As we near the heart of the 2025-26 college basketball season, Ohio State finds itself in a familiar, if slightly uncertain, position: on the bubble-but trending in the right direction. After three straight years of missing the NCAA Tournament, fans in Columbus are understandably cautious about getting too excited. But if you're looking for signs of progress, the latest bracket projections offer some encouraging news.
Joe Lunardi-college basketball’s go-to voice for all things bracketology-has consistently had the Buckeyes in the projected field so far this season. And following Ohio State’s dramatic comeback win over West Virginia last weekend, the Buckeyes have moved up slightly in his latest update. Lunardi now has Ohio State slotted as a No. 9 seed, a modest bump from the No. 10 line in his previous projection.
It’s a small step, but a meaningful one. The win over West Virginia was more than just a comeback-it was a character test.
The Buckeyes showed resilience and composure in a game that could easily have slipped away. Performances like that don’t just help the win column; they help shape a team’s identity, especially when March resumes are being built one possession at a time.
In Lunardi’s latest bracket, Ohio State is projected to land in the East Region, matched up against No. 8 seed Utah State. Now, let’s be clear-matchups and regions in December are as fluid as a fast break.
There’s virtually no chance this exact scenario holds by Selection Sunday. But what matters here is the trajectory.
The Buckeyes are in the field, and they’re moving up.
That’s no small thing for a program that’s been on the outside looking in for three straight seasons. The early returns on this year’s team suggest they’ve got the pieces to make a legitimate push.
But the real test is coming. Big Ten play is looming, and as always, it’s going to be a grind.
The conference is deep, physical, and unforgiving. Ohio State will need to string together quality wins, especially on the road, to solidify their standing.
The good news? The foundation is being laid.
The Buckeyes have shown flashes of the kind of team that can not only make the tournament but make noise once they get there. Consistency, especially on the defensive end and in late-game execution, will be key.
We’ll keep tracking where Lunardi and other bracketologists have Ohio State as the season unfolds. For now, the Buckeyes are in the mix-and after the last few years, that’s a step worth recognizing.