting the Gray Scripts tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/o2SZTPdYZ2
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 14, 2026
Jake Diebler’s team will wear new alternate uniforms tonight, the team announced today. Ohio State will sport the gray version of its throwback “Buckeyes” script uniforms against Virginia. The Buckeyes will also be the home team, which is determined by the campus closest to the venue.
Ohio State and Virginia will tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET, with the game being nationally broadcast on FOX from Nashville.
Blake Biscardi is the Lead Sports Reporter and Senior Editor at The Silver Bulletin, focusing on Ohio State athletics, primarily football, the Big Ten, and the College Football Playoff. He’s the Creator & Host of the Buckeye Cadence and Saturday Cadence podcasts, and also a member of the FWAA. Biscardi has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.