Ohio State's continued scuffle on the court has hurt their postseason projections.
Chris Holtmann's teams seem to always struggle at some point in the season. Usually, it comes in January. This year, if this trend continues, it will be at the worst time, with just the Big Ten Tournament and then the Big Dance remaining on the Buckeyes schedule. Now, there is no room for error.
Ohio State has lost four straight games, including three to Top Ten opponents. Holtmann's squad is still a lock to make the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which, for the first time ever, will be played entirely in the state of Indiana.
#MarchMadness Scheduling Update!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) January 19, 2021
March 18 - First Four
March 19/20 - First Round
March 21/22 - Second Round
March 27/28 - Sweet 16
March 29/30 - Elite 8
April 3 - Final Four
April 5 - National Championship
https://t.co/faeZsTVieb pic.twitter.com/0grpnEwAn4
While we won't officially know the Buckeyes' matchup until Selection Sunday on March 14 (this upcoming Sunday), we can look at projections made by experts in the field of bracketology to look ahead and analyze some potential matchups for Ohio State.
ESPN: 2 Seed, vs. Drexel
ESPN's Joe Lunardi moves the Buckeyes down to the last No. 2 seed, playing in Gonzaga's region of the bracket, taking on projected No. 15 seed Drexel.
NCAA Bracketology. Setting up the week. Today brings the annual data cross-check and seed scrubbing. Perfect task for a Monday. Calm before the storm! https://t.co/ANlPYTLrYP
— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) March 8, 2021
The Dragons so far this season are 11-7 (4-5 CAA) under head coach Zack Spiker. After entering the CAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed, they promptly upset No. 2 seed Northeastern last night, setting up a matchup against No. 8 seed Elon in the CAA Championship Game tonight. The winner will earn the right to go to the Big Dance. If you're so inclined to watch, Drexel vs. Elon begins at 7:00 tonight and can be seen on CBSSports.
If Ohio State were to get past Drexel, Lunardi has them taking on the winner of a game between San Diego State and Louisville.
CBS: 2 seed, vs. Drexel
Jerry Palm of CBS has the Buckeyes ending up with the exact same draw as Lunardi... except in Baylor's region, not Gonzaga's.
New bracket. Michigan still on top despite another loss. https://t.co/nRo4JRV2cB
— Jerry Palm (@jppalmCBS) March 8, 2021
The differentiation comes in the second round: Palm has the Buckeyes taking on the winner of a game between Florida and Loyola Chicago. Looking at the rest of this bracket, it seems as though this could be a best case scenario for Ohio State.
Arkansas comes in as the No. 3 seed, with one of Florida State and Texas Tech knocking each other out before (probably) playing Baylor. Ohio State would have a relatively easy road to the Elite Eight in this scenario, provided they don't get upset (which is easier said than done in March).
FOX: 2 seed, vs. Morehead State
FOX Sports bracketologist Mike DeCourcy follows Lunardi's lead by putting Ohio State back in Gonzaga's region, but with a different matchup: Morehead State.
Selection Sunday is less than a week away
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 8, 2021
Do you agree with @tsnmike's latest tournament bracket? pic.twitter.com/k77tgYX6Bz
The Eagles will be the Ohio Valley Conference's automatic qualifier after upsetting Belmont in the finals of the OVC Tournament. In the regular season, they finished with a 23-7 (17-3 OVC) record and on the surface seems to be a significantly stronger draw than Drexel.
It is worth nothing, however, that Ohio State walloped Morehead State back on Dec. 2 in Columbus by a lopsided final score of 77-44. E.J. Liddell lead the Buckeyes in that game with 16 points. While Ohio State would certainly hope for a repeat of that final score, nothing can be assumed in March.
If Ohio State were to indeed get past Morehead State, DeCourcy has them taking on the winner of a game between UConn and Wichita State.
