Bracketology 2023: Penn State, Marquette, Utah State among big winners

Bracketology 2023: Penn State, Marquette and Utah State among biggest winners

By Joey Loose | Mar 11, 2023

Northwestern Wildcats guard Brooks Barnhizer (13) defends Penn State Nittany Lions guard Jalen Pickett (22) during the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament game, Friday, March 10, 2023, at United Center in Chicago. Penn State won 67-65 in overtime.Norpsu031023 Am16293 /

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Bracketology Ohio State Buckeyes guard Isaac Likekele (13) and forward Zed Key Basketball Ceb Mbk Iowa Iowa At Ohio State /

Ohio State

Nonconference losses to Duke, North Carolina, and San Diego State were acceptable, but the Buckeyes really fell apart as Big Ten play got going. There was a stretch where Ohio State somehow lost 14 of 15 games, all against their conference foes, and entered the Big Ten Tournament as a distant afterthought, sitting as the 13-seed. After Wednesday’s win over Wisconsin and Thursday’s triumph against Iowa, there were more eyes on the Buckeyes, but surely they couldn’t repeat the magic?

As you expect, the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals also went their way as Ohio State got a 68-58 win against Michigan State to secure a spot in the semifinals. Even with star Brice Sensabaugh ruled out of the game, the Buckeyes emerged victorious, getting 21 points from Bruce Thornton and a 15-point effort from Roddy Gayle Jr. in the win, their third in three days.

If it wasn’t for the fact that Ohio State sits 16-18, their resume could actually be in decent shape, as they entered play with their NET within range down at 56. That figure will rise overnight, but the expectations for this Buckeyes program do not change. This win kept their season and their hopes alive for now, but a tough match with top-seed Purdue awaits them on Saturday. Ohio State has been loose but can they really win this Big Ten Tournament?

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