Over the last three games, the Ohio State basketball team has done a great job of buckling down. They ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak, with victories over Purdue, Penn State, and Indiana. The win over the Boilermakers is the big one that could put them in the NCAA Tournament.
While the Ohio State Buckeyes believe they have done enough to make the NCAA Tournament, they are still on the bubble. Doing some work in the Big Ten Tournament would cement their bid. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, the draw they have is very tough.
The victory over the Hoosiers gave the Buckeyes a bye in the Big Ten Tournament. They earned the eight-seed, which means they don't play until Thursday. Of course, that also means they could potentially match up against the number-one seed.
Ohio State basketball team given brutal draw in the Big Ten Tournament
After they have a bye week, they will likely take on ninth-seeded Iowa. Iowa will play the winner of Oregon and Maryland. That means the Hawkeyes are very likely to move on to face the Buckeyes on Thursday. This is the same Hawkeyes squad that ran Ohio State out of the gym a couple of weeks ago.
If that wasn't bad enough, they would have to play Michigan if they were to somehow beat the Hawkeyes. Of course, beating Iowa would likely be good enough for Ohio State to make the NCAA Tournament. A third loss to TTUN wouldn't hurt their tournament resume.
Ohio State would feel a lot better if it ended up getting to face either the Terps or the Ducks. That would make things a lot easier for Jake Diebler's squad. An easier draw would be preferable, but this is what they will face. All games in the NCAA Tournament will be challenging, anyway.
One victory is all that stands between Ohio State and its first NCAA Tournament berth in four years.