Ohio March Madness 2024: 6 Teams Eye Tournament Berths as Bubble Watch Begins
Ohio's March Madness outlook currently features 13 Division I programs with varying tournament chances. Here's a comprehensive breakdown:
Tournament Locks
- Ohio State (17-7, #21): Strong resume with wins over Duke, Seton Hall, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Fighting for a top-5 seed.
Should Be In
- Xavier (17-10, #37): Despite recent struggles, wins over Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma State, Marquette, and UCONN should secure their spot.
Bubble Teams
- Dayton (20-8, #45): Needs strong finish after early struggles. Signature win at Kansas keeps hopes alive.
- Cincinnati (17-11, #93): Limited quality wins. Must win AAC tournament or take road games vs Houston and SMU.
MAC Contenders
- Toledo (22-6, #87): Offensive powerhouse but depth concerns
- Ohio (23-5, #106): Strong under Mark Sears with quality non-conference wins
- Kent State (18-9, #132): Hot team led by Sincere Carry's outstanding play
Conference Tournament Hopefuls
- Akron (18-9, #159)
- Cleveland State (19-7, #188)
- Wright State (16-13, #195)
- Youngstown State (18-11, #245)
No Tournament Chances
- Miami (12-15, #252)
- Bowling Green (12-16, #266)
While Ohio has consistently placed teams in March Madness, this year's representatives may struggle to advance deep into the tournament. However, the unpredictable nature of March Madness means upsets are always possible.