On Monday night, the Baylor Bears won the NCAA college basketball national championship in a dominating performance. The confetti hasn’t yet been cleaned off the floor of Lucas Oil Stadium yet preseason polls for 2021 are already rolling in.
Where does Ohio State fall in these way too early rankings? It can get a little dicey and tricky with a bunch of unknowns so soon after the season has ended, but most have the Buckeyes in the top ten heading into next season.
Most will remember No. 15 seed Oral Roberts upending the Bucks tournament run, becoming only the ninth two seed to lose in the opening round. However, even with that loss, the fanfare is rolling in from the national media as we look ahead.
But where do some of the national players see Ohio State falling? We’re glad you asked.
NEXT … Where USA TODAY has the Buckeyes
No. 5 – Ohio State
What Scott Gleeson of USA TODAY says about Ohio State
“Sadly the 2020-21 Buckeyes will be best remembered for a first-round NCAA Tournament upset to No. 15 seed Oral Roberts. But OSU figures to return leading scorer Duane Washington Jr. (16.4 ppg) for his senior season, while rising junior E.J. Liddell (16.2 pgg, 6.7 rpg) entered his name in the draft but could still return. Either way, coach Chris Holtmann should have ample talent returning to contend for a Big Ten title and have a redemptive season.”
Check out the rest of USA TODAY’s Way-Too-Early Top 25.
NEXT … Where CBS Sports has the Buckeyes
No. 6 – Ohio State
What Gary Parrish of CBS Sports says about Ohio State
“The projection here is that Ohio State will return the top three scorers – Duane Washington Jr., E.J. Liddell and Justice Sueing – from a team that earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Malaki Branham, a consensus top-30 prospect, is the best incoming recruit.”
Check out the rest of CBS Sports Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings.
NEXT … Where ESPN has the Buckeyes
No. 4 – Ohio State
What Jeff Borzello of ESPN says about Ohio State
“The Buckeyes were ranked near the top five for most of the season, before late-season inconsistency saw them lose four in a row to end the regular season, then make a run to the Big Ten title game — and then lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament to 15-seed Oral Roberts. Three key players from that group are back: potential preseason All-American E.J. Liddell and starters Duane Washington Jr. and Justice Sueing. Chris Holtmann addressed his point guard situation by going out and getting Penn State transfer Jamari Wheeler, while Zed Key will see an increase in minutes down low with Kyle Young likely gone. Ohio State was one of the best offensive teams in the country this past season, but its defense was lacking. The Buckeyes were 10th in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency and allowed eight of their final 10 opponents to score more than one point per possession. That needs to change.”
Check out the rest of ESPN’s Way-Too-Early-Top-25-Rankings
NEXT … What we say
Ohio State a top ten team for 2021-2022?
What We Say
Why all the love for the Buckeyes after an early exit? Ohio State will be bringing back plenty of talent. Dwayne Washington Jr is expected to come back for his senior year. Even though E.J. Liddell put his name in the NBA draft, it is widely believed he will be returning for his junior season as well.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL RANKINGS: The first 2021-22 @CBSSports Preseason Top 25 And 1 has published.
1. UCLA
2. Gonzaga
3. Alabama
4. Duke
5. Baylor
6. Ohio State
7. Florida State
8. Michigan
9. Purdue
10. Kansashttps://t.co/SSdbvjSN08— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 6, 2021
With Penn State transfer, Jamari Wheeler, heading to Columbus, and a possible five-star big man, Efton Reid set to announce on April 15, Ohio State could be in the thick of things once again come next march.
It’s way too soon to tell, but that’s the fun of dreaming about what might be. And yeah, top ten and maybe even better isn’t out of the question at all.
Ohio State basketball way-too-early projected starting lineup, key players for 2021-2022
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