The Ohio State Buckeyes are back in the NCAA Tournament spotlight for the first time in four years, and fans couldn't be more thrilled. After years of teetering on the edge and facing disappointment on Selection Sunday, the Buckeyes have finally punched their ticket to the Big Dance.
Their first challenge? The TCU Horned Frogs in a classic 8/9 matchup.
As the eighth seed, Ohio State's journey to March Madness included a victory over Iowa before falling to Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Now, they have a shot at making some noise in the tournament. While the winner of this game is likely to face the powerhouse Duke Blue Devils, the Buckeyes are focused on the task at hand: taking down TCU.
Though oddsmakers are skeptical about Ohio State making a Cinderella run to the Final Four in Indianapolis, they do favor the Buckeyes over the Horned Frogs in this opening round. DraftKings has Ohio State as 2.5-point favorites, with a moneyline of -198. The over/under is set at 147.5 points, highlighting the tight nature of this matchup.
One advantage for Ohio State is the game location in Buffalo, where Buckeye fans are expected to outnumber those from TCU, given the distance from Dallas. This home-court-like atmosphere could provide the Buckeyes with the extra energy they need in their first tournament appearance in four years.
For Ohio State supporters, seeing their team back in the tournament during the Jake Diebler era is a moment to savor, regardless of how far they advance. It's also a chance to watch Bruce Thornton shine on the NCAA stage before concluding his storied career with the Buckeyes. Whether it's a short stint or a deep run, Ohio State's return to March Madness is a celebration in itself.