Ohio State Buckeyes return to March Madness tournaments

The Ohio State Buckeyes men's and women's basketball teams are back in the March Madness tournament.

Here is a preview of their upcoming first round games:

Favored men's team has a challenge

If you're the glass-half full type, you'd say the Buckeyes having eight full days of rest before their March Madness opener against Loyola Chicago is a good thing.

• If not, you'd note they only had that much time off after getting bounced early from the Big Ten tournament.

What's happening: The South Region's No. 7 Ohio State hopes to put the doubts to rest against the No. 10 Ramblers tomorrow at 12:15pm.

• Follow the action on CBS or 97.1 FM.

Catch up quick: The Buckeyes (19-11) had a strong start to the season, beating top-ranked Duke at home and staying firmly within the AP Top 25 poll through mid-February.

• Injuries piled up and the team has posted just a 6-6 record in their last dozen games.

Yes, but: Ohio State still has weapons, most notably junior forward E.J. Liddell, who was just named to the AP All-American Third Team.

What they're saying: "We’ve got a bunch of fighters ready to go on a big run," senior guard Jamari Wheeler told the Columbus Dispatch.

If they win: The Buckeyes play Sunday against the winner of No. 2 Villanova and No. 15 Delaware.

Women's team returns to the Big Dance

Ohio State won't know until close to midnight tonight which team they'll play in the first round.

• Whoever it is, the Scarlet & Gray come into the matchup as the favored seed.

What's happening: The Spokane Region's No. 6 Ohio State plays on Saturday at 2:30pm against the winner of an earlier play-in game between No. 11 contenders Florida State and Missouri State.

• Follow Saturday's action on ESPNU.

State of play: Ohio State (23-6) held the best record in the Big Ten, but fell in the conference tournament's second round to Indiana last week.

• The team is led by two experienced guards, both Ohio natives — Taylor Mikesell from Massillon and Jacy Sheldon, who played high school ball at Dublin Coffman.
• This marks their first March Madness appearance since 2018 and follows a self-imposed postseason ban last season due to various NCAA infractions.

What they're saying: "I'm just really pleased with where we were and where we are now," head coach Kevin McGuff told the Dispatch.

• "... we haven't had the chance to do this in awhile. Our kids are excited, and they should be."