INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in seven years, an NIT bid is all but certain for Ohio State — if the Buckeyes want it.
In the immediate aftermath of an 81-54 loss to Michigan State on Friday in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal, coach Thad Matta hadn’t had much time to process what went wrong against the Spartans or what might lie ahead. But when asked if the Buckeyes would accept an invitation to play in the NIT, he indicated that they likely would.
“Yeah, I think so, yeah,” he said.
It’s an unfamiliar situation for Matta, who has made the NCAA tournament in all but one season while coaching an eligible team.