Michigan, Ohio State help NCAA Tournament causes

Michigan, Ohio State help NCAA Tournament causes

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Michigan could not afford a loss in its opening game of the Big Ten Tournament and expect to get an NCAA Tournament invite.

Both took care of the first step in rebuilding their NCAA Tournament resumes on Thursday, but still have some work left if they want to be in the big bracket.

Ohio State (20-12) rallied with a late 7-0 run to knock off Penn State 79-75, setting up the showdown with the Spartans.

The Crimson Tide (18-13) needed a deep run in the SEC Tournament to boost its NCAA prospects and got off to a good start, knocking off Mississippi 81-73.

The Huskies (18-14) needed to at least reach the Pac-12 Tournament title game and lost in the quarterfinals to No. 8 Oregon in the quarterfinals.

A loss to No. 24 California in the quarterfinals may at least give them pause while waiting to find out if their 26-year NCAA Tournament drought will end.