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Ohio State Basketball Bubble Watch: Buckeyes Seek March Madness Bid
Ohio State faces tough path to earn NCAA Tournament berth after rough Big Ten season
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Ohio State's NCAA Tournament hopes are in jeopardy as the Buckeyes have struggled to a 17-11 record and 9-8 mark in Big Ten play. With a poor 1-10 record against Quad 1 opponents, Ohio State needs a strong finish to the regular season and a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament to secure a March Madness bid.
Why it matters
Ohio State has not made the NCAA Tournament in the last three seasons, and a fourth straight miss would be a major disappointment for the Buckeyes program. Earning a tournament bid would give the Big Ten another representative in the Big Dance and provide a boost to the conference's overall strength.
The details
Ohio State's primary issues have been against top-tier opponents, going just 1-10 in Quad 1 games. The Buckeyes' offense has sputtered in those matchups, averaging only 69.7 points per game. With two potential Quad 1 games remaining against Purdue and Indiana, Ohio State needs to win at least two of its final three regular season contests and potentially pick up a Big Ten Tournament victory to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.
- Ohio State is 17-11 overall and 9-8 in Big Ten play as of February 28, 2026.
- The Buckeyes have three regular season games remaining, including matchups against Purdue and Indiana.
- The Big Ten Tournament will take place in early March 2026.
The players
Jake Diebler
Ohio State's head coach, who is seeking his first NCAA Tournament appearance since taking over the program.
What’s next
Ohio State's final three regular season games against Purdue, Penn State, and Indiana will be crucial in determining their NCAA Tournament fate. A strong finish and a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament would likely secure the Buckeyes' first March Madness bid under head coach Jake Diebler.
The takeaway
Ohio State's struggles against top-tier opponents have put their NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy, but the Buckeyes still have a path to the Big Dance if they can finish the regular season strong and make a deep run in the Big Ten Tournament. Their ability to win key games down the stretch will be pivotal in determining whether the program ends its three-year NCAA Tournament drought.
