Ohio State had never attempted more than 26 3-point shots in an NCAA Tournament game, and more than 36 shots in any game, before Thursday. The Buckeyes attempted 40 3-pointers in Thursday’s game against South Dakota State.
Ohio State appeared to have a clear, and perhaps overly simplistic strategy in Thursday’s game – shoot the 3-pointer at every opportunity – and though the Buckeyes only made 12 of them (30 percent), that was ultimately enough, as the No. 5-seeded Buckeyes defeated the No. 12-seeded Jackrabbits, 81-73, to advance to the second round of the tournament.
After the game, however, the Buckeyes said they didn’t plan to shoot that many threes, but that the South Dakota State defense gave them open looks that they couldn’t pass up.