Not sure if there is a thread on this already, searched and didnt find anything about it

How far do you think the Buckeyes will make it this year?

I'm saying Sweet 16

Depending on the match-ups, they could go out in round 1 or make it to the Elite 8. Kind of a tough team to gauge for me. A hot shooting team with a decent inside presence could send them packing in an upset (although with the current pace, OSU will have a high seed and wont have to worry about that).

At the current pace, they look like a 3 or 4 seed, but this could change quickly with the next 3 games on their schedule. Heading to Illinois, Purdue at home, then to MSU, the Bucks could realistically go 0-3. I don't think this will be the case, but I foresee OSU finishing 2nd or 3rd in the conference in the regular season. Hopefully they can replicate their Big 10 tourney run like last season and carry some solid momentum into the NCAA tournament. If the Bucks can grab a 3 or 4 seed, I think the sweet 16 is a realistic finish for this team.

I think they can make it to the Final Four but they could also lose in the second round. It all depends on who they play and how well they shot the ball

Sweet 16, tops.

Elite 8

Another one of the teams in a group of about 20-25 after the top tier teams who could go out the first weekend or win 4 games.

Wayyyyy too hard say at this point--it's all about the match ups and where they fall in the bracket.

No matter what the match ups, I don't see them making it past the Sweet 16. They'll be a team I'll consider for an early round upset.

You'd have to be a hell of a homer to say this team will be in the Elite 8 or deeper.

Ohio State always seems to be a potential early loser or a Final 4 or 8 team. There doesn't ever seem to be much middle ground for them. It follows their general season performance. Kill this team, lose a close one against someone they should have beaten, win three or four in a row and then have one or two bad losses that dumps them down in the rankings. You never know who will be playing from game to game and you can't predict how some of their games will come out, no matter how obvious it may look on paper. I think this edition of the Buckeyes is the same type of animal. I would think that they could have a relatively deep run in the Tournament, but their initial seed has to be high enough to avoid playing the number one team in their second game. Now is the time for them to sew that up. They really need to win the League in my opinion, to help assure a decent run in the Tournament. If possible, they should probably try to avoid playing the 16th seed also!

SQ_Crazies wrote: Wayyyyy too hard say at this point--it's all about the match ups and where they fall in the bracket.

No matter what the match ups, I don't see them making it past the Sweet 16. They'll be a team I'll consider for an early round upset.

You'd have to be a hell of a homer to say this team will be in the Elite 8 or deeper.

No you woudln't. I've seen national writers/columnists say that we are a team that could go deep. Why would you instantly turn to this logic?

This team is ranked #13 (To think it's unrealistic that they could reach the top 8 is just idiotic)

I am not sure you can answer this right now. It all depends on who they are matched up with, the bracket they end up in. OSU is obviously good enough to make the sweet 16, with a little luck, maybe elite 8. They can flat out shoot the ball. IF they get hot, you just never know. They also have the best player in the nation who is capable of carrying them when needed. They also have good experience.
The area of weakness is front line. If they go against a big, physical, athletic front line...it could be trouble.
The next three games are going to give us a good idea IMO. Ill, Purdue and MSU are all quality teams. 2 of those are on the road. Purdue at home, but will be out for revenge after OSU beat them there.
OSU is better then I expected at this point...although I did think they would be pretty good. (minus Turner injury).

too early to tell, but it could go either way. let's hope we get a win at Illinois on sunday first. I doubt the Bucks get all 3 of these games coming up, but hey, one can dream right?

Personally I see OSU as a top 15 team at this point in the season, so with that said, I think a Sweet 16 appearance could be expected.

Making it to the Elite 8 is a possibility if they get hot. Losing in the 1st round would be a complete disappointment.

thedynasty1998 wrote:Losing in the 1st round would be a complete disappointment.

I would be very dissapointed if they lose in the first round.

You can say this for sure about the Buckeyes, and that is they have solid guard play that can shoot and penetrate plus play tenacious on and off the ball defense. They have lengthy players also on the perimeter and in the paint that can alter shots. They have a go to player in Evans that can take over a game. On the other side you can say for sure that they are not deep, and they can be inconsistent on the offensive end.

I am not one for predictions, but this team could make a run.

As long as they don't get Utah St in the first round this is a sweet 16 team easily.

If they consistently play like they did today against Illinois, the sky is the limit for this group of young men.

I can see them getting bounced on opening weekend...

...but on another thread I also said I love them as a Final Four sleeper. A lot of it depends on the draw and if someone can bump off a giant for them, as I couldn't see the Bucks blazing throughout the entire tournament...I think the only teams that they wouldn't have a shot in hell against are Kansas, Kentucky, and Syracuse.

farther then duke

If they play the way they do yesterday, they could have a solid run in the tournament.

I'm thinking final 4 or bust.

The furthest I see them going is the Elite * and that is if they play every game like they did yesterday. Now if the juniors stay for next year and play with the incoming freshman...Championship is not out of the question!

Final 4 possibly finals if they play well. If not I see a second round exit. They have 3 prolific scorers, an intimidating big man in lauderdale, a decent bench presence, and with Turner managing the point a very organized attack.

If they play like they did against Illinois, I say the Final Four without much hesitation. They have the potential to be a two or three seed and therefore wouldn't see a one seed until the Elite 8.

Lets not go overboard here people. They played GREAT vs ILL. I am as excited as anyone about this team...although I was pretty high on them coming into the season. You can't expect them to play as well as they did vs ILL each game. It won't happen. The next two games are HUGE, obviously. I'd be happy with a split to be honest.
As far as the NCAA..again, who knows. If they get hot shooting the ball, their strength...they would be a scarey team to play. So much to do with matchups in NCAA. And as I mentioned previously, what worries me is a big athletic front line. The Big Ten has some great skill, but the only team with decent size and athletic front line, is probably MSU. But they are not THAT big either. That game will be interesting to see how OSU does as far as rebounding is concerned.