Joe Lunardi is starting bracketology early this year and is already making predictions of who will end up in the field of 68.
Despite Ohio State suffering its first loss of the season to Texas A&M this past Friday evening, it is still a single-digit seed and among the highest-projected teams in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes come in at No. 7 in Lunardi’s updated bracket and, in his model, will face the No. 10 Pittsburgh to open their first-round battle in Cleveland.
They are in the West region, one that has Gonzaga as the top seed and Tennessee No. 2. Oregon at No. 9 and Rutgers at No. 11 are the only two Big Ten teams in Ohio State’s region.
You can view the entire breakdown rundown here.
While getting in or sitting out is a critical part of Selection Sunday, there are a few teams that are especially concerned about their future. Here are those 16 teams that make up the last four byes, last four in, first four out and next four out.
In a way-too-early look at bracketology, Nevada makes an appearance in Joe Lunardi’s latest edition. pic.twitter.com/Z28mQ863Wn
— Andrew Nepsund (@AndrewNepsundTV) November 19, 2024
While there’s still most of the season left, things are looking good for Ohio State hoops, and with an elite backcourt and solid three-point shooting, it would have the capability to do some damage should it find its way into the tournament.