Devin Royal didn't need anyone to tell him he had an off night against Virginia. He felt it himself.
The Buckeyes were in a prime position, leading by six with just over ten minutes left against the 15th-ranked Cavaliers in Nashville. Bruce Thornton was on fire with 26 points, but Ohio State faltered down the stretch, making only three more baskets and ultimately losing 70-66.
Without their sharpshooter John Mobley Jr., sidelined after hand surgery, Ohio State needed its stars to shine. Thornton held his own until Virginia's defense tightened up, but Royal struggled to find his rhythm.
He ended the game with just four points on a rough 2-for-12 shooting night, his lowest output of the season. Despite pulling down five rebounds, his overall impact was limited, and he fouled out after 33 minutes.
Back in Columbus, Royal didn't sulk. Instead, he hit the practice gym.
"I came off a bad game," he admitted. "I was in the gym right after the game, shooting like a thousand shots at 4 a.m. because I just was terrible."
That dedication paid off in a big way. Three days later, Ohio State faced No.
24 Wisconsin at home, still without Mobley. Royal's transformation was immediate.
He sank his first jumper within minutes, setting the tone for a flawless start, going 6-for-6, including two from downtown. By the second media timeout, he had outscored Wisconsin 14-12, helping the Buckeyes to an early 12-point lead.
Royal didn't let up. He finished the first half with 16 points, hitting seven of ten shots. While Thornton took over in the second half with 24 of his 27 points, Royal added nine more, including two more threes, ending with a season-high 25 points.
"It felt good," Royal said about his performance. "The shots, the work I put in last night, it felt good. Hitting those shots felt big, back to normal."
Royal's impact went beyond scoring. He contributed five rebounds, three assists, and a block, playing an active role in the 86-69 victory. His defensive presence was felt as he disrupted passing lanes and kept the Badgers on their toes.
Head coach Jake Diebler praised Royal's resilience. "He's responded when he's had games where maybe he hasn't been his best.
I believe in him, and I know what he's made of," Diebler said. "We were able to get him some looks around the rim early, which was important.
We tried to get him going."
While Royal and Thornton combined for 52 points, they weren't the only contributors. Freshman Amare Bynum added 13 points, hitting three of four from beyond the arc, and chipped in with two steals and a block.
Wisconsin's head coach Greg Gard acknowledged the challenge. "You have to be able to keep the ball out of the paint, specifically with Thornton. And when Royal hits a step-back one in the second half, those are confidence shots."
As a seasoned player, Royal's leadership is crucial for Ohio State. Averaging 14 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, he's been a key figure for the Buckeyes. Despite some off nights, like the four-point performance against Michigan, Royal has consistently bounced back, with Tuesday's game serving as a testament to his potential.
Coach Diebler highlighted Royal's commitment. "His work has been consistent, but he doubled down on it.
He took some ownership and studied the tape," Diebler noted. "His approach and mentality were really impressive as a leader."
Looking ahead, Ohio State will need Royal's continued excellence as they prepare to face No. 15 Michigan State in East Lansing.
"We know that's gonna be the place that's gonna be rocking this weekend," Diebler said. "But we're a good team, and we've shown an ability to play well on the road.
Our focus is just right now having great prep work, getting ready for that."
It's shaping up to be an exciting clash, with Ohio State ready to embrace the challenge and keep their momentum rolling.