The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Buckeyes, Bobcats, Vikings represent
Buckeyes, Bobcats and Vikings representing Ohio in big dance
There was a chance Ohio State and Cleveland State would face each other in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
It didn’t happen.
Some fans might have looked forward to such a matchup during March Madness.
The good news? There’s a tournament — unlike last season. With the novel coronavirus pandemic wiping out all of March Madness in 2020, it’s officially back.
So is the Ohio college basketball
scene, which got a boost from upstart Cleveland State. Three Ohio teams are dancing, starting with No. 2 seed Ohio State. The Buckeyes fought off a four-game losing streak to end the regular season to make the championship game of the Big Ten tournament.
Even though OSU lost to Illinois,
91-88, in overtime on March 14, its play in the tournament provided the selection committee enough to earn its No. 2 seed in the South Region.
OSU will play No. 15 seed Oral Roberts (16-10) in its first-round game on March 19.
In February, the Buckeyes were on a roll and appeared in line for a shot at a No. 1 seed, but the four-game losing streak ended those hopes. Instead, OSU won three straight in the Big Ten tournament — including a win over No. 1 seed Michigan in a semifinal — to solidify its hold on a 2 seed.
Players to watch on OSU include E.J. Liddell, who averages 16 points, and Duane Washington (15.3 points).
Joining the Buckeyes are CSU and the Ohio Bobcats, who won the Mid-American Conference tournament with a dominant victory over Buffalo in the tournament championship game March 13 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Ohio (16-7) is the No. 13 seed in the West Region and plays No. 4 seed Virginia in a intriguing March 20 matchup. CSU (19-7 and the champion of the Horizon League) is the No. 15 seed in the Midwest and plays No. 2 Houston (24-3) on March 19 in the Midwest Region.
For the Vikings, it’s their third NCAA tournament bid since 2009. Their first was in 1986, when CSU beat Indiana in the first round and advanced to the Sweet 16.
Coach Dennis Gates earned its spot with an 8069 win over Oakland on March 9 in the Horizon League tournament final.
The Vikings don’t have a star and feature a balanced offensive attack that feeds off a tenacious defense.
Against Oakland, Torrey Patton led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Tre Gomillion — the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year — scored 16 points with 13 rebounds.
Ohio’s MAC title was its first since 2012, when it made the Sweet 16.
The Bobcats’ top player is 6-foot-4 guard Jason Preston, who averages 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.
All of OU’s starters average double figures in points.
Times and locations for early round games have yet to be announced. This year’s tournament will be held entirely in the state of Indiana because of COVID-19.
Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is the site of the Final Four, but the rest of the tournament will be held in venues near Indy.
They include Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena, Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bankers Life Fieldhouse and Hinkle Fieldhouse. Lucas Oil Stadium will also host nonFinal Four tournament games.