Real Pod Wednesdays: Previewing the NCAA Tournament and What Ohio State’s Defense Needs to Accomplish in Spring Football

The men's basketball Buckeyes have momentum back on their side after making a run to the Big Ten Tournament final this past weekend, and we start by reviewing the action from Indianapolis. We liked what we saw from the Buckeyes in three wins against Minnesota, Purdue and Michigan – except for those late-game struggles – and were especially impressed by Duane Washington Jr.'s record-setting performance.

Now the question is, how far can Ohio State go in the NCAA Tournament? We take a look at Ohio State's first-round matchup with Oral Roberts (21:00) and potential second-round matchup with either Florida or Virginia Tech – and why the Buckeyes really should make it to at least the Sweet 16 – and then consider whether Ohio State can make a run all the way to the Final Four. Are the Buckeyes good enough to beat Baylor? Could Arkansas or Texas Tech trip them up in the Sweet 16? Do their Final Four hopes hinge on Washington playing like an All-American? We discuss that all.

Then, with just two days to go until the start of spring football at Ohio State, we take a look at the biggest questions surrounding the Buckeyes' defense and what we'll be watching for on that side of the ball this spring. (ICYMI: We previewed the spring for Ohio State's offense on last week's episode.)

We debate whether personnel or scheme is the bigger area where Ohio State's defense needs to improve this spring (42:07), discuss the need for players other than Haskell Garrett to emerge as stars and focus in specifically on the concerns Ohio State must address their spring at all three levels of their defense.

Real Pod Wednesdays is available on various listening platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, or you can tune in by clicking on the audio player above.