Stephen Leonard
Writer
The Buckeyes had not lost back-to-back games yet this year coming into tonight. Ohio State started the night in Joe Lunardi’s bracketology as one of the first four out of the 64-team tournament. With Selection Sunday looming and no ranked wins to show for it, the Buckeyes face a must-win scenario.
The Buckeyes came out hot with Devin Royal scoring early and often with 9 points in the first six minutes. Amare Bynum continued to take uncharacterized shots from 3-point land and knocked one down early on in the game. The Buckeyes gave the #24 Wisconsin Badgers a taste of their own medicine early on, connecting on three-pointer after three-pointer. Last meeting in Madison, the Badgers were the ones hot from beyond the arc. Ohio State was up 24-12 with about 11 minutes remaining in this game half, but Buckeye fans have seen this before without the ability to close. Just as the thought of wasting a lead crept into my mind, the Buckeyes gave up an offensive rebound for a score.
Three-point shooting then cooled for the Buckeyes, and simultaneously, the Buckeyes gave up points on second chances. Fortunately, Royal stayed dominant, and other than those frustrating second-chance buckets, the Badgers struggled to knock down shots. The top-scoring guards in the Big Ten, Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, were held to single-digit points through 15 minutes of play. The sharp-shooting Buckeye from downtown returned with back-to-back threes from Bynum (now 2/2 from downtown) and Taison Chatman. Buckeyes ended the half leading 38-26. The Buckeyes were 6/13 three-point field goals for 46.2%, and although out-rebounded on the offensive boards, 6-4, they led in total rebounds, 15-14. The difference was simple, Royal shinned providing much-needed offensive production, with John Mobley Jr. absent, still out with the hand injury.
The Buckeyes started the second half just as the first, hungry. Wisconsin was unable to establish a rhythm with turnovers and missed shots. Bruce Thornton started back to his heroics again, scoring five points quickly as the second half opened. Braeden Carrington singlehandedly kept the Badgers within striking distance, knocking down three three-pointers to start the second half, but Thornton and the Buckeyes extended the lead to 54-39. Just when you thought the hot shooting couldn’t continue all game, Royal added to his production with another three. Under 10 minutes to go, and Amare Bynum got his third trifecta. Royal was hot and connected again, shooting 4/6 from beyond the arc so far in the game.
The Buckeyes took a little break from their sharp shooting while letting the Badgers trim the lead to 12, with Ohio State leading 67-55 and six minutes onthe clock. Of course, it was Thornton who brought back the Drano with another triple. Thornton made it back-to-back three-point plays with a drive, foul, made bucket, and the foul shot. Four minutes left on the clock, a 75-61 lead; the fears of late-game collapse faded quickly. It came to a close with the Buckeyes winning 86-69 in a huge Big Ten game.
Contributions were made by everyone in this game. Bruce Thornton led the team in scoring with 27. Devin Royal followed closely behind with 25, and Amare Bynum scored 13. The Buckeyes’ bench also provided support in the win.
It was an all-Buckeye night. Thornton achieved 2000 career points (3rd all-time), Ohio State inched closer to a March Madness birth with it’s first top 25 win, and the fans got free chicken (a promotion when opponents miss seven free throws). The Buckeyes have five more games to prove their worth, and up next is Ohio State at #15 Michigan State on CBS, 1 PM Sunday, 2/22/26.
Postgame coach Jake Diebler said, “this team has done a great job responding, it’s resilient”. He went on to say, “we did have a lot to work on and we got to keep getting better in those areas”. Shooting 52% from the three point arc is not going to happen every game down this home stretch of Big Ten play. This team showed some grit by out rebounding Wisconsin 35-27. The Buckeyes will have to up their game starting Sunday.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are in make-or-break mode. Each of their final 6 games is crucial for a March Madness invite. Starting guard John Mobley was held out with an undisclosed hand injury. Mobley, the second leading scorer on the team, was a huge blow to the Buckeyes starting lineup. Despite the loss, the Buckeyes […]
Cody Croy
Writer
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Cody Croy
Writer
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