Ohio State Buckeyes
With less than 7 weeks from us having a bracket in our hands, let us begin to countdown and break down this years March and the madness behind it.
Every day we will look at a different angle of the beauty that is the bracket. From top seeds to bubble teams and every team in between. Which styles of play can be a problem for teams and which teams are on my radar for wearing the glass slipper.
Speaking of, this Ohio State Buckeyes team has one of the weirdest resumes yet. A team on the bubble and looking to even get in the tournament. If they do, watch out!
With still 7 weeks to go standings can and will change.
March Madness, Ohio State Buckeyes
- Ohio State Buckeyes
Currently an 11 seed team in a play in game, the Ohio State Buckeyes are 12-8 on the season and looking at an uphill battle to even get in. A 4-5 record in Big Ten conference play does not help, as well as a 3-6 quad 1 record.
However, big back-to-back wins in the last week over Purdue and Iowa have this team looking like it is heating up at the right time. Metrics suggest we might have not seen the best of Ohio State thus far.
The Buckeyes are ranked in the top 40 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, while being ranked 29th in the nation according to NET rankings. Ohio State is giving up 0.94 points per possession, ranked 32nd; and scoring 1.17 points per possession, ranked 40th.
Close games have been the heartbreak of this program as they have lost 4 games by fewer than two points. They are ranked 8th in the nation in three ball percentage shooting it 41% from deep. However, horrible free throw percentage has been breaking their spirit late in close games. Ohio State shoots the ball 67% from the charity stripe.
Combine missing free throws with lack-luster rebounding, and you will lose more close games than not. Ohio State is one of the worse offensive rebounding teams and right around average rebounding on the defensive side. Extra possessions for the opposition and again, missing free throws late has burned them.
Four players average double digit led by stud junior point guard Bruce Thornton. This team has a good mix of upperclassmen and youth.
Sets at a Glance
Ohio State Buckeyes run a beautiful motion offense setting a ton of screens. Even setting double screens with regularity looking for mismatches on both the block and the wing. Guards have the skill to win one on one matchups and get to their spots.
Usually running a simple double screen with a shooter popping and a big diving to the rim creates confusion at times for the defense.
Combine that with hard nose man to man defense, this team is tough to find a groove against. We must remember this team is one or two breaks away from being 16-4 rather than 12-8.
I know the saying “you are who your record is”, however, this Buckeyes team is way better than their record. Heating up at the right time in the season, they will find wins and squeeze their way into the bracket.
Bruce Thornton is special, and can carry this teams to tremendous heights. My advice, everybody shoot at least 100 free throws a day.
Final Thought and Projection
As of now, Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the last 4 teams in the tournament. That 11 versus 11 matchup could be tough, however if they make it into the big bracket, watch out!
I project this team makes it in the field as a 10 seed and avoids playing in one of those Tuesday/Wednesday games. However the tournament has a way of exposing teams weaknesses.
Looking for a maddening finish in Ohio State’s games with a first or second round exit. They will have a chance to win a game if they can make free throws, maybe even two.
If this team makes the sweet 16, I would be shocked, look for the Ohio State Buckeyes to fall short in the first weekend of this tournament.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on X via @RowanDonaghey
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