Ranking: Who has the best college basketball program in Ohio? Xavier is No. 1 over UC, OSU

In the spirit of election season, CBS Sports senior writer Matt Norlander decided to hold a vote to decide the best Division I college basketball program in each state. Per usual this time of year, Ohio was a key swing state filled with several Division I programs with March Madness aspirations.

In Ohio, the Xavier Musketeers were named by CBS as the top college basketball program in the state. Though the Musketeers are coming off the program’s worst season in nearly 30 years (16-18, lost first round of NIT), Xavier added seven players through the NCAA’s transfer portal and pundits across the nation are labeling them as serious contenders.

Xavier’s Sean Miller (left) and UC’s Wes Miller (right) will meet for the third time in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Xavier was picked to finish third in the Big East and are looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in eight seasons with Sean Miller as head coach.

Norlander on Xavier:

“The Musketeers narrowly beat out the other three thanks to Sean Miller’s veteran coaching presence and the return of Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter, both of whom missed last season due to health. Xavier was picked third in the Big East and has Indiana State transfer Ryan Conwell set to pop as one of the best shooting guard transfers in the nation.”

UC guard Jizzle James (2) is one of the top returners for the Bearcats this season.

While results of the vote were not public, the UC Bearcats had a strong case to be No. 1 and likely lost in a toss-up to their crosstown rival. UC head coach Wes Miller is 63-43 over three seasons but has yet to make the NCAA Tournament, losing in the NIT quarterfinals to Indiana State last season. The Bearcats, coming off a 22-15 season, are searching for their first March Madness trip since Mick Cronin’s final season in 2019. UC is ranked No. 20 (Associated Press) to start the season.

Norlander on UC:

“Cincinnati’s due for its breakthrough under Wes Miller. With so many proven players back…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-best-college-basketball-program-140441536.html

Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2024-10-31 14:04:00

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