Ohio State: Most intriguing wild card
Record: 24-7 (at-large bid; Big Ten tournament runner-up)
Bracketology projection:
A 105-72 blowout loss to Iowa in the Big Ten championship game showed the Buckeyes are not infallible. But in a tournament in which most teams are unfamiliar with their opponents, you probably don't want your first time going up against Ohio State's trademark press to be in a win-or-go-home situation. Sharpshooter
Taylor Mikesell might be their best-known player, but
Cotie McMahon has made a statement as one of the best freshmen in the country, and after missing most of the season with an injury,
Jacy Sheldon is back and ready to make an impact on both ends.
Even last year, coach Kevin McGuff nearly guided his team to an Elite Eight bid after upsetting LSU, and a lot of the experience from that squad returns to the tournament. After starting the season 19-0, Ohio State lost six of its final 10 games of the regular season, leading to a dip in the rankings and in expectations externally. But their semifinal win over Indiana, in which they rallied from 24 down to advance to the final (one of several big comebacks they've had this season), signified they're not a team to trifle with. If the Buckeyes can come through with the energy and resilience they exhibited in the second half against Indiana, they'll be a tough out no matter the competition.
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