Helena Frye
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has had its fair share of triumphs and setbacks over the years. The team's history includes a mix of championship wins, appearances in the Final Four, and periods of struggle. With a dedicated fan base and a rich basketball legacy, the Buckeyes have represented Ohio State University in the NCAA Division I, leaving a memorable mark on the sport. The team's performance has fluctuated, with notable successes and challenges, leaving fans curious about their future prospects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national championships won | 1 (1960) |
| Number of times national runner-up | 4 |
| Number of Final Four appearances | 10 (including 1 vacated by the NCAA) |
| Number of NCAA Tournament appearances | 27 (including 4 vacated by the NCAA) |
| Number of Big Ten championships | 5 |
| Number of conference titles | 7 |
| Overall winning percentage | Over 65% |
| Home court | Value City Arena, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio |
| Home court capacity | 19,200 (official capacity) or 19,500 |
| Average home attendance rank (as of 2016 season) | 28th in the nation |
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What You'll Learn
The Ohio State Buckeyes have won one national championship
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has won one national championship. The 1959–60 team, coached by Hall of Famer Fred Taylor, is the only basketball team in Ohio State history to win an NCAA championship. The Buckeyes defeated California 75–55 in the final game, with a shooting percentage of 67.4%, the largest victory margin in the 22-year history of the NCAA finals at the time.
The team's success has been attributed to the close relationships between the players, with Jerry Lucas, the star of the 1960 Buckeyes, commenting on the unique and distinct nature of their bond. The 1959–60 Buckeyes also boasted three future Hall of Famers: center Jerry Lucas, forward John Havlicek, and reserve forward Bob Knight, who gained entry into the Hall for his coaching career.
The 1960 championship was the culmination of a journey that began in 1898 when the first basketball team was formed at Ohio State University. The team experienced sporadic success as an independent school before joining the Big Nine Conference (later known as the Big Ten) in 1912. Despite their entry into the conference, the Buckeyes initially struggled to mount a sustained run, never finishing higher than second in the conference standings.
The Buckeyes' fortunes began to change with the arrival of head coach Harold Olsen in 1923, marking the start of the longest basketball coaching dynasty for OSU, spanning 24 seasons. During his tenure, Olsen led the team to their first conference championship in the 1922–23 season and guided them to the national championship game for the inaugural NCAA Championship tournament in 1939, where they fell to Oregon.
Following Olsen, Fred Taylor took over as head coach in 1958, and despite initial modest expectations, he guided the Buckeyes to their historic 1960 national championship. The team returned to the national championship game in 1961 and 1962 but fell short on both occasions to in-state rival Cincinnati. During his 18-season tenure, Taylor led the Buckeyes to four Final Four appearances and seven conference titles, solidifying his place in Ohio State basketball history.
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They have appeared in 10 Final Fours
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has a rich history, with 10 Final Four appearances to their name. The Buckeyes first took the court in 1898 and joined the Big Nine Conference in 1912, which later became known as the Big Ten. It was in 1939 that the Buckeyes made their first Final Four appearance, which was also the inaugural NCAA Tournament. Only eight teams were invited, and Ohio State beat Wake Forest and Villanova to reach the final, where they lost to the Oregon Webfoots 46-33.
The Buckeyes made three more consecutive Final Four appearances from 1944 to 1946, under the leadership of coach Harold Olsen. In 1944, they beat Temple in Madison Square Garden but lost to Dartmouth in the Final Four. The following year, they defeated Kentucky to reach the Final Four but were bested by New York University in a close overtime game. In 1946, they beat Harvard but lost to North Carolina in overtime.
Ohio State's next Final Four appearance came in 1960, when they won their first and only national championship under coach Taylor, defeating California 75-55. They returned to the Final Four in 1961 and 1962 but lost to Cincinnati both times. The Buckeyes made it back to the Final Four in 1968, and again in 1999, although this appearance was later vacated by the NCAA due to rules violations.
More recently, the Buckeyes have continued to strive for success. In the 2020-21 season, they posted an overall record of 21-10 and reached the championship game of the 2021 Big Ten Tournament. Despite facing setbacks and criticism in the 2022-23 season, the Buckeyes remain a competitive force in college basketball, with a passionate fan base and a history of resilience.
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The Buckeyes have appeared in 27 NCAA tournaments
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has a long and storied history in NCAA Division I college basketball. The team has appeared in 27 NCAA Tournaments, with four additional appearances vacated. The Buckeyes have also claimed one national championship (in 1960), been the national runner-up four times, and appeared in 10 Final Fours (with one additional appearance vacated by the NCAA).
The Buckeyes' road to success began in 1923 when Harold Olsen became head coach, launching the longest basketball coaching dynasty for OSU, spanning 24 seasons. During his tenure, Olsen led the team to their first conference championship in the 1922-1923 season and made history by appearing in the national championship game for the first NCAA Championship tournament in 1939, where they narrowly lost to Oregon 33-46. Olsen's era is further highlighted by three more Final Four appearances and five Big Ten championships.
However, it was under the leadership of Fred Taylor in 1958 that the Buckeyes truly rose to prominence. In 1960, Taylor, alongside future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame players Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek, guided the Buckeyes to their first national championship title, defeating California 75-55. This triumph remains the only NCAA Tournament championship claimed by the Buckeyes. Taylor's tenure witnessed five tournament appearances and four trips to the Final Four, solidifying the Buckeyes' place in college basketball's elite.
Despite a remarkable history, the Buckeyes have also endured setbacks and criticism, particularly in recent years. Coaches like Holtmann have faced scrutiny for their teams' struggles in postseason play and their inability to advance beyond the initial stages of the NCAA Tournament. Nonetheless, the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team continues to be a formidable force, consistently ranking high in average home attendance and striving for success in the highly competitive world of NCAA Division I college basketball.
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The team's home games are played at Value City Arena
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team plays its home games at the Value City Arena, located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The arena, which opened in 1998, is a multi-purpose venue that also hosts the school's women's basketball and men's ice hockey teams.
The Value City Arena, also known as the Jerome Schottenstein Center, is the largest in the Big Ten Conference by seating capacity. For men's basketball games, the arena can hold 18,809 spectators, with 240 seats tarped off behind the student section to ensure unobstructed views for those seated behind. The student section, known as the "Buckeye Nuthouse," is renowned for its energy and enthusiasm, often leading the arena in chants and cheers.
The arena replaced the St. John Arena, which had served as the home of the Buckeyes basketball team since 1955. The St. John Arena, with a capacity of 13,276, was considered aging, and the university decided to build a new, modern arena to host both men's and women's basketball, as well as hockey.
The Value City Arena is not just a sports venue but also a popular entertainment destination. It has hosted various events, including concerts by renowned artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, and Nick Jonas. The arena has also welcomed professional wrestling events, bull-riding competitions, and preseason games for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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The Buckeyes' worst record was in 1976
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has had a long and storied history, with its fair share of triumphs and setbacks. The 1976 season, unfortunately, stands out as one of the team's most challenging years.
Under the leadership of coach Taylor, the Buckeyes experienced a difficult campaign, finishing with a record of 6-20. This record represented the team's worst performance up to that point, a decline from the success they had seen in previous years. Taylor, who had been at the helm for 18 seasons, had guided the Buckeyes to their first and only NCAA Tournament championship in 1960, defeating California by a score of 75-55.
The 1960 triumph was a highlight for the Buckeyes, and they returned to the national championship game in both 1961 and 1962, although they fell short to Cincinnati on both occasions. During Taylor's tenure, the Buckeyes made five tournament appearances and advanced to the Final Four four times, establishing a strong legacy.
However, by 1976, the team's fortunes had changed. It is worth noting that even during this low point, the Buckeyes still managed to achieve a winning percentage of over 65% under Taylor's guidance, demonstrating his ability to bring out the best in his players despite the challenging season.
The Buckeyes' struggles in 1976 were not an isolated incident, as the team experienced criticism and setbacks in the 2022-23 season as well. Under coach Holtmann, the team started strongly with 10 wins in their first 13 games, but then suffered a prolonged downturn, losing 14 out of their next 15 games. This inconsistent performance led to Holtmann's dismissal in February 2024, with assistant coach Jake Diebler taking over as interim head coach.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Ohio State men's basketball team, also known as the Buckeyes, won the national championship in 1960.
The Buckeyes have been the national runner-up four times.
They have appeared in the Final Four 10 times (one appearance has been vacated by the NCAA).
The Ohio State Buckeyes have appeared in 27 NCAA Tournaments (four appearances have been vacated).
Taylor was the head coach when the Buckeyes won their first national championship in 1960.
