Why Ohio is at the heart of college basketball’s biggest dramas
You’d be hard-pressed to find a state with more interesting storylines in college basketball these days.
The No. 13 Ohio University Bobcats upset No. 4 Virginia in the first round of the 2021 NCAA March Madness tournament on Saturday. Led by guard Jason Preston’s double-double, OU shocked a Cavaliers team that was up seven with 14 minutes left. The win came against one of the most respected coaches in all of college basketball in Tony Bennett. They fell in their game against Creighton Monday, but nothing can take away that initial win.
In stark contrast, No2 Ohio State suffered arguably the biggest upset fans will see all year against No. 15 Oral Roberts. The Golden Eagles took down Ohio State in overtime, and in the process, busted virtually all brackets in existence (as well as pre-tournament hopes for a Buckeyes Final Four appearance after moments of dominance during the regular season).
Although the Buckeyes are heading back to Columbus early, their situation may be less bleak than other Ohio counterparts.
Last year, the Dayton Flyers were soaring high as a top 10 squad in the nation before COVID-19 cut a special team’s season short. Flash forward a year and Dayton was knocked out in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament to a Penny Hardaway-coached Memphis Tigers.
And the Crosstown Shootout rivals? These proud programs are at an exceptionally low point in their program’s history. Xavier failed to qualify for further postseason basketball after a disappointing season ending in defeat to Butler in Big East Tournament, whereas the University of Cincinnati is in complete disarray as six players entered the transfer portal after the season ended.
It is nothing short of a “mass player exodus” due to an untenable rift between players and embattled head coach John Brannen, according to The Athletic. The moves leave just four scholarship players on roster and the state of Bearcat basketball in uncharted territory.
The Bobcats are top of the food chain, if even for a moment. The rise and fall of these teams (and the basketball programs themselves at a macro level) symbolize the topsy-turvy, rollercoaster seasons one might expect from a pandemic-impacted calendar.
One thing is for sure—there’s never a dull moment for fans of Ohio-based teams.
