- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ohio State Basketball Fights for NCAA Tournament Bid
Buckeyes on NCAA Tournament bubble ahead of pivotal matchup with USC
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Ohio State basketball is firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble as the Buckeyes look to make their first March Madness appearance since 2022. The team is currently projected as an 11-seed likely to play in the First Four, according to Bracket Matrix. However, the Buckeyes have struggled to pick up Quadrant 1 wins and need to boost their resume to secure an at-large bid.
Why it matters
Ohio State's quest to end its NCAA Tournament drought is crucial for the program and its fans. The Buckeyes have not made the Big Dance since 2022, and a return to the tournament would be a significant accomplishment for coach Jake Diebler's team.
The details
Ohio State currently sits on the NCAA Tournament bubble, with 42 brackets having the Buckeyes making the cut. However, the team is 0-7 in Quadrant 1 games and needs to pick up some impressive wins down the stretch to solidify its tournament resume. The Buckeyes' remaining schedule features eight Quadrant 1 or 2 opportunities, including a pivotal matchup with USC on Wednesday.
- Ohio State is currently 15-8 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten play.
- The Buckeyes are projected to finish the season 19-12 overall and 10-10 in conference play.
- Ohio State's next game is a Quadrant 1 matchup against USC on Wednesday.
The players
Jake Diebler
The head coach of the Ohio State basketball team.
What they’re saying
“Ohio State's chances of making the NCAA Tournament seem shaky in mid-February, but coach Jake Diebler's team has plenty of opportunities left to boost its postseason hopes.”
— Stefan Krajisnik, Author (cleveland.com)
What’s next
If the Buckeyes can avoid a bad loss and pick up a win or two they're not projected to get, Ohio State's NCAA Tournament drought could end with little worry come Selection Sunday.
The takeaway
Ohio State's quest to return to the NCAA Tournament is on a knife's edge, but the Buckeyes have a chance to solidify their resume with a strong finish to the regular season. A win over USC on Wednesday would be a crucial step towards ending the program's tournament drought.
