Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Basketball: Buckeyes could miss out on tournament

By David Wysong

BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 11: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes talk during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on January 11, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 11: Head coach Chris Holtmann of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Kaleb Wesson #34 of the Ohio State Buckeyes talk during the second half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on January 11, 2020 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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For the fifth time in six games the Ohio State basketball team lost on Saturday as they have gone from being a top team to a fringe tourney team.

Just like last year at this time, the Ohio State basketball team is in a rut. After starting 9-0 and then 11-1, the Buckeyes have lost five of their last six games, falling to 12-6 and out of the AP top 25 for the first time this season.

Ohio State beat Villanova, North Carolina and Kentucky in non-conference play, but they are struggling in Big Ten play as they are only 2-5 against conference opponents.

Do I know what is wrong with this team? No, I don’t, but I do know they need to play better defensively.

In their 90-76 loss to Penn State on Saturday, the Buckeyes allowed the Nittany Lions to shoot 53.7 percent from the field – compared to Ohio State’s 42.6 – and 47.4 percent from long range. Those 90 points were also the most points they allowed all season. The high-powered Kentucky Wildcats didn’t even score close to that as they only got up to 65.

If they don’t start playing better defense, and just start playing better overall, then the Buckeyes could easily miss out on the NCAA Tournament. That was unthinkable earlier this season.

Still on their regular season schedule, Ohio State has to play Minnesota, Wisconsin, No. 17 Maryland, and Indiana, and they have already lost to each of those teams. Additionally, they also have Michigan twice, No. 21 Illinois, and No. 11 Michigan State.

They have 13 regular season games left and eight of them come against the teams named above. Can they really get eight more wins to at least get to 20 wins on the season? I’m not sure.

Getting 18 or 19 wins might not be enough to get into the tourney. Heck, 20 might not be enough, so it is going to be really difficult from here on out and every game will be a must-win.

Next. Buckeyes going all in on 2021 running backs. dark

Last year’s Buckeye team eventually somewhat figured things out and made the tournament. Hopefully this team can because they certainly have the talent to go on a run.

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