Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 50-43 to bring home the B1G hardware for a conference best fifth time. Yes, you read that correctly. In a conference that is home to such basketball schools as Michigan State, Indiana and Illinois, and teams with recent success such as Wisconsin, no team has won the B1G tournament more times than The Buckeyes. This one possibly means just a bit more, however, as it was won against the team whose February win over The Buckeyes had many leaving OSU for dead.
So much for that.
Deshaun Thomas did Deshaun Thomas things and led the Buckeyes with 17 points. Aaron Craft wasn’t quite as dreamy as he was against MSU, but was still dreamy enough to chip in 9 points and 6 rebounds. LaQuinton Ross added 7 very big points and continues to show why he was a much ballyhooed recruit. Or, more accurately, he is finally showing why he was a much ballyhooed recruit. Ross stepping up to the plate has to give Buckeye Nation a little more hope for next year.
Though the seedings were likely determined prior to the result of this game was final, OSU making it to the B1G Championship Game cemented their standing as a two-seed in a very winnable West region. I’m not sure the Buckeyes could have received a better draw. They even get to play the early rounds a short drive away in Dayton.
Could we be looking at another Final Four appearance for Ohio State? It’s entirely possible. It’s also entirely possible that the Regional Final could pit them against the five-seed Badgers. Regardless, this is a promising bracket for an Ohio State team that is finally peaking and doing so at the absolutely best time possible.
OSU tips off against Iowa Iona on Friday at 7:15 PM EDT. Want to head to Dayton? Here’s some information on the ticket lottery.
