The Ohio State Buckeyes are aiming to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022. To make that happen, they’ll need to handle business down the stretch.
With several tough tests still ahead, the path won’t be easy. Still, the Buckeyes have a talented roster capable of getting the job done if they play to their potential.
The ultimate magic number for the Buckeyes is believed to be 20 wins. The Buckeyes currently sit at 16-8, and with seven games remaining, that should be more than doable.
The Buckeyes are already strong in every metric the committee will look at, but if they don’t have enough wins, they’ll be left out.
The biggest knock on the Buckeyes’ resume right now is the lack of Quad 1 wins, but with the upcoming stretch of games, they’ll have opportunities.
Ohio State will get their first Quad 1 opportunity Saturday in Nashville against the No. 15-ranked Virginia Cavaliers.
The Buckeyes then return home Feb. 17 to face the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers in what is currently a Quad 2 matchup.
The Wisconsin Badgers are ranked 37th in the NET, and a top-30 ranking is required for Quad 1 status, meaning the game could shift categories if Wisconsin keeps winning.
The Buckeyes will then have two Quad 1 road opportunities, visiting the No. 10-ranked Michigan State Spartans on Feb. 22 and the Iowa Hawkeyes on Feb. 25.
Ohio State will return home March 1 to face the No. 13-ranked Purdue Boilermakers in another critical matchup.
The Buckeyes then travel to State College on March 4 for a Quad 2 opportunity against the Penn State Nittany Lions in their final road game of the season.
Ohio State closes the regular season on March 7 against the Indiana Hoosiers in a Quad 2 matchup that could become Quad 1.
The Hoosiers are ranked 31st in the NET, just one spot outside the top-30 threshold required for Quad 1 status.
Overall, 20 wins will likely be the minimum for the Ohio State Buckeyes to return to the NCAA Tournament.
A 5-2 finish in the regular season should be enough to secure a spot in the field.
A 4-3 finish would put the Ohio State Buckeyes squarely on the bubble, though I would lean toward them getting in.
A 3-4 finish would leave the Ohio State Buckeyes in a difficult position and likely on the wrong side of the bubble.
The Big Ten Tournament will also play a significant role in the Ohio State Buckeyes’ postseason chances.
The Ohio State Buckeyes may need at least one win in the Big Ten Tournament to feel confident on Selection Sunday.
A strong close to the regular season, combined with a run in the Big Ten Tournament, could put the Ohio State Buckeyes in a strong position entering the NCAA Tournament.
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