Ohio State Men’s Basketball Ends Season, Declines The Crown Tournament Invitation
The Ohio State Buckeyes men’s basketball team has officially ended its 2024-25 season, choosing not to participate in “The Crown” postseason tournament. The decision marks the conclusion of a rollercoaster year for the Buckeyes, who fell short of an NCAA Tournament berth and opted out of additional postseason play.
Ohio State finished the season with a record that placed them outside the NCAA Tournament bubble, leading to speculation about whether they would accept an invitation to other postseason events such as the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) or the newly formed The Crown tournament. However, the program ultimately decided to decline, bringing their campaign to an early close.
Interim head coach Jake Diebler, who took over midway through the season after the departure of Chris Holtmann, expressed gratitude for his team’s effort and growth throughout the year. “Our players competed every night, and I’m proud of the way they represented Ohio State,” Diebler said in a statement. “While we won’t be playing in the postseason, we’ll use this time to refocus and prepare for the future.”
Ohio State’s decision reflects a growing trend among power conference teams that miss the NCAA Tournament, as some programs prefer to focus on player development, roster management, and offseason recruiting rather than competing in secondary postseason events.
Looking ahead, the Buckeyes will shift their focus to offseason preparations, including roster changes via the transfer portal, player development, and possibly the search for a permanent head coach. With a talented recruiting class incoming and key returners expected, Ohio State will aim to bounce back stronger next season.
While the 2024-25 season may not have ended as hoped, the Buckeyes now turn their attention to rebuilding and returning to national
prominence.
