The Ohio State Buckeyes have once again missed the NCAA Tournament, leaving the NIT and Fox’s College Basketball Crown Tournament as alternative options. Yet, it is not that simple given complicated agreements between tournaments, TV partners and conferences. 

Ohio State was once projected to make the March Madness bracket, but a 77-70 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first round of the Big Ten tournament sealed the Buckeyes fate outside the NCAA tourney 

The NIT revealed the tournament’s bracket, and Ohio State is outside of the field. It was not necessarily up to the Buckeyes as the only available option for Ohio State would have been to play in the College Basketball Crown Tournament. 

Ohio State Buckeyes guard Micah Parrish (8) reacts to a foul call Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

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According to Eleven Warriors’ Andy Anders, Ohio State was not eligible to play in the NIT as a result of TV contracts. There are no Big Ten teams in the NIT bracket. 

Additionally, the Buckeyes declined a spot in the Crown. 

“The Buckeyes declined their invitation to participate in FOX’s College Basketball Crown Tournament on Monday, ending their 2024-25 season,” Anders wrote on Monday. “They are contractually prohibited from participating in any postseason tournament other than the NCAA Tournament or the Crown.”

Given Ohio State declined to play in the College Basketball Crown Tournament, it is unclear if the Buckeyes would have participated in the NIT, even if the Buckeyes were able to play. 

Ohio State finished the college basketball season at 17-15 and will not play again until the 2025-26 season as the Buckeyes opted for a longer offseason.