Ohio State faces Oral Roberts in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup as a 16.5-point favorite. Despite coming off an overtime loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Championship, the Buckeyes remain a strong contender.

Oral Roberts enters with momentum after winning five straight games to claim the Summit League title. The Golden Eagles average 81 points per game and shoot 39% from three-point range, led by guard Max Abmas's 24.2 points per game.

Ohio State's Duane Washington Jr. has been on a scoring tear recently, averaging 16.3 points per game alongside forward E.J. Liddell's similar offensive output. The Buckeyes average 77.3 points while holding opponents to 71 points per game.

Key Factors:

• Oral Roberts' high-scoring offense vs Ohio State's balanced attack
• Size advantage favors Ohio State, could lead to Golden Eagles fatigue
• Kyle Young's potential return would boost Buckeyes' chances
• Ohio State must defend the three-point line effectively

The Buckeyes need to assert dominance early to avoid any potential upset bid. While the 16.5-point spread seems significant, Ohio State's superior size, depth, and talent should prevail if they execute their gameplan effectively.

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