Ohio State Faces Crucial Test in Big Ten Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Ohio State Buckeyes are poised to battle for their NCAA Tournament fate as they enter the Big Ten Conference Tournament as a bubble team. With a current record of 17-14 and 9-11 in conference play, Ohio State’s performance this week will be critical to their chances of securing a tournament berth.

After losing four of their last six games, the Buckeyes have struggled to reach the 20-win mark for a fifth consecutive season. As the No. 10 seed in the conference tournament, Ohio State will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in the opening round today.

“We understand the urgency,” coach Chris Holtmann said. “We need to treat every possession like it’s our last. Our goal is to earn the opportunity to continue playing.”

Ohio State sits at No. 36 in the NCAA NET rankings, a key factor for selection committee members. The team has accumulated a mixed record against Quad 1 opponents, going 6-11 that includes wins against strong programs, while dominating against lower-ranked teams with an 8-0 record against Quad 3 and Quad 4 teams.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has projected the Buckeyes as a No. 11 seed, indicating that they have narrowly climbed into contention to avoid the First Four. In his latest update, Lunardi has Ohio State potentially facing No. 7 seed BYU in Lexington, Kentucky, with the winner advancing to face the winner of a matchup between No. 2 seed Alabama and No. 15 seed South Alabama.

“Every game matters now,” Lunardi added. “Ohio State needs to build momentum to ensure they’re not sweating out Selection Sunday.”

Meanwhile, CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm has shifted Ohio State back onto the bubble, ranking them as a No. 11 seed with a possibility of meeting fellow No. 11 seed Boise State in a First Four contest.

As of now, 89 of the 105 major projections include Ohio State in the tournament. This reflects how critical their upcoming performance is, especially against Iowa, who also finds themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble with a record of 18-12 and 9-10 in the Big Ten.

The atmosphere is electric in Indianapolis as the tournament options dwindle and the stakes escalate. A win against Iowa could solidify Ohio State’s spot in the Dance, while a loss may eliminate their chances altogether. With the growing anticipation for the weekend ahead, Buckeye fans are hopeful that their team will rise to the occasion.