Are the buckeyes tournament bound?

The Ohio State men's basketball team has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Their record is not bad as well. They have the 22nd toughest schedule in the country. The one thing every critic including myself is asking: where is the quality win? The team is 0-6 against teams ranked in the RPI top 40.

Typically 40 is the magic number to get into the tournament, and Ohio State is at 36. As of right now, they would probably get one of the very last spots in the tournament. They're biggest win is against 16-8 Syracuse Orange. To get into the tournament, they need to do better than that. Also 20 wins would likely lead to an NCAA touranment bid. The next two games are against Michigan and Northwestern. Both games are on the road, but neither team have posed much of a threat. But after that, Ohio State has to play four of their final five games against - you guessed it - the RPI's top 40.

0-10 against the RPI's top 40 would doom the team. The good news is three of those four games are at home. The Buckeyes haved played Purdue and Michigan State on the road, and team could say they gave them a good run for their money on their home courts.

On the positive, at 16 wins, Ohio State simply put will needs a few wins down the stretch. If this team gets to 20 wins, they have a good chance to get into the tournament. 21 wins, they have a great chance. 21 wins meant at the very least they beat either Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan State. Also many have considered the Big Ten a conference that will get five teams in regardless of record. Minnesota is at 5-5 in the conference (and in sixth place) and lacks the schedule the Bucks have. So as long as OSU can take care of business down the stretch, the Buckeyes will be playing somewhere in March.


ON A SIDE NOTE: Cougar Sports will be posted soon and read here tomorrow night for a recap of the Blue Jacket's game with Chicago.