Ohio State
Flash back to early January when Ohio State was 12-2, boasting wins over Alabama and UCLA on their resume. The Buckeyes missed the Big Dance after a tough year last season and were certainly looking like they would avoid a repeat. The last month has pushed them back in that direction, as the Buckeyes’ only win since that point was at home against Penn State on January 20th.
Already on a sour streak, Ohio State lost twice more this past week, falling 87-75 at home to Illinois on Tuesday before a two-point loss at Iowa on Friday night. Two more Quad 1 opportunities went by the wayside and the Buckeyes continued their sink, now sitting just 3-8 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State’s NET was in the high 30’s back in early January but now sits at 68. Their putrid play in recent weeks has done little to help their resume, as they now sit 1-9 against Quad 1 and 2 opponents. Perhaps that shocker against Alabama back in November is giving them any chance at the Big Dance if they can make a run in the coming weeks, though that’s easier said than done for Chris Holtmann’s unit.