BLOCKBUSTER BUCKEYES BOMBSHELL: Ohio State’s March Madness Hopes CRUSHED After Big Ten Disaster

A Crushing Blow in the Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State’s men’s basketball team has found itself in a nightmare scenario following an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament. The Buckeyes, who had been clinging to NCAA Tournament hopes, suffered a 77-70 defeat to the Iowa Hawkeyes, throwing their postseason future into uncertainty. First-year head coach Jake Diebler, who took over the program after Chris Holtmann’s departure, now faces a brutal wait for Selection Sunday—and the reality that his team may not hear its name called​

Despite a standout performance from Bruce Thornton (24 points), Ohio State struggled to contain Iowa’s hot shooting from three-point range, allowing the 15-seed Hawkeyes to knock down 10 of 24 attempts from deep. The Buckeyes entered the tournament knowing that a strong performance could have secured their spot in March Madness, but their second consecutive early Big Ten Tournament exit has put them at the mercy of the selection committee​

A Season of Inconsistencies Comes Back to Haunt Ohio State

Ohio State’s season has been nothing short of a roller coaster. At times, the Buckeyes showed glimpses of being a competitive team, securing key victories that bolstered their NCAA Tournament resume. However, their inconsistency in Big Ten play proved costly. Losing five of their last seven games to close the season put them in a precarious position, and now their 9-11 conference record may not be enough to convince the committee​

While analytics suggest Ohio State still has a shot—a KenPom ranking of No. 35 and a NET ranking of No. 37 place them favorably among bubble teams—their overall resume lacks enough quality wins. Their biggest victory came early in the season against Texas, but late-season losses, including the disappointing finish against Iowa, could doom them​

Fans Outraged as Diebler Faces Scrutiny

The loss has sparked fierce debate among Ohio State fans. Many are questioning whether Diebler is the right man for the job, especially given the program’s back-to-back disappointing seasons. After Holtmann’s firing, there was hope that Diebler could turn things around, but failing to secure an NCAA Tournament bid would be a major setback for a program accustomed to national relevance​

Social media has been buzzing with reactions, with some fans defending Diebler, saying he deserves more time to establish his system. Others argue that Ohio State’s talented roster underachieved, and missing March Madness would be unacceptable. Recruiting concerns have also been raised, with worries that another down year could hurt Ohio State’s ability to attract top talent in the future.

Selection Sunday: Will Ohio State Get In?

Now, all Ohio State can do is wait and hope. With the Big Ten Tournament still ongoing, potential “bid-stealers” could take away valuable at-large spots, further hurting the Buckeyes’ chances. The selection committee will weigh Ohio State’s metrics, record, and overall body of work, but without a defining late-season push, the Buckeyes might not make the cut​

If Ohio State does not receive a tournament bid, they would likely land in the NIT (National Invitation Tournament), a scenario that would only add to the disappointment for a fanbase that expects more. Meanwhile, Diebler and his staff will need to regroup quickly, addressing weaknesses and potentially making changes before next season.

Regardless of what happens on Selection Sunday, this loss raises big questions about the future of Ohio State basketball. If Diebler remains at the helm, he will need to prove he can build a consistent winner in Columbus. The transfer portal and upcoming recruiting cycles will be crucial in shaping the Buckeyes’ trajectory moving forward​