Ohio State Escapes Minnesota in OT, But Momentum Remains Elusive
Coming off a statement win over UCLA, Ohio State had a golden opportunity Tuesday night to stack another victory and build some real momentum. Instead, the Buckeyes found themselves locked in a grind-it-out battle with a gritty Minnesota squad that refused to go away.
The final score-82-74 in favor of the Buckeyes-doesn’t tell the full story. This one needed overtime, and it exposed both the promise and the pitfalls of this Ohio State team.
Let’s break down what went right, what went wrong, and why the Buckeyes still feel like a team searching for consistency.
A Win is a Win… But It Wasn’t Easy
Ohio State walked away with the win, improving to 5-3 in Big Ten play and keeping pace in a crowded conference race. But they had to earn every bit of it.
The Buckeyes came out hot, starting both halves with energy and execution. They opened the game on a 10-0 run, hitting four of their first five shots and locking in defensively.
That’s the kind of start that sets the tone-except they couldn’t hold it.
Minnesota, under head coach Niko Medved, responded with poise. After a timeout, the Gophers flipped the script with a 14-2 run of their own.
Ohio State went ice cold, missing three straight shots and coughing up three turnovers in a span of four minutes. Add in four quick fouls, and suddenly the Buckeyes’ early lead was gone.
This wasn’t just a first-half issue either. The second half followed a similar pattern.
Ohio State built an 11-point lead early in the half, only to see Minnesota claw back into it. The game turned into a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to deliver the knockout blow in regulation.
Overtime Execution Was the Difference
The Buckeyes saved their best for the extra session. After 40 minutes of trading punches, Ohio State finally found its rhythm on both ends of the floor in overtime.
Offensively, they scored on all but one possession. Defensively, they tightened up just enough to keep Minnesota from matching them shot-for-shot.
That late-game composure is something head coach Jake Diebler can build on. In a league as unforgiving as the Big Ten, closing out close games is a skill in itself. And while the Buckeyes haven’t always been consistent in that department this season, they showed some growth in the final five minutes.
The Momentum Problem
Here’s the thing: this team has talent, depth, and moments of brilliance. But the issue isn’t whether they can play well-it’s whether they can sustain it. The inability to hold onto momentum, both within games and from one game to the next, continues to haunt Ohio State.
After a confidence-boosting win over a ranked UCLA team, Tuesday night should’ve been a chance to keep the foot on the gas. Instead, the Buckeyes found themselves scrambling to avoid another letdown.
The 10-0 start was erased almost immediately. The 11-point second-half lead evaporated.
That’s not just about X’s and O’s-it’s about mentality, focus, and maturity.
In a Big Ten season where every game feels like a rock fight, those lapses can be costly. And while Ohio State did enough to win this one, they know they’ll need more consistency if they want to climb the standings.
Final Takeaway
The Buckeyes are now 10-8 overall and sit in the middle of the Big Ten pack. Tuesday night’s win keeps them in the hunt, but it also served as a reminder: this team is still figuring itself out.
They’ve shown they can beat quality opponents. They’ve also shown they can let leads slip and struggle to maintain energy.
The good news? They’ve got time to iron things out.
The better news? They’re winning while doing it.
But if Ohio State wants to make real noise in March, they’ll need to turn these flashes of potential into something more sustainable. Because in this conference, the margin for error is razor-thin-and momentum is everything.