Ohio State Buckeyes: Worst 10 NCAA Heartbreaks

2007 National Championship: Florida 84, Ohio State 75

Buckeye Country knew Florida was good. Heck, they were the defending national champs returning every single one of their starters, with names that included the likes of Al Horford, Joakim Noah and Corey Brewer.

Despite the Gators’ dominance, there was plenty of reason to be excited about Ohio State. The Bucks had a stellar nucleus, which featured freshman big man Greg Oden, as well as freshman guard Mike Conley Jr.

The 2006-2007 campaign would be Oden’s only season with the Buckeyes, as he established himself as defensive maven, which led him to be the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft.

As a freshman, Oden grabbed 9.8 boards per game, and blocked 3.3 shots–and who knows how many he altered in the paint. He also shined when the spotlight was its brightest. In the national championship, Oden scored 25 points, and had 12 rebounds and blocked four shots.

Even in defeat, the 2007 Buckeyes remain the best squad the program fielded in the 2000s.

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