After a tough 77-70 loss to Iowa, Ohio State’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament are likely dashed, leaving their postseason hopes in jeopardy.

The Ohio State Buckeyes have found themselves in a familiar, yet frustrating, position once again: on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. On March 4th, the Buckeyes suffered a tough 77-70 defeat at the hands of Iowa, a loss that all but dashed their hopes of securing a bid to the Big Dance. With the loss, Ohio State’s chances of making it to the tournament are slim, and their postseason aspirations are now hanging by a thread.

For a team that had shown promise early in the season, this defeat represents a devastating blow. After all, Ohio State was once ranked among the top teams in the Big Ten, with a squad full of talent and potential. However, inconsistent play, lackluster performances against ranked teams, and failure to close out crucial games have all culminated in a scenario where their tournament dreams may not come to fruition.

As fans of Ohio State basketball continue to grapple with the uncertainty of their team’s future, it’s important to reflect on the implications of the loss to Iowa and where the program goes from here. The 77-70 defeat may have been the final nail in the coffin for Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament hopes, but it also serves as a microcosm of the team’s struggles throughout the season.

The Importance of the Iowa Game

The loss to Iowa was a critical one for Ohio State, coming at a time when every game felt like a must-win for the Buckeyes’ tournament hopes. As teams around the country jostle for at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament, games against bubble teams become pivotal. Iowa, despite being a formidable opponent, was also teetering on the edge of tournament inclusion, making this a game Ohio State had to win in order to stay in the conversation.

Heading into the game, Ohio State had already dropped several key matchups earlier in the season, but they were still within striking distance of securing a spot in March Madness. With a win over Iowa, the Buckeyes could have improved their resume, potentially earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament, or at the very least, a favorable position in the NIT.

However, despite leading for much of the game, Ohio State couldn’t close the deal, as their inability to execute in critical moments and make necessary adjustments ultimately allowed Iowa to take control in the second half. The Buckeyes’ defense, which had been a concern throughout the season, was once again exposed. Iowa’s offense, led by sharpshooter Joe Toussaint and Keegan Murray, was efficient and relentless, exposing Ohio State’s inability to stop the ball in key moments. This was a game where Ohio State simply could not stop their opponent when it mattered most, and as a result, the loss felt even more devastating.

The Inconsistent Play That Led to This Point

Ohio State’s journey to this point in the season has been defined by inconsistency. At times, the Buckeyes have shown the talent and potential to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten. They’ve had impressive wins over quality teams, but those high points have often been followed by crushing defeats. The team has struggled to find a rhythm on both ends of the court, and those struggles have been magnified in high-pressure situations.

Much of Ohio State’s inconsistency can be attributed to its lack of a true go-to scorer. E.J. Liddell, the team’s standout player and NBA prospect, has been a bright spot, but he’s often been asked to shoulder too much of the scoring load. While Liddell has been excellent, he needs help. Unfortunately, Ohio State’s offense has lacked the balance required to sustain success over the course of an entire season.

Malaki Branham, a freshman, has emerged as another bright spot for the Buckeyes, but like many young players, he’s had his ups and downs. Inconsistent shooting, missed opportunities, and failure to execute under pressure have plagued Branham, who was expected to be one of the team’s key contributors. When he’s on, the Buckeyes look like a dangerous team, but those moments have been far too infrequent.

Beyond individual performances, Ohio State’s overall team chemistry and defensive cohesion have been problematic. They’ve had trouble getting stops when needed, and that trend continued in their loss to Iowa. Their inability to limit the effectiveness of opposing offenses has hurt them all year long. Despite flashes of defensive brilliance, the Buckeyes haven’t been able to string together a consistent defensive effort that could have propelled them to victories in critical moments.

Ultimately, these inconsistent performances have defined Ohio State’s season, leaving them in a position where a win over Iowa was essentially their last shot at making the NCAA Tournament. With the loss, their dreams of a March Madness appearance are now hanging by a thread, and the future of the program is uncertain.

What Does This Loss Mean for Ohio State’s NCAA Hopes?

The loss to Iowa leaves Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament hopes all but dashed. At this point in the season, there are few remaining opportunities for the Buckeyes to improve their resume. The Selection Committee takes a close look at a team’s overall performance, including wins over quality opponents, and Ohio State’s resume now features a lot of underwhelming results.

A win over Iowa would have given the Buckeyes a crucial victory to add to their portfolio, but now that victory is a missed opportunity. With no marquee wins in the final stretch of the regular season, Ohio State is likely facing a snub from the Selection Committee unless they can make a strong run in the Big Ten Tournament. Even then, their overall performance throughout the season, coupled with the loss to Iowa, may ultimately be too much to overcome.

While Ohio State has some talented players and a good coaching staff, they are now facing the reality that they have likely missed their chance to earn an NCAA Tournament bid. At best, the Buckeyes may earn an invitation to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), but even that remains uncertain.

The NIT, while still a prestigious postseason tournament, is not the goal for a program like Ohio State, which has been a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament. For Ohio State basketball, anything short of an appearance in March Madness is seen as a disappointment. As the Buckeyes wait for their fate to be determined, there is a sense of frustration among fans, who are left wondering what went wrong and how the team can rebound moving forward.

The Bigger Picture: What This Loss Means for Ohio State’s Future

While the loss to Iowa is devastating in the immediate term, it also raises questions about the future of Ohio State basketball. Chris Holtmann, the team’s head coach, has been under scrutiny after back-to-back seasons of underperformance, especially considering the talent that has passed through his program. Since arriving in 2017, Holtmann has helped bring stability to the program, but the past few seasons have been marked by disappointing results, and many are beginning to wonder if he is the right coach to lead the team back to national prominence.

There are certainly valid arguments for maintaining Holtmann as the head coach. He has had success recruiting top talent, and his teams have often been competitive in the Big Ten. However, in a program as high-profile as Ohio State’s, there is a growing sense that more needs to be done to take the team to the next level. After all, this is a program with a rich history, and fans expect nothing less than regular tournament appearances and a chance at making deep runs in March.

For Holtmann, the pressure is mounting. If Ohio State fails to make the NCAA Tournament this season, it will be a third consecutive year without a bid, and that could signal the beginning of a much-needed change in direction. While it’s unlikely that Ohio State would make a change in the immediate future, another year of underperformance could force the administration to reevaluate the direction of the program.

Ultimately, the loss to Iowa serves as a reminder that the path to the NCAA Tournament is never guaranteed. While talent is important, consistent execution, mental toughness, and the ability to close out games are just as critical. Ohio State will need to improve in all of these areas if they hope to return to the NCAA Tournament in the near future.

A Tough Road Ahead for Ohio State

The 77-70 loss to Iowa has likely ended Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament dreams for the 2022-2023 season, and the team now faces an uncertain future. The loss to Iowa is a microcosm of Ohio State’s struggles throughout the season, including inconsistency on offense and defense, a lack of a reliable go-to scorer, and the inability to close out close games. With few opportunities left to improve their resume, the Buckeyes now find themselves in a precarious position.

While the immediate aftermath of the Iowa loss is painful for fans, it also represents an opportunity for the program to reflect and retool for the future. With key players like E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham expected to continue their development, and with strong recruiting classes on the horizon, Ohio State’s future in college basketball remains promising. However, the team must find a way to address its inconsistencies and take the next step forward if it hopes to return to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons.

For now, though, Ohio State’s season ends in disappointment, with their dreams of March Madness slipping away as they stare down another year without a ticket to the tournament.