Ohio Schools Make NCAA Basketball Tournament History

Published: 19th Mar 12 8:43 am
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Kris Hughes
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Don McPeak- US PRESSWIRE

For the first time in men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament history, four teams from the same state have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round.

That state? Ohio.

The teams: Ohio University, Ohio State University, Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati.

Of the four teams, the Ohio University Bobcats are the biggest surprise. John Groce’s squad advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with a 62-56 victory over the University of South Florida Bulls and face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels Friday night in St. Louis.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are much less of a surprise. Ranked within the top 5 teams in the country for the majority of the season, and led by consensus All-American Jared Sullinger, the Buckeyes dispatched Gonzaga this weekend 73-66 and face off against in-state rival Cincinnati on Thursday evening in Boston.

The Xavier Musketeers had one of the more turbulent seasons in recent team history, but proved once again they know how to win when it matters most, advancing to their third Sweet Sixteen in the past five seasons with a gritty 70-58 win over a fiesty Lehigh team last evening. X is matched up with the Baylor Bears on Friday night in Atlanta, a game which promises to be highly entertaining.

What’s the moral of the story here?

Perhaps Ohio has been overlooked when it comes to the conversation of the country’s “best basketball states.” Take a quick glance at the rosters of each of these teams and you will notice the in-state influence each enjoys.

Kudos to Ohio basketball for a job well done and an impressive, first-time achievement.

 

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One Rant to “Ohio Schools Make NCAA Basketball Tournament Histo...”

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    1. Sweet 16 Matchup: Ohio State vs. Cincinnati - Rant Sports : Rant Sports says:
      March 20, 2012 at 9:47 pm

      [...] Regional Semifinals at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. The inner-state rivals clash in what is a Sweet 16 littered with teams hailing from the Buckeye State, a record four when you include Xavier and Ohio [...]

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