After a two-year NCAA Tournament absence, Ohio State returns to the big dance today, meeting Summit League champion South Dakota State in Boise. The Jackrabbits will be making their third straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and fifth appearance in the last seven years. Today’s meeting will be the first time Ohio State and South Dakota State have ever faced each other.
The last time Ohio State took the floor was nearly two weeks ago, when they fell 69-68 to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. The Buckeyes had a late lead against the Nittany Lions, but couldn’t make it stick, as Josh Reaves’ dunk with less than a minute to go was the difference in the game.