Michigan State is set to continue its winning momentum from Tuesday’s convincing home victory as they prepare to host the Ohio State Buckeyes on Sunday at 1 PM ET. The game will be aired on CBS, promising an exciting matchup between these two Big Ten rivals.
Ohio State enters the contest as a middle-tier team in the Big Ten, currently tied for 7th place with a 9-6 conference record and an overall record of 17-9. They are projected as an 11-seed in the latest Bracketology by ESPN, indicating they are on the cusp of NCAA Tournament participation.
The Buckeyes have had a rollercoaster season, starting with wins against less competitive teams. In key matchups against major conference opponents, they have struggled to find consistency, showcasing a series of nail-biting games—victories against Notre Dame and West Virginia juxtaposed with losses to Pittsburgh and North Carolina. Recently, they faced a ranked Virginia team, narrowly losing by just four points. Despite setbacks against other ranked Big Ten teams, such as losses to Illinois and Nebraska, Ohio State achieved a notable 86-69 victory over Wisconsin on the same night Michigan State triumphed over UCLA.
However, Ohio State will be without John Mobley Jr., one of their standout guards, due to a hand injury suffered two games ago. Despite this setback, the Buckeyes demonstrated their resilience by defeating Wisconsin without him. The team’s starting lineup includes:
– Bruce Thornton, a senior guard who leads the team with an impressive 21.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
– Taison Chatman, a sophomore guard averaging 4.3 points with an efficient shooting percentage.
– Devin Royal, a junior forward contributing 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds.
– Amari Bynum, a freshman forward with a solid shooting percentage and a contribution of roughly 9.6 points per game.
– Christoph Tilly, a senior center who adds depth with 11.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Jake Diebler is in his third season as head coach, building on his experience as an assistant under Chris Holtmann for four years. He has a respectable 42-27 record as head coach, showcasing his capability to lead the team amidst challenges.
From a strategic standpoint, Ohio State boasts a strong offense, ranking 5th in the conference with an average of 81.2 points per game. However, their defense lags behind, allowing 73.4 points, placing them 12th in that category. On the rebounding front, the team averages 34.7 boards per game, which translates into vulnerability, especially without Mobley’s contributions.
For Michigan State, focusing on interior defense will be key to securing another home win. The Spartans will rely on players like Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper to disrupt Ohio State’s offensive flow, particularly in the paint. Offensively, while a repeat of their 52% three-point shooting against UCLA may be a stretch, MSU needs to see improved performance from Kohler and Cooper in their shooting, particularly in shorter ranges.
With seniors Kohler and Cooper determined to make their final home appearances count, the Spartans are expected to bring their best effort against an Ohio State team looking to capitalize on their strengths despite the absence of Mobley. Fans can look forward to what promises to be an intense and closely contested matchup, as Michigan State aims for its second consecutive victory.