Latest March Madness Bracketology Has Ohio State as an 11 Seed: What It Means for the Buckeyes

As the college basketball season draws to a close and March Madness looms large, the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves in a precarious position. According to the latest bracketology projections, Ohio State is currently slotted as an 11-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. This seeding presents a mix of optimism and concern for the Buckeyes, as it indicates that they are on the cusp of making the field of 68, but they will need to solidify their standing in the coming weeks to ensure they stay there.

With the tournament just around the corner, this article will dive into what Ohio State’s 11-seed means for the team, how they got here, and what they need to do to secure their spot in March Madness and make a deep run. We’ll also take a look at the potential matchups they could face and what kind of challenges lie ahead for the Buckeyes as they look to advance through the tournament.

What Does a 11-Seed Mean for Ohio State?

Being assigned an 11-seed in the NCAA Tournament can be seen as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it means that Ohio State is still in the field of 68, which is a positive sign for the program. But on the other hand, the 11-seed is considered one of the “last four byes,” meaning the Buckeyes are on the bubble, and their tournament fate is still not fully secure. The difference between an 11-seed and a 10-seed (or lower) is subtle in terms of performance, but it indicates that Ohio State is a fringe at-large team, making them vulnerable to falling out of the tournament if they don’t perform well in their remaining games.

In general, an 11-seed is placed in the First Four or plays a play-in game, depending on the bracket’s final alignment. However, this year’s bracketology projection does not place Ohio State in the First Four, so they would likely avoid the extra game. The key to progressing from an 11-seed lies in matchups and how the team performs in the opening rounds. Historically, 11-seeds have had a mixed record in the tournament, with some teams pulling off stunning upsets, while others fall early. Ohio State’s task will be to embrace the challenge and show they belong among the top teams in the field.

How Did Ohio State Get Here?

Ohio State’s season has been a rollercoaster, which is one of the primary reasons they find themselves as a borderline NCAA Tournament team. The Buckeyes have had their moments of brilliance but have also struggled with consistency. Head coach Chris Holtmann, who is now in his sixth season at the helm, has worked tirelessly to keep the program competitive, but the Buckeyes have been inconsistent both within the Big Ten and in non-conference play.

A few key factors have contributed to Ohio State’s up-and-down season:

Strong Wins vs. Quality Opponents: Ohio State has had some significant wins over top-ranked opponents. These victories helped their tournament résumé and kept their hopes for an at-large bid alive. Wins over teams like Indiana, Maryland, and Michigan State demonstrated that the Buckeyes have the talent to compete with some of the best in the country. However, the consistency required to build on these wins has been a struggle for Ohio State.
Inconsistency in Conference Play: The Big Ten Conference has been one of the deepest in the country this year, and Ohio State has struggled to maintain a foothold in the league standings. Their inconsistent conference play has left them hovering around the middle of the pack in a conference with multiple tournament-worthy teams. Ohio State has a lot of talent, but they’ve failed to string together a long winning streak, which has hurt their seeding in the eyes of the selection committee.
Challenges with Injuries and Roster Depth: Like many teams, Ohio State has battled injuries throughout the season. Several key players have missed time or played through injuries, which has had an impact on the team’s chemistry and overall performance. Additionally, the depth of the roster has been tested, and some younger players have had to step into larger roles earlier than expected. This lack of continuity has likely been a significant factor in their inconsistent play.
Struggles in Close Games: One of the key areas that have held Ohio State back is their struggles in close games. In tight matchups, they have often fallen short, whether it was due to offensive inefficiency, defensive lapses, or failure to execute down the stretch. These close losses have kept them from accumulating enough wins to move up the seeding ladder and solidify their place in the tournament.

What Does Ohio State Need to Do to Improve Their Seed?

Ohio State still has a window of opportunity to improve their seeding in the coming weeks, but time is running out. Here are some key things the Buckeyes need to do in order to secure a higher seed or avoid falling out of the tournament entirely.

Finish Strong in the Big Ten Tournament: One of the most important things Ohio State can do to improve their seeding is perform well in the Big Ten Tournament. With so many competitive teams in the Big Ten, Ohio State needs to win at least one or two games in the tournament to help bolster their résumé. A strong run through the conference tournament could give them the necessary momentum and eliminate any doubts about their tournament worthiness.
Develop More Consistency: Ohio State needs to find consistency both offensively and defensively. At times this season, they have shown flashes of brilliance, but they’ve often followed those performances with disappointing losses. To improve their tournament chances, they need to find a way to put together consistent efforts, particularly against high-quality opponents. This means better offensive execution in close games, improved defense, and minimizing mistakes.
Get Key Players Healthy and Involved: Health will be critical for Ohio State over the final stretch of the season. Getting key players like Zed Key and Brice Sensabaugh healthy and playing at a high level will be essential for the Buckeyes’ success. Both players have shown they can be difference-makers, but they’ve also dealt with injuries that have limited their production. If Ohio State is to make a deep tournament run, these players need to stay healthy and be key contributors in the closing weeks of the season.
Win Road Games: The Buckeyes have struggled away from home this season, which has contributed to their lower seed in the bracketology projections. To improve their position, they will need to prove that they can win on the road in the latter stages of the season, including in the Big Ten Tournament. Road victories are essential in building a stronger tournament résumé and will show the selection committee that Ohio State can perform under pressure.

Potential Matchups for Ohio State in the Tournament

As an 11-seed, Ohio State could face a variety of opponents in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Typically, 11-seeds play against 6-seeds or 5-seeds in the first round, which could set up some intriguing matchups. Below are some potential scenarios for the Buckeyes:

A Clash with a 6-Seed: If Ohio State faces a 6-seed, they could be matched up against a team that has had a strong regular season but may lack the high-end talent of the top seeds. The Buckeyes would likely be considered the underdog in this scenario, but it’s a matchup they could win if they play up to their potential. Historically, 11-seeds have had success against 6-seeds, making it a winnable game if Ohio State plays well.
Facing a High Seed in the Second Round: If Ohio State wins their opening-round game, they would likely face a 3-seed in the second round. This would be a huge test for the Buckeyes, as a matchup against a high-seed would provide a litmus test for their ability to compete with elite teams. Ohio State has shown they can compete with the best teams when they’re firing on all cylinders, but it would require an exceptional performance to take down a 3-seed and keep advancing.
Upset Potential: While Ohio State may be an 11-seed, they have the talent to pull off an upset against a higher-seeded opponent. With players like Sensabaugh and Key leading the way, the Buckeyes could prove to be a dangerous team in the tournament, especially if they are able to find their rhythm and play confidently. Ohio State’s best chance to make a run would be to embrace the underdog mentality and build momentum through their first few games.