Ohio State basketball has an uphill climb

After losing to Penn State in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, the Ohio State basketball team has an uphill climb towards success in the NCAA Tournament.

Last night was a complete debacle for the Ohio State basketball team. They lost in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament and blew yet another lead in the month of March. Because of that loss, they will likely fall to an 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament.

That’s significant because even if they do win their first-round matchup, which isn’t likely with the way they’re currently playing, they would have to face off against a 1-seed in their next game. It makes the path to any sort of success in this tournament an uphill climb.

All the Buckeyes had to do was win last night and they would have stayed on the 7-line at worst. That would have given them an easier path towards the Sweet 16. Instead, they are sitting at home wondering how they can fix themselves before the first week of the Tournament.

This team has one miracle shot to make a run in the tournament. The only way that happens is if they get healthy. They need Zed Key, Kyle Young, and Meechie Johnson to be completely healthy for the NCAA Tournament. If one of those guys can’t go, they are in big trouble.

It’s been yet another disappointing season for Chris Holtmann. I think he should be coaching for his job now even if he might not be. For any Buckeye fan to be happy, this team has to fix their perimeter defense to stand any shot of winning any games in this year’s Tourney.

We’ll know where the Buckeyes stand on Sunday evening. Until then, they have to try to get healthy quickly.