Ohio State basketball’s win over USC was followed up with bad news for the Buckeyes’ chances of playing in the NCAA Tournament
Ohio State beat USC on Wednesday but playing meaningful basketball in March may not happen.
Thursday evening was a game for the Ohio State Buckeyes they couldn’t afford to lose against another team on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Ohio State moved to 16-8 on the season with an 89-82 win over USC.
Ohio State badly needed the win coming off a 21-point loss to the Michigan Wolverines. Bruce Thornton paced the Buckeyes with 21 points and Devin Royal added 19 of his own.
Next up for Ohio State is a matchup with No. 15 Virginia, and that’s where the Buckeyes badly need to pick up a Quad 1 win.
Ohio State is in the First Four teams out following a win over USC
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has the Buckeyes as one of the first four teams out of the NCAA Tournament come March. Ohio State is joined in the group by TCU, Virginia Tech, and New Mexico.
Ohio State’s lack of Quad 1 wins this season remains the issue and why they’re on the outside looking in. The Buckeyes had a great chance to pick up one at home against No. 2 Michigan two games ago and fell on their face. Ohio State’s only Quad 1 win is against Northwestern. The Buckeyes are 1-7 against Quad 1 teams.
The Buckeyes have lost just one Quad 2 game and that was against Pittsburgh. As of Feb. 12, Ohio State is No. 40 in college basketball’s NET rankings.
Saturday against Virginia is a huge one and it’s a neutral-site game in Tennessee against the Cavaliers. But after that, the schedule is going to offer more tough games where Ohio State can really sharpen its resume. The Buckeyes still have to play Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue, and Indiana. Ohio State’s easiest game on paper left is against Penn State.
Not making the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year with Bruce Thornton as a senior would be a real negative for the program. As a result, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Buckeyes moved on from head coach Jake Diebler after just two full seasons at the helm.
Diebler’s seat is hot and the Buckeyes must string together some wins down the stretch.
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