Ohio State's magic ran out on Saturday night as the Buckeyes fell 90-84, ending their season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
As much as it stings for fans right now, this team will be remembered as one that was fun, refreshing and absurdly overachieving while setting the foundation for a Buckeye basketball rebuild.
With the season officially over, let's instead take a look back at some of the most memorable moments of this memorable season.
5. Bloomington Dagger
When Indiana's Juwan Morgan hit a contested layup to give the Hoosiers a 78-77 lead with less than eight seconds remaining in double overtime, it seemed Ohio State's overachieving, surprising regular season was going to end on a sour note.
C.J. Jackson had other plans.
With no timeouts, Jackson called for the ball and went the length of the court before throwing up a deep step-back three-pointer. It went in. The Buckeyes won 80-78 in double overtime, spoiling Indiana's senior day and ended the regular season on a thrilling high note.
Still want Archie Miller, Buckeye fans?
4. Don't Call it a Comeback
Ohio State was getting outright drilled against Michigan in the first half of the Dec. 4 meeting. The Wolverines forced seven first-half turnovers and held a 20-point lead at one point before halftime.
Then it switched.
The Buckeyes came roaring back, thanks to stingy defense and hot shooting from both the field and the free-throw line. Ohio State closed the first half on a 7-0 run, then hit 10 of its first 13 shots in the second half while holding Michigan to an ice-cold 17.2 percent from the field the entire second half.
After closing the game out by hitting17 of 21 free throws in the second half, the Buckeyes came away with a 71-62 win, outscoring the Wolverines by 22 points in the second half.
Hail to the Victors.
3. Bucket Lottery
Ohio State seemed on the verge of a late-game collapse in the team's opening round game against South Dakota State.
The Buckeyes led by 13 points with just over 12 minutes left to play in the game, but saw that lead evaporate thanks to a 10-0 Jackrabbit run which tied the game 70-70 with under two minutes to play.
Ohio State desperately needed a bucket, and Kam Williams delivered, hitting a three from the side and drawing a foul in the process. He hit the foul shot to give the Buckeyes a four-point lead. On the next possession, he drew another foul, and hit all four of those free throws.
Williams finished the game with 22 points, including seven in the last 1:30 to lead the Buckeyes to their first NCAA Tournament win in three calendar years.
2. Stunning Sparty
There weren't many dramatic moments in this one –except for a spectacular first-half buzzer-beater from Andrew Dakich – because Ohio State just outright crushed the No. 1 team in the nation 80-64.
At the start, it seemed like Michigan State would control the game. The Spartans opened the contest on an 11-4 run, but Ohio State punched back with a 11-0 run and after a back-and-forth first half, the Buckeyes took control for good after closing the first half on a 12-0 run.
Four players finished in double digits, led by Keita Bates-Diop who led the Buckeyes with a career-high 32 points, while C.J. Jackson had 14, Jae'Sean Tate added 13 and Kam Williams put up 10.
It was Ohio State's first win over a No. 1-ranked team since the Buckeyes' 49-48 win over Wisconsin on Feb. 25, 2007.
1. Boiler Down
If Ohio State's lopsided win over Michigan State didn't announce to the world that the Buckeyes were for real, this one did.
Ohio State came into West Lafayette to duel with No. 3 Purdue for first place in the Big Ten standings. The Boilermakers boasted a star-studded lineup and had won their last 19 games, including three against ranked opponents – and the Buckeyes bested them.
Thanks to contributions from unlikely sources like Musa Jallow and Andre Wesson, Ohio State weathered every Purdue surge and was in a position to win the game as time expired, and the would-be Big Ten Player of the Year delivered, giving the Buckeyes the win with a put-back game-winner.
