Coming off a dominant 20-point win at Maryland, Ohio State is heading into Sunday’s rematch with Michigan with some much-needed momentum-and maybe just a little swagger. The Buckeyes (15-7, 7-5 Big Ten) didn’t just win on the road, they clamped down defensively, holding a Big Ten opponent under 65 points away from home for the second time this season. That’s no small feat, especially in a league known for its physicality and grind-it-out pace.
But the challenge awaiting them this weekend is a different beast entirely.
Michigan (21-1, 11-1 Big Ten) isn’t just rolling through the conference-they’re steamrolling it. Dusty May’s squad is ranked No. 2 in the country and looks every bit the part. Deep, athletic, and disciplined, this Michigan team has the makings of one of the most dominant Big Ten groups in recent memory.
Ohio State already got a taste of that dominance last month in Ann Arbor. The Buckeyes actually led in the second half, playing Michigan tough for about 35 minutes.
But in the final stretch, things unraveled. The Wolverines pulled away late, handing Ohio State a 74-62 loss.
Interestingly, those 74 points are tied for the fewest Michigan has scored in a Big Ten game this season-proof that Ohio State’s defense can hang, at least for stretches.
The question now is: can the Buckeyes put together a full 40 minutes?
The Mobley-Thornton Dynamic: A Balancing Act
One of the most intriguing storylines surrounding this team right now is the evolving dynamic between John Mobley Jr. and Bruce Thornton. For a four-game stretch, Mobley was on fire-scoring 20+ points like clockwork and clearly becoming the focal point of the offense. That shift led to some healthy debate about whether Thornton, the team’s established leader and primary ball-handler, was being overshadowed.
Mobley was getting more shots, more touches, and more shine. Thornton, meanwhile, remained efficient but was noticeably less aggressive. That sparked a discussion: when the game is on the line, whose hands should the ball be in?
Since then, the pendulum has started to swing back. Over the last two games, Thornton is averaging 17.5 points on just 10 shots per game-an efficient, assertive return to form.
Mobley, still a key contributor, has cooled slightly, averaging 12 points on 12 shots. It’s clear: when Thornton is aggressive, Ohio State’s offense hums at a different level.
That’s not a knock on Mobley-he’s been electric-but Thornton is the engine.
What Needs to Change in the Rematch?
Let’s get to the heart of it: what does Ohio State need to do differently this time around to flip the script against Michigan?
The short answer: shoot the three better. The long answer? Let’s break it down.
In the first matchup, the Buckeyes went just 8-for-27 from beyond the arc. Take out Mobley’s contributions, and the rest of the team shot 4-for-18.
Thornton was 1-for-5. Devin Royal was 0-for-4.
The bench went 0-for-2. That’s not going to cut it against a team as long and defensively versatile as Michigan.
Shooting struggles aside, Michigan’s size presents another problem. They’re long, they’re mobile, and they protect the paint.
That makes life difficult for guys like Thornton and Royal, who do a lot of their damage in the midrange and around the rim. If Ohio State can’t stretch the floor and force Michigan’s defense to extend, they’ll be walking into a wall every time they try to attack the paint.
The blueprint? Wisconsin offered a glimpse.
In Michigan’s lone loss this season, the Badgers knocked down 15 threes on 33 attempts. They spaced the floor, made Michigan chase, and hit timely shots.
Ohio State doesn’t need to go 15-for-33, but they do need to be more efficient from deep-especially early. A few made threes early in the game could loosen things up inside and give the Buckeyes a fighting chance.
The Rivalry Factor
Of course, this isn’t just any game. It’s Ohio State vs.
Michigan. And while the rivalry is typically more heated on the football field, things got a little extra spicy on the hardwood last month.
After a thrilling overtime win against Minnesota back in January, Ohio State’s Colin White made headlines-and bulletin boards-by proclaiming that the Buckeyes “hate Michigan and were out for blood.” That comment didn’t go unnoticed.
Michigan fans booed White every time he touched the ball in Ann Arbor. Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg took it a step further, calling out White by name in his postgame interview and saying his motivation was to “shut up” the Buckeyes’ freshman.
Lendeborg backed it up, too-dropping 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in Michigan’s win. White finished with just two points.
That moment may not define the rivalry, but it certainly added fuel to the fire. And while Ohio State will likely keep things quieter this time around-especially after learning the hard way that trash talk can backfire-don’t think for a second that the emotions won’t be running high on Sunday.
What’s at Stake?
KenPom gives Ohio State just a 21% chance to win. That’s not great, but it’s far from hopeless.
The Buckeyes proved in the first matchup that they can hang with Michigan-at least for most of the game. Now the challenge is finishing.
To do that, they’ll need Thornton to keep asserting himself, Mobley to find his rhythm again, and the supporting cast to knock down open shots. They’ll need to defend with the same grit they showed in College Park. And most of all, they’ll need to play smart, poised basketball down the stretch-something that’s been hit-or-miss in close games this season.
Michigan is the favorite for a reason. They’ve got the talent, the depth, and the resume of a national title contender. But rivalries have a way of ignoring the odds.
If Ohio State can execute, shoot the ball well, and stay composed, they’ve got a shot to flip the script. And in this rivalry, that’s all you need-a shot.