Loss to MSU could be a positive

The Buckeyes lost this afternoon in Indianapolis 67-60 to the Michigan State Spartans. A win would have likely propelled the Buckeyes to an NCAA Tournament bid on Sunday. Now they're sitting perfectly on the bubble and if they do make it in, it will likely be as a 12 seed.

As a 12 seed, they would play some really good top 20 talent in the first round, and do the same throughout the rest of the tournament. We all know the Buckeyes' struggle against top 20 teams. So a trip to the NCAA Tournament this year will be very likely to not be a repeat of last year's run to the NCAA Championship Game.

So why play in something you have no chance of winning or getting far in? Well if the NIT didn't exist, of course there would be plenty of reasons. However the NIT offers many things the NCAAs don't in the Buckeyes' case.

1) Chance to play good, major conference programs at home with a young team. This team is just starting to gel. Obviously some parts of this team will be subtracted with Othello Hunter and Jamar Butler leaving. But for guys like Kosta Koufos and Jon Diebler, a chance to play good talent on your own court is a chance to become a better player without the pressures that come with playing in the Big Dance.

2) The chance to go deep. If you look at how the Buckeyes have played against competition ranked in the RPI's 50-100, it is very good. They're 4-0 against the likes of Syracuse and Florida. The same type of teams they could face in the NIT (even though both teams are also sitting on the bubble too). A young team could benefit from playing in a tournament three or four games deep rather than losing in the first round.

3) Winning it! So there is no glamour in winning the NIT. Some might say you're just competing for the 66th best team in the country. But this would be the first National Championship for the Buckeyes since 1986 and only their second ever. Go figure.

So when the Buckeyes get "overlooked" Sunday evening, do not fret -- the NIT's provide positive results the NCAAs can't... and you can go see you're Ohio State Buckeyes play on their home court more than likely.