East Lansing, Mich. – The No. 15 Michigan State Spartans (21-5, 11-4 Big Ten) return home Sunday to face the Ohio State Buckeyes (17-9, 9-6 Big Ten) in a pivotal conference clash at the Breslin Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on CBS.
Coming off a dominant 82-59 victory over UCLA on Tuesday, Michigan State aims to maintain momentum as they navigate a challenging Big Ten schedule. While the Spartans are no longer in contention for the conference title, sitting 3.5 games behind Michigan, they are firmly focused on securing a favorable seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. A strong finish, beginning with Sunday’s contest, is crucial for potentially earning a 2 or 3 seed, which would significantly improve their path to a deep tournament run.
Ohio State enters the game riding high after an 86-69 road win against Wisconsin, a result that bolsters their NCAA tournament hopes. However, the Buckeyes will be without sophomore guard John Mobley, who is out indefinitely following hand surgery after sustaining an injury during a game against USC on February 11. His absence presents a significant challenge for Ohio State, as he was shooting 40% from three-point range on 175 attempts.
Matchup Breakdown: Spartans vs. Buckeyes
The Spartans are currently favored by 10.5 points, according to betting lines. Michigan State leads the all-time series against Ohio State 76-61, and secured a 69-62 victory in their last meeting in Columbus last year. Tom Izzo, in his 31st season as head coach of the Spartans, boasts a career record of 758-307. Jake Diebler is in his third season (second full season) leading the Buckeyes, with a record of 42-27.
Michigan State’s success hinges on its defensive prowess, currently ranked No. 6 nationally in defensive efficiency per Kenpom.com. They too excel in rebounding, ranking No. 2 in defensive rebounding percentage and No. 6 in offensive rebounding. Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. Continues to lead the nation in assists, averaging 9.2 per game.
Ohio State, despite Mobley’s injury, remains a threat with senior guard Bruce Thornton leading the charge. Thornton is averaging 19.9 points per game and has scored 56 points in the two games since Mobley’s injury. The Buckeyes are among the top five in the Big Ten in offensive efficiency and excel at getting to the free-throw line, shooting close to 80%.
Projected Starting Lineups
| Michigan State | Ohio State |
|---|---|
| Carson Cooper (C) | Christoph Tilly (C) |
| Jaxon Kohler (PF) | Amare Bynum (PF) |
| Coen Carr (SF) | Devin Royal (SF) |
| Jordan Scott (SG) | Taison Chatman (SG) |
| Jeremy Fears Jr. (PG) | Bruce Thornton (PG) |
A key to the game for Michigan State will be containing Bruce Thornton. Expect Jordan Scott to be tasked with that assignment, building on his success disrupting Illinois’ Keaton Wagler. Disrupting Thornton is critical to limiting the Ohio State offense, which ranks 22nd nationally in Kenpom.
The Buckeyes will need a strong performance from redshirt sophomore Taison Chatman, who has stepped into Mobley’s starting role. Chatman has made 17 of 32 three-point attempts this season, providing a shooting threat from the perimeter.
What to Watch For
The Spartans are 13-2 at home this season, and a win against Ohio State would further solidify their position as a strong contender in the Big Ten and improve their NCAA tournament prospects. The Buckeyes, currently projected on the NCAA bubble, desperately need a signature road win to strengthen their resume. This game represents a significant opportunity for both teams to achieve their respective goals.
Michigan State’s ability to control the tempo and leverage its defensive strengths will be paramount. Ohio State, meanwhile, will need to overcome the loss of Mobley and rely on Thornton’s leadership and Chatman’s shooting to challenge the Spartans on their home court.
The outcome of this game could have significant implications for both teams’ postseason destinies. Fans can catch the action live on CBS, with radio coverage available on the Spartan Sports Network, including WJIM 1240-AM and WMMQ 94.9-FM, as well as SiriusXM channels 83 (MSU broadcast) and 380 (Ohio State broadcast).
Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the Spartans and Buckeyes battle for Big Ten supremacy. Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
