How will the Ohio State basketball team finish in the Big Ten this year?
By Ryan Stano
![Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) celebrates his three-point basket against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports Mar 14, 2024; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) celebrates his three-point basket against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_2738,h_1540,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/151/01hzsezxev564ys0dp4m.jpg)
The Ohio State basketball team will have a new lineup this season. After losing several players to the transfer portal, the Buckeyes had to bring some guys in. In fact, they will be replacing three players from the starting lineup. It's going to look like a whole new team.
In addition to having a new coach and starting lineup, the Buckeyes will have to play some new opponents in the Big Ten. Four new teams are joining the conference this season, including one perennial powerhouse and one who has made the Final Four in the last five years.
It's going to be harder for the Buckeyes to finish higher in the Big Ten with more teams. The ultimate question is this: how high will the Ohio State basketball team finish in the Big Ten? How good will the new lineup be compared to what everyone else will trot out there?
Even though Purdue lost some great players, they still did just play for a national title. They have to be considered the favorite to win the Big Ten. After that, it gets a little murky. As far as the talent for Ohio State is concerned, they should be able to finish in the top half of the Big Ten.
If they do that, that should be enough to get them into the NCAA Tournament. Jake Diebler has shown that he can coach. The run that Ohio State went on to end the season was extremely impressive. Now they just need to sustain something like that for the whole year.
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The Buckeyes won't get an automatic berth in the Big Ten Tournament anymore. The three worst teams in the conference won't get in. That means the Buckeyes have to finish at least 15th in the conference this season to make it. That shouldn't be a problem.