Off-Script Ohio: March Madness chaos, portal questions, and Buckeye momentum into the offseason
Ohio State may be out of the tournament, but March is far from over and neither is the momentum surrounding the program.
Episode 29 of Off-Script Ohio shifts from heartbreak to projection. With a chaotic NCAA Tournament unfolding, key roster decisions ahead, and even a few football storylines creeping in, this week felt like a turning point. Not the end of the season, but the beginning of what comes next.
March Madness: chaos continues and brackets take shape
The Final Four is officially set, and like most years, it is not what anyone fully expected. Illinois, UConn, Michigan, and Arizona remain standing, with two Big Ten teams breaking through and reshaping the narrative around the conference. For all the criticism the Big Ten takes in March, this run matters.
From a prediction standpoint, it has been a mixed bag. Joey sits at two of four Final Four teams correct, while Cole managed just one. That is March. Even when you think you see the bracket clearly, it shifts.
The UConn versus Duke matchup stood out as a defining game. High level execution, late game shot making, and the kind of intensity that reminds you what separates contenders from everyone else.
Then there is Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ run has been nothing short of improbable, stringing together wins in a way that did not seem realistic even a week ago. It is another reminder that March is less about resumes and more about timing.
Even with the season over, Ohio State basketball is still very much in motion.
The biggest development is Devin Royal entering the transfer portal. It is a move that raises questions about fit and direction. Royal showed flashes, but never fully carved out a consistent role. Now, Ohio State has to evaluate whether this is simply roster turnover or a sign of something deeper in terms of rotation and development.
At the same time, the priority is obvious. Bring back Amare Bynum. Bynum’s late-season emergence changed the identity of the team. His presence inside, combined with improved confidence and production, gave Ohio State a different look offensively and defensively. If the Buckeyes want continuity heading into next season, it starts there.
On the women’s side, Ohio State’s run came to an end in the Sweet 16 against Notre Dame. It is a tough exit, but still a strong showing and another step forward for a program that continues to stay relevant deep into March.
Spring football does not usually dominate the conversation this time of year, but there are a few notes worth paying attention to.
Kyle Parker and Earl Little both lost their black stripes, a sign of early trust from the coaching staff. Parker earning that recognition before some others raised eyebrows, but it aligns with what has been heard. The wide receiver room has seen heavy rotation, with multiple players getting reps across different spots. That kind of flexibility is notable. It suggests the staff is still evaluating roles rather than locking into a set depth chart.
Up front, one name continues to generate buzz. Ian Moore. Early praise from within the program has been significant, with some already labeling him as a future first round pick. It is early, and those projections can shift quickly, but it speaks to both his physical tools and how he has looked in early action.
This is the strange part of the calendar. The games are gone, but the momentum is not.
Ohio State basketball has real decisions to make. The portal, player development, and roster continuity will define whether this past season was a stepping stone or just a brief return to relevance.
At the same time, March Madness continues to reinforce a simple idea. There is no perfect blueprint. Teams get hot, rotations tighten, and opportunities open.
Ohio State saw that firsthand. Now the challenge is building a roster that can take advantage of it next time.
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