For the third consecutive year, the Ohio State Buckeyes are not in the running for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ absence from the 2025 NCAA Tournament marks a significant turning point in the storied history of the program. For the third consecutive year, the Buckeyes find themselves outside the tournament field, a stark contrast to the program’s proud tradition of success and dominance in college basketball. This drought is a rare occurrence for a program that has seen much success over the years, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, a national championship, and numerous conference titles. The reasons behind Ohio State’s continued exclusion from the tournament, along with the implications for the program’s future, are multifaceted and complex.

The Ohio State Buckeyes: A Storied Basketball Program

Before delving into the reasons for Ohio State’s struggles in recent seasons, it is important to reflect on the program’s past successes. The Ohio State basketball team has long been one of the premier programs in the Big Ten Conference and in college basketball in general. Ohio State has won multiple Big Ten titles, and the program has made frequent appearances in the NCAA Tournament. In fact, the Buckeyes have claimed one national championship (1960) and have reached the Final Four several times throughout their history, including notable appearances in 2007 and 2012.

In recent decades, the Buckeyes have been a consistent force in the college basketball landscape under coaches like Jim O’Brien and Thad Matta. O’Brien led the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance in his first season and helped establish a foundation for the program’s future success. Matta, who coached the team from 2004 to 2017, brought Ohio State to new heights, guiding the Buckeyes to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances and to a national runner-up finish in 2007. Matta’s tenure solidified Ohio State’s place among the elite programs in the nation, and his departure in 2017 left big shoes to fill.

The Shift After Thad Matta

The post-Matta era at Ohio State began with much promise but has struggled to live up to the expectations that the program had set under the veteran coach. In 2017, Ohio State hired Chris Holtmann, a rising star in college basketball who had built a successful program at Butler University. Holtmann’s arrival brought a sense of optimism to Buckeye fans, and his early seasons as head coach were relatively successful, including an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and a strong finish in the Big Ten standings.

However, the subsequent seasons have seen an unsettling decline in performance. Despite an early promising start, the Buckeyes have struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor. The loss of key players, coupled with an inability to land the top-tier recruits necessary to remain competitive in the loaded Big Ten, has left Ohio State vulnerable in a way they had not been for decades.

The Impact of Recruiting and Development

One of the primary reasons for Ohio State’s recent struggles is the inability to consistently recruit elite talent. The Big Ten is one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball, and to remain competitive, Ohio State must attract top-tier players year in and year out. While Holtmann has managed to bring in some strong recruits, including players like EJ Liddell and Malaki Branham, the program has not been able to land the same caliber of players as some of the other programs in the Big Ten or nationally.

Ohio State’s recruiting classes have been solid, but not necessarily exceptional. Players like Liddell, who spent three years with the Buckeyes, were bright spots, but the team has lacked the depth and star power to compete with the likes of Michigan, Purdue, and Indiana on a consistent basis. The program’s inability to land elite, high-school talent has put them at a disadvantage in the highly competitive Big Ten.

The departure of Liddell to the NBA after the 2022 season was a particularly significant blow to the team’s prospects. Liddell had been the heart and soul of the team for several years and had carried the Buckeyes on his back. His absence left a massive void in both scoring and leadership, and while new players have stepped up, none have been able to fully replicate his impact.

Moreover, the Buckeyes’ inability to develop talent in a way that rivals their conference opponents has hurt them. Teams like Purdue and Michigan have shown a remarkable ability to nurture their players into NBA-caliber talent, and Ohio State has not been able to keep pace in terms of player development. For instance, while Ohio State produced solid players like Liddell and Branham, they have not been able to produce multiple NBA-caliber players in a short span, which is a key marker of consistent success.

Coaching Challenges and Adjustments

Chris Holtmann has faced considerable pressure during his tenure at Ohio State, and his ability to adjust to the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball has been called into question. Holtmann was initially praised for his leadership and ability to adapt to a changing college basketball world, but recent years have seen mounting frustrations.

One of the key criticisms of Holtmann’s coaching during the past three seasons has been his inability to adjust to the high-speed, three-point-driven game that is increasingly dominating college basketball. Teams like Purdue, Iowa, and Michigan State have been able to successfully implement up-tempo offenses and have embraced advanced analytics in their approaches. Ohio State has lagged behind in adapting to these trends, with inconsistent offensive schemes that fail to capitalize on the strengths of their roster. This has left the Buckeyes with a lack of identity and direction on the court.

Another challenge that Holtmann has faced is his inability to manage player rotations effectively, which has often led to mismatches and a lack of chemistry on the floor. There have been numerous games in recent seasons where Ohio State has failed to execute in the clutch or has been unable to make adjustments in real-time. This has resulted in the Buckeyes often being on the wrong side of close games in the Big Ten, and ultimately, it has cost them a place in the NCAA Tournament.

Injuries and roster turnover have also been a factor in Holtmann’s struggles. While injuries are a part of every season, Ohio State’s inability to stay healthy and retain key players has disrupted the team’s continuity and chemistry. This inconsistency in roster construction has made it difficult for the team to build the kind of sustained success necessary to compete at the highest levels of college basketball.

The Big Ten’s Intensity and the NCAA Tournament

The Big Ten Conference has long been known for its toughness, and in recent years, the league has become increasingly difficult to navigate. With powerhouses like Purdue, Michigan, and Illinois, along with the emergence of programs like Indiana and Maryland, the Big Ten has become a brutal gauntlet. Even teams that are traditionally strong, such as Wisconsin and Michigan State, have faced ups and downs in this competitive environment.

In this context, Ohio State’s struggles to make the NCAA Tournament are more understandable. The Buckeyes face some of the toughest competition in college basketball, and even a single slip-up can have significant consequences. The margin for error in the Big Ten is razor-thin, and Ohio State’s inability to consistently win big games or string together victories in the conference has kept them out of the tournament for the last three seasons.

Furthermore, the Big Ten’s recent performances in the NCAA Tournament have only added to the pressure. With the league regularly sending multiple teams to the tournament, the standard of excellence has been raised, and Ohio State has failed to meet it in recent years. As the program struggles to compete at the highest level of the Big Ten, it has become increasingly difficult for them to secure an NCAA Tournament berth, despite the talent they possess.

The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Ohio State?

Looking to the future, Ohio State must address several key areas if it hopes to return to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons. First and foremost, the Buckeyes need to improve their recruiting efforts, particularly in terms of landing elite players. While Holtmann has made strides in this area, it’s clear that Ohio State will need to step up its efforts to compete with the top-tier programs in the nation. This will require not only better talent acquisition but also a greater focus on player development.

Secondly, the Buckeyes must adapt to the changing landscape of college basketball by implementing more modern offensive and defensive schemes. The three-point revolution is here to stay, and Ohio State must find ways to take advantage of this trend. This could involve developing a faster-paced offense and integrating analytics into their approach to in-game decisions.

Lastly, Chris Holtmann’s future at Ohio State will likely be the subject of much discussion. While he has had some successes, including taking the team to the tournament in his first season, his inability to make the necessary adjustments in recent years may lead to increased scrutiny. Whether or not he is given the opportunity to continue his tenure will depend on how the team performs in the coming seasons and whether or not they can return to the NCAA Tournament.

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ absence from the 2025 NCAA Tournament marks a significant chapter in the program’s history, but it is not the end of the road. While the program faces significant challenges, the Buckeyes still possess the infrastructure, resources, and potential to return to prominence. With improved recruiting, better coaching adjustments, and a clearer identity on the floor, Ohio State has the ability to return to the NCAA Tournament and reclaim its place among the elite programs in college basketball. However, the next few seasons will be crucial in determining whether or not the Buckeyes can regain their status as a powerhouse in the Big Ten and beyond.