Ohio State Heads to Madison for Crucial Big Ten Clash with Wisconsin
The Buckeyes are packing their bags for Madison, where a pivotal Big Ten matchup awaits Saturday afternoon at the Kohl Center. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
ET (1 p.m. local time), with FOX carrying the broadcast nationally. And while it’s only January, this one already carries serious postseason implications.
Ohio State comes in riding the momentum of Monday night’s 84-78 win over Penn State. It was a game that showed both the Buckeyes’ offensive firepower and their vulnerability to lapses.
After building an 18-point halftime lead, Ohio State saw Penn State storm back to cut the deficit to just one with over 10 minutes to play. But the Buckeyes steadied themselves, closed strong, and walked away with a win that pushed them to 14-6 overall and 6-4 in Big Ten play.
Mobley Jr. Catching Fire
Freshman guard John Mobley Jr. was the engine once again, pouring in 25 points on 5-of-11 shooting from deep. He added five assists and three steals, showing off the kind of all-around game that’s quickly turning heads in the conference.
Over his last four outings, Mobley has been scorching from beyond the arc-averaging five made threes per game and shooting 47% from deep (20-for-43). He’s also posted four straight games with 20 or more points, a streak he’ll look to extend to five on Saturday-something no Buckeye has done since 2013.
Mobley’s hot hand has him on the verge of tying a program record for most consecutive games with four or more made threes, a mark set by Jamison Battle during the 2023-24 season. If he keeps this up, he’s not just chasing records-he’s putting himself in the conversation as one of the most dangerous shooters in the Big Ten.
Supporting Cast Stepping Up
Mobley wasn’t alone in Monday’s win. Freshman forward Amare Bynum chipped in 15 points, five boards, and three steals, continuing to show flashes of his two-way potential. Devin Royal added 14 points, and Taison Chatman came off the bench to deliver a career-high 11 points, giving the Buckeyes a much-needed spark.
It wasn’t Bruce Thornton’s most productive scoring night-he finished with a season-low nine points-but he still made his presence felt with five assists and three steals. Even with the dip, Thornton is averaging 19.6 points per game, and his ability to control pace and distribute remains central to Ohio State’s offensive rhythm.
Injury Watch: Tilly, Cupps, and Noel
Ohio State was short-handed against Penn State, missing center Christoph Tilly and guard Gabe Cupps due to injuries. Head coach Jake Diebler gave a cautiously optimistic update earlier this week, saying both players were receiving treatment and could be available for the trip to Wisconsin. Their status will likely hinge on how they respond in practice leading up to the game.
Meanwhile, forward Brandon Noel missed his sixth straight game and was spotted on crutches Monday night. There’s still no clear timetable for his return, and his absence continues to thin Ohio State’s frontcourt depth.
Puff Johnson Remains Eligible
Guard Puff Johnson, who made his Buckeye debut in the Jan. 23 loss at Michigan, remains eligible to play while his legal situation continues to unfold. His court hearing has been pushed to Feb. 11, and a temporary restraining order against the NCAA remains in place until then. Johnson logged 14 minutes in the win over Penn State, finishing with two points and three rebounds as he works his way into the rotation.
Tough Road Ahead at the Kohl Center
Winning in Madison has never been easy for the Buckeyes. Since the Kohl Center opened in 1998, Ohio State is just 5-14 there. Their last win in the building came in 2021, and they’ll need to bring their best to snap that trend.
Wisconsin enters the matchup at 15-6 overall and 7-3 in conference play. The Badgers bounced back from a home loss to USC with a gritty 67-63 win over Minnesota on Wednesday.
That USC game snapped a five-game win streak, which included a signature road win at then-No. 2 Michigan earlier this month.
Tournament Implications Loom Large
This game is more than just a battle for Big Ten positioning-it’s a bubble watch showdown. Both Ohio State and Wisconsin are currently projected to be among the last four byes in the NCAA Tournament field, according to ESPN.
That means they’d avoid the First Four play-in round, but there’s little margin for error. CBS Sports has Wisconsin slotted as a 9-seed, with Ohio State just behind as a 10.
A win in Madison would be a major résumé booster for the Buckeyes and could provide the kind of momentum that carries into the back half of Big Ten play. These two teams will meet again on Feb. 17 in Columbus, but for now, all eyes are on Saturday-and the stakes couldn’t be much higher.