The Ohio State Buckeyes: On the Outside Looking In at the 2025 NCAA Tournament for the Third Consecutive Year

The Ohio State Buckeyes are a perennial powerhouse in college basketball, but as we approach the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the team finds itself on the outside looking in once again. For the third consecutive year, Ohio State faces the harsh reality of missing the tournament, a place that once seemed almost guaranteed for this proud program. In this article, we’ll break down what has gone wrong in recent seasons, the challenges the team faces, and the broader implications of this prolonged absence from March Madness.

A Proud History in College Basketball

Ohio State’s basketball program is one of the most storied in college basketball history. From the days of legends like Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek in the 1960s to more recent success under head coaches such as Thad Matta and Chris Holtmann, the Buckeyes have always been a team to reckon with. Over the years, they’ve consistently been a competitive force in the Big Ten, one of the toughest conferences in the country. Ohio State has made 31 NCAA Tournament appearances, won a national championship (1960), and made the Final Four multiple times, the most recent of which was in 2007.

Yet, despite this proud history, the Buckeyes have been unable to break through in the last few seasons. After making the NCAA Tournament for 10 consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2019, the program has now missed three straight tournaments. So, what went wrong?

The Rise and Fall of Chris Holtmann’s Program

When Chris Holtmann was hired as Ohio State’s head coach in 2017, there was a sense of optimism surrounding the program. Holtmann came from Butler University, where he had built a solid reputation as a coach who could compete at a high level despite limited resources. His early success at Ohio State reinforced this optimism—he led the team to the NCAA Tournament in each of his first three seasons, including a 2nd-place finish in the Big Ten during the 2019-2020 season.

However, since that point, the program has experienced a noticeable decline in performance. The 2020-2021 season saw the Buckeyes enter the tournament as a high seed but fall in the second round, which began the program’s unraveling. Holtmann’s tenure was marked by inconsistent play, underachieving teams, and difficulties in translating talent into sustained success.

Recruiting Challenges and Roster Instability

One of the major issues for Ohio State has been recruiting. While Holtmann has had some success in landing top-tier talent, the team has struggled to consistently bring in high-level recruits who can make an immediate impact. Ohio State’s recruiting classes have been solid, but they haven’t been able to secure elite prospects who could push the team over the top.

The lack of consistent star power has been a critical issue. Players such as E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately left the program too soon, leaving gaps that were hard to fill. When Ohio State lost Liddell to the NBA after the 2021-2022 season, it lost its best player and a crucial piece that could have helped the Buckeyes contend for a tournament spot in 2023. Similarly, the departure of Branham, a dynamic scorer and playmaker, left Ohio State without a clear leader in the backcourt.

Moreover, roster turnover has been a significant problem. While the transfer portal has provided an opportunity to plug gaps, it has also resulted in a lack of chemistry. College basketball teams thrive when players develop together over multiple seasons, but Ohio State has frequently had to rely on players with less time in the system, leading to growing pains and inconsistency on the floor. The balance between developing homegrown talent and effectively utilizing the transfer portal has been tricky, and Ohio State hasn’t found the right formula yet.

Inconsistent Play and Underperformance in Big Ten

The Big Ten is one of the most competitive conferences in all of college basketball, and the Buckeyes have found themselves constantly battling against powerhouse teams like Michigan State, Purdue, and Indiana. However, despite their talent, Ohio State has struggled to find consistency in conference play.

In the 2023-2024 season, Ohio State finished in the middle of the Big Ten standings, with a 9-11 conference record. This was a far cry from the dominant performances seen in the past, and it raised concerns about the direction of the program. The team’s inability to win key conference games, especially against top-tier teams, became an alarming trend. While they occasionally pulled off impressive wins, they also dropped too many winnable games. Their inability to close out games, combined with struggles to score efficiently, has haunted the team over the past few seasons.

In a competitive conference like the Big Ten, every loss can be critical in securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State’s struggles in close games and lack of consistency in key matchups ultimately prevented them from positioning themselves well enough for an at-large bid.

Offensive Struggles

One of the primary reasons for Ohio State’s failure to make the tournament in 2025 can be traced to their struggles on the offensive end. While the team has talent, it has often failed to consistently execute offensively, leading to poor shooting performances and a lack of ball movement. Scoring droughts have been a persistent issue for Ohio State, especially against strong defensive teams.

The team has also struggled with outside shooting, and this has hurt their ability to stretch the floor and create easy opportunities. In college basketball, being able to hit timely three-pointers can be a game-changer, and Ohio State has often been unable to match their opponents’ shooting efficiency. Furthermore, the lack of a true offensive leader has meant that Ohio State has had trouble finding a go-to player when they need a bucket in critical moments.

Additionally, turnovers have been a constant problem. Too often, Ohio State’s guards have failed to protect the basketball, leading to fast breaks and easy points for opponents. These turnovers have been especially costly in high-pressure games where every possession matters.

Defensive Issues

On the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State has shown glimpses of excellence but has ultimately struggled to build a consistently strong defense. One of the team’s strengths in previous years was its ability to lock down opposing offenses, but this aspect has regressed in recent seasons.

Particularly concerning has been the team’s inability to defend against high-powered offenses. Ohio State has often allowed teams to score at will, especially when it comes to guarding the three-point line and defending against fast breaks. The Buckeyes have lacked the defensive consistency required to compete with the best teams in the country, especially in the hyper-competitive Big Ten.

Leadership and Culture

While talent is undoubtedly important, leadership and culture are key ingredients in building a successful college basketball program. Unfortunately, Ohio State has struggled with these aspects in recent years. The team has lacked a true vocal leader on the court, and the chemistry between players has seemed off. Without that unity and strong leadership, it’s difficult to overcome adversity, especially in high-pressure situations.

The Buckeyes’ inability to develop a consistent identity and to play with intensity and focus on both ends of the floor has hurt them in close games. In a conference like the Big Ten, where every game feels like a battle, this lack of identity has proven to be detrimental. Successful programs are built on strong team dynamics and leadership, and Ohio State has struggled to create that foundation.

Looking Forward: Can the Buckeyes Rebound?

As we head into the 2025 offseason, the future of Ohio State basketball is uncertain. The team’s recent struggles have cast doubt on the program’s direction, and the Buckeyes will need to make significant changes to turn things around. Chris Holtmann’s job security has been questioned, and many wonder if he can find the right mix of talent, leadership, and culture to restore Ohio State’s place among the elite teams in college basketball.

Ohio State’s recruiting will be critical to its future success. While Holtmann has had some success in landing quality players, the program needs to secure more elite recruits who can make an immediate impact. The transfer portal will continue to play a role, but the key will be finding players who fit the system and can contribute right away.

Additionally, Ohio State needs to find a way to develop its current talent more effectively. Players need to take the next step in their development and rise to the occasion in big games. Building team chemistry will also be crucial, as a cohesive unit is necessary for success in the brutal Big Ten and in the NCAA Tournament.

 A Tumultuous Road Ahead

The Ohio State Buckeyes are at a crossroads. For the third consecutive year, they find themselves on the outside looking in at the NCAA Tournament, a place that was once almost guaranteed for the program. While there have been flashes of brilliance, the Buckeyes have been unable to put it all together consistently.

Whether Chris Holtmann remains the head coach or changes are made, one thing is clear: Ohio State basketball must find a way to return to its former glory. The program has the resources, the history, and the potential to compete at the highest level, but it needs to address the issues of recruiting, roster management, and overall team dynamics. For now, though, the Buckeyes will once again watch the NCAA Tournament from the sidelines, hoping that 2026 will be the year they break through and return to their rightful place in March Madness.