Ohio State fans have a lot to cheer about as they watch their team make its return to the NCAA Tournament after a four-year hiatus. But the excitement doesn't stop there. Several former Buckeyes, who transferred to other schools, are also making waves in March Madness.
Bruce Thornton is gearing up for his first NCAA Tournament with Ohio State, but he's not the only one from his 2022 recruiting class making headlines. Roddy Gayle Jr., Felix Okpara, and Bowen Hardman are all set to showcase their talents on college basketball's biggest stage. Joining them is Evan Mahaffey, who transferred to Akron and will be playing alongside Hardman.
Interestingly, all these players find themselves in the Midwest Region, opening the door for potential matchups between former teammates. However, it would require some major upsets from either Tennessee or Akron to see these face-offs happen.
Roddy Gayle Jr. at Michigan
Ohio State fans might have mixed feelings about Roddy Gayle Jr., given his transfer to rival Michigan. But there's no denying his potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
Although his role has diminished slightly, with only one start this season, Gayle remains a crucial part of Michigan's backcourt rotation. The Wolverines, boasting a 31-3 record, snagged the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region and are among the favorites to clinch the national title.
Gayle, who spent two years at Ohio State before heading north, is averaging seven points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Michigan kicks off their tournament journey against the winner of the UMBC and Howard matchup.
Felix Okpara at Tennessee
Felix Okpara, another standout from Thornton’s recruiting class, left Ohio State following Chris Holtmann’s departure. Now at Tennessee, Okpara has been instrumental in leading the Volunteers to a 22-11 record and a No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region. Averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, and blocks, Okpara's defensive prowess makes him a player Ohio State surely misses.
Tennessee, aiming for another Elite Eight appearance, faces the winner of the Miami (Ohio) and SMU clash in their tournament opener.
Evan Mahaffey and Bowen Hardman at Akron
Akron is the only team featuring two former Buckeyes, and they're riding high after clinching the MAC Tournament title. Evan Mahaffey has flourished in his senior season, setting career-highs across the board and earning All-MAC honors. Bowen Hardman, too, is enjoying his best season, particularly from beyond the arc, where he's been a sharpshooter.
The Zips, seeded 12th, are eyeing an upset against No. 5 seed Texas Tech in their first-round matchup.
Former Buckeyes Missing the Dance
Not all former Buckeyes are experiencing March Madness this year. Meechie Johnson Jr. led South Carolina with impressive stats, but the team's overall performance kept them out of the tournament.
Similarly, Aaron Bradshaw at Memphis and Sean Stewart at Oregon saw personal growth but team struggles. Toledo’s Austin Parks and Tulane’s Scotty Middleton also had standout seasons, yet their teams fell short of making the tournament cut.
As the tournament unfolds, the presence of these former Buckeyes adds an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for Ohio State fans, who will be keeping a close eye on their performances.