Damn, the Buckeyes just don’t want to accept their NIT fate just yet.
After losing 6 out of 8 games (including two to a pair of goin’-nowhere teams), Ohio State appeared to be headed towards an NIT bid. Then something funny happened on the way to Madison Square Garden….Ohio State found a way to beat TWO ranked teams in a row. They just finished up the regular season with a 63-54 win over 17th-ranked Michigan State.
Poor shooting did in the Spartans. Senior Drew Neitzel scored just 6 points in 30 minutes on 2-9 shooting. Four Buckeyes scored double figures, led by Jamar Butler’s 20. Evan Turner only put in 3 points, but it didn’t matter….Ohio State shot 50% for the game, and won it going away. 40 points in the second half really did the trick.
So now we need to win one game….just one…to get into the NCAA Tournament. At 19-12, we’re not getting in. But a 20th win (accomplished by having three consecutive quality wins) would do it.
Friday afternoon at 230pm, Ohio State plays Michigan State again in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
It’s that simple. Win and you’re in. Lose and you host an NIT game early the following week.
Either way, it looks like Thad Matta’s 20-win season streak is still possible.
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