What losing Talor Battle to Ohio State means for Northwestern men’s basketball

Last week, Talor Battle left Northwestern’s coaching staff to become an assistant at Ohio State. Battle filled out the Buckeyes’ staff, presumably becoming the fourth or fifth assistant coach for the team. This can be seen as an adjacent move as he previously served as the fourth assistant for NU. Let’s look at Battle’s time with the ‘Cats and what the departure means for the team.

In 2020, Talor Battle began coaching at Penn State following a seven-year professional career. When Emanuel Dildy left NU’s coaching staff for Oklahoma (he is now with Duke), it created an opening at Northwestern. Boo Buie, Battle’s brother, informed Battle about the vacancy. After interviewing for the position, Battle was offered and accepted the role of assistant coach for the ‘Cats.

During his three seasons at Northwestern, Battle contributed significantly to the development of the team’s guards, including Buie, Chase Audige and Ty Berry. Buie made remarkable progress, becoming NU’s all-time leading scorer, earning back-to-back All-Big Ten First Team honors and leading the team to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Audige excelled defensively, being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and earning an All-Big Ten Second Team selection. Berry also improved notably, improving his three-point shooting and defensive play. Battle undoubtedly played a key role in the development of these players.

On June 3, Battle accepted an assistant coaching position with Ohio State. Despite not having too many fond memories of playing against Ohio State during his college days as Penn State’s all-time leading scorer, his connection with head coach Jake Diebler influenced his decision to join the Buckeyes. During his professional playing career, Battle developed a close relationship with Diebler, who helped train him and close friend, Evan Turner, during offseasons.

Battle also has ties to Ohio State through his participation with the Ohio State alumni team, Carmen’s Crew, in The Basketball Tournament in 2018. There, he furthered a bond with Diebler’s younger brother, Jon, solidifying his connections within the Buckeye community.

At just 35 years old, Battle is one of the rising talents in the coaching industry, and his departure marks a significant loss for Northwestern. While stating that he loved his time at NU, Battle expressed his eagerness to seize the opportunity to coach at Ohio State alongside Jake Diebler, citing the chance to support someone he knows while advancing on his own journey toward a future head coaching role.

Battle’s exit could impact player development. Northwestern has consistently maximized the potential of its players, evident in the remarkable progress of players like Buie and Audige during their tenures. Current players such as Ty Berry, Brooks Barnhizer, Matthew Nicholson and Nick Martinelli have also shown significant improvement. NU will have to continue player development without Battle. Given the team’s history of recruiting primarily two-star, three-star and low four-star players, development remains crucial to the team’s success.

Battle’s move to Ohio State also underscores the appeal of the Buckeyes’ program. Despite Northwestern’s recent success, Ohio State remains renowned for its status as a premier destination in college sports. With its expansive brand, capacity to attract top recruits through NIL opportunities and rich history, Ohio State continues to be a coveted sports institution. This situation shows how important it is for Northwestern to sustain its success over the long haul to compete with more esteemed athletic programs.

Battle also brought great player experience to Northwestern’s coaching staff. As a former standout in the Big Ten, Battle knows what it takes to excel in the conference, making him a valuable mentor for all players. While NU does benefit from having former point guard Bryant McIntosh on staff, having coaches who have experienced the challenges and triumphs of being a player is always advantageous.

Battle will be remembered at NU for his integral role in developing Buie into one of the best players in Northwestern sports history. He also significantly contributed to advancing Chris Collins’ efforts in establishing a successful basketball program at NU. It’s tough to see him go to a Big Ten foe, but ‘Cats’ fans should appreciate Battle’s contributions and the success the program experienced during his tenure with the team.