Ohio State's Bruce Thornton is making waves on the court, joining an elite club with his recent performances. As the Buckeyes battle for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, Thornton's standout play is turning heads, even if the team finds itself just outside the bubble.
In a tough 66-60 loss to Michigan State, Thornton shone brightly, dropping 32 points on a sharp 12-22 shooting night. Despite some struggles from beyond the arc, he compensated by attacking the rim and earning trips to the free-throw line. His ability to score while maintaining control at the point guard position has been impressive.
Thornton's recent performances have placed him in rarefied air. He joins Steph Curry as the only two players in college basketball history to record 25-plus points with two or fewer turnovers in three consecutive games. While Curry achieved this feat during Davidson's memorable 2008 tournament run, Thornton's stretch comes at a crucial time for Ohio State.
Though it's a stretch to compare Thornton directly to Curry, there's no denying the level at which he's playing. Unfortunately, this might not be enough to secure a tournament berth for the Buckeyes, who stand at 17-10 and still have work to do.
Ohio State's path doesn't get any easier as they face a challenging schedule to close out the season. After a missed opportunity for a big win against Michigan State, they now head to Iowa before hosting Purdue. They wrap up with games against Penn State and Indiana.
Without any Quad 1 wins on their resume, the Buckeyes need victories against Iowa and Purdue to bolster their tournament chances. For that to happen, Thornton must continue his stellar play, scoring efficiently and leading the team under pressure.
Thornton's performances are a bright spot for Ohio State, and his continued excellence will be key as the Buckeyes fight to keep their tournament hopes alive.