Time is ticking for the Ohio State men's basketball team as they look to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Hosting No.
8 Purdue at the Schottenstein Center on Sunday could be a pivotal moment in their season. Tip-off is set for 1:30 p.m., and CBS will be broadcasting the game.
The Buckeyes had a rough outing on Wednesday, falling 74-57 to Iowa. Despite a strong start with a 14-2 lead, they ended up trailing by as many as 23 points, marking a dramatic 35-point swing over 29 minutes.
Instead of delivering a standout performance when it mattered most, Ohio State stumbled, leaving them with little room for error. The loss puts them at 17-11 overall and 9-8 in Big Ten play.
But it's not over yet. Ohio State is currently ranked No. 38 in the NCAA's NET rankings.
A win against Purdue, ranked No. 7 in the NET, would be a significant Quad 1 victory. The Buckeyes are struggling with a 1-10 record in Quad 1 games and are 1-7 against ranked teams this season.
On home turf, Ohio State boasts a 12-3 record and delivered one of their best performances in an 86-69 win over Wisconsin on Feb. 17. Now, they need that same energy against a top-10 team.
"We've played well at home at times this year and we're going to need all of that support and energy playing against a top-10 team," said OSU coach Jake Diebler.
The loss to Iowa marked the first time Ohio State has lost back-to-back games this season. They're ninth in the Big Ten standings, but a win over Purdue could push them into eighth, securing a double bye in the conference tournament.
Injuries and illnesses have plagued the Buckeyes recently. Guard John Mobley Jr. returned against Iowa after a finger injury, and forward Devin Royal was back after missing the Michigan State game due to illness. However, center Christoph Tilly was sidelined with a calf injury.
Without Tilly, Ohio State struggled defensively, allowing Iowa to shoot 57% and being outscored 44-16 in the paint. Royal and Mobley stepped up offensively, but Bruce Thornton, who had been averaging 29 points over three games, was limited to just 10 points.
The bench contributed little, combining for just three points and eight rebounds in 49 minutes of play.
Reflecting on the Iowa loss, Diebler emphasized the need for honesty and health. "It's being honest about the things we didn't do well enough and getting healthier," he said. "I can't tell you the last time we've had our whole starting lineup together."
Regarding Tilly's recovery, Diebler noted, "He's working really hard to get back out there. Our guys are working hard to get back out there. This is a close group, and he wants to be out there with his team."
Purdue, with a 22-6 record, recently dropped to fifth in the Big Ten after a close loss to No. 13 Michigan State. Led by veteran head coach Matt Painter, the Boilermakers feature standout players like Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn.
Ohio State has a recent history of success against Purdue, with wins in their last two matchups. Diebler's first game as interim head coach saw a stunning 73-69 victory over a second-ranked Purdue in February 2024, followed by a 73-70 win in January 2025.
Reflecting on those victories, Diebler said, "There are some themes that correlate to tomorrow's game. But make no mistake, we've got to get this place rocking and create a good homecourt advantage for us."
Fans attending the game should note it's Wear White Day. Let’s see if the Buckeyes can rise to the occasion and keep their tournament hopes alive.