Kristian Ferrell
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a challenging 2023-24 season, with a record of 14-11 and a difficult 4-11 in Big Ten play. Despite this, the team has expressed interest in continuing their season in postseason play. With a slim chance of making the NCAA Tournament, the Buckeyes set their sights on the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). Interim head coach Jake Diebler has been instrumental in the team's success, leading them to win six of their final eight games and positioning them for the NIT. In March 2024, Ohio State, the No. 2 seed in the NIT, accepted an invitation to host No. 7-seeded Cornell in the first round. This article will explore whether Ohio State men's basketball earned a spot in the NIT Tournament and their journey to get there.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ohio State Basketball Team | The Buckeyes |
| Tournament | NIT |
| Participation | Did not participate |
| Reason | By finishing as one of the Big Ten's top two teams in the NCAA's NET rankings and not being selected for the NCAA Tournament, the team was contractually obligated to participate in the College Basketball Crown tournament and prohibited from playing in the NIT. |
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What You'll Learn
Ohio State declines to play in the College Basketball Crown tournament
The Ohio State basketball team has declined to participate in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, bringing their 2024-25 season to an end. The Buckeyes were hoping to play more basketball after losing in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, but the team was dealt a blow when they were not selected for the NCAA Tournament.
As one of the Big Ten's top two teams in the NCAA's NET rankings not chosen for the NCAA Tournament, the Buckeyes were contractually obligated to participate in the College Basketball Crown, produced by Fox Sports. However, head coach Jake Diebler and his staff made the difficult decision to decline the invitation, citing player health and the desire to focus on the upcoming NCAA Tournament as reasons for ending their season.
Diebler expressed his disappointment in not making the NCAA Tournament and acknowledged the challenges ahead in the transfer portal. He also mentioned that the team was exploring other options, such as the NIT tournament, but due to the Big Ten's partnership with Fox, they were unable to pursue those avenues.
The decision to decline the College Basketball Crown invitation marks the third consecutive year that the Buckeyes have missed out on the NCAA Tournament. The team now enters an important offseason, with personnel changes and player retention taking center stage. The upcoming months will be crucial for Diebler and his staff as they reshape the team and strive for a successful run in the next season's tournaments.
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The Buckeyes were prohibited from playing in the NIT
The Ohio State basketball team did not participate in the 2025 NIT tournament. The Buckeyes were prohibited from playing in the NIT because they were one of the Big Ten's top two teams in the NCAA's NET rankings that did not get selected for the NCAA Tournament. Due to the Big Ten's partnership with Fox, which produced the College Basketball Crown, these two teams were contractually obligated to participate in the Crown if they were not selected for the NCAA Tournament and wanted to play in another tournament.
The Buckeyes, however, declined the invitation to the College Basketball Crown, choosing instead to end their season. Head coach Jake Diebler explained that the team was "'banged up'" and dealing with an illness that had affected several players in the final weeks of the season. Diebler also acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year but expressed optimism for the future.
The decision to decline the College Basketball Crown invitation meant that the Buckeyes were prohibited from playing in any other events, including the NIT. Diebler confirmed this, stating that they "couldn't do NIT" because they were the highest-rated NET team in the league that was not selected for the NCAA Tournament. He further clarified that their only options were the NCAA Tournament or the Crown, and as a result, they would not be playing in any postseason tournaments.
The Buckeyes' choice to end their season early and decline the College Basketball Crown invitation was a difficult one, as the team and program are highly competitive and wanted to continue playing. However, they ultimately decided to focus on the offseason and make the necessary moves to improve their chances for the following year.
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Ohio State's 2024-25 season ends without an NCAA Tournament appearance
The Ohio State men's basketball team's 2024-25 season has come to a close without an NCAA Tournament appearance. The Buckeyes, who finished the season with a 17-15 record, were not selected for the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. They also declined an invitation to participate in the inaugural College Basketball Crown tournament, making their loss to Iowa the final game of the season.
Ohio State's season ended with a 77-70 defeat to Iowa, marking their fifth loss in the last seven games. The Buckeyes had a challenging start to the season, going 4-11 in Big Ten play, but they positioned themselves for the NIT with interim coach Jake Diebler, winning six of their final eight games. However, they were ultimately unable to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Diebler was promoted to full-time men's basketball coach, and the team looked to improve their performance in the following season. As the No. 2 seed in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), they hosted the No. 7-seeded Cornell in the first round. This game took place just hours after learning they would not receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Despite their early exit from postseason contention, the Buckeyes showed resilience and fought hard throughout the season. With a mix of experienced players and new recruits, the team aimed to develop their strategy and strengthen their performance for the upcoming 2025-26 season, determined to make a comeback and secure a spot in the highly coveted NCAA Tournament.
The 2024-25 season marked a challenging yet pivotal moment for the Ohio State men's basketball team. They faced setbacks but also demonstrated perseverance and a strong finish to their campaign. With a renewed sense of determination and a commitment to growth, the Buckeyes looked ahead to the next season with the goal of returning to the NCAA Tournament and achieving greater success on the court.
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Coach Jake Diebler's plans for the offseason
Coach Jake Diebler has his work cut out for him in the offseason as he plans to reshape and retool the team for a run at the NCAA Tournament next year. Diebler, who was named Ohio State's 15th head coach on March 17, 2024, has a history with the Buckeyes, having served as a video coordinator and assistant coach in previous seasons.
Diebler's plans for the offseason are likely to include a focus on recruiting top talent and making strategic personnel moves to improve the team's performance. With a history of being a good recruiter, Diebler will need to leverage his skills to attract the players needed to turn the team's fortunes around. Additionally, Diebler may look to make changes to the coaching staff, bringing in new assistants or coordinators who can offer fresh perspectives and strategies.
Another area of focus for Diebler will be developing the existing players on the team. He has already shown a commitment to molding young players, as evidenced by his work with freshman John Mobley Jr., who had an impressive performance in the 2024-25 season. Diebler will need to continue to cultivate young talent and ensure that the team's star players are challenged and supported during the offseason.
Furthermore, Diebler may use the offseason to evaluate and adjust the team's playing strategies and tactics. This could involve implementing new offensive and defensive schemes, refining the team's playing style, and working on improving the team's overall cohesion and communication.
Finally, Diebler may also use the offseason to build team morale and foster a sense of unity within the program. This could involve team-building activities, setting goals and expectations for the upcoming season, and creating a culture of hard work and dedication.
The 2025-26 season will be a critical one for Diebler and the Buckeyes, and the offseason plans will be instrumental in setting the tone and trajectory for the team's success.
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The future of three-time captain Bruce Thornton
Bruce Thornton, the three-time captain of the Ohio State Buckeyes, has had a stellar college basketball career so far. A native of Alpharetta, Georgia, Thornton shone at Milton High School, where he was a four-year starter on the basketball team, leading them to a state championship in 2021. His impressive high school career earned him the title of Mr. Georgia Basketball and Gatorade Georgia Boys' Basketball Player of the Year in 2022.
Thornton chose to play college basketball for Ohio State, despite offers from other top teams, and has been a key player for the Buckeyes. As a freshman, he started all 35 games in the 2022-23 season, averaging 10.6 points and 2.6 assists per game, with a season-high of 22 points against Michigan. In the 2024-25 season, Thornton continued to excel, notching multiple 30-point games and leading the team in scoring, assists, steals, and minutes played. He also became just the third player in Ohio State history to achieve over 100 assists and fewer than 50 turnovers in a single season, a feat he accomplished twice.
As for his future, Thornton has already made an impact in college basketball and has the potential to go even further. With the Buckeyes missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, the team will be highly motivated to improve their performance next season. Thornton's leadership as captain will be crucial in this endeavour.
Additionally, Thornton's individual performance has been impressive enough to attract the attention of professional scouts. His ability to consistently put up high numbers in points, assists, and steals, along with his impressive shooting percentages, will undoubtedly make him an appealing prospect for professional teams.
Thornton's future in basketball looks bright, and he has the potential to continue his successful career at the professional level. However, for now, his focus will likely be on leading the Buckeyes to a successful season and improving his draft stock in the process.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Ohio State basketball team did not participate in the 2024-25 NIT tournament.
The Ohio State basketball team was prohibited from playing in the 2024-25 NIT tournament because they were one of the Big Ten's top two teams in the NCAA NET rankings not to be selected for the NCAA Tournament.
The Ohio State basketball team was eligible to participate in the College Basketball Crown tournament, but they declined the invitation.
The Ohio State basketball team declined the invitation to the College Basketball Crown tournament because they wanted to focus on the transfer portal and retain the players they wanted to keep for the next season.
The final game of the season for the Ohio State basketball team in the 2024-25 season was a loss to Iowa.
