The Ohio State Buckeyes came into the Big Ten Tournament needing to pull off the tournament win for any shot at reaching the Big Ten Tournament. After three games, they are keeping that dream alive. Ohio State pulled off the win over Michigan State as the heavy underdogs on Friday afternoon, and their NCAA Tournament odds saw a surge shortly thereafter.
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Ohio State NCAA Tournament Odds: Will Buckeyes Sneak Into The Dance?
Per DraftKings Sportsbook, Ohio State (16-18) now stands at 40-1 to win the NCAA Tournament. That still puts them behind bubble teams Oregon (30-1), UNC (20-1) and Rutgers (20-1). The easiest way for the Buckeyes to make it to the NCAA Tournament would be to continue their stretch of solid play and win the Big Ten Tournament.
Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann said the team’s struggles throughout the year molded them into the tough group we have seen throughout the Big Ten Tournament.
“The reality is there were too many times throughout this year – listen, there is a way you need to play when you’re struggling and maybe you’re down, and I think our team had to learn to play the right way when we go through adversity in games,” Holtmann said, per Eleven Warriors. “And that’s been a hard lesson for us, and it’s taken us a minute to understand that. There’s a way you’ve got to play to give yourself a chance. Tonight was a great example.”
But Holtmann’s bunch will really have to dig deep if they want to reach the NCAA Tournament. They now face the No. 1 seeded Purdue Boilermakers in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament on Saturday afternoon. Purdue outlasted a gritty effort from the Rutgers Scarlett Knights on Friday before coming away with a 70-65 victory.
Ohio State fans will be hoping to get star freshman Brice Sensabaugh back in action for the Purdue matchup. Sensabaugh sat out Friday’s game after suffering a knee injury in the win over Maryland on Thursday. Ohio residents looking to bet on the Ohio State-Purdue game can download Tipico Sportsbook and receive up to $250 in bonus bets!
Based on the latest Ohio State NCAA Tournament odds, the Buckeyes still have an uphill battle if they want to finish their stretch with an NCAA Tournament berth.
Be sure to use OddsShopper tools to get the best odds for the remainder of the college basketball season!
