Ohio State’s March Madness Odds for 2025: Breaking Down the Buckeyes’ Path to the NCAA Tournament

The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team, a program rich in tradition and one of the premier names in college sports, has often found itself in the conversation when it comes to NCAA Tournament bids. As the 2025 season approaches, the Buckeyes’ quest for a return to March Madness has never been more critical. After a couple of challenging seasons, the program is under the spotlight to show it can make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament.

But can Ohio State make it to March Madness in 2025? To determine their odds, we’ll examine key aspects such as the team’s roster, coaching situation, their schedule, and the competitive landscape of college basketball. We’ll also take a look at other factors like conference strength, recruiting, and potential pitfalls that might prevent the Buckeyes from securing a bid to the tournament.

A Look at Ohio State’s Roster for 2025

A team’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament are heavily influenced by its roster and player performances. Ohio State, led by coach Chris Holtmann, has seen a mix of young talent and experienced players who have the potential to take the team to the next level.

Key Returnees:

• Zed Key (Senior Forward): Key has been one of Ohio State’s most consistent players in recent years. His physicality in the paint and rebounding ability are huge assets to the team. As a senior, he’s expected to step up and be a leader for the Buckeyes.
• Brice Sensabaugh (Sophomore Guard/Forward): After a strong freshman season, Sensabaugh is poised for a breakout year. His combination of scoring ability and versatility makes him a potential All-Big Ten player in 2025. If he can develop further under Coach Holtmann’s system, Sensabaugh could be the key to the team’s success.
• Justice Sueing (Senior Forward): Sueing brings a veteran presence to the floor. Having missed significant time due to injury in past seasons, his experience and leadership will be invaluable as Ohio State aims for a return to the tournament.

Key Newcomers:

• Jalen Hood-Schifino (Freshman Guard): A highly touted recruit, Hood-Schifino’s skills in facilitating the offense will give Ohio State a dynamic option at the point guard position. His maturity as a freshman could provide a significant boost to the team’s playmaking ability.
• Austin Parks (Freshman Center): Parks brings size and strength to the interior. His ability to protect the rim and finish around the basket will be crucial in Big Ten play.

Ohio State’s roster is a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, providing Coach Holtmann with a strong mix of talent and depth. However, the key question will be whether the team can mesh and stay healthy over the course of the season.

Coaching and Leadership: Chris Holtmann’s Role in the Buckeyes’ 2025 Tournament Push

Chris Holtmann has been the head coach at Ohio State since 2017, and his tenure has been marked by some highs and lows. While Holtmann has led the team to the NCAA Tournament in multiple years, the past two seasons have seen Ohio State struggle to find consistency. However, Holtmann’s coaching acumen should not be underestimated. He has a track record of developing players, improving the team’s defense, and adapting to the unique challenges each season brings.

Key Factors to Watch for Holtmann in 2025:

• Adjusting the Offensive System: Ohio State’s offense has been somewhat stagnant in recent years, especially in high-pressure situations. Holtmann will need to ensure the offense is dynamic and not overly reliant on a single player. If he can create a balanced offensive attack that utilizes players like Sensabaugh and Sueing while integrating the younger talent effectively, Ohio State could become a much tougher team to defend.
• Defensive Improvements: One of the critical weaknesses in recent seasons has been Ohio State’s defense. They have struggled at times to lock down opposing teams in the Big Ten, a league known for its physicality and competitiveness. Holtmann will need to solidify the defense to ensure the Buckeyes don’t fall behind early in games, especially in tough conference matchups.
• In-Game Adjustments: Holtmann’s ability to make adjustments during games will be key, particularly in tight Big Ten matchups. Ohio State will likely face several teams in the conference with NCAA Tournament aspirations of their own. If Holtmann can outcoach his opponents, especially in close games, that could be the difference between a tournament bid and missing out.

Ohio State’s 2025 Schedule and Strength of Schedule

One of the most important factors in determining Ohio State’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament is the strength of their schedule. A tough non-conference slate, coupled with a rigorous Big Ten schedule, can provide the Buckeyes with the opportunity to build a solid resume.

Non-Conference Games:

Ohio State has historically scheduled a number of high-profile non-conference games to challenge their team and test their mettle before diving into the grind of Big Ten play. In 2025, they are expected to face teams from power conferences, which would provide a strong opportunity to earn quality wins. A solid showing in these games could boost Ohio State’s NCAA Tournament profile.

However, Ohio State must avoid early-season slip-ups against mid-major teams that can drag their tournament resume down. A loss to a lesser-known team in November or December could have lasting consequences when it comes time for the Selection Committee to make its decisions.

Big Ten Schedule:

The Big Ten remains one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. In 2025, teams like Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, and Illinois will be in the mix for high seeds in the NCAA Tournament, which means that every game in the Big Ten will be crucial for Ohio State’s March Madness chances.

The Buckeyes must perform well against these teams to stay competitive in the conference standings. However, with such a deep and competitive conference, Ohio State must ensure they don’t have too many bad losses. Securing wins against the likes of Michigan, Iowa, and Northwestern could help Ohio State’s résumé, but it’s the victories over ranked teams in the Big Ten that will make the difference.

The Competitive Landscape of College Basketball in 2025

The field of NCAA Tournament teams is vast and competitive. To understand Ohio State’s chances, it’s important to look at the broader landscape of college basketball heading into 2025.

• Top Teams in the Country: Programs like Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina will continue to be perennial powerhouses with deep rosters. Ohio State will have to out-perform these teams in the eyes of the Selection Committee, either by winning key games or by simply having a stronger overall body of work.
• Big Ten Competition: As mentioned, the Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in the country, and in 2025, teams like Purdue and Indiana will be near the top of the standings. Ohio State will have to be at its best in conference play to even stay in the mix for a tournament bid.
• Bubble Teams: There will be many teams competing for a spot on the NCAA Tournament bubble in 2025. Ohio State will likely be among them, and their chances will come down to how they perform in the late stages of the season. Beating top-ranked teams late in the season, or performing well in the Big Ten Tournament, could be critical for their chances.

Potential Pitfalls for Ohio State

While the Buckeyes have a solid foundation heading into 2025, there are several potential pitfalls that could derail their tournament hopes:

• Injury Issues: Ohio State has dealt with key injuries in the past, and that could be a major obstacle in 2025. Losing a player like Sensabaugh or Key could seriously impact the team’s chances of making the tournament.
• Inconsistent Play: If Ohio State struggles to find consistency, they could slip into a mid-tier finish in the Big Ten, making them dependent on an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. One or two bad stretches in the season could eliminate their chances altogether.
• Weak Non-Conference Performance: A weak showing in the non-conference portion of the season could put Ohio State behind the 8-ball in terms of their resume. Even a couple of early losses could prove difficult to overcome in a highly competitive year.

Can Ohio State Make the NCAA Tournament in 2025?

Ohio State’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament in 2025 are certainly plausible, but there are a number of factors that will determine whether they can punch their ticket to March Madness.

The combination of returning veterans like Zed Key and Justice Sueing, emerging stars like Brice Sensabaugh, and strong newcomers like Jalen Hood-Schifino offers plenty of promise. If Coach Holtmann can improve the team’s defense, keep his players healthy, and ensure consistent offensive production, the Buckeyes have the potential to secure a spot in the tournament.

However, they will face stiff competition, especially within the Big Ten, where teams like Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana are likely to be in the mix for high seeds. Ohio State will have to rise to the challenge and deliver strong performances against both conference and non-conference opponents.

Ultimately, it will be a season of growth, development, and overcoming adversity for Ohio State. If the pieces come together, the Buckeyes could very well find themselves in the 2025 NCAA Tournament — and once they’re in, anything can happen in March.