Ohio State Buckeyes: Worst 10 NCAA Heartbreaks

1962 National Championship Game: Cincinnati 71, Ohio State 59

Ohio State was looking to be its own redeem team during the 1961-62 campaign  by reminding Cincinnati just who the true powerhouse was in the Buckeye State. Ohio State entered the contest as the favorite, ending the season ranked No. 1 in both the AP and Coaches’ polls.

That’s not to take anything away from the Bearcats, who were the consensus No. 2  entering the tourney.

Unfortunately for Buckeye Nation, that squad also faltered, even as future NBA legends Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek returned for their senior seasons. Lucas went on to be the No. 6 overall pick for the Cincinnati Royals, while Havlicek went ninth to the Celtics.

Just think about it. Ohio State won the 1960 championship. Had the Buckeyes beaten Cincinnati these two seasons, Lucas and Havlicek (and yes, even Bob Knight) would’ve won three consecutive NCAA titles. That would’ve been some rarefied air.

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