Ohio State a 3 seed in latest NIT bracket projections

The Buckeyes battled hard against Maryland, but didn’t have quite enough gas in the tank with a shorthanded roster. But the good news is, that hasn’t impacted their postseason chances too badly.

According to NYC Buckets, one of the most prolific and reliable bracket projectors, Ohio State is still in decent position to make the NIT. Their latest projections list the Buckeyes as a three seed, facing six seeded Memphis.

Memphis, in case you were wondering, is 18-8, and currently listed at 81 in KenPom. Ohio State is 61.

The NIT could have a Big Ten flavor this season, as the conference has underachieved relative to their last several seasons. Indiana is projected to be a top seed in the NIT, and joining Ohio State in it’s region are fifth seeded Penn State, and seventh seeded Iowa. Illinois is also projected in the field, as a six seed.

Ohio State might still have an outside shot at an NCAA Tournament bid without winning the Big Ten Tournament, but it would require them to probably win the rest of their regular season games. At the very least, their game at Michigan State tomorrow would be an absolute must-win.

Since regular season conference champions are guaranteed an NIT bid, the bracket could look very different once conference tournaments begin, as upsets in low major conferences could create lots of NIT bid-stealers.

But if this is accurate, if Ohio State is able to win just a few more games, the odds are good they’ll get another chance to play after the Big Ten Tournament.