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Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) reacts after making a three point basket against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
It’s great to see the Ohio State Buckeyes back in the NCAA Tournament. Obviously, Ohio State is known for football, but the Buckeyes also have a proud history in college basketball. Being back in the NCAA Tournament is a familiar feeling that should be expected perennially by Ohio Sttate fans.
This Buckeyes team, in particular, is dangerous. They’re arguably playing their best basketball at the right time. After losing three of four in mid-February, the Buckeyes won-four straight before losing to Michigan in the Quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament.
But that loss was only by four points, and Michigan, as we know, is one of the best teams in the country.
Ohio State should beat TCU on Thursday. The Horned Frogs are good, but the Buckeyes have something the Horned Frogs do not: Bruce Thornton.
Thornton is the kind of player that can take over any game, and that’s the kind of player that can take teams deep into March.
TCU is driven through its frontcourt. Ohio State goes as Thornton goes. Guard play wins in March. That belief should enable Ohio State to prevail over TCU on Thursday.
If the Buckeyes do win Thursday, Duke is likely waiting in the Round of 32 — I say “likely” because you really do never know.
Duke is, obviously, going to be a tough draw for the Buckeyes. Cayden and Cameron Boozer are really good players. The Blue Devils also have Isaiah Evans, a really good player. Duke is the Overall No. 1 seed for a reason.
Still, though, it’s great to see the Buckeyes back in the NCAA Tournament. This is where they belong. Not saying the expectation and standard are Final Four-level like they are at Kentucky, but making the NCAA Tournament should absolutely be doable every season for Ohio State Basketball.
It’s Ohio State. They should be playing in March Madness every season.
It’s not like the Buckeyes got into this year’s Tournament by the skin of their teeth, either. They played their way into a top-eight seed in the Big Dance. That’s pretty impressive.
They’re playing their best basketball at the right time. Winning a game in the Tournament would build momentum for Jake Diebler and the program in the new era of college basketball.
The hope is this Tournament berth isn’t just a one-year blip, but the start of the Buckeyes getting back to being NCAA Tournament perennials. After all, they went 12-8 in the mighty tough Big Ten. That is good, especially considering they didn’t let mini slides turn into avalanches like in past seasons.
They beat Purdue, Wisconsin and Indiana, and played a bunch of other really good Big Ten teams tough, in close games. That matters.
This is a season the Buckeyes can build on. Winning a game in the Tournament will help, and imagine if the Buckeyes upset Duke and go on a deep run in the Tournament.
Anything can happen in March. Thornton and the Buckeyes may just be the sleeper you don’t want to face in this year’s Big Dance.
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