Buckeyes Face Pivotal Matchup vs. Wisconsin With NCAA Hopes Hanging in the Balance
Tuesday night in Madison isn’t just another game for Ohio State-it’s a turning point. After a tough loss to Virginia over the weekend, where the Buckeyes let a second-half lead slip away, the urgency is cranked all the way up.
That defeat marked their sixth straight loss to a Top 25 opponent this season, and now they get another shot at redemption against No. 24 Wisconsin.
Let’s be clear: this is as close to a must-win as it gets in mid-February. The Buckeyes are sitting just outside the projected NCAA Tournament field, and a road win over a ranked Badgers squad would go a long way in flipping that narrative.
They’ve seen this Wisconsin team before-and it didn’t go well. Ohio State dropped a 92-82 decision in the earlier matchup, a game that exposed some defensive vulnerabilities and left them chasing from behind most of the night. Now, they’ll have to dig deep, not just to flip the script, but to prove they can close out a game against a quality opponent.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier. After Wisconsin, Ohio State faces a brutal stretch: at Michigan State, at Iowa, home against Purdue, on the road at Penn State, and then wrapping up the regular season at home against Indiana.
There’s no breathing room here. Every possession, every late-game decision, every defensive rotation-it all matters now.
Ohio State Men’s Tennis Punches Ticket to ITA National Final
While the basketball team is fighting for postseason life, Ohio State’s men’s tennis squad is thriving on the national stage. The Buckeyes knocked off No. 1 Virginia on Monday night, 4-2, advancing to the ITA National Team Indoor Finals in Dallas.
This marks the program’s eighth trip to the national indoor final-a testament to the consistency and depth that’s become a hallmark of Buckeye tennis. And let’s not forget, this is a team with championship pedigree, having claimed the national title in 2024.
Against Virginia, it was a full-team effort. Aidam Kim, Jack Anthrop, and Nikita Filin came through in singles play, while the doubles pairings of Bradon Carpico/Filin and Kim/Bryce Nakashima secured the crucial early point. In a sport where momentum can swing wildly, Ohio State stayed composed and executed when it mattered most.
Circle These Dates: Buckeye Football Calendar Heats Up
Even with spring still weeks away, the countdown is officially on for Ohio State football fans. Here are some of the key dates to keep on your radar:
- NFL Scouting Combine: 6 days away (Feb. 23-March 2)
- First Spring Practice: 21 days (March 10)
- Spring Game: 60 days (April 18)
- NFL Draft: 65 days (April 23-25)
- Big Ten Media Days: 161 days (July 28-30)
- Season Opener vs. Ball State: 200 days (Sept.
- **The Game vs.
Michigan**: 284 days (Nov. 28)
- Big Ten Championship Game: 291 days (Dec. 5)
And of course, for those already dreaming of the College Football Playoff:
- First Round: 304 days (Dec. 18-19)
- Quarterfinals: 316 days (Dec. 30-Jan.
- Semifinals: 331 days (Jan.
14-15)
- National Championship: 342 days (Jan.
Plenty of time between now and then-but as always in Columbus, expectations are sky-high.