The Buckeyes , led by returning starters Jared Sullinger , Deshaun Thomas and Aaron Craft , entered the 2011 – 12 season ranked No. 3 in the nation . Ohio State entered Big Ten play with a 12 – 1 record , losing at No. 13 Kansas without Sullinger , who was injured . Ohio State finished the season winning a share of the Big Ten regular season championship and lost to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament championship . Ohio State received a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Final Four for the second time under Matta after a 77 – 70 victory over No. 1-seeded Syracuse . The Buckeye season would end with another loss to Kansas , 64 – 62 . Following the season , Sullinger entered the NBA Draft and was taken 21st overall
Big Ten Tournament
2012 Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball