Ohio State Buckeyes fans, it’s time to get excited. The Buckeyes are back in the NCAA Tournament, and while Ohio State might be synonymous with football, their basketball history is nothing to scoff at. Making it to March Madness is a tradition that Buckeyes supporters should expect each year, and this season, the team is looking particularly dangerous.
After a rocky patch in mid-February where they dropped three of four games, the Buckeyes bounced back with a four-game win streak before narrowly falling to Michigan in the Big Ten Quarterfinals. Losing by just four points to one of the nation's top teams shows that Ohio State is peaking at the right moment.
The Buckeyes face TCU on Thursday, and while the Horned Frogs are a solid team, Ohio State has a secret weapon: Bruce Thornton. Thornton is the kind of dynamic player who can take control of a game, and in March, guard play is often the difference-maker. If Thornton is on his game, Ohio State could very well advance past TCU.
Looking ahead, a potential matchup with Duke looms in the Round of 32. Duke, with stars like Cayden and Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans, is the Overall No. 1 seed for a reason, making them a formidable opponent. But the Buckeyes have shown they belong in this tournament, earning a top-eight seed through strong play, including a 12-8 record in the competitive Big Ten.
Ohio State has not only held its own against top teams like Purdue, Wisconsin, and Indiana but also played tough in close games against other Big Ten powerhouses. This resilience is something they can build on moving forward.
As the Buckeyes embark on this tournament journey, there’s hope this isn’t just a fleeting moment but the start of a return to being regulars in March Madness. Winning a game or two would be a huge boost for Jake Diebler and the program, setting the stage for a new era in Ohio State basketball.
And who knows? If they manage to upset Duke, a deep run could be on the horizon.