Ohio State (32-2) is the No. 1 overall seed — and deservedly so. Thad Matta’s squad is poised to win the school’s first national title since 1960.
The Big Ten champions cruised through the regular season, losing just twice — on the road to tough conference foes (Wisconsin, Purdue). They beat Florida by 18 points and routed Wisconsin by 28 in the rematch.
Jared Sullinger, a candidate for National Player of the Year, is the Buckeyes’ engine. The freshman averaged 16.3 points and 14 rebounds per game, as Ohio State got three wins in three days to win the Big Ten tournament.
Nice accomplishments to pad the resume. But the Buckeyes have their sights set on cutting down more nets — in Houston.
“It’s something special,” said Sullinger, of winning the Big Ten title. “At the same time, we’ve still got a lot of work to do, so it doesn’t stop here. It’s one and done now, so you’ve just got to take it one game at a time and focus on your opponent.”
Inside the bracket
» Best matchup
Villanova vs. Geo. Mason. ’Nova actually gets to play underdog role vs. school that defined the term.
» Most vulnerable
Syracuse. They’ll make it out of first round, but both Xavier and Marquette, who beat them once this year, pose matchup problems.
»The pick: Ohio State
Buckeyes will survive scares from Kentucky and UNC en route to Final Four. The No. 1 overall is just too talented.
