Bracketology Bubble Watch: Ohio State's winless Quad 1 record has Buckeyes struggling for NCAA Tournament bid
CBS Sports
by
David Cobb
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Ohio State’s quest for an NCAA Tournament bid is on thin ice after dropping to 0-9 in Quad 1 games, leaving them as one of several Big Ten teams hovering just outside the projected bracket. Despite being ranked highly by metrics like KenPom, their lack of a single Quad 1 victory has pushed them into the "Next Four Out" category in the latest CBS Sports Bracketology model. With only two weeks left in the regular season, Ohio State faces critical tests against Iowa and Purdue—both top-tier opponents that could either propel them back into contention or further jeopardize their tournament hopes.
The Buckeyes’ struggles are compounded by a wave of injuries that have sidelined key players like star sophomore guard John Mobley Jr. for three straight games. His absence, along with illness-related absences from Devin Royal and Amare Bynum, has left Ohio State’s rotation stretched thin and its offense lacking punch. However, their upcoming matchups present both challenges and opportunities: a projected "Quad 1A" win at Iowa and a tough road test against Purdue could either solidify or sink their tournament chances.
Meanwhile, the NCAA Tournament selection committee will have plenty to consider when evaluating Ohio State’s case. While the Buckeyes’ injuries are certainly a mitigating factor, their inability to secure even one Quad 1 victory has made them vulnerable to being left out of the field of 68. The combination of a weak resume and a challenging schedule leaves little margin for error in their final games.
Other Big Ten teams like Indiana and UCLA are also teetering on the bubble. Indiana’s inconsistent performance, with only four Quad 1/2 wins despite strong individual performances, has them on shaky ground after two tough losses to Illinois and Purdue. Meanwhile, UCLA’s thrilling overtime victory over Illinois injected some momentum into their season, but they still need to prove consistency in their final games.
The stakes are high for these teams as the regular season winds down. Ohio State, Indiana,
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026