You probably thought Ohio State's NCAA tournament dreams were dead.
And as the Buckeyes currently sit with a 15-10 record and 5-7 in the Big Ten, why wouldn't you?
But according to CBS Sports' Jerry Palm, one of the more respected "Bracketologists" around, Ohio State would be in the Field of 68 if the tournament draw was today. Palm had the Buckeyes has the very last team in the tournament in his new bracket projection released Friday.
Ohio State would be playing Rhode Island in Dayton as part of the First Four, according to Palm.
Last four in, according to Palm: Syracuse, Michigan State, Rhode Island, Ohio State
Last four out, according to Palm: Arkansas, Auburn, Wichita State, Clemson
The Buckeyes currently have three wins on their resume over NCAA tournament caliber teams: Minnesota, Michigan State and at Michigan. But Ohio State also has top-100 RPI wins against Providence, Nebraska and UNC Asheville.
Perhaps what's even more important for the Buckeyes, however, is what still lies ahead prior to the Big Ten tournament. Ohio State has four marquee games remaining on its schedule: at Maryland, at Michigan State, vs. Wisconsin and vs. Indiana. Earning at least a split in those games could be vital for the Buckeyes' chances.
There is surely still plenty of work to be done for Ohio State, but the NCAA tournament dreams may not be dead — yet.
