Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State picked seventh in preseason Big Ten media poll

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Buckeyes hoops picked seventh in preseason Big Ten media poll

We’re more than a week into October, and that means that Ohio State basketball is right around the corner. The Buckeyes open their season with an exhibition at Dayton on Oct. 22.

They’re hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out on The Dance last season for the first time since 2017, not counting the year the tourney was canceled because of COVID-19 of course.

To do that, Ohio State will have to be significantly better in Big Ten play. Once again, Brendan Quinn of The Athletic and Adam Jardy of The Columbus Dispatch put together a preseason Big Ten men’s basketball media poll that included two writers from each of the league’s 14 squads.

In that poll this year, Ohio State came in seventh, smack dab in the middle of the pack. Last season, the Buckeyes stumbled to an uncharacteristic 13th place finish but then made a run to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

Here’s a look at the complete poll results:

1. Purdue (24 first-place votes)
2. Michigan State (4)
3. Maryland
4. Illinois
5. Wisconsin
6. Indiana
7. Ohio State
8. Northwestern
9. Iowa
10. Rutgers
11. Michigan
12. Nebraska
13. Penn State
14. Minnesota

Unsurprisingly, Purdue center Zach Edey — last year’s national player of the year — is the preseason favorite to become the Big Ten Player of the Year again.

Mackenzie Mgbako was top vote getter for preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Ohio State wing Scotty Middleton received a vote in that category.

Penn State’s Ace Baldwin Jr. was picked as the preseason Big Ten Transfer of the Year. Notably, Ohio State forward Jamison Battle — who came over from Minnesota this offseason — collected four votes there.

Ohio State didn’t land a player on the preseason poll’s first or second team, but guard Bruce Thornton (7 votes), center Zed Key (4) and Battle (2) were in consideration.

Storylines to track as Buckeyes hit road for Purdue test

Ohio State’s next home game is on Oct. 21 against fellow Big Ten East power Penn State. But before the Buckeyes can get to that highly-anticipated matchup, they have to take care of Purdue.

On the road.

And that’s something that has proven difficult for Ohio State over the years. Every Buckeyes head coach since 1947 — except Ryan Day — has suffered a road loss to Purdue.

Day is trying to stay off that list. To do so, his squad has to beat a 2-4 Purdue team that is coming off a 20-14 defeat to Iowa. The Boilermakers are only 1-3 at Ross-Ade Stadium this season, but that place has been a house of horrors for Ohio State.

Whether that trend continues for the Buckeyes is one of three major storylines entering Week 7. Check out the others here.

Rounding up bowl projections for Buckeyes after Week

Ohio State is undefeated after five games, but there are still questions about the Buckeyes and how good they really are/can be. It mostly goes back to their offensive line, which has struggled in the run blocking department most of the season.

At the moment, major bowl projections are leaving Ohio State out of their projected College Football Playoff field. So where are the Buckeyes landing in the postseason?

Lettermen Row rounded up those projections. Check it out here.

Monday Recap: Ohio State earns a new commitment and a busy day on the trail

Monday was a big day for the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail.

They received their second commitment in the 2025 class, this one from three-star Cocoa (Fla.) wide receiver Jayvan Boggs. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wideout picked Ohio State over the likes of Florida, Penn State, Boston College, West Virginia and Miami.

Boggs currently clocks in at No. 48 among all 2025 wide receivers, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Lettermen Row was all over his commitment to Ohio State — go here for a breakdown of the busy start to the week for Buckeyes recruiting.

RELATED

• Board Breakdown: Ohio State adds 2025 wide receiver Jayvan Boggs, but who else is there?
• What Commitment of Jayvan Boggs Means for Ohio State

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Purdue: 4 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 46 days

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