The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for a pivotal Big Ten clash against the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing. With March Madness just around the corner, both teams have plenty on the line.
Ohio State's tournament hopes
The Buckeyes, standing at 17-9 overall and 9-6 in conference play, are fresh off a victory over Wisconsin. Currently tied with Iowa and UCLA for seventh in the Big Ten, Ohio State is on the NCAA Tournament bubble. A win against a ranked Michigan State team on the road could be just the boost they need.
After this showdown, Ohio State faces a challenging schedule, traveling to Iowa, hosting Purdue, and visiting Penn State, before wrapping up the regular season at home against Indiana.
Michigan State's momentum
The Spartans, with a 21-5 record, have been on a roll, winning seven of their last ten games. They're tied with Nebraska for fourth in the conference, chasing Purdue, Illinois, and Michigan.
Their recent blowout win over UCLA showcased their defensive prowess, holding the Bruins to just 59 points. This defensive intensity has been key to their recent success.
Following this game, Michigan State heads to Purdue for a major conference clash, then faces Indiana, Rutgers, and finishes the regular season against Michigan.
Game details
Ohio State vs. Michigan State: When and where
- Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Jack Breslin Student Events Center, East Lansing, MI
Where to watch or stream
Betting odds
- Spread: Michigan State -10.5
- Moneyline: Michigan State -429, Ohio State +220
- Total: 148.5
Series history
- All-time series: Michigan State leads 32-20
- Last meeting: Michigan State won 69-62 on January 3, 2025
Projected starting lineups
Ohio State Buckeyes
- Bruce Thornton - 19.9 PPG
- John Mobley Jr. - 15.1 PPG
- Devin Royal - 14.0 PPG
- Christoph Tilly - 11.4 PPG
- Amare Bymum - 9.6 PPG
Michigan State Spartans
- Jeremy Fears - 15.1 PPG
- Jaxon Kohler - 12.4 PPG
- Coen Carr - 11.9 PPG
- Carson Cooper - 10.0 PPG
- Divine Ugochukwu - 5.0 PPG
Big Ten spotlight in East Lansing
With Selection Sunday looming, every game carries weight. Ohio State is hunting for wins to bolster its tournament resume, while Michigan State is honing its form for the postseason. The Spartans' home court, the Breslin Center, is notoriously tough, but Ohio State's urgency could make this matchup tighter than expected.