When Ohio State finds itself on the brink of slipping out of the NCAA Tournament picture, the Buckeyes seem to have a knack for pulling themselves back in. Tuesday's showdown against No.
24 Wisconsin was a prime example, especially coming off a tough loss to No. 15 Virginia and playing their fifth game in just 13 days without John Mobley Jr.
Despite these challenges, Ohio State delivered their most complete performance of the season, cruising to an 86-69 victory over the Badgers. This marked their first win over a ranked team this year. While it might not yet qualify as a Quad 1 win, it certainly boosts their NCAA Tournament prospects.
Tuesday night was a favorable one for Ohio State, as several other bubble teams faltered, giving the Buckeyes a significant boost in their tournament hopes. Let’s break it down.
NCAA Tournament Outlook
Wisconsin, despite being ranked 24th in the AP Poll, sits at 35th in the NET rankings, just shy of a Quad 1 win for Ohio State since the game was at home. Meanwhile, Northwestern is two spots away from making Ohio State's road win over them a Quad 1 victory.
While many bracketologists haven't updated their lists yet, there's been enough movement to warrant optimism for Ohio State fans. In the Big Ten, UCLA is the team closest to the Buckeyes on the bubble.
Despite holding two Quad 1 wins, including a key victory over No. 7 Purdue, UCLA was soundly defeated by No.
15 Michigan State, 82-59.
Ohio State's previous win over UCLA could prove crucial if their résumés align further. Buckeye fans should root for No.
10 Illinois and USC when they face the Bruins soon. However, USC is also a bubble contender, and Ohio State has a head-to-head win against them as well.
San Diego State took a major hit, losing a Quad 3 game to Grand Canyon, which could allow Ohio State to leapfrog them. Virginia Tech, another bubble team, narrowly missed an upset against Miami, which helped the Buckeyes' cause. TCU and Baylor also suffered losses, further aiding Ohio State's position.
Georgia was the only other bubble team to secure a significant win, defeating Kentucky for a Quad 1 victory. As projections update, Ohio State should see a rise in their tournament outlook. Tonight, they'll be watching USC and hoping for an upset from Ole Miss against Texas A&M.
Big Ten Outlook
Ohio State's recent pattern of alternating wins and losses has kept them in the hunt for a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, awarded to the top eight teams. Currently tied for seventh with Iowa and UCLA, the Buckeyes control their destiny.
Their head-to-head win over UCLA is a key advantage, and they have a chance to face Iowa on the road soon. If Ohio State doesn't manage an upset against Michigan State, their matchup with Iowa will be crucial for both NCAA and Big Ten Tournament standings. Iowa, ranked 26th in the NET, would be a Quad 1 game on the road.
Ohio State has already secured a first-round conference tournament bye, sitting well above the cut line. They're two games behind fourth place, and a triple-bye to the quarterfinals is possible if they can win five of their last six games.
The Buckeyes are certainly in the mix, and with a few more strong performances, they could solidify their spot in the Big Dance.