Will Ohio State make the NCAA Tournament?
Didn’t you already have enough fun already, Ohio State?
No, there wasn’t a win over Michigan in football or in basketball – there still might be another shot – but whatever. You won the College Football Playoff National Championship, you probably have the best team to start the 2025 football season, and you want more?
The Ohio State basketball season has been a true grind. There’s been zero momentum, few big runs, and not enough moments when it seemed like this might be a team that’s anything more than totally average.
And yet Joe Lunardi of ESPN has the Buckeyes as an 11 seed. So does Jerry Palm of CBS Sports, as does Mike DeCourcy of FOX. So …
Why Ohio State should make the NCAA Tournament?
Everyone overloves the Quad system in the NET rankings, but the six Quad 1 wins are strong. That’s as many as Duke, Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Wisconsin have.
That doubles up the number St. John’s can boast. The six are more than Marquette, Kansas, Clemson, and Ole Miss have, and all four of those teams are mortal locks to get in.
The win over Maryland a few weeks ago is a big deal now, the win at Purdue is even bigger, and …
Why Ohio State shouldn’t make the NCAA Tournament?
Northwestern 70, Ohio State 49. You don’t do that on February 20th and deserve any positive bubble consideration.
Of course most of the 13 losses were more than acceptable, but the Buckeyes were down 20 getting off the bus in the first meeting with Maryland, got obliterated by Auburn, and have too many tough losses in 50/50 games – like against Indiana and Pitt in Columbus.
Will Ohio State make the NCAA Tournament?
Yes, if the Buckeyes win at Indiana on Saturday. Do that, and avoid getting bounced in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament and all should be okay.
Lose to Indiana, and Ohio State had better be playing Saturday night in Indianapolis, if not Sunday for the Big Ten Championship.
Here’s the positive. Outside of winning the Big Ten, Ohio State can play its way in. Go on a three-game winning streak, get to 20 wins, and that should do it.
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