Men’s Basketball: For the third consecutive year, Ohio State is officially excluded from the NCAA tournament

Ohio State Officially Left Out of NCAA Tournament for Third Straight Season: A Deep Dive into the Decline

The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball program, one of the most storied in college basketball, is facing a tough reality: for the third consecutive year, they have been excluded from the NCAA Tournament. Once a perennial contender in the national championship conversation, Ohio State’s absence from March Madness has raised numerous questions about the state of the program, its trajectory, and what the future holds for the Buckeyes.

The exclusion from the NCAA Tournament for three years in a row is a significant blow to a program that has consistently prided itself on competing at the highest level. From the early years of basketball, Ohio State has been a competitive force in the sport. However, the team’s performance over the last few seasons has seen a notable decline. To understand why the Buckeyes have found themselves on the outside looking in, it’s necessary to delve deeper into the causes of their struggles.

The Glory Years of Ohio State Basketball

Ohio State basketball has a rich history, boasting a number of championships, Final Four appearances, and a legacy of producing NBA talent. The program’s peak came in the 1960s under legendary head coach Fred Taylor, who guided the team to a national title in 1960 and made several deep tournament runs. More recently, Ohio State experienced success under head coach Thad Matta, who led the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Final Four in 2007, and established Ohio State as one of the top programs in the Big Ten.

The years between 2004 and 2017 were among the most successful in Ohio State’s basketball history, as the team was a constant fixture in the NCAA Tournament. However, after Matta’s departure in 2017, the Buckeyes entered a new era, one that has been marked by inconsistency.

Chris Holtmann’s Tenure and the Decline

In 2017, Ohio State hired Chris Holtmann away from Butler, hoping to return the program to national prominence. Holtmann’s early years were promising; in his first season as head coach, he led the Buckeyes to a 25-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance. This success led many to believe that Ohio State’s basketball program was on the right track.

However, over the past three seasons, Holtmann has struggled to maintain that level of success. Although the Buckeyes remain competitive within the Big Ten, they have not been able to consistently compete with the top teams in the country. The absence from the NCAA Tournament over the past three years is a reflection of this broader trend of underachievement.

The 2020-2021 Season: A Fleeting Moment of Hope

The 2020-2021 season seemed to offer a glimmer of hope for Ohio State. The Buckeyes started strong, finishing the regular season with a solid 21-9 record and were poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. However, their performance in the postseason was disappointing. Despite receiving a high seed in the tournament, they were eliminated in the second round by a surprising Oral Roberts team. The loss was a devastating blow for a team that many thought had the potential to make a deep run.

This loss encapsulated the struggles of the past few seasons: a promising start, followed by a midseason lull, and then an underwhelming finish. It highlighted a concerning trend for Holtmann and the Buckeyes, who have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament’s later rounds and have had trouble consistently maintaining their early-season success.

The 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Seasons: Inconsistency and Missed Opportunities

After the disappointment of 2021, the following two seasons continued to reveal the gaps in Ohio State’s program. The 2021-2022 campaign ended with a subpar 20-12 record, and despite showing flashes of potential, the Buckeyes missed out on a tournament bid. The 2022-2023 season followed a similar pattern. Ohio State had moments of brilliance but struggled to close out games and lacked the consistent play that is necessary to earn an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite having talented players, including key contributors like E.J. Liddell, Malaki Branham, and Zed Key, the team couldn’t put it together when it mattered most. In both seasons, Ohio State’s performance against lower-tier competition and its inability to win crucial conference games left them on the outside looking in. While the Big Ten is one of the toughest basketball conferences in the nation, Ohio State’s inability to secure key victories has highlighted the struggles of the program in recent years.

What Went Wrong? Key Factors Behind the Decline

Several key factors have contributed to Ohio State’s failure to return to the NCAA Tournament.

1. Inconsistent Player Development

One of the most glaring issues has been the team’s inability to consistently develop talent and get the most out of its players. While Ohio State has recruited well and landed talented players, the team has struggled to see significant year-over-year improvements from many of its key contributors. This has been particularly evident with the big men, who have been unable to make the leap to the next level, and the guards, who have often been inconsistent in their scoring and playmaking.

2. Injuries and Roster Turnover

Injuries have also played a significant role in Ohio State’s recent struggles. Throughout the last few seasons, key players have missed significant time due to injury, leaving the team with holes that were difficult to fill. This has been especially true in the frontcourt, where the team has lacked the depth and consistency necessary to contend with the physicality of the Big Ten.

Additionally, the constant turnover in the roster, with players transferring in and out, has created a lack of continuity. College basketball has seen an increase in the number of players entering the transfer portal, and Ohio State has been no exception. While the portal can be a tool for roster improvement, it can also lead to a lack of cohesion and chemistry, as teams struggle to integrate new players into their systems.

3. Defensive Struggles

Defense has also been a significant concern for the Buckeyes. While Holtmann’s teams have generally been competent offensively, they have struggled defensively, particularly against higher-caliber opponents. The inability to stop opposing teams and force turnovers has been a consistent problem, leading to a lack of balance that has hurt Ohio State in tight games. In a conference like the Big Ten, where every game is a battle, poor defense can be a recipe for failure.

4. Lack of Leadership and Identity

In the last few seasons, Ohio State has struggled to find a true leader on the court. While talented players like Liddell and Branham have flashed potential, the team has lacked a dominant presence who can take control of games and provide the leadership necessary to close out victories. A program like Ohio State, with its rich history and tradition, requires strong leadership to navigate the pressure of high-stakes games.

Furthermore, Ohio State has struggled to establish a clear identity. While teams under Matta were known for their strong defense and unselfish play, Holtmann’s teams have lacked a clear blueprint for success. This inconsistency in style of play has made it difficult for the Buckeyes to develop the cohesiveness needed for sustained success.

The Future of Ohio State Basketball

Looking ahead, the future of Ohio State basketball is uncertain. While Holtmann has had some success in recruiting, it’s clear that the program needs to regain its consistency if it is to return to national relevance. The Big Ten will continue to be one of the toughest conferences in the country, and Ohio State will need to rise to the occasion to compete with teams like Michigan State, Purdue, and Indiana.

There is hope, however. Holtmann is an experienced coach who has shown the ability to develop talent, and the Buckeyes have a strong fan base and rich tradition to build upon. If Ohio State can figure out how to develop talent consistently, establish a defensive identity, and keep its key players healthy, it may not be long before the Buckeyes return to the NCAA Tournament and begin to make deep runs once again.