5 Things Ohio State Buckeyes Must Do to Make the 2015 NCAA Tournament

By Tyler Ruby

5 Things Ohio State Buckeyes Must Do to Make the 2015 NCAA Tournament

Brutus Buckeye
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The Ohio State Buckeyes suffered their second straight loss Sunday, falling to Michigan 64-57. They still remain in good position to earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament, but they can't afford many more losses, or they will risk falling out of position. Here are five things the Buckeyes need to do to guarantee a berth into the Big Dance.

5. Take Care of Business

Ohio State Buckeyes
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5. Take Care of Business

Ohio State Buckeyes
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Yes, they have lost two games in a row, but the Buckeyes have three games coming up where they will be huge favorites. If they take care of business and win those three games, then the Buckeyes should have no problem earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament.

4. Beat Wisconsin

Ohio State Buckeyes
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4. Beat Wisconsin

Ohio State Buckeyes
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Getting Wisconsin at home in the last game of the season could be huge for the Buckeyes should they slip up in any of the previous three games. The Badgers are a top-five team capable of competing for a championship. Beating the Badgers would make them a shoo-in.

3. Get Secondary Scoring

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3. Get Secondary Scoring

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The Buckeyes cannot rely on D'Angelo Russell to carry this team. They must get secondary scoring from the likes of Sam Thompson, Marc Loving and Shannon Scott. It's hard to rely so much on the freshman Russell to take them to the Big Dance.

2. Rebound

Kam Williams
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2. Rebound

Kam Williams
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The Achilles' heel for the Buckeyes has been their inability to rebound. D'Angelo Russell, a guard, leads the team in rebounds with 5.8 boards per game. That isn't necessarily a recipe for success if they wish to get to the postseason.

1. Win One Game in Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State Buckeyes
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1. Win One Game in Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State Buckeyes
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The Buckeyes' resume may already be good enough to make the NCAA Tournament. But just to be sure, the Buckeyes need to win at least one game in the Big Ten Tournament to solidify their spot in the field of 68.

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