COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State basketball team always knew its schedule was back-loaded. Even while Thad Matta continued to harp on a day-by-day approach with a young team, it was OK to look ahead.
Maybe that's why even after some devastating losses, some players like Jae'Sean Tate talked about there still being opportunities out there for the Buckeyes to make the NCAA Tournament.
Ohio State has been off the tournament bubble for a few months, but there are wins out there that could help the Buckeyes punch their ticket -- as crazy as that sounds.
So with five games left, here's where the Buckeyes stand:
WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING
• CBS Sports bracketologist Jerry Palm has seven Big Ten teams in the field in his most recent projections (Iowa, Maryland, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue and Michigan State).