When Was The Last Time Ohio State Made March Madness

Remember that moment in 2021 when your buddy, the one who claims he “doesn’t care about college basketball,” suddenly texted you, “Wait, are the Buckeyes actually good?” You probably laughed. Then you probably sighed. Because for Ohio State fans, March has felt more like a memory than a madness for a very long time.

Let’s rip the band-aid off. The last time Ohio State made the NCAA Tournament—the real one, with the brackets and the Cinderella stories—was 2022. Yes, the year gas was $4 a gallon and nobody knew what “quiet quitting” meant. It feels like a century ago, doesn’t it?

The Brief, Beautiful 2022 Run

That 2022 team was a weird mix of thrilling and terrifying. They entered the tournament as a 7-seed, led by E.J. Liddell and Malaki Branham. Remember Branham? He was that freshman who looked like he’d just been teleported from a YMCA pickup game and then casually dropped 23 points.

They beat Loyola Chicago in the first round, which felt like a small rebellion against the basketball gods. Then they ran into Villanova in the second round. And, well… poof. The dream ended with a 71-61 loss. It wasn’t even close, and we all sat there thinking, “Next year.”

The “Next Year” That Never Came

Here’s where the irony kicks in. Remember 2023? Chris Holtmann’s squad looked like a lock in January, then they lost seven of their last ten games. They finished 16-19. Not invited. You probably told yourself, “Well, that’s just a bad year.”

Then came 2024. The season started with so much hope. “New coach! Fresh start!” we all yelled. But Jake Diebler’s team went 15-13 in the regular season. The selection committee took one look at that record and whispered, “Hard pass.” First time since 2017 that Ohio State missed back-to-back tournaments. Ouch.

But Wait—What About the Women’s Team?

I can hear you typing in the comments: “But what about the women?!” And you’re right to ask! The women’s team is a whole different story. They made the tournament in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Last year they reached the Elite Eight before losing to UConn. They’re the ones actually carrying the “March Madness” flag right now. Sorry, guys. The women are showing you up.

Ohio State vs TCU March Madness betting odds, point spread

So, why does this sting so much? Because Ohio State is a basketball school pretending to be a football school. We have the history—Jimmy Jackson, Michael Redd, D’Angelo Russell—but lately, we’ve been the kid who brings a volleyball to a basketball game.

The Real Elephant in the Room

Let’s talk about Chris Holtmann. He got fired in February 2024, and honestly, it felt like a breakup you saw coming for two years. His teams always had talent, but they also had a special talent for blowing 15-point leads. Remember the 2023 loss to Indiana where they gave up 30 points in the final 12 minutes? I do. I also remember my coffee cup hitting the wall.

Now we have Jake Diebler, the interim-turned-full-time coach. He’s young, he’s energetic, and he actually won a game against Purdue last year. But the jury is still out. The 2024-2025 roster? It’s a patchwork of transfers and freshmen. It looks promising, but promising is the word we use when we’re scared to say “we don’t know.”

So, What Are the Odds for This Year?

As I write this (early 2025), the Buckeyes are not a lock. They hover around the bubble, like a piece of gum stuck to your shoe. They beat Purdue at home—great! Then they lose to Minnesota on the road—sigh. That’s the 2025 Ohio State experience: a rollercoaster where you’re never sure if the next drop is a loop or a crash.

Where Ohio State basketball ranks in latest March Madness bracketology

If you’re asking, “Will they make it in 2025?”—honestly, flip a coin. Heads says they sneak in as a 10-seed. Tails says we’re tweeting “#FireDiebler” by mid-March. Yes, I’m joking. Mostly.

Let’s Be Real for a Second

Look, missing March Madness isn’t the end of the world. Football season is a thing. But there’s something special about watching your team cut down the nets in a tiny arena in Buffalo. It’s a rite of passage. And right now, Ohio State men’s basketball is the kid who can’t find his hall pass.

So, to answer your question: March 2022. That’s the last time you packed a bag, drove to a sports bar, and screamed at a TV for a Buckeyes win in the tourney. It feels like a lifetime ago. But hey, the women’s team is elite, and the men’s team has a new logo or something? (Honestly, I don’t know if that helps.)

Here’s hoping we’re all together again next month, yelling at referees and pretending we know what a “zone defense” is. Until then, just remember: March Madness doesn’t need Ohio State. But Ohio State needs March Madness. And honestly, we need it more than we’re willing to admit.