March Madness to March Sadness. Ohio State declines invitation to College Basketball Crown
If you were like me, you were waiting on the edge of your seat to see if the Ohio State basketball team somehow snuck its way into all of the March Madness with an invite to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening. When that didn't happen, my gaze quickly fixed on the new College Basketball Crown tournament put on by Fox Sports because that's where the Buckeyes were obligated to play contractually if they didn't get into the NCAA and wanted an option to get into another tournament. By finishing as one of the Big Ten’s top two teams in the NCAA’s NET rankings not to be picked for the NCAA Tournament, the Buckeyes were prohibited from playing in the NIT, even if they had desired to do so.
As it turns out, as reported by the Columbus Dispatch, head coach Jake Diebler and staff have decided to decline the invitation for the College Basketball Crown and will instead end the 2024-2025 season in a state of disrepair, having missed the NCAA Tournament three straight years now. That means a season that started out with such promise has ended transitioning things to a very, very important offseason for the program.
The roster almost has to look different after it never really came together. It's unclear if some players like Bruce Thornton and Devin Royal will enter the transfer portal or trust the process to get the OSU program back among the best in the country. For Thornton, in particular, it will be his last chance to have a crack at March Madness.
#OhioState will not participate in the College Basketball Crown, and the 2024-25 season is officially over for the #Buckeyes: https://t.co/PLf9koC3jY
— Adam Jardy (@AdamJardy) March 17, 2025
How active Ohio State is in the transfer portal itself in attracting talent that can turn things around in short order will also be key. Long story short -- there are likely to be quite a few moves in the offseason with personnel, so prepare to have your head on a swivel as Diebler looks to reshape and retool things for a run at the NCAA Tournament next year.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State declines invite to the inaugural College Basketball Crown
Topics
-
Ohio State basketball with outside shot to still make the NCAA Tournament
Things looked bleak after the loss to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament, but Ohio State still has a slim chance of getting into all the March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ohio State basketball March Madness: Where Buckeyes could land in NCAA bracket
Where Ohio State women’s basketball’s March Madness predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Ohio State women's basketball vs. Montana State game time set for NCAA Tournament opener
What time does Ohio State women’s basketball play Montana State in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Ohio State women March Madness: Buckeyes face Montana State to open 2025 NCAA Tournament
It’s Ohio State women's basketball vs. Montana State to open NCAA Tournament bracket. Here’s what to know about the first-round game in Columbus.Yahoo Sports - 20h -
Nebraska to play Arizona State in College Basketball Crown Tournament
Nebraska basketball's season continues as it was one of 16 teams chosen to compete in the College Basketball Crown.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
College basketball analyst furious that UNC basketball made NCAA Tournament
College Basketball analyst Jon Rothstein is not too happy about UNC making March Madness 2025.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
What is the College Basketball Crown, and will Rutgers play in it?
Rutgers will get invited to both the NIT and the College Basketball Crown. The details on the latter are murky.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
March Madness: Scouting Michigan State men's basketball vs Bryant in NCAA tournament
March Madness: Scouting Michigan State men's basketball vs Bryant in NCAA tournament.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Knights will head to Vegas for inaugural Crown tournament
UCF has accepted an invitation to play in the College Basketball Crown, a 16-team tournament in Las Vegas that FOX Sports and Anschutz Entertainment Group created. The Knights are among the top two ...Yahoo Sports - 7h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Alexander Hernandez in-camp neck injury gave him a big scare at UFC Fight Night 254
LAS VEGAS – Alexander Hernandez beat Kurt Holobaugh with a unanimous decision Saturday on the main card at UFC Fight Night 254 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Take a look inside the fight with ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Gulf States Sportswatch Daily Listings
Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Eagles agree to one-year deal with LB Azeez Ojulari
The Eagles are bringing in a defensive piece from a division rival.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Falcons re-sign veteran defensive lineman in free agency
Falcons re-sign veteran defensive lineman Kentavius Street in free agencyYahoo Sports - 19m -
Former Texans OT Laremy Tunsil has 'no hard feelings' for team following trade
In his first interview since being traded from the Houston Texans, Laremy Tunsil explains his side of the storyYahoo Sports - 19m
More in Sports
-
NCAA Tournament 2025 bracket picks, upsets, top Cinderella teams: Model simulates March Madness 10,000 times
SportsLine's college basketball model has called 24 first-round NCAA Tournament upsets by double-digit seedsCBS Sports - 13m -
Sources: Texans' Stingley gets record deal for DB
Derek Stingley has agreed to a three-year, $90 million extension with the Texans that makes him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, sources told ESPN.ESPN - 15m -
Stanley on deal: Happy to give Ravens 'bargain'
Ronnie Stanley chose to re-sign with the Ravens for a team-friendly three-year, $60 million deal on March 8 instead of testing free agency. His decision came down to loyalty, he said Monday.ESPN - 15m -
Deion eyes NFL model for spring practices, games
Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to save spring football games by having teams practice against another team for a week before playing them in a scrimmage.ESPN - 15m -
Rory cruises past Spaun in playoff to win Players
Rory McIlroy won the Players Championship in a Monday finish over J.J. Spaun that featured three dynamic playoff holes at the TPC Sawgrass, a harsh wind and very little drama.ESPN - 15m