When the bracket for the 2018 NCAA Tournament was revealed Sunday night, Ohio State's matchup against South Dakota State caught the eye of Chris Holtmann, not so much the possible second-round game.
The No. 5 seed Buckeyes are set to take on the No. 12 seed Jackrabbits on Thursday at approximately 4 p.m. from Boise, Idaho in the opening round of the tournament, Ohio State's first appearance in the Big Dance since 2015. However, should the Scarlet and Gray win, a possible rematch with No. 4-seed Gonzaga looms in the round of 32.
The first matchup between the two schools this season wasn't particularly close, as the Zags handed Ohio State its first loss of the Holtmann era, 86-59, in the first round of the PK80 Invitational on Nov.