The Ohio State Buckeyes delivered exactly what they needed on Tuesday night with a commanding performance against No. 25 Wisconsin.
Facing a crucial moment in their season, the Buckeyes stepped up with an impressive 86-69 victory, setting the tone from the opening tip. Despite recent struggles, including a tough loss to Virginia and the absence of guard John Mobley Jr., Ohio State showed resilience and determination.
Forward Devi Royal was a standout, contributing 25 points and showcasing his scoring prowess. However, it was guard Bruce Thornton who stole the spotlight, pouring in 27 points, with 24 coming in a scorching second half. Thornton's performance was key in fending off Wisconsin's attempts to rally.
So, what does this mean for the Buckeyes moving forward?
While this win was a boost, Ohio State still faces a challenging path. Despite Wisconsin's ranking, this victory doesn't count as a Quad 1 win, an area where the Buckeyes are currently 0-8. They're still on the NCAA Tournament bubble, but this win breathes new life into their hopes.
Ohio State now faces five critical regular-season games, needing to go at least 4-1 to strengthen their tournament resume. This stretch includes a daunting trip to No.
15 Michigan State, a team notoriously tough at home. Following that, the Buckeyes will face Iowa, host No.
7 Purdue, travel to Penn State, and conclude with Indiana at home.
The opportunities are there, and if Ohio State replicates Tuesday's shooting performance, they could very well find themselves in the tournament conversation come Selection Sunday.
It's a promising step for Ohio State, but the journey is far from over as they aim to secure their spot in the postseason.