For the first time since Ohio State took down Mike Krzyzewski in his final year coaching Duke in the 2021-22 season, fans had a reason to storm the court at the Schottenstein Center for a men's basketball game.
The Buckeyes took down No. 2 Purdue, 73-69, in Jake Diebler's first game serving as OSU's interim coach following Chris Holtmann's firing in a contest that was filled with emotional moments for those on and off the court.
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 18, 2024
Number Who?
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 18, 2024
BUCKEYES WIN #Team125 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/l37WMHYNDV
Sports are fun pic.twitter.com/4jZSg6Bujk
— Andy Anders (@AndyAnders55) February 18, 2024
What a moment for these guys. And shoutout to the 18,353 members of Buckeye Nation filling the Schott pic.twitter.com/0iogxjJrAY
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 18, 2024
No one was more emotional than Diebler, who couldn't help but soak in the moment after the final buzzer sounded.
What a win to start off on! Congrats Coach Diebler! @OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/QxS9tosjhS
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 18, 2024
FAMILY pic.twitter.com/lljKdFY1G9
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) February 18, 2024
Jake Diebler shares an emotional hug with Gene Smith and then points to the sky.
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) February 18, 2024
In his first game as interim head coach he takes down the second ranked team in the country! pic.twitter.com/KnUGGMFlcu
OSU's interim coach received plenty of praise on social media following the victory, with former Buckeye players (his brother included), Ohio State administrators and coaches of other Ohio State teams among those who sent congratulatory tweets.
LETS GO BIG BRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! @JakeDiebler @OhioStateHoops
— Jon Diebler (@J_Diebler) February 18, 2024
Big time win @OhioStateHoops !!
— LaQuinton Ross (@qross2011) February 18, 2024
A phenomenal game by @OhioStateHoops against No. 2 Purdue! An amazing accomplishment by our players and staff. Great first win, Coach Diebler! #GoBucks https://t.co/hTtTNUOfGi
— Walter Ted Carter Jr. (@OhioStatePres) February 18, 2024
Fought til the end. Proud of this team! #GoBucks https://t.co/T70aKyclw8
— Gene Smith (@OSU_AD) February 18, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS @OhioStateHoops and @JakeDiebler on a MASSIVE win against #2 Purdue. Good for these boys-been a tough year and to come out battlin after losing their head coach this week was impressive!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) February 18, 2024
Showed serious grit and perseverance-congrats fellas keep it rollin!
TOLD YA!!! https://t.co/86ZxCSQpV1
— Jared Sullinger Sr. (@Jared_Sully0) February 18, 2024
Great Win @OhioStateHoops Great Job @JakeDiebler #GoBucks
— Evan Ravenel (@e_rav24) February 18, 2024
Buckeyes???
— Mark Titus (@clubtrillion) February 18, 2024
Jake Diebler pic.twitter.com/G1FMW5hazL
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) February 18, 2024
College hoops is the just the absolute best. What a win!!
— Joey Lane (@JoeySmoke14) February 18, 2024
LFG @JakeDiebler!!
Congrats brother! Big time win! @JakeDiebler #GoBucks https://t.co/dK2Sm4ttrv
— Nick Myers (@MyersJMZ) February 18, 2024
What a performance.. congratulations to staff and players !!! https://t.co/kQ7SkBbPze
— Coach McGuff (@CoachMcGuff) February 18, 2024
Big Time @OhioStateHoops https://t.co/YHipmes7R3
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 18, 2024
National college basketball personalities like Dick Vitale and Jon Rothstein took note of Ohio State’s upset win, too.
Wow this is real not a movie - @OhioStateHoops with stunning WIN vs # 2 @BoilerBall in interim coachs 1st game . WOW @B1GMBBall https://t.co/W1ivuLe7EX
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) February 18, 2024
Purdue fans got a reminder today of what the Gates of Hell feel like.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 18, 2024
There is NO middle ground for the Boilers during March Madness.
Final Four or BUST. https://t.co/Wv4kMTjm4T
Ohio State wins. Jake Diebler, interim coach, should retire immediately. Can't get any better.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) February 18, 2024
Shocker in Columbus. From turmoil to triumph for @OhioStateHoops as the Buckeyes beat No. 2 @BoilerBall. Jake Diebler gets his first W as interim head coach.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) February 18, 2024
Tough week for Ohio State Basketball with Chris Holtmann. He built this program and brought in the roster. But it was a great day for the players and program. Bruce Thorton made some huge plays and shots. Ohio States post defense was highly connected and tough. Limited Edeys pic.twitter.com/01OO2uTl5k
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) February 18, 2024
Jake Diebler is the first Head Coach since 1996-97 to beat an AP-Top 5 team in their debut. https://t.co/ZmCYFO4sRi
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) February 18, 2024
And in one of the more interesting stats of the day, Columbus has been a house of horrors for top-two teams facing the Buckeyes.
.@OhioStateHoops pic.twitter.com/ePNLO2A96O
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) February 18, 2024
