
Ohio State University's basketball team, the Buckeyes, has a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements. The team was formed in 1898, and while they experienced sporadic success in their early years, it wasn't until the 1960 season under coach Fred Taylor that they claimed their first and only NCAA Tournament championship. Since then, the Buckeyes have made four trips to the Final Four and have continued to pursue basketball excellence. The team has also experienced success in football, with multiple national championships to their name.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NCAA Tournament Championships won by Ohio State Basketball | 1 |
| Year of NCAA Tournament Championship win | 1960 |
| Score in the final game | 75-55 |
| Opponent in the final game | California |
| Coach | Fred Taylor |
| Number of national championships won by Ohio State football | 8 or 9 |
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Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball history
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team has a long history dating back to 1898 when the first basketball team was formed at Ohio State University. They played their first game against East High and joined the Big Nine Conference in 1912, which later became known as the Big Ten. The team's early years were marked by sporadic success, and they struggled to finish at the top of the conference standings.
In 1923, Harold Olsen became the head coach, beginning the longest basketball coaching dynasty for OSU, spanning 24 seasons. Under Olsen's leadership, the Buckeyes achieved their first conference championship in the 1922-1923 season and made an appearance in the national championship game for the first NCAA Championship tournament in 1939, where they lost to Oregon. Olsen led the team to three more Final Four appearances and five Big Ten championships.
Following Olsen, Tippy Dye and Floyd Stahl took over as head coaches, but they could not replicate Olsen's level of success. It wasn't until the hiring of Fred Taylor in 1958 that Ohio State basketball gained national prominence. In 1960, Taylor, along with future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame players Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek, led the Buckeyes to their first and only NCAA Tournament championship, defeating California 75-55 in the final game.
Taylor's team made four trips to the Final Four during his 18-season tenure and returned to the national championship game in 1961 and 1962 but fell short against Cincinnati both times. The Buckeyes have continued to be a competitive force in college basketball, making appearances in the NCAA bracket and claiming conference championships. The team's home games are now played at Value City Arena in the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, after renovations and updates to their facilities over the years.
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Ohio State's first national championship
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team was formed in 1898, and played its first game against East High. The team joined the Big Nine Conference in 1912, which later became known as the Big Ten. The Buckeyes did not achieve much success until 1923, when Harold Olsen became head coach. During his 24-season tenure, Olsen led the Buckeyes to their first conference championship in the 1922-1923 season and four Final Four appearances. However, it was not until the 1960 season under coach Fred Taylor that the Buckeyes won their first and only NCAA Tournament championship. They defeated California with a score of 75-55 in the final game.
Taylor's team made two more appearances in the national championship game in 1961 and 1962 but lost both times to Cincinnati. During his 18 seasons as head coach, Taylor led the Buckeyes to five tournament appearances and four trips to the Final Four. The Buckeyes have also won several Big Ten championships, including one in the 1991-92 season.
In addition to their success in basketball, the Ohio State Buckeyes have also won several national championships in college football. The Buckeyes won their eighth national championship in 2014 under coach Urban Meyer, and their ninth in 2024.
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Ohio State's basketball coach Fred Taylor
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team was formed in 1898, playing its first game against East High. The team joined the Big Nine Conference in 1912, which later became known as the Big Ten. The Buckeyes enjoyed sporadic success until 1923, when Harold Olsen became head coach, launching the longest basketball coaching dynasty for OSU, lasting 24 seasons.
Following Olsen, Tippy Dye and Floyd Stahl led the Buckeyes, but neither achieved the same level of success as their predecessor. Then, in 1958, Fred Taylor was hired as assistant basketball coach, becoming head coach the following year. During his 18-year tenure, Taylor led the Buckeyes to their first national championship in 1960, defeating California 75-55 in the final game. This was the only NCAA Tournament championship the Buckeyes have ever claimed. Taylor's team made it back to the national championship game in 1961 and 1962 but lost both times to Cincinnati.
Under Taylor's leadership, the Buckeyes made five tournament appearances and four trips to the Final Four (1960, 1961, 1962, and 1968). He guided the team to seven Big Ten Championships, including five consecutive wins, a feat unprecedented in Big Ten history. Taylor's overall record at Ohio State was impressive, with 297 wins and only 158 losses, giving him a winning percentage of over 65%.
Fred Taylor's impact on Ohio State basketball was profound, and he is credited with putting the team on the map. His coaching excellence was recognized with inductions into the Ohio State Hall of Fame, the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame, and the National Basketball Hall of Fame. He served as President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches from 1972 to 1973, further highlighting his leadership and contribution to the sport.
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Ohio State's football national championships
The Ohio State Buckeyes have won the national championship nine times. The first was in 1942 under coach Paul Brown, who changed Ohio State's style of offense and planned his program in great detail. In 1957, Ohio State shared the national title with Auburn. They won the Rose Bowl over Oregon that year, and coach Woody Hayes was named Coach of the Year.
In 1961, the team went undefeated and was named national champions by the FWAA. However, a conflict between academics and athletics over Ohio State's reputation as a "football school" led to a faculty council vote to decline an invitation to the Rose Bowl, causing much public protest and debate.
Ohio State won another national championship in 1968, defeating the number-one-ranked Purdue Boilermakers and continuing to an undefeated season, including a rout of Michigan and a Rose Bowl victory over the USC Trojans. Woody Hayes coached the Buckeyes from 1951 to 1978, and during his tenure, they won five national championships and ten Big Ten titles.
The Buckeyes won national championships again in 1970, 2002, and 2014. In 2014, Ohio State defeated Oregon 42-20 to win the first-ever College Football Playoff national championship. The team was led by head coach Urban Meyer and included elite players like Ezekiel Elliott, J.T. Barrett, Curtis Samuel, Devin Smith, and Michael Thomas.
In 2024, Ohio State won its ninth national championship, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the College Football Playoff. This was their first championship since 2014 and the seventh consecutive victory over the Fighting Irish.
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Ohio State's basketball NCAA Tournament history
The Ohio State University's men's basketball team, the Buckeyes, was formed in 1898. The team played its first game against East High and joined the Big Nine Conference in 1912. The Buckeyes have had their fair share of success in the NCAA Tournament over the years.
In 1923, Harold Olsen became the head coach, leading the Buckeyes to their first conference championship in the 1922-1923 season. The Olsen era is also notable for the team's appearance in the national championship game for the inaugural NCAA Championship tournament in 1939, where they lost to Oregon. The Buckeyes made three more Final Four appearances and won five Big Ten championships under Olsen's guidance.
Following Olsen, Tippy Dye and Floyd Stahl took over as head coaches, but they could not replicate Olsen's success, managing only one NCAA Tournament appearance between them. However, the hiring of Fred Taylor in 1958 marked a turning point for Ohio State basketball. In 1960, Taylor, along with future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame players Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek, led the Buckeyes to their first and only NCAA Tournament championship, defeating California 75-55 in the final game.
Taylor's team returned to the national championship game in 1961 and 1962 but fell short, losing to Cincinnati on both occasions. During his 18-season tenure, Taylor guided the Buckeyes to four trips to the Final Four (1960, 1961, 1962, 1968) and a total of five tournament appearances.
In recent years, Ohio State's basketball team has continued to make appearances in the NCAA Tournament. In the 2006-07 season, under coach Matta, the Buckeyes entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 2 seed after a successful regular season. However, they were defeated by No. 7 seed Georgetown in the second round.
Overall, the Ohio State basketball program has a rich history in the NCAA Tournament, including a national title, multiple Final Four appearances, and several conference championships.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Ohio State Buckeyes won the NCAA Tournament championship in 1960. They also appeared in the national championship game in 1939, 1961, and 1962.
The Buckeyes have won one NCAA Tournament championship. However, they have won five Big Ten championships.
Fred Taylor was the coach of the Buckeyes when they won the national championship in 1960.









































